swanasa / Mirror (ASIP042)

 

A Strangely Isolated Place proudly presents Mirror EP, the first label release from Hungarian electronic artist swanasa (A. Abigél Bánházi). Following her 2023 debut, When You Need to Rest, Let the Sounds Hold You, released on Budapest’s EXILES, Abigél’s Mirror EP serves as a captivating follow-up and a purposeful first introduction to the world of ASIP, showcasing her ability to bridge experimental sound design with hypnotic, meditative drones.

“We begin at the edge, the Sad Sea, where the waves mirror our emotions, a boundary between the conscious and the deep unknown. As we dive, the waters grow wild, swirling in the chaos of our unconscious. But through the storm, we start to see the patterns—guided by the wolf, the soul’s escort through the shadows.

Deeper still, silence falls. In this quiet, the voices of whales, and dolphins become our companions, leading us toward truth. The water washes away the darkness, and in that stillness, the swan rises—a symbol of transformation, of wisdom found.”

Mirror EP encompasses a diverse range of textures, from deeply immersive soundscapes to intricate rhythmic elements, reflecting swanasa's dedication to pushing the boundaries of ambient music, informed by the interplay of folk culture, Jungian psychology, and digital experimentation. Each composition is a seamless blend of synthetic and organic sounds, influenced by her connection to nature, creating an evocative experience that resonates with themes of ecological awareness and modern technology’s role in artistic expression.

Featuring rhythmic chanting and layered vocal samples that invoke a sense of ritual and deep introspection, washes of abstracted sounds manipulated from the recordings of wolves, and mystical sounds straight from nature’s own. The EPs tracks highlight swanasa's exploration of sound as a symbolic language, inviting listeners into a world where the lines between reality and imagination blur.

swanasa's music is brought to life through her live performances, where Mirror EP and her previous material form the foundation for dynamic, meditative sets. Having performed alongside artists such as Abul Mogard, swanasa’s live shows emphasize deep listening and immersive sound environments, drawing audiences into her unique sonic world.

Mirror EP will be released on November 22nd, 2024, available as a digital download, mastered by Rafael Anton Irisarri @ Black Knoll Studio, New York. The artwork, an original texture created by Zsuzsi Palman, continues the theme from Abigél’s first EP.

View the release page for full details and links to buy.

 

isolatedmix 128 - Will Oirson

 

Willem van der Ploeg, hailing from the Netherlands, is a DJ, producer, and co-founder of the label The Something Something, alongside Rutger Paulusse. Willem has been a long-time follower of ASIP, often supporting our mixes and asking for track IDs—something that always piques my curiosity and often leads to unexpected finds. So I was delighted to stumble across another amazing cave of DJ sets through The Something Something’s Red Light Radio show, offering up sessions from recognizable guests such as Alex Albrecht, Wanderwelle and Ario, and then going on to see the fruition of the label in recent years.

As part of The Something Something label, Willem has been gaining momentum with his own production work, leaning toward serene, textured ambient, enriched by found sounds and often shimmering, beautiful melodies. This is showcased perfectly by his 2020 EP, Inland / Tomorrow, of till the end of time, and his most recent single, Escapism.

Will’s DJ sets recently earned him a spot at the prestigious Draaimolen Festival, officiating his keen curatorial ear, which will no doubt lead us all to a world of new artists to explore - a perfect requirement for the isolatedmix series and the mix at hand for #128.

"Thank you for the opportunity to create a mix for ASIP, Ryan!

Many times in life, music helped me to overcome certain hurdles. It always gives me a feeling of escapism and on many occasions it shined a light on dark days. The same goes with this mix; I feel a sense of lightness after experiencing a big burnout a year and a half ago, in which time I’ve made a lot of music. It had no intention, it was just about frequencies and emotions. Now that I'm feeling better, I’ve started releasing tracks and even performed a dj set at Draaimolen Festival Festival featuring some of this music. This mix for A Strangely Isolated Place is about seeing light again, the overcoming of obstacles, and a rekindling of dreams.

It includes some of my favourite tracks from the past few years, such as ‘stasis__relief__’ by 𝚐𝚊𝚋_𝚒 and 'Pillow, Mantra and Trance’ by Li Yilei. And I’m also pleased that I could slip in some amazing music by friends like Bas Dobbelaer, Ramses3000 and Brian Omen. 

