Headphone Commute

Dustin O'Halloran - Blue Summer Mixtape Jul 10, 2024

With all of my regular hectic programming, I completely forgot to invite other artists and create a mix for the HC Podcast! This is immediately rectified with this wonderful Blue Summer Mixtape by the one and only Dustin O'Halloran. Oh, and if you're just jumping on board this long-running series and want to catch up, there are a total of 330 mixes already published - almost too many to host in one place. So you can either stream them on your favourite platforms or even download the entire archive in one swoop (more on that is detailed here). But back to this fantastic modern classical voyage. Dustin is, of course, no stranger to these lands - I have been celebrating his solo piano career, collaborative film scores with Volker Bertelman (aka Hauschka), and, of course, his gorgeous project with Adam Wiltzie as A Winged Victory For The Sullen since the beginning of time. So, it's an absolute pleasure to welcome Dustin back to the podcast with his very special selection of inspirational music. Dustin is currently celebrating his latest album for Deutsche Grammophon, titled 1 0 0 1, which I have reviewed in depth here. He is also preparing for his upcoming European tour, and you can see the schedule for his shows in Groningen, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and Berlin on his website here. Well, those are enough words for now. I'll leave you with a quote about the mix from Dustin and, most importantly, the music!

Mathias Van Eecloo - eisOtones 16 Jan 31, 2024

It's 2024, and Mathias Van Eecloo of LAAPS is back with another instalment (his 16th) of the eisOtones series, where he hand-selects and celebrates 50 pieces from 50 releases of the year. As is the case with other regular contributors to Headphone Commute (like Ryan Griffin of ASIP and Mike Jedlicka of Optic Echo), who continue this ongoing annual ritual, I always look forward to the eclectic sounds of eisOtones. We already know and celebrate the music featured on the LAAPS and IIKKI imprints (a separate showcase of which you can also stream here), and it's always a fascinating dive down the uncharted waters, spanning a diverse collection of genres, labels, and themes. I always think of it as a bit of a refresher (a "head-cleaner", if you will), to rinse the palette from the familiar and "normal" (whatever normal that may be) and check out the sounds on the outer edge of the musical universe, where, for some, they're at the centre, and it's ours that's on edge. So let's turn on, tune in, and drop out...

A Strangely Isolated Place - Reflection on 2023 Jan 23, 2024

Yes, folks, I am still rejoicing in last year. What can I say – I love to listen to great music, especially when it’s picked by someone else. And not just anyone – a trusted source! Ryan Griffin and I go back more than a decade now. Secretly, I’m even jealous of his capacity to operate one of the best labels on the scene today. At times, I toyed with the idea of starting a label too – but then, when would I have the time to write these words and share this music? And so, I leave it to the rest. For this annual entry in the Reflections series, we spend three hours (!) in the company of 42+ tracks selected by your reliable guide of A Strangely Isolated Place, where you will surely find new gems and inspirations. I’ll drop a short quote here, but you should check out a detailed write-up on this mix on ASIP’s dedicated page. If this wasn’t enough amazing music, you can also check out Ryan’s previous years’ selections here.

Optic Echo Presents Best Vinyl of 2023 Jan 06, 2024

This has been an ongoing tradition for over a decade (by my count, this is the 13th year). This time, I didn’t even reach out with a friendly reminder. Mike Jedlicka of Optic Echo just let me know that he’s already on it, and here we are with a selection of his favourite vinyl releases of the year. Every single year, I complain about the amount of music, and every single year, I keep wanting even more. And even as I drown in all of the releases, it’s always amazing to discover new and fantastic sounds from a trusted source. This trusted source, of course, is Mike Jedlicka. Even if our tastes do not align on all the genres (and that’s a good thing, may I add), I can always appreciate a good selection when I hear one. If you like these choices, be sure to check out the entire archive of Optic Echo Presents mixes (there is even one where he picks his favourites of the decade). Enjoy the journey, and may I remind you once again to please support the featured artists and labels! Won’t you buy a pint or a coffee for them? Then pick up the album on Bandcamp, even if you intend to play it on Spotify in the end!

Warmth - Archives 2023 Dec 27, 2023

Good morning, and welcome to the quietest week of the year. Did you have a good holiday? Before I sign off for the year, I think I’ve got one more gem to share with you. This is a wonderful label showcase and a reflection on this past year from a lovely independent Valencia-based imprint, Archives, curated and operated by Agustín Mena, aka Warmth. I’ve profiled plenty of its releases since its inception in 2015, and I must admit that Warmth’s Parallel (2018) has been on repeat more than others. If anything, it is only rivalled by Glow, which is his collaboration with Fionnlagh, recently released on December 8th, 2023 (you’ll hear a few tracks on this mix). In any case, enjoy the mix, and please support the featured artists! For full details and tracklisting, visit Headphone Commute's main site.

LAAPS+IIKKI (2022-2023) Oct 03, 2023

Good morning, and welcome to your Tuesday. I have a special entry in Headphone Commute’s Podcast series for you today. And if you’re just getting around to enjoying these, let me remind you that we have 325+ others available directly when you subscribe to the podcast, or you can download them from our offline archive (going back to 2009!). Anyway, it is not just a mix but an entire label showcase of Mathias Van Eecloo‘s amazing LAAPS imprint, covering releases in the last two years (2022-2023). I’ve hosted the first such showcase two years ago, so be sure to check out LAAPS 2020-2021 mix as well. Oh, and Mathias was generous enough to throw in a few IIKKI releases in there as well (just check out this tracklist!), so this is truly a compilation of some of the best experimental ambient albums from both of his fantastic labels, continuously mixed exclusively for you! As always, if you enjoy what you hear, please support the featured artists, and in this case, the labels as well!

Roel Funcken - Gorreliann Plasebant [Part 6 of 6] Sep 26, 2023

Today, we conclude the 9+ hour mix by Roel Funcken with its sixth and final part. It's been a real journey, exactly as predicted, connecting time in a single, comforting, and beautiful stretch of sonic weave. If you pay attention to the track listing, you will notice how Funcken threaded pieces from repeating artists (sometimes even a few from the same release) to create a cohesive musical voyage, along with his expertly practised touch of additional post-processing to get it all nicely glued together. As promised, you can enjoy these instalments in a single long-playing track, which Funcken originally shared on his Soundcloud account under a different name. You can stream this and even download it here. Meanwhile, if you enjoyed your time with us, please support the featured artists and labels!

