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Relaxed Machinery
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Steve Brand
- Male
- United States
- Blog Posts (39)
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- Photos (27)
- Photo Albums (7)
- Videos (4)
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Steve Brand by Steve Brand
ABOUT: I'm a lifelong artist and musician who began releasing music in the early 90’s in the experimental genre under the name, “Augur," with more than 20 limited edition releases on various independent labels. In 2003, I began creating in the field of "ambient" under my own name. I describe this change in moniker and musical expression as, part of the process of moving out of my head and more into my heart. Since then, I have issued a number of self-released disks, as well as releases on the esteemed U.S. labels, Hypnos, AtmoWorks, Relaxed Machinery, the Italian label, Afe, and most recently my own label, Pioneer Light Music. Instruments used in my music include keyboards, field recordings, various flutes, whistles, zither, ocarina, voice, medicine drum, shakers and rattles, various bells, kalimba, prayer bowls, kora, gongs.
[ More info on Pioneer Light: http://relaxedmachinery.com/pioneer-light-music/ ]
ACTIVITIES:
- Selected tracks have been featured on Stephen Hill's nationally syndicated radio show "Hearts of Space" on 7 occasions (October 2007 "Darkwater" edition, August 2008 "Reading the Bones" edition, July 2010 "Heatwaves" edition, and October 2010 "The Crossing" edition, May 2011 "Timescapes" edition, August 2011 "Desert Solitaire" edition, February 2012 "Supernatural” edition), and continues in rotation on SomaFM's DroneZone, StillStream.com and Reneé Blanche’s “Night Tides” on KCUR/NPR.
- July of 2009, my AtmoWorks release, “Because We Were Once Covered In Gold,” was honored as the “Featured Album of the Month” on StillStream.com.
- In January of 2010, my Hypnos Secret Sounds release, "Children of Alcyone" was named one of Star's End's "Top 15" for January 2010.
- My 2010 Relaxed Machinery release, “Circular Scriptures” was one of PingThings “Top 10” for 2010.
- "Avatara," released on Hypnos Records in April, 2010, was named as one of Stars End "Top 10" for July and August of 2011, and Galactic Travels "Top 20" for December, 2011.
- “Catalyst," my June 2012 Relaxed Machinery release, was on the WVKR-FM "Secret Music Top 20" for the month of August.
- My music was #2 on “Top 30 Artists by Listeners” on the Drone Zone/SomaFM charts for the week of November 17, 2012 and February 16, 2013.
- My Hypnos Secret Sounds releases, “Bridge To Nowhere” and “Children Of Alcyone,” were on Dave Butler's “Spectral voyages” (on KRSC Kentucky) “Top 20” for April 2012.
Music can be found on CDBaby, Bandcamp, iTunes, Napster, Amazon, eMusic, etc.
[ http://steve-brand.bandcamp.com ]
REVIEWS: My music has been described as “ambient,” “tribal,” “ritualistic,” “a direct link to our ancient, and arcane ancestry," “...not mere music, but an almost shamanic attempt at deconstructing our interpretation of reality, by connecting us to an anti-technological, primal psyche,” “...there is a deep spirit that comes forth that can be heard...” and "Brand has tapped into a sound or feeling that’s at the core of all things, a universal essence." Hypnos Records wrote of me, "(he has)...quickly established himself as one of the more interesting and distinctive artists working in ambient music..."
PERSONAL BACKGROUND: In addition to my sound work, I am a Reiki Master and visual artist. I am committed to the idea that, art/music, more than being just an object for sale, is actually a fluid and transformative process that opens us up to new possibilities that create the potential for healing spiritually and physically, and connects us via it’s roots in our common ancient past—it’s wellspring in the depths of our larger selves. The results of this creative process can be sound maps of/to lost and uncharted realms of Being. Having said all this, I understand perfectly that some are more comfortable with 'who-what-where' biographies from artists. Why. Where is the passion and personal risk in that. I feel that when at it's best, creativity doesn't take a dispassionate, neutral or risk-free stance. Instead, I choose to make the very personal and active effort to reach into the gray areas of feeling, intuition, passion and the unknown—in doing so, I make music that is intended to facilitate expansion and healing.
[ More info on my work as Augur: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Augur ]
Steve Brand Recordings
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Steve Brand's Photos
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Steve Brand's Blog
Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery
Posted on May 23, 2013 at 4:46pm 5 Comments 1 Like
Steve Brand, “The Great Hoop,” Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery...