Please take a moment to explore the artists and labels included in this mix. They’ve created truly remarkable work, and many continue to do so.” - Will Oirson 

Listen on Soundcloud the ASIP Podcast or the 9128.live iOS and Android app

Download MP3

Tracklist: 
01. The Humble Bee - Section V Light [Astral Industries]
02. Brian Omen - 430 [The Something Something…]
03. Leo Cunningham - Dreaming In Threads [Opal Tapes]
04. Azu Tiwaline & Al Wootton - Last Scene [Livity Sound]
05. 𝚐𝚊𝚋_𝚒 - stasis__relief__ [self released]
06. Li Yilei - Pillow, Mantra and Trance [Métron Records]
07. other joe - a cat can look at a king (ft. J) [ost]
08. Will Oirson - Doubting the Hardness of the Spider, I eat the Nest [The Something Something…]
09. John Beltran - You Internalise Them [Delsin]
10. Dettinger - Intershop (7) Remastered 2024 [Kompakt]
11. Bas Dobbelaer - Rest [Something Happening Somewhere] 
12. Jonny Nash & Lindsay Todd - The Gecko That Wore Its Skin Inside Out [Island Of The Gods]
13. Daniel.mp3 - 3 am walk (Slowed & Reverb Version) [self released]
14. Igor Dyachenko - Object (feat. Nikolay Kozlov) [self released]
15. Illuvia - Afterlife Prism [A Strangely Isolated Place] 
16. Zane Trow -haklne [Room40]
17. NEXCYIA - hydro [self released]
18. The Kyoto Connection - Memories From Japan [Temples Of Jura]
19. Luke Elliott - Refractory Cores [AKP Recordings]
20. shinetiac - Dodge Viper Lullaby [West Mineral Ltd.]
21. Jo Johnson - Orbit [Mysteries of the Deep]
21. Ramses3000 - Aphasia [Intercept]

~

The Something Something Soundcloud | Bandcamp | Instagram

 

OKRAA / Infinito (ASIPV051) Official video by Dead Society

A new full-length video for the second single from OKRAA’s upcoming album La Gran Corriente - 'Infinito.' This track will feel more familiar if you enjoyed Juan's previous ASIP release '1994', featuring scattered synthesis and complex braindance underscored by a soaring progressive atmosphere. It is matched by some lovely, energetic visuals from @deadsciety.

La Gran Corriente, is now available for preorder on gatefold 2LP and digital. View the release page for more details and links to listen and buy.

Join us on October 23rd for the album listening party and full album playthrough over on Bandcamp, at 11am PST. RSVP here.

 
 

ASIP Label Showcase @ Public Records, New York: OKRAA + Salvatore Mercantante + Aspetuck

A Strangely Isolated Place presents an evening of room-filled atmospherics, taking over the Public Records Sound Room.

Colombian-born, OKRAA, presents his intense analog walls of sound and complex IDM, as heard throughout his new album on A Strangely Isolated Place, ‘La Gran Corriente’, as well as his previous outings, ‘1994’ and his more beat-driven alias ‘Laudrup’.

Debuting on the label earlier this year, New York-based artist Salvatore Mercatante is quickly defining a sharp and soaring IDM style, with complex drum patterns and clinical progressions, that cry out for a big system, and now finally unleashed in his hometown.

With a release set to arrive on the label next year, local producer, and Hudson NY native, Aspetuck will be opening the evening with a DJ set, highlighting his unique ear for a blend of electronic styles, and a taste of what’s to come on the label in 2025.

Tickets via Dice

RSVP to the event on Resident Advisor.

 
 

Collected: Vol 4

 

Gi Gi - Dreamliner

Gi Gi’s Lumino Pleco from 2021 was a big fave of mine, and this new album represents an updated approach from the Texan producer. The distant smudged vocals and heart-pouring strings are gone, and more structured drums and downtempo is in - but Gi Gi still retains a delicate and approachable palette that would suit any 90’s chillout room.

nthng - Echo Track

Yes, I am a nthng super fan, and pretty much everything he touches turns to gold in one way or another. He hits that sweet deep, melodic and pure techno touch, (as well as doing ambient just as good) and the second piece of music on this EP is nothing short of simple perfection. Echo Track is the type of music you want to hear in a big dark basement with good friends.

Solar Alliance - HAMMAR​Ö​-​23

It may take some digging, especially as these guys don’t exactly pour out news on social media, but this new collective consists of our very own Mikkel Rev, his Omformer partner Filip Storsveen, and Ute cofounder, Teo Bachs Larsen. So, of course, expect some forward-thinking trance in both chugging and high-energy level forms from the Norwegian experts.

Starterra - Transformation Cycles

It’s not easy to come across Berlin-school space ambient, that echoes that of our very own Merrin Karras, or 36. But this 2022 album by Starterra, is up there with the best of them, especially the track ‘Celestial Intellect’. There’s enough movement to keep it entertaining, and enough atmosphere to fly. For listeners of the aforementioned artists, and of course legends like Carbon Based Lifeforms, Tangerine Dream and even Jean-Michel Jarre.

Neutron 9000 - Lady Burning Sky

A classic from 1994 and the days of Rising High Records, this one no doubt skipped past many; unless you were really in it to win it back then. As you would expect purely by mentioning the words “1994 and “Rising High”, this is a seminal electronic album with touches of acid, trance and classic ambient house. KLF in variety, James Bernard acid in inflection. A must-have 3LP reissued by Tiga’s Turbo Recordings (?!) and even boasting a Daniel Avery remix on this reissue version.

Find these albums and many more over on my Bandcamp Collection.