Roel Funcken - Gorreliann Plasebant [Part 5 of 6] Sep 19, 2023

Arriving at part five of a 9+ hour ambient mix by Roel Funcken, I am exactly with it as intended. This is a continuous ambient journey, serving as a bridge between fragmented times, uniting days and months into a single voyage. For a while, I’ve had an image in my mind as if we all move in a circle, approaching seasons in their respective physical locations (winter is on top), traversing time as we rotate on the perimeter. I wonder where it’s from? Perhaps they showed me that in elementary school, and it stuck. Do you, as well, have that peculiar perception? But what if we stand still and time moves through us like a tape? An endless river of events arrives from the unknown into the present and finally recedes into the past. And we are nothing but observers… You can find the previous four parts right here. I’ll see you on the other side!

Roel Funcken - Gorreliann Plasebant [Part 4 of 6] Sep 14, 2023

We’re almost halfway through the series, and today, I’m publishing the fourth instalment of this 6-part mix by Roel Funcken. How are you getting on with it? Don’t forget that I’ll share the full, uninterrupted, 9+ hour continuous journey once this podcast series is completed. I can tell you that I’ve personally listened more than a couple of times to each entry, noticing the tiny nuances that are the handiwork of Funcken, who is not only the selector but also the navigator of this trip but is also a bit of a producer behind the transitions – not only using volume to fade in and out but also a few time-based effects here and there (delay, reverb, etc.) to create seamless transitions between each piece. It’s not something you usually notice in mixes, but I can tell you that Funcken has consistently been doing that in his. If you’re new to this series, check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Roel Funcken - Gorreliann Plasebant [Part 3 of 6] Sep 05, 2023

September’s upon us, and just as predicted, this third part of the 9+ hour Gorreliann Plasebant mix by Roel Funcken serves as a type of bond, creating continuation in a somewhat fragmented turn of events. As if on cue, the temperature dropped, and the weather has changed, and the sunshine and warmth are somewhere in the memory, recalled through some words and, of course, through this music. There are lots of great pieces on here as well, painting the Autumn sky with the colours of sound, and as usual with these travels, I should let all these tracks do the talking instead. Once again, the azure gorgeous sphere is courtesy of the original artwork created by Funcking with acrylic paint. And yes, once I finish the series, I will share the mix in its entirety. Enjoy!

Roel Funcken - Gorreliann Plasebant [Part 2 of 6] Aug 29, 2023

It is Tuesday morning, and perhaps you’re on your way to work. Or maybe you’re already in front of the computer reading through those emails that can surely ruin your day. Or perhaps you’re just waking up to all the possibilities this day may come to offer. Being open to the “good” and the “bad” without colouring these with your expectations and simply watching things unfold — the way a flower would without judgment. To help you onboarding for your day (even if you’re not listening to this on another Tuesday morning), I’ve got a second part of Roel Funcken‘s Gorreliann Plasebant mix, which I am publishing in six parts over the upcoming weeks, as we transition into another season. Once again, I want to point your eye to the beautiful original artwork created by Funcken himself using acrylic paint and point your ear to his skill at seamlessly transitioning between the selected pieces, taking us on a gorgeous journey through another Tuesday morning. Enjoy!

Roel Funcken - Gorreliann Plasebant [Part 1 of 6] Aug 22, 2023

Summer is almost over. I just took some time to travel a bit again, and as usual, when I return, it’s always difficult to get back into the swing of things. Thankfully, I have an easy task ahead of me today because Roel Funcken has done all the work for me. If you have a keen eye, you may have noticed that today I’m only publishing the first section of a 6-part (9+ hours!) Gorreliann Plasebant mix, which I will link to in its entirety at the end of this series, in which Roel traverses some of his favourite ambient and contemporary classical pieces of the day. I love every minute of it and look forward to revealing each part every week, seamlessly taking us from the end of summer into the beginning of fall. Let’s hope that I can keep this going through September! But for now, enough words! Enjoy the music! And don’t forget to check out Funcken’s latest output as part of Funckarma and Legiac, which you can find on his Bandcamp. Oh, and all artwork is taken from Roel’s original acrylic paintings!

Mike Lazarev - Soundwave Mix Aug 08, 2023

I think I met Joseph sometime in 2008 when he was running his Solipsistic Nation podcast. We shared the same taste in electronic music, and in 2010 I prepared a mix called “DSM-IV-TR“. This seems to be a long time ago now, but Joseph and I still keep in touch. So when he asked me to follow up with another instalment, I gladly pulled out my latest favourite pieces to prepare this mix. These days his show is called Soundwave, where he continues to showcase some of the best artists on the scene, including many of my favourites like zakè, Billow Observatory, and Mike Cadoo, as well as co-conspirators in writing, like Peter van Cooten of Ambientblog, and many other eclectic artists, who are new to my ears and are always a pleasure to discover! My original mix premiered as episode #163 in July of this year, and today I am happily republishing it here for syndication. I think this music needs more ears, and I hope you enjoy the journey!

In this mix, I focused on exploring the very edges of the sonic landscape, where beauty and destruction lie on opposite sides of the dynamic spectrum. Between them, one can hear the transmutation between organic and synthetic, fragile and brutal, beauty and fright. I really love the distorted build-ups originating in the gentle and soothing melodies, climaxing to their concerted peaks and then collapsing into beauty once again. It’s in this contrast that we find ourselves forever bouncing between the darkness and the light, only to accept that there is no middle ground and that this journey.

Fields We Found - Looking Beyond the Trees Jun 21, 2023

Fields We Found is the moniker of an artist and the newly-launched quiet details label founder, bathing our ears with ambient bliss. In the last few years, we were gifted with deep-evolving soundscapes appearing on Ambientologist, Seil Records, and Handstiched Recordings, with the most recent album, Paths, “… exploring the routes we all choose and where they take us” on Facture. Late in 2022, Alex also put out music on the beloved Home Normal, run with tremendous devotion by the one and only Ian Hawgood. Today’s mix on Headphone Commute Podcast is essentially a love letter to our mutually adored ambient imprint, showcasing a lot of the beautiful music appearing on the label. Please support the label, check out the full tracklisting and more words from Alex on the mix directly on the site: https://hcdi.gs/trees

Vargkvint - Headphone Commute Mix May 03, 2023

Sofia Nystrand is a Stockholm-based composer with an anticipated new album Månens Hav, due out on June 2nd, 2023, via the German LEITER imprint. This follow-up to her 2019 record Hav, is deeply influenced by her childhood experiences growing up in the Swedish archipelago of Roslagen. With her music, she explores the duality of beauty and brutality in nature, “awe and fear, magic and sorcery,” and how it shapes our emotions and creative expressions. For this Headphone Commute Mix, Sofia compiles a selection of pieces that she listened to while composing her album. Here, we can find all of our favourites, from Grouper to Nils Frahm, from Alexandra Hamilton-Ayres to Tim Linghaus and his collaboration with Nystrand as Vargkvint. Sprinkle in a bit of This Mortal Coil, and you will get a sense of the influencing themes that permeated the music on her upcoming release, which in Swedish means “Oceans of the Moon”.

