I love the beginning of this video and the sentiment from DJ Olive that describes how music and art can often be perceived. I find it especially relevant when it comes to how some artists try and describe the creation and performance of ambient music. It isn’t something to be looked at and judged, but instead, something to become a part of…
I somehow missed out on deep diving into the works of DJ Olive. He seems to be one of those artists that, if you know you know, kind of thing… Well, it turns out for me at least, it was one of those names always on the periphery of what I was listening to - recommended here and there, skimmed on labels I knew, or compilations I listened to. But for one reason or another, I never took a breath and said, ok, let’s go deep. That was until recently, when I ransacked the DJ Olive Bandcamp page and in particular, his ambient works.
DJ Olive is responsible for coining the term, illbient (according to an impressive and illustrious Discogs bio at least). His influence and presence seem to focus on the East Coast of the US, which may be one reason why I never really went deep with his music in a big way. But diving in recently, there’s lots to admire amongst his more beat-driven, dub styles. It all feels extremely innovative and timeless, perhaps as expected, by someone also noted as an experimental turntablist.
But it’s his ambient works that need shouting out here. A trifecta of albums released on the inimitable label from Lawrence English, Room40 forming a series called Sleeping Pill.
"This is a sleeping pill...
Listen to it as quietly as you possibly can.
Mainly two things are going on at once.
One is a metaphor.
Buoy - an anchored marker that maps the passing waves.
Boringly singular, but never the same twice. There for you in a storm.
The other is an environment.
A sleep over, early morning light across the room, a screen door occasionally whispers as someone moves about.
Light fingers touch something.
Curled in a cosy corner friends near by at the edge of sleep"
I don’t think I’ve ever seen these albums on any best ambient music or best music for sleeping lists - which by no means is ever an indication of success or popularity, but partly why I feel the need to call them out here, as I’ve certainly been road testing them lately for their intended purpose.
Minimal, textured, storied, and experimental, at any one time, and staying true to his sentiment in the video - an experience to become a part of.
The long-form mixes were also recently broken down into individual tracks with additional edits and outtakes on the album Balm - a deconstructed way to experience the brilliance of all 3 albums.
Find these albums and many more over on my Bandcamp Collection.
