a little summer update
it's been a little while since i've shared some proper words with you over here, so let's fix that. i needed some time to rebuild a workflow that felt right for this project. nothing dramatic, i just wanted to create a place where I could share the full picture of my creative process, not just the highlights squeezed into an instagram post. so if you're reading this, thank you for making the effort to come over here. i really appreciate it. i hope you're having a lovely (and safe) summer wherever you're reading this from.
writing and keeping a journal have been part of my daily routine for years. it's one of the most valuable tools I have for processing emotions, making sense of my thoughts, working through frustrations, and reflecting on life in general. it only felt natural to bring a bit of that here too, because I don't think this space should only be about music. if you're spending time reading these words, i'd like to think we're connecting on more than just the tracks i release.
i spent a big chunk of my summer break completely off the grid. it's become a bit of a yearly ritual every July, putting the phone away, closing the laptop, and taking some time to simply be. that quiet space opened the door to some new sonic explorations. i've been spending countless hours diving into ambient textures and hypnotic atmospheres with the Lyra-4. to complement it, I put together a small pedalboard. nothing too fancy, just a setup that feels right for now. i added a Boss SL-2 Slicer for rhythmic, melodic, and percussive movement, an EQ to better shape the Lyra within the mix while playing alongside the Digitakt, and a Zoom MS-70CDR+ for chorus, delay, and reverb.
considering the price, that little Zoom pedal might be one of the best ambient tools I've ever bought. it's basically a swiss army knife for anyone who enjoys getting lost in spacious soundscapes. i'm currently working on a series of recordings that I'll be sharing on my YouTube channel later on. i can't wait to show you how this whole setup sounds together.
music wasn't the only project this summer.
one of my biggest task during this break was the renovation of my flat. walls broken down, floors redone, the whole thing. i've been enjoying the dust a lot lately. been trading my Lyra-4 for a jigsaw instead. it’s been another experience. DIY level: up. turns out i had to learn a whole new set of skills just to knock down a wall and build a proper passthrough window/bar between the kitchen and the living room. somehow we kept it all under control and saw it through to the end, with my other half by my side the whole way. it's something we'd wanted to do for a long time, so finally seeing it come to life made every bit of the effort worthwhile.
one of my favourite side quests during the renovation was building a proper office/bookcase and creative space. just a small corner to call my own, something i'd been dreaming about for years and finally managed to make real. having one dedicated place to work, write, produce, and simply think has already made such a difference. in fact, i'm writing these very words from that desk. almost feels like being a proper grown up now. ;)
while off the grid, i also spent some time with my mate Xavier aka ITEM. we managed to record an EP using patterns from previous live sessions. there's still work to be done, but the outcome is promising.
as always, we've been experimenting with our trusty Digitakt, samples, and different Roland sounds for the bass and leads. you can expect hypnotic, minimal techno vibes. that's just what happens when we're in the same room creating as a duo. we're looking forward to sharing more about it with you in due time. there’s no official timeline yet. work in progress. but you read about it over here first ;).
i'm also happy to share that new live shows are coming. time to try out some new material. i'm excited to play my first ambient performance at Strøm På Roskilde on August 15th. i'll be experimenting with the Lyra-4, a couple of pedals, and just letting it flow. truth be told, i don't feel entirely ready yet.
but that's also part of the excitement. stepping into unfamiliar territory, leaving the beats behind for a while, and seeing where the music takes me. i'm really looking forward to sharing that experience with whoever happens to be there.
i'll wrap things up with a simple thank you. whether you've been following my work for years or you've only recently found your way here, i'm genuinely grateful that you're spending some of your time with me.
there's plenty more on the horizon: new music, more live shows, collaborations, and a few special projects that i'm not quite ready to talk about yet. we'll get there together.
P.S. one of the absolute highlights of my holidays had nothing to do with music. i finally discovered Dungeon Crawler Carl. i honestly have no idea how it took me this long. i've spent most of my downtime tearing through the first books, and... wow. i'm completely hooked. it's hilarious and addictive.
the dungeon crawling premise is obviously designed to pull in geeks like us (yes, i'm assuming you're one too if you've made it this far), but beneath all the chaos is a genuinely well crafted story with cool characters and world building. the author is planning ten books in total, and i already can't wait to read the next one. highly recommended.
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