Brueder Selke - Q3Ambientfest 2023 Mar 23, 2023

I am always happy to bring new sounds to your ears [and mine!], and today I’ve got a mix showcasing some special selections from the upcoming boutique music festival named Q3Ambientfest, which will take place this year in June. Creating a perfect balance between some established and emerging artists of various genres and diverse origins, this event showcases a wide range and reach of the music scene. The festival [and this mix] is curated by Brueder Selke, East Berlin-born, Potsdam-based, multi-instrumental composers Sebastian and Daniel Selke, who are also known under their pseudonym CEEYS. “Each year, Brueder Selke invite like-minded friends and renowned artists to meet on a common, physical stage, and, with performances that range between academic avant-garde and accessible pop, develop a kind of cinematic music that holds a mirror up to and makes audible the eclectic architecture of the world-famous Filmstadt Potsdam, with its neoclassical palaces and socialist brutalism.” For this hour-long showcase, they have selected many pieces traversing the roster, including music by Jakob Lindhagen, Vargkvint, Mabe Fratti, Julia Reidy, Yair Elazar Glotman, their very own Brueder Selke project, and many more.

You can find more details on the festival here : www.bruederselke.com/happenings/kuration

Fields We Found - chroma Mar 14, 2023

I've got an exceptional podcast for you today, folks. It's not a mix but rather a continuous, single, long-playing track composed by Fields We Found. I'm sharing this fantastic music as an opening to an introduction to a brand new label, quiet details, which I will be profiling this week. Founded this year by the artist behind this piece, the imprint focuses on each artist's interpretation of the phrase after which the label is named. Spanning multiple genres, the upcoming releases explore this idea in each artist's unique way, with the catalogue and upcoming schedule including names such as the humble bee, Fields Line Cartographer, Luke Sanger, bvdub, zakè, and many others [with nearly two years of releases planned already!], whom I'm sure we'll find on these pages. Each release will be accompanied by handmade artwork, with the music and each artist's intuition as a guide to the palette and structure, available as a physical item with bespoke packaging and individual prints. It's a wonderful series to follow from the very beginning, and I am honoured to be a part of this introduction to you. I'll be back with more words on the label later this week, but for now, please enjoy this beautiful piece titled "chroma".

Make sure to visit quietdetails.bandcamp.com for more!

Mathias Van Eecloo - eisOtones 15 Mar 01, 2023

50 pieces from 50 releases of the year – this is the ongoing theme of the eisOtones series that we have been featuring on the Headphone Commute podcast, and this is our 15th entry (previous mixes can be found here). Once again, Mathias Van Eecloo, of [previously] Eilean Rec. and [currently] LAAPS, returns for his annual tradition of masterful selection of musical journeys. This one has been in the making for quite some time, and I only wish that I could have published it earlier in the year. But yes, it’s March 1st, and yes, we’re still looking back at 2022, and yes, I think it’s just as well since music doesn’t like to be explicitly dated. This is a very interesting selection with a really wide span of genres and labels – plenty of which are very new to me. It’s an exceptional headcleaner for the walls of the echo chamber of styles in which you may find yourself stuck. So it’s time to pop out and see what you may have been missing. As usual, please enjoy responsibly and support the featured artists!

Full tracklisting is here…

zakè - Past Inside the Future Mix Feb 15, 2023

Zach Frizzell's Indianapolis (US) based label, Past Inside the Present, has been an incredible force in the last couple of years in the ambient community. So much so that when I was putting the finishing touches on my own album and thought about the best home for it, PITP sprang to mind first. You may think that I'm singing praises here as a result of that, but if you flip through its impressive catalogue, you will immediately notice the quality output from artists such as ASC, 36, bvdub, Lav, Wil Bolton, Pepo Galán, Slow Dancing Society, Celer, Purl, r beny, Endless Melancholy, From Overseas, and ... too many others to name here... and that's just in the last few years! Opening its doors in only 2018, this American imprint has established itself as one of the leading voices on the scene. It's almost hard to keep up! And I'm not even mentioning here Zach's offshoot for his own works, Zakè Drone Recordings, or a digital-only sub-label called Fallen Moon Recordings, or a sonic platform called Healing Sound Propagandist. The stellar creations that found themselves on Past Inside the Present have appeared numerous times in HC's End of the Year selections since the launch, so it's only fitting to have Zach showcase the upcoming output through this exclusive mix. Enjoy the journey, and as always, please support the label!

Stationary Travels - Annum 2022 Feb 01, 2023

Yes, it’s already February, and yes, I’m still looking back at all the music from last year. But music can’t be “dated” – wouldn’t you agree? I’ve said that many times before, so let us practice what we preach. Today I am very happy to share with you a selection of favourite pieces from 2022 as curated by Brian Housman of Stationary Travels. We’ve been partnering in spreading our honest words about honest music for many years now, and I’m very happy that Brian still cracks on [that’s a new British phrase that I’ve picked up here in London]. In a way, we keep each other going, sharing our very special finds, making sure we don’t go too far off the path of being real to our cause versus turning into just “influencers”- do you know what I mean? Just as I’ve done in the previous year, I’ve selected my favourites from Brian’s EOY picks in a dedicated list I titled Music For Your Stationary Travels. In return, Brian highlighted my very own choices in this very lovely post. We play this ping-pong with you, our readers, and you must admit, it’s all for a good cause. Please enjoy this gorgeous mix and support the featured artists!

More details, including the tracklisting: http://hcdi.gs/Annum2022

Optic Echo Presents - Best Vinyl of 2022 Jan 13, 2023

I look back at 2022 and realize that I didn't put out the "usual" amount of mixes for the HC podcast. This is indeed because right after the celebration of the music from the year before, I was utterly preoccupied with the thoughts turned towards Ukraine. As a result, there were two "For Ukraine" mixes by Brian Housman of Stationary Travels and Peter can Cooten of Ambient Blog. In the last two weeks, with the annual Best of the Year tradition, I managed to broadcast and archive a few of my selections from each list, showcasing appearing artists. You can stream these via my Mixcloud account. But it's not the same as the typical fair. So today, I'm back, along with the amazing Mike Jedlicka of Optic Echo, to share his favourite vinyl selections of 2022. This is that one particular tradition that I refuse to let go of, with today's mix being the 12th instalment in the series. There is not much left to say, and we both hope the music speaks much louder. Please enjoy!