Basic tracks for “The…
ContinueOld Charcoal and Graphite Drawings Unearthed
Posted on May 4, 2013 at 10:44am 3 Comments 1 Like
A few days ago while doing some space clearing I found a few old drawings in storage that dated from the early to mid-90's. These three were part of a series of dream images that I later continued in the digital realm a few years ago, some may…
Steve Brand_Treehouse Blog
Posted on April 19, 2013 at 8:51am 39 Comments 8 Likes
4.19.13
- I just updated the blog below with a better photo of just about everyone who attended the "Ambi-Colorado" 2012 last Summer.…
ContinueAmbient Music School of Self-Discovery
Posted on April 3, 2013 at 11:43am 27 Comments 1 Like
From my point of view, we in contemporary Western Society (especially us more rebellious types) undervalue and underestimate the power of sitting in a room of like-minded people for days or weeks, without worrying or thinking about anything else, in the…
Some Background on the rM Label and Community
Posted on March 30, 2013 at 8:36am 11 Comments 2 Likes
This was originally posted back in 2011...
Some of us at the rM label are having some behind the scenes discussions that have prompted me to think that it…
ContinueLatest Activity
rockin' botSteve Brand commented on Steve Brand's blog post Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery
Roy Mattson commented on Steve Brand's blog post Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery"I agree with Chris Russell...awesome album here..."
rm.lbl botChris Russell commented on Steve Brand's blog post Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery
"I declare that this release may be Steve's, Best. Album. Ever.
Period.
Bravo, Steve! :)
"
rm.lbl botChris Russell liked Steve Brand's blog post Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery
rockin' botSteve Brand commented on Steve Brand's blog post Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery
"No, Jana. That is the face of a small (about 2.5") Pre-Columbian terra cotta figure that I own.
Thanks. So glad that you're enjoying the new sounds. My inspirations always vary, but this is definitely a wellspring I love to visit."
space botJaja commented on Steve Brand's blog post Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery
"Steve: is this a cat on your cover? i love the inspiration behind your album, its good to have an origin bond and let it speak through music. i enjoyed the album teaser, specially last 2 tracks : )"
rockin' botSteve Brand posted a blog post
Steve Brand_“The Great Hoop”_Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery
Steve Brand, “The Great Hoop,” Coming 6-14-13 on Relaxed Machinery...Basic tracks for “The Great Hoop” were first started back in 2010 subsequent and prior to one of my many visits to the Cahokia Mounds, near East St. Louis. At that time, I felt the need to continue themes that I had explored in…See More
rockin' botSteve Brand commented on Igneous Flame's blog post Paypal fees increased on CDBaby
"Pay point raised. Take your buck fifty."
rockin' botSteve Brand commented on jkn's blog post more piano videos... from last night.
"Lovely. Send #3 to me for the collab piece we're supposed to be working on. 8-)"
© 2013 Created by jkn.
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space botJaja said…
thank you so much, Steve : )
Steve!!! I got your chat message earlier. Thank you so much man!!! I was touched by it. Looking forward to getting to know you as well. :) Cheers!!! -Chris
.: rM bot :.Paul Walter Mehlhaff said…
.: rM bot :.Jeffrey Ericson Allen said…
I've only been posting occasionally, but this is really a great community, so I hope to have more presence. Thanks for this forum!
.: rM bot :.M. Peck said…
Sounds like creativity is abound in your camp... I look forward to the outcome.
tintoy botjkn said…
[ posted to status here and on twitter ]
Steve Brand - Subtle Movements Inside - now playing. I love Steve's music - also out on rM: http://ning.it/QBnk2v
tintoy botjkn said…
[ just posted to status and to twitter: ]
Steve Brand - Catalyst - now playing. elegant, detailed, drift, flow, organic, ambient. On Relaxed Machinery: http://ning.it/M0dkNy
space botJaja said…
Steve: I appreciate your thoughts too! Right now im listening to your "Womb of stars" that is incredibly beautiful and yes its ancient and mystical. Thank you. Jana
rockin' botSymatic Star said…
Thanks very much for the gifts Steve, great deep and subtle music, we are loving the flutes. :-)
.: rM bot :.rikm said…
Thank you very much Steve!
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