Journeys to the Infinite

From classical mastery to electronic experimentation, Luxembourg-born pianist Francesco Tristano shares insights into his love for Baroque music, the immense possibilities of the piano as a future instrument, and how he seamlessly bridges the gap between Bach and modern electronic music. 

If you are a fan of ambient music, you have probably heard of Chris Bryant. He is the creative force behind the S1gns of L1fe and Starterra projects. Along with Grammy-nominated mastering engineer Don Tyler, he co-founded the band Ascendant and several record labels known for their excellently produced and curated albums (Synphaera, Exosphere, Material, Aura). To help navigate his complex and diverse sonic universe, we invited him to our show to provide some guidance and answers. Among the topics we discussed were his evolution as an artist, the power of collaboration, the value of music in the age of streaming and artificial intelligence, and more. Enjoy!

 Born in Belgium, Dirk Serries is a musician who has explored various genres such as avant-garde, experimental, industrial, and ambient. He gained worldwide recognition under the pseudonym Vidna Obmana, with a prolific output from 1984 to 2007, creating an extensive discography and collaborating with notable artists like Steven Wilson, Steve Roach, and Justin K. Broadrick. Serries continues to explore atmospheric soundscapes, keeping alive the legacy of Vidna Obmana. This year marks the 40th anniversary of his musical journey, and we celebrate this landmark by having the artist in person on our show.

Andrei Nastasa is a new artist who deserves the attention of electronic and new age music fans. Especially those who love the work of Vangelis will find familiar harmonies and sounds in his compositions. This influence is no coincidence, as Andrei is one of the lucky few to have been in Vangelis' entourage and benefited directly from the occasional guidance offered by the Greek master. I have chosen to publish this episode today, when Vangelis would have turned 81, as a motive for celebration and gratitude. Although Vangelis's influence is assumed, Andrei integrated it into a more personal musical language, seeking self-definition and refinement, a path currently embodied in two albums. I invite you to discover Andrei Nastasa and his music in this new edition of Journeys to the Infinite show.

Entheogenic is a musical project that combines and crosses many boundaries within the Psybient realm. Formerly a duo, the mission is now carried on by Piers Oak-Rhind, a sound designer, programmer, and musician born in England, but now living in New York. In our interview, he discusses the new album Oddiyana and his journey into music until now.

Roach's boundless creativity and ever-evolving mastery are a challenge to all who try to keep up with his work, even his most devoted fans. And yet, that's what I aimed for in this new interview with the Grammy-nominated American ambient/ electronic music pioneer.In this episode, you can listen to Steve Roach discussing his collaboration with Tangerine Dream, the new double album Sanctuary of Desire, and even upcoming projects, plus a music mix that completes our show.

ASURA is Charles Farewell's solo project at the intersection of Ambient, PsyTrance, and World Music. His brand-new album Renaissance shares a story of rebirth and brotherhood, bridging the gap between classical electronic music and modern ambient. In this interview, Charles discusses the challenges of releasing an album after nine years of pause and reveals the main inspirations behind his return to composing. Of course, the complementary music mix follows the interview.

Founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese in West Berlin, Tangerine Dream is one of the most prominent electronic music pioneers. After Edgar Froese's death in 2015, the group consists of Thorsten Quaeschning, Hoshiko Yamane, and Paul Frick. Thorsten is the current bandleader and the main creative force of the project, after spending many years under the direct guidance of Froese. In the following interview, he discusses the challenges of continuing such a huge legacy and the present phase of the project.

Frore is the ambient music project of Paul Casper, a Virginia-based artist always seeking to fuse what he calls "primitive sounds" with current technology. In this interview, he discusses his newest album, Biome, and his musical itinerary in pursuit of Awe. The second part of the episode consists of a mix of selected tracks from Frore's works.

In today's episode, I'm honored to interview Hans Christian, a cellist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer with over 35 years of experience. Hans is also a founding member of the duo Rasa, along with Kim Waters, creating music based on Indian devotional love songs from the Vaishnava tradition, sung in Bengali and arranged with Western and Indian elements. Here he talks about the new album Ocean Dreaming Ocean (a posthumous collaboration with the Grammy-winning artist David Darling), discusses his journey into Music, and reflects on the importance of engaging with the world. Don't miss the music mix that follows our chat.