Spatial x Headphone Commute Jun 07, 2022

I’ve got something slightly different for you today than the usual fair. How are you feeling about atmospheric drum & bass this morning? To be fair, this is not the first time that I’ve showcased this genre on these pages (see Clima‘s Headphone Commute Mix or the super fun Chill & Bass Mix by Orangewarrior). Except for this time, it’s also a label showcase, featuring very special selections from James Clements‘ newly launched Spatial imprint (a sub-label for his Auxiliary), with an ethos to “recapture the essence of the mid 90’s scene” featuring classic breaks and heavy sub-bass. So far, the roster includes James’ own celebrated ASC project, as well as Simon Huxtable’s Aural Imbalance, but I suspect it may grow further, beyond the two. Meanwhile, because of the tight curation, each release is a beautiful and cohesive 12″ (yes, FINALLY available on vinyl) as well as a digital offering via the usual channels. In any case, this is an absolutely wonderful and very welcome journey for my sunny morning, and I hope that it’ll be for you as well! I’ll stop talking here but will include a pretty lengthy writeup (on my site) from the label boss himself. Enjoy!

Tracklisting and more here: https://hcdi.gs/Spatial

PvC - For Ukraine Mix May 25, 2022

I honestly wish that I could stop promoting this benefit compilation, titled For Ukraine, which is now on its second volume (see links below). I’d stop promoting because we wouldn’t need the funds which would all be donated to International Rescue Committee (rescue.org) to support displaced children and families with vital supplies. Albeit somehow it has all receded in the background, and yet the war goes on. This time, I’ve enlisted the help of Peter van Cooten of ambientblog.net to compile and curate a mix, featuring 28 pieces selected from two volumes, all of them painstakingly edited to create a continuous journey and to entice you to purchase both volumes (with a third one on the way soon!) to experience the tracks in full. So you can treat this mix as a sampler, or a bonus if you’ve already contributed to our cause. “There are many changing instrumentations, moods and atmospheres,” says Peter about his selection, “I like to think of it as travelling in a fast-moving train, looking out the window at different landscapes gliding by…” Please share and help support our message.

Volume 1 : https://hcdi.gs/ForUkraine
Volume 2 : https://hcdi.gs/ForUkraine2

Stationary Travels - For Ukraine (Reprise) Mar 24, 2022

About a week ago, in collaboration with Hollie Kenniff who curated the roster of artists, Headphone Commute released the first volume of the benefit compilation For Ukraine with 100% of all proceeds being donated to the International Rescue Committee (rescue.org). This is one of those things, folks, that does not need to be written about, promoted, or sold. Nevertheless, with the help of Brian Housman of Stationary Travels, I am happy to share with you an hour-long compilation teaser, featuring some of Brian’s favourite pieces. It’s only about half of the entire content, which you can now stream as part of our mix series and podcast, but we still ask you to share and help in any way that you can to support our message. Thanks in advance, and stay tuned for Volume Two!!!

For Ukraine : https://hcdi.gs/ForUkraine

Mathias Van Eecloo - eisOtones 14 Feb 15, 2022

How would you like to hear 50 tracks from 50 releases from last year? Well, in this 14th instalment, Mathias Van Eecloo, of [previously] Eilean Rec. and [currently] LAAPS [for which he also made a very special mix], returns for his annual tradition of masterful selection of musical journeys from many of my favourite labels. Plenty for you here to unpeel and explore throughout the numerous genres and musical diversions. And although I usually feature this mix sometime in January, I think it’s safe to admit that there is no better time like now. And, as usual, please enjoy responsibly and support the featured artists! We hope that you enjoy!

Stationary Travels - Annum 2021 Feb 01, 2022

By now it’s no secret that I’m a fan of Brian Housman‘s labour and his Stationary Travels site. Two years ago I even unveiled a brand new Best of the Year list, dedicated to his very own selections, appropriately titled “Music For Your Stationary Travels“. I suspect that the respect here is mutual since he recently revealed his highlights from music spotted on HC’s Best of the Year feature. Yes, in this little corner of this strange and often ruthless “music business” it’s less about competition and more about the support. And both of us support the music, at least through mixes or through words. And so, without any further ado, I present to you a reflection on the last year, as put together by Brian for this very special mix. There are lots of beautiful pieces on here, but as usual with this particular feature – less words and more music, yes? And please, be sure to support the featured artists and labels on this mix!

Optic Echo Presents - Best Vinyl of 2021 Jan 05, 2022

The current Best of the Year feature is well underway, and besides dragging you through all of the amazing albums that you’ve missed, I also think that you should be able to hear some, or, in this case, specifically the best vinyl of the last year, as selected by Mike Jedlicka. It’s a beautiful journey that has introduced me to some new music as well, and I’m forever grateful for this special friendship that we’ve maintained over more than a decade. This is our 11th year in sharing this music, and if you like the choices, be sure to check out our past archive of Optic Echo Presents mixes. As usual with our podcasts – less words and more music, and please, be sure to support the featured artists and labels!

LAAPS 2020-2021 Dec 29, 2021

So only a few more days left to this year, but, more importantly, a few more days before I announce my Best of 2021 lists [which, just like you, I have been looking forward to], but before we wave another year farewell, I’ve got something exceptional to share with you. In fact, this is a celebration of two years, to be more precise – two years of releases from the amazing LAAPS imprint [which, if my memory serves me correctly, I’ve introduced on here back in the summer of 2020]. The label was created by Mathias Van Eecloo as a permanent sonic and visual continuity, with each release starting with the end of the previous one. And now, two years, four seasons, and 16 releases later, we’ve got this gorgeous 60-minute mix (curated by the label boss himself) showcasing each one… turning into what I may bluntly proclaim to be an exclusive compilation just for Headphone Commute! And this is just the beginning! A little birdie told me that the series will extend to exactly 100 releases, running for 12 years straight! But enough words, let’s turn towards all this gorgeous music!

Night Gestalt - Headphone Commute Mix Dec 15, 2021

Some words about the mix from Night Gestalt:

"My album "Thousand Year Waves" is all about waves - and the end of the world. Sailors have long known about ’rogue waves’ in the ocean but it’s only recently researchers have been able to record these rare monsters. In 1995 the Draupner oil platform was hit by a 25,6 meterhigh wave. The waves just before and after were around 12 meters. The platform was designed to withstand waves of 20 meters, which had been calculated to happen one time in 10 000 years. I think the end of the world will come in waves: climate change, economic crashes, viruses. And then - out of nowhere - a wave so big we couldn’t even imagine it."

