Episode 6.25 /// Featuring: Julia Gjertsen + Gustav Davidsson and The Deccan Traps

Before you listen…

I’ve a little something to say about YouTube and my pending move to a different platform. Please take a moment to listen and send me your thoughts at therelaystation@stolace.com. Thank you!

If you’d much rather just read, I’ll summarize:

YouTube’s interrupted and blocked yet another stream despite having written or expressed permission from the artists, their promoters, and or their record labels. They offer no way to mitigate this and have a policy that requires copyright holders be of a certain popularity level in order to whitelist my channel. So screw them. I’m moving the show to a different platform and I would appreciate your thoughts, opinions, and perspectives. The options I’m exploring:

1. Substack only — pre-produced, audio-only weekly programs delivered to you via email and the Substack app.

2. Substack + Bandcamp — pre-produced, audio-only weekly programs with the added component of Bandcamp's live listening party, allowing us to chat with one another live.

3. Substack + [MixCloud OR HearThis.At] — live weekly programs (MixCloud provides live video streaming, HearThis.At only provides live audio streaming) plus the email delivered episodes via Substack app and email.

Out of the question: Twitch and Soundcloud. Twitch has no proactive remediation process to show proof of permission. Soundcloud is a dumpster fire and has also given AI platforms permission to train off of all content on their platform. No thank you.

What's your opinion, suggestion, or thoughts? Send them my way at therelaystation@stolace.com. I will likely be switching in two to three weeks, so send me your feedback now!

Now onto this week’s show. Oh…and don’t miss the link to my latest single out on Bandcamp at the very bottom. Give it a listen!

In today's program I’ve got some fantastic mixes and sets in store for you and two featured albums that I’m sure you’ll find to be an outstanding addition to your library. In the first hour, I have the cross-collaboration between Swedish pianist and composer Julia Gjertsen and Norwegian sound designer and trombonist Gustav Davidsson with an album that breaks new ground in the neoclassical and ambient jazz genres. And later on in the program, a featured album from UK artist The Deccan Traps, capturing the mystique and beauty of the eastern midlands of England.

Plus up ahead, I’ve got new music from Arcane Trickster, Logic Moon, Hiram, and so much more. Strap in and make yourself comfortable, join us for the next two hours for global ambient music, on this special mixtape edition of The Relay Station.

Featured artists

Julia Gjertsen + Gustav Davidsson
https://juliagjertsen.bandcamp.com
https://gustavdavidssonmusic.bandcamp.com
https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com

The Deccan Traps
https://thedeccantraps.bandcamp.com
https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com

Featured album /// “Wandering Mind, Drifting Weather” by Julia Gjertsen + Gustav Davidsson

Available now on Whitelabrecs, the cross-border collaboration between Norwegian pianist and composer Julia Gjertsen and Swedish trombonist and sound designer Gustav Davidsson has resulted in an album that is dreamy, wistful, and so perfectly reflects the title. “Wandering Mind, Drifting Weather” by Gjertsen and Davidsson is the sort of album made for those contemplative days, staring out the window as the weather passes from one dioramic presentation to the next. I might never have guessed that I’d see a neoclassical blend of felt piano and trombone cross my desk, but I’m so very glad that it has. It’s a heart-felt blend of ambient, neoclassical, and melodic jazz that leads me along in a contemplative state of mind with the desire to hear it over and over again. “Wandering Mind, Drifting Weather” by Julia Gjertsen and Gustav Davidsson is available now on most streaming music services as well as at https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com.

Featured album /// “Sentinel of the Moors” by The Deccan Traps

New from UK electronic artist Phil Frodsham, who operates under the name The Deccan Traps, comes a six-song release out on Whitelabrecs that is beguiling with its modest depiction of wonder and awe. “Sentinel of the Moors” is a collection of musical snapshots of Derbyshire in the East Midlands of England — portrayed with its wash of soft noise and textures, the blurry and often fog-like layers of synthesis, and light embellishments and ornamentals dotting the sonic landscape like softly-lit cottages. The album is gently understated and devoid of garish and ostentatious elements — weathered and beautiful from start to finish in its own subdued and unassuming way. It’s a dreamy album that will be at home in your ambient playlists. “Sentinel of the Moors” by The Deccan Traps is available now on most streaming music services as well as at https://whitelabrecs.bandcamp.com.

Playlist

1. "Maelstrom Juice" by Arcane Trickster from "Argos"

2. "Ascent" by Logic Moon from "Ashes"

3. "Blossom Song" by Hiram from "Blossom Song (single)"

4. "Neptune's Embrace (Whalesong Mix)" by Piscean Daydreams from "Dive In - Chapter 8"

5. "Voyagers" by William Basinski from "Pod Tune"

6. "Altus" by loscil from "Pod Tune"

7. "Info The Night" by Julia Gjertsen + Gustav Davidsson from "Wandering Mind, Drifting Weather"

8. "Elixir of Dreams" by Paul Beaudoin from "Alchemies"

9. "Un Beau Matin D’Été" by Aiko Takahashi from "The Grass Harp"

10. "Trance" by Uuxe + Gollden from "Dupont"

11. "Emerald Vapour" by Altus from "Terraform"

12. "Theory of Divination" by Madeleine Cocolas from "Syndesis"

13. "Trace 4" by KapTep + Sebby Kowal from "Switch"

14. "Steeples writhe" by Benoît Pioulard from "Stanza IV"

15. "Let (City Of Dawn Remix)" by City Of Dawn from "Rhucle - Cycle (City Of Dawn Remix)"

16. "Behold" by Morning Haze from "Still Exists"

17. "Twenty Trees" by The Deccan Traps from "Sentinel of the Moors"

18. "Sen'nyū - Yon-no-yu" by Meitei from "Sen’nyū"

19. "Wear" by Soloi Sounds from "Pictures"

20. "Celestial Spin" by The Album Leaf from "ROTATIONS"

21. "Participation Mystique (Philippe Deschamps Remix)" by Dionisaf from "Participation Mystique"

22. "It's Tuesday and I'm still alive, I'm still here" by Stolace from "It's Tuesday and I'm still alive, I'm still here"

New music from STOLACE

There’s a new single out now on Bandcamp for free — “It’s Tuesday and I’m still alive, I’m still here.” This single was a mix of composition and improvisation at 4:00am on a Tuesday while I was in the throws of a panic attack and suffering from anxiety. The track sonically explores the feeling of mortality, coming to terms with the feelings and sensations that have arisen, and attempting to find peace, calm, and serenity in the midst of very troubling circumstances.

My wish for you is that this will aid you in finding your own serenity through whatever arises in your life. Remember, it's all transient and impermanent — what you feel rises in the right causes and conditions, it may persist for some time, but eventually will pass, giving way for something else entirely.

The field recording was captured in my front yard while having my morning coffee, and spending time in contemplation and meditation.

DOWNLOAD THE TRACK FOR FREE!