Shane Morris is a percussionist, synthesist, recording artist, and film music composer based in Arkansas. His sonic explorations reveal a deep connection with the works of Steve Roach, Vidna Obmana, and Jorge Reyes while developing a sincere and genuine approach. In this interview, Shane Morris talks about his path into music, embracing the unknown, and collaborating with master neo-shamanic-percussionist Byron Metcalf on the new album `Ancestral Resonance.`

A bestselling author and teacher, Linda Kohanov gained an excellent reputation for her contributions to Equine Experiential Learning and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy. She was an internationally recognized music critic and radio producer, and never abandoned her interests in music. In the following interview, Linda discusses the importance of music in her life and work, talks about her marriage to Ambient pioneer Steve Roach, reveals some first-hand experiences from meeting and interviewing some illustrious musicians, and reveals the challenges of expanding her artistic skills from instrumentalist to composer.

Here we are, three decades later. Same show, new times. In this anniversary episode, I will tell you the story of the program from a personal perspective and we will enjoy the congratulatory messages and music of some very special guests, among them Suzanne Ciani, Andreas Vollenweider, Øystein Sevåg, Deuter, Steve Roach, Robert Rich, Ian Boddy.Heartfelt thanks to our listeners, and wishing you a beautiful transition to 2023!

In today's episode, we have an exclusive interview with the legendary Swiss harpist and Grammy-winning composer Andreas Vollenweider. He discusses the new album `Slow Flow & Dancer,` the importance of using imagination in the creative process, and how this ability helped him express and discover himself as a human being and musician. As usual, after the interview, an accompanying music mix completes our journey.

A special feature interview with the Connecticut-based composer-synthesist Meg Bowles. We talk about her personal music history and the upcoming album Voices from the Ethereal Forest.` In addition to our chat, a music mix is included.

Marcello De Francisci is a composer of Italo/Argentinean descent who provides music to feature films, theatrical movie trailers, and interactive computer games. Marcello joined forces with world-renowned singer Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance band member & Golden Globe winner for co-composing the score to ‘Gladiator' alongside Hans Zimmer) and both co-wrote the music for numerous film projects, in addition, worked on two-solo albums. Discover Marcello De Francisci's work through this interview and a music mix.

Suzanne Ciani is s a five-time Grammy-nominated artist and electronic music pioneer. Her success with electronic music earned her the nickname „Diva of the Diode”. In this episode, we listen to Suzanne Ciani telling her story about life and music.

Tim Wheater is an award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist with a wealth of experience in multiple musical genres but who has remained deeply committed to sound healing work. Listen to an exclusive interview with Tim and a music mix that captures some of the magic with which the British artist has enchanted his audiences for over 40 years.

In this episode, we remember and pay tribute to the great Mexican ethno-ambient musician and shaman, JORGE REYES. My special guest is STEVE ROACH.

Klaus Schulze departed on his cosmic journey on April 26th, 2022, leaving behind an influential and precious musical legacy. We pay tribute to the Berlin School master together with my special guests: Michael Shrieve, Steve Roach, and Bernd Kistenmacher.

The Grammy-nominated composer Michael Hoppés discusses the accomplishments and challenges of being a recording artist, the major life events influencing his music, his collaboration, and friendship with the great Greek composer Vangelis and many other inspiring stories.

David Hykes is the founder of the Harmonic Chant and has pioneered the Western vocal overtone movement since 1975. In this interview, we will explore Hykes' life and work and we'll travel through music where silent listening meets breathing and the light of awareness can almost be heard.

In this interview, Serena Gabriel shares stories and memories about embracing music as a path of healing and growing, discusses her new album `Seeing Inside`, and opens up about the mentoring relationship with Steve Roach.

In the following interview, the Oregon-based composer, cellist, and storyteller Jeffrey Ericson Allen aka Chronotope Project looks back on the moments and influences that shaped him, and we go into an in-depth exploration of the new album Gnosis. And, of course, we will listen to a special music mix with selected tracks from his discography.

Paul Ellis occupies a special place in the Space Music genre due to his elaborate sequencer excursions and impressionistic travelogues. The Berlin School-aficionados feel at home with his work, although Ellis got beyond the imitation game and crafted a personalized approach. Here we discuss his new albums and artistic itinerary.

In this interview from 2019, Johannes Hedberg and Daniel Vadestrid of CBL talk about how they manage to work so well after 28 years of activity, about their hobbies, the differences between CBL and SYNC24 (the solo project of Daniel) and other details from the sonic laboratory of one of the most beloved projects in the history of ambient music. As always, a special mix will sonically illustrate the episode.

We celebrate the 50th Anniversary of his