See more details, a rambling intro, and full track listing here: http://hcdi.gs/Waves

https://hcdi.gs/Waves

Clima - Headphone Commute Mix Nov 30, 2021

After listening to a lot of music in the very same genre, sometimes you just need a headcleaner. You know? Today is a perfect day for that. Oh, and do you remember Sirat‘s Noir mixes? Those dark and beautiful concoctions, paying tribute to the film-noir genre “with its characteristic anti-heroes, femmes fatales, gangsters and dirty dealings.” Well, it just happens to be that Ernesto Gerez along with his partner in crime, Javier Campos, also dabble in some dub-infused delicious drum’n’bass under the project named Clima. So I’ve asked him to put together a very special Headphone Commute Mix, peppered, of course, with the tracks from this Spanish duo, to showcase their very special style. And so, folks, here we are – sharing with you about 45-minutes of some spacious, engaging, and inspiring music, in the genre which is often geared towards the dancefloor. I hope you enjoy as much as I have – this has been playing on repeat all day long here.

Read more info plus the entire tracklist here: http://hcdi.gs/Clima

Clarice Jensen - Headphone Commute Mix Nov 03, 2021

I’ve recently covered some newly released soundtracks and mentioned a brand new film score by the New York-based cellist and composer, Clarice Jensen for an independent Mexican feature film, titled Identifying Features. This was released as an EP on October 29th by the ever-amazing 130701 imprint which continues to hold up a very high bar for the current drifts in present classical music. For this very special podcast, Dave Howell and I asked Clarice to put together an OST-themed mix, and if you only glance at the tracklisting, you will agree that the selection here is top-notch. And then the perfectly curated sonic journey is a whole other story. As usual, for mixes, I will reserve my words, and give Clarice some space to say a few things about this hour-long cinematic voyage. And as usual, please enjoy responsibly, support the featured artist, and subscribe to our podcast for more!

For full track listing and more details on the mix, go here: http://hcdi.gs/clarice

Ocoeur - Headphone Commute Mix Sep 01, 2021

And there you have it, folks – the 300th episode of Headphone Commute Podcast! The very first mix was published exactly twelve years ago (about a year after the site was officially launched), and I simply used the platform to share some of my favourite recent finds, before the all-digital era of playlists (in fact, many of the features mixes were made from vinyl). The format quickly picked up, with many of my favourite artists showcasing their very own selections. The top mixes, to this day, still remain :papercutz’ Dream Scores, Orangewarrior‘s Chilled Dubstep, and my very own selection of the Best of Modern Classical (of 2010). Somewhere throughout the last decade, I toyed with the idea of creating a record label and releasing compilations (like the monumental … and darkness came), but in the end, I always turned to mixes – they capture all there is to say. So without any further reminiscence, I present to you a mix by Franck Zaragoza, who releases on n5MD as Ocoeur – in fact, he’s got a brand new album on the way! His latest, titled Connections, is scheduled to come out next Friday, September 10th, pressed on a beautiful, limited edition, transparent red double LP. A few of the tracks from this upcoming release are featured on this mix, curated exclusively for Headphone Commute. There’s always more to say about the selection, but maybe I’ll just let the music speak itself.

130701 - A 20th Anniversary Mix by Dave Howell Aug 10, 2021

On July 13th, 2021, one of my all-time favourite labels, named after its inception date, 130701 celebrated its 20th birthday. What can I say about its output, its delicate curation, and its monumental impact on our lives? Just look at the roster of its artists, many of which are showcased in this exclusive mix put together by Dave Howell, and you will immediately be swept away in the beautiful torrent of music that has been so extraordinary comforting in the last two decades. I would even proclaim that because of this imprint, on which many of today’s biggest names made their debut, the world is a different place, a richer place, and definitely better. Just look at HC’s coverage of its releases – I think I wrote about every single one! There is so much more praise which I would like to publish, but Dave has also written a little bit about this special mix, and so I’d like to give him the stage for a moment. Meanwhile, enjoy the mix and please support the label!

See the entire tracklisting and read more from Dave Howell on the mix here: http://hcdi.gs/130701

Sirat - Noir 2 Jun 02, 2021

About, oh, eight years ago now (jeez!) I featured a Noir mix by Sirat, a DJ from Spain who hand-picked his favourite downtempo and trip-hop tracks to create a tribute to film-noir, “with its characteristic anti-heroes, femmes fatales, gangsters and dirty dealings”. It was a fantastic stroll down the rain-refreshed alley, which received a lot of praise among the followers of the genre (including yours truly). It seems that the mix has also left a wonderful impression on its creator – enough to create a long-awaited follow-up, “returning to those smoky sounds, and black and white environments…” Once again, the intention here is for you to create your very own movie of your mind, and transport yourself “to the universe of film noir.” Enjoy the many familiar bits on here (like that lovely Portishead track!) and discover new artists along the way! Oh, and while you’re in the mood for further listening, check out Sirat’s Soundcloud, where you will find more mixes, as well as his productions as part Clima project.

James Heather - Moving Sounds May 12, 2021

James Heather is a pianist, composer, and publicist for Ninja Tune that has appeared on these pages on numerous occasions – most recently with a track premiere for his upcoming release Modulations: EP2. James and I have a mutual passion for sharing the music that we discover. A few years ago, he made an ambient focused Headphone Commute Mix for this very same podcast. Today I’m syndicating his selection originally appearing on his very own Moving Sounds program that he runs on London’s Soho Radio. This monthly show “was born out of the long-running playlist of the same name created by James that explores spaces between classical, electronic, ambient, soul, jazz, drone, film soundtrack, folk, field recordings & other transporting sounds from the past but mostly from now.” This particular mix is featuring many of my favourite composers whom I am honoured to call friends, and I was even happy to contribute a track of my own. In the case of mixes, I always follow the “less words – more music” formula, so here you go, folks! Enjoy!

Joachim Spieth - Affinities Apr 27, 2021

I always welcome new music, new connections, new friendships that then come along. In this example, a track premiere by Joachim Spieth at the end of last year made me relisten to his works on Wolfgang Voigt’s Pop Ambient series, taking me to releases on his very own Affin imprint and finally asking him for a mix. In this process, this seemingly random stranger quickly became a musical friend, as we exchanged grand ideas and connected with music. I really appreciated the spectrum of electronic music genres covered on Spieth’s German label and requested that he showcased the output through a traversal of styles. The result is a beautiful 90-minute journey that will take you from soothing to upbeat, through highs and through lows. I’m very happy with how it turned out and honoured to host this showcase on Headphone Commute.

Ambientologist - Sustain Series, Vol. 1 Apr 06, 2021

In November of 2020, Amsterdam-based label Ambientologist released a compilation titled Sustain Series, Vol. 1. It’s an impressive gathering of ambient artists and their music, showcasing some of the most delicate sides of the genre. The proceeds from the release have been donated to Conservation International, promoting sustainability across the world. I reached out to the label in hopes to broadcast this selection to a wider audience on my platform, and I am happy that they obliged to share this 90-minute continuous mix by Lauge with followers of my podcast. Take a look at the tracklisting and you will know why I’m excited to spend today in the company of my favourite ambient artists, as well as a few newly introduced names to my ears. As of this writing, the label is preparing a follow-up volume, with artists such as Halftribe, The Green Kingdom, Pepo Galán, awakened souls, Dylan Henner and Sven Laux, confirmed for the roster. I’m keeping my eye on the Ambientologist’s Bandcamp for the available pre-order, and so should you!

Matt Emery - Cello Mix Mar 24, 2021

In anticipation of Matt Emery‘s upcoming six-track EP on Injazero Records, titled Spotlight Series : Cello, I have asked him to put together a thematic mix prominently featuring the instrument. As many of you may already know – I’m a big fan of this low-end stringed beast [side note: In high school, I’ve played the double bass in the orchestra, but I wasn’t very good and was jealous of the cello]. I have especially enjoyed the darker, moodier, and sullen pieces by the likes of Julia Kent, Resina, Anne Müller, Peter Gregson, Sebastian Plano, Clarice Jensen, and of course, Hildur Guðnadóttir, all of whom I have reviewed and interviewed on Headphone Commute before [I have linked up each name for HC content for you above], and who, once again, appear on this gorgeous mix selected by Matt Emery. His very own two pieces, one from the upcoming EP, and the other from his previously released album Empire, also appear on this podcast, which I hope you will thoroughly enjoy!

A Strangely Isolated Place - 2020 | Label Compilation Mar 09, 2021

In December of 2020, one of my favourite imprints released a gorgeous label compilation! Ryan Griffin has been lovingly curating every single release on A Strangely Isolated Place since 2012. He’s also compiled sublime Reflection mixes, which I have happily syndicated on Headphone Commute. Following the first label showcase launched in 2019, Ryan puts together ten tracks, including a few previously unavailable as individual pieces, that make up this 2020 Label Compilation. As a bonus, this release includes an hour-long continuous mix (available as part of a digital-only purchase), which I have arranged with Ryan to share with you today. “I hope the (continuous) year-end mix will become a regular occurrence going forward,” says Griffin about the release. “Many of you will know a big part of my inspiration and passion lies in DJ’ing and classic mix CDs. If the label momentum continues and releases keep coming as planned, then each year I’d like to invite a DJ to select and mix tracks from the label – make an annual tradition out of it.” This compilation is still available for purchase on a CD for only $10, while the digital-only album is up for grabs for only $1! Please see this label Bandcamp page.

Mathias Van Eecloo - eisOtones 13 Feb 16, 2021

What’s this? Somehow, last year, both Mathias Van Eecloo and I completely forgot our annual tradition to publish another eisOtones instalment, in which this prolific French musician and label(s) owner collects 50 tracks from 50 releases of the prior year. How did that happen? I suppose, Mathias was extremely busy wrapping up his monumental Eilean Rec. project, in which he released 100 records based on an imaginary map of 100 points. The final catalogue entry in this imprint [as you can imagine] was number 100 and collected unreleased pieces in an 82-track compilation. Van Eecloo wasted no time there and immediately set off on another venture, titled LAAPS, releasing vinyl records in a permanent continuity of sounds and visual bridges between each one. Another puzzle for you to complete! So I suppose it was a very busy time of endings and new beginnings… but this year we’re back! So, without more words and reflected distractions, here’s a 72-minute journey, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

Optic Echo Presents - Best Vinyl of 2020 Jan 26, 2021

More than a couple of weeks late, but here we are, with the long-awaited vinyl mix, still marking down, bookmarking, and closing off a year we won't surely miss... but at least there was a lot of awesome music, and as such, thanks to Mike Jedlicka once again, we are celebrating the best it had to give. A fascinating playlist here, with more than a few new artists even to my ears. So yes, I am enjoying it as well! And if you like this beautiful selection, be sure to check out our past archive of Optic Echo Presents mixes, as well as the ongoing Best of 2020 lists, which I intend to finish up this week. Also, I want to quickly point out that this is Mike's 10th vinyl mix for Headphone Commute which we publish at the end of each year - so yeah, we've been at it for a decade now, kids!

noition - kôrʹəl pēs Dec 23, 2020

Well, it’s almost the end of this dreadful year, and I’ve got one more mix for you before I sign off… This one is episode number 290. Can you believe it? By the way, I was recently forced (by my host) to take all of my past mixes offline. As a result, I’ve migrated the last year of mixes to Podbean. So if you are experiencing any technical difficulties with downloading, streaming, or anything else, please reach out, and we’ll sort it! Meanwhile, this beautiful selection from noition, who last contributed his child of nature mix back in 2017, should get you smooth sailing into the new year. Just look at that amazing tracklist! It’s been on rotation in Headphone Commute studios for a week now (vinyl crackle and all), so as you play it, you can imagine that we’re sharing this experience together, a better thought than listening alone. Anyway, I wish you all serenity, poised mental strength, and healthy choice in lifestyle! I’ll see you [virtually] next year when I return with my Best of 2020 selections!

Sergio Díaz De Rojas - Contemplative Classical Mix Dec 08, 2020

In case you haven’t heard already, I’ve taken over the Contemplative Classical community, which curated an outstanding Spotify Playlist, hosted a podcast with Matt Emery, and offered the platform for artists to feature a mix. I intend on keeping all of the above going [more on this one a bit later!], with a bit of cross-pollination with Headphone Commute. Most of you already know that I enjoy solo piano and contemporary classical music, and I’m sure many followers of Contemplative Classical will appreciate my musings on here about ambient and cinematic music. I kind of hate to use the word “synergy” but if there was ever one of an appropriate union, it would be HC + CC. Today I wanted to introduce you to the outstanding selection of mixes previously appearing on Contemplative Classical, with the syndication of this gorgeous selection of tracks by a Peruvian pianist and a composer, Sergio Díaz De Rojas. He is also responsible for a site and a label called Piano and Coffee, so you’re in good company here! If you enjoy this, you may want to also follow my SoundCloud account, where I’m currently republishing Contemplative Classical Mixes every Saturday morning.

Shimmering Moods - Headphone Commute Mix Nov 25, 2020

Shimmering Moods is an independent boutique ambient label based in Amsterdam. In the last couple of years, it has released albums by Halftribe, Andrew Tasselmyer, Anthéne, øjeRum, Purl, and Olan Mill, among the many recognized names in its quickly growing roster of artists. It’s easy to get lost in its catalog among the hazy, shuffling, dubbed-out sounds, glinting and shimmering, reflecting the light off the still misty waters. This is a very tranquil and radiant place, slightly subdued in its faint hazy colors. “The music offers the listener a soundtrack for daydreaming, walks around the city or in nature, a creative activity, meditation, or invites them to a fully concentrated listen.” Today I am happy to share these sounds with you in this special label showcase compiled exclusively for Headphone Commute. And if you like what you hear, be sure to visit the label’s Bandcamp shop, where every limited release is lovingly packaged, hand-made, and bespoke, awaiting to meet at your doorsteps and share its wonders. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

James Murray - Slowcraft Radio Nov 10, 2020

On today’s Headphone Commute podcast, we’re syndicating an episode of James Murray‘s Slowcraft Radio (episode 4, to be exact), on which this London-based composer and Slowcraft Records label boss showcases some of his favorite pieces. These, of course, include selections released on his own imprint, as well as remixes and collaborations [including one with yours truly] on the extended family of labels, such as Subcontinental, Ultimae, and Home Normal. Among the choices, you’d be happy to hear an Alva Noto cover of The Cure‘s “A Forest”, an excerpt from a beautiful long-form track by An Moku & Stijn Hüwels titled Where We Meet (I’ve got some proper coverage on this release coming up!), and a top pick from our very own album, coming out in just a week, titled Suññatā, on November 17th. This particular episode appeared on October 17th at CAMP, a broadcasting platform for artists offering a “diverse array of audible pleasures,” but for my own taste, I’m not gonna lie, there’s only room for Slowcraft… For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Kit Grill - Headphone Commute Mix Oct 28, 2020

Kit Grill is a London-based producer and a host at NTS Radio, dabbling in various genres, ranging from Krautrock to New Wave to Post-Punk and Ambient. On November 6th, Grill is releasing his new album, titled Ride, on his own Primary Colours imprint, exploring new timbres, textures, and field recordings using the Fairlight CMI digital synthesizer from the early 80s. To celebrate the release, Kit has put together a Headphone Commute Mix featuring an eclectic selection of his favorite tunes, including a few from the album. It’s a unique excursion into the sound from around the world, with appearances of some early electronic music from the likes of Steve Reich, Cocteau Twins & Harold Budd among the contemporaries, such as Mica Levi, GAS, and Windy & Carl. Grill’s new album will be streaming on November 12th from Ten Studios in East London, meanwhile, sit back, and enjoy the show… For a more detailed description, full track listing and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

James Norman - Micro Record Label Mix Oct 13, 2020

For this 285th Headphone Commute Mix, James Norman puts together a selection of tracks as a companion listening session to his recently published book, titled “Micro Record Label: A love letter for music fans; a how-to for the hopeless; a light-hearted, humorous, self-deprecating detour for the uninterested.” The paperback is both a fun read and an important and earnest bit of advice for anyone who even conceives of venturing into a running a small, or rather, a micro record label. Covering everything from design to packaging to promoting and finally selling your goods, this 144-page diary captures the current state of affairs in the music scene outside of the music business. Along the way, Norman mentions many of his favorite releases across various imprints that just seem to do it right. This mix features many of such pieces quoted in the book and serves as a perfect musical journey and as a soundtrack to his recorded words. There are only 200 of these printed, so I recommend that you grab your copy (I see some still available on Rough Trade). Meanwhile, if you want to read an excerpt, you can read this chapter on “Identity” on Headphone Commute. For a more detailed description, full track listing and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Leah Kardos - Bigo & Twigetti Mix Sep 17, 2020

Bigo & Twigetti is a London based label which, in recent years, has brought us an eclectic selection of artists ranging from ambient to electronic to contemporary classical genres and everything in between. Most recently, I’ve been inspired by Ben Crosland and his album The Turn as well as captivated by the always excellent Leah Kardos [who still owes me an introduction to her best friend, Dudley]. Leah has previously made us a Headphone Commute Mix, but for this installment, I’ve asked her to compile a sampler of the label’s offerings to showcase the catalog and hopefully discover some new acts. It’s an eclectic selection of tunes, perfect for your WFH commute. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Fragmented Dialogue (Low Light Mixes / Ambientblog Mix) Jul 28, 2020

Peter van Cooten of Ambientblog is no stranger to Headphone Commute. We have been musing on our discoveries for almost a decade now, exchanging mixes and words in a tightly knit musical network. His first mix for Headphone Commute podcast appeared back in 2011, titled Dawn Secrets and it features many of my favorite artists to this day. I think it's only fair to say that Dave Michuda of Low Light Mixes is also part of the said "network", with his first mix for Headphone Commute appearing in August of 2010 (also a decade ago), titled The Landscape Listens. For this special syndicated podcast, Dave and Peter create a cooperative voyage, each taking their turns to conduct and maneuver this ship in complex sonic waters to deliver you safely ashore, while in the process forever tattooing their message on your map of existence. Enjoy! For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Morgen Wurde - Dominions Of Our Time Jul 07, 2020

On today’s episode of Headphone Commute, we’re featuring an eclectic selection of tunes curated by a German composer, J. Wolfgang Röttger, who records under his moniker Morgen Wurde. About three years ago, I was completely mesmerized by his "Assassinous Act" for Time Released Sound which is still appearing on my occasional rotations. He has also contributed to the long-running Pop Ambient compilation series, curated by the one and only Wolfgang Voigt. There are a lot of familiar tracks and some new discoveries on this mix, which give you a glimpse into this artist’s influences that inevitably shape his sound. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Orangewarrior - Retro 97 Mix Jun 23, 2020

In order to understand the present, sometimes one must look into the past. It is, after all, the memories that make up the “you” of who you are. If you are to erase them, and your past, would you be an entirely new person? Perhaps you’ll make the same mistakes again. And buy all that expensive vinyl. In the case of Orangewarrior, the past includes a collection of electronic and ambient music of the mid-90s. And that precisely coincides with my very own “becoming” of the time, which is why I’m very much excited about this special mix. This is a fun journey down memory lane which I hope you will enjoy with us. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

worriedaboutsatan - Headphone Commute Mix Jun 09, 2020

Gavin Miller is back, this time with his worriedaboutsatan project, showcasing some of his favourite pieces, including a few of his own, like the opener taken from his latest release for n5MD. We live in a strange and unstable world, but the only constant that remains is all of this music. So when I find myself overwhelmed with the latest events, I turn to meditation through sound, with a journey curated by someone else. Through this mix, I feel like we are listening together, and as such, connected again. 'I made this mix with not much in mind, to be honest,' says Miller of his selection, 'I’ve been listening to all sorts of music lately, and I just wanted it to be a fair reflection of that more than anything.' For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Mnemonic45 - Sky Is A Painter May 26, 2020

Time goes by. Time stands still. Time loops upon itself. And if it wasn’t for the sound, changing as it flows through time, and for the clouds, nudging time as they pass through, we wouldn’t even notice all the changes. Was it really you, a month ago, a year and a decade, and was it really me? Or is it still somewhere out there, in other space, in other time? And as we measure time in colors of the seasons, in the music of the spheres, and in the ever-present change, it’s through transitions of ourselves, in time, that we experience this ‘living’. Today’s mix is inspired by such passages through time. And as time appears to stand still, we may be experiencing an enormous transition for the entire humankind. It’s better with this music. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Roel Funcken - Australian Bushfire Sampler Mix May 12, 2020

Today we have a 3.5 hour showcase by Roel Funcken, who has put together a Sampler Mix from a double-volume Australia Bushfire Compilation, which he has curated for Touched Music. This is a benefit release approaching 70+ tracks selected from the musicians around the world to raise funds 'for the rescue, preservation and safe sanctuary of koalas and other vulnerable wildlife affected by the unprecedented catastrophic fires of the Australian Black Summer (September 2019 – February 2020) resulting in a massive loss of habitable forests.' Yes, during the current global [human] crisis it’s easy to forget about the disaster that has recently occurred on a remote continent, but it’s important to remember and support this endangered species in the time of need. I hope you enjoy and support this endeavor by purchasing the compilation, as 100% of the profits will be donated to Australians for Animals for Koala Habitat. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Arandel - Switched-on InBach Apr 28, 2020

On today’s podcast, we are featuring an exclusive mix by Arandel who has recently released a new album on the French Infiné imprint, titled 'InBach'. As you may have already guessed, Arandel’s work interprets the German composer’s sacred music into an updated formation of modern classical and contemporary electronic sound. In March of 2018, Arandel participated in the Bach Marathon at the Cite de la Musique Hall, Paris with his hybrid live performance and DJ set 'Switched on Bach', named in acknowledgment to the legendary 1968 Grammy Award-winning album by the American composer Wendy Carlos. 'Switched-on InBach' re-engineers the original mix played by Arandel with the perfected and mastered versions from his album 'InBach' alongside some amazing artists, such as Francesco Tristano, Murcof, and Sutekh. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

HC - And Darkness Came (Rewind) Apr 14, 2020

This mix was originally broadcast on Headphone Commute in December of 2012. It was created to promote the benefit compilation, under the same name, … and darkness came, and in the process showcase the diverse sonic landscape of music featuring just a handful of tracks from the release. Well, it’s been over eight years since those events, but the music is as pungent as ever, especially during these devastating times, when you can find comfort in its sound. In the last couple of weeks, I found myself revisiting these compositions, and after some thought, I decided to reshare this somber mix. I hope that you’ll connect with it again and, in the process, spread the love to those in times of need. And as always, please enjoy responsibly and support the featured artists! For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Richard Chartier - LINEmix5 Mar 11, 2020

For today’s podcast, we are featuring an outstanding label showcase for LINE, mixed by the one and only Richard Chartier. For this mix, which is also available at Name Your Price on Line’s Bandcamp [I highly recommend you grab the lossless version there!], Chartier showcases works from the most recent and back catalog of his monumental label, in the process creating more than just a label sampler, but a journey of its own. If this is your first foray into minimalism, sound art, and microsound spearheaded by LINE, then strap yourself in as you discover the many intimate layers in this most intricate of genres. The loyal followers of this monumental imprint will be happy to discover a few recent inclusions, such as a piece by Six Microphones, or the most recent release from Joaquín Gutiérrez Hadid, as well as some flashbacks to the earlier pieces by Asmus Tietchens, William Basinski + Richard Chartier, and of course, an appearance by Pinkcourtesyphone. A wonderful exhibition, which, once again, I urge you to support by purchasing this mix, or the albums appearing on it, directly from the label. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

A Strangely Isolated Place - Reflection on 2019 Feb 18, 2020

It’s nearly two months into the new decade and yet I’m still celebrating the music of the past year. And why wouldn’t I, especially when the selection of the favorites is put together by Ryan Griffin of A Strangely Isolated Place? In a true Reflection On 2019, Griffin handpicks the tracks that have accompanied him through his journey, including that of his label which has put out some of the best records in of the year. These are all of my loved ones as well, so I couldn’t resist the syndication of this wonderful mix on Headphone Commute. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Sylvain Chauveau - The Light That Is Felt Feb 05, 2020

On today’s program, Brussels-based Sylvain Chauveau stops by to share his favorite records with the listeners and followers of Headphone Commute. This is an eclectic selection, ranging from acoustic songs to classical and to traditional Japanese music. It’s an hour full of surprises, like a personal mixtape, made lovingly just for you. Chauveau has recently released a new album on FatCat titled Simple featuring music taken from his film scores, collecting atmospheric vignettes in 18 beautiful, lyrical works. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Optic Echo Presents - Best Vinyl of the Decade Jan 22, 2020

Boy, do I have a special treat for you! Just as I thought we were finished, and the selections of best of the year came rushing in, I realized that we have more to celebrate at the turn of the decade. So, the ever trustworthy Mike Jedlicka of Optic Echo Presents whipped out his overflowing crates of vinyl and began digging for his favorites to make you another mix! I have to say, there are a lot of surprises on here, and the choices are not that obvious, which makes this unique selection that much more exciting! It’s a trip and a half and is a perfect way to bid farewell to the 10’s of the 21st century. So, turn on, tune in, and of course, drop out... For a more detailed description, full tracklisting, and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

Optic Echo Presents - Best Vinyl of 2019 Jan 02, 2020

Good morning and welcome to 2020. We kick off another decade with our annual tradition of celebrating the music of yesteryear, by presenting to you our favourites and recommendations. There will be enough here to fill your shelves and empty your wallets, and all that is coming up in just a couple of days, but we open up our tribute with another vinyl-only mix by Mike Jedlicka of Optic Echo Presents, to tease your ears with his selections of this still-spinning format. For a more detailed description, full tracklisting and more information about this mix, please visit headphonecommute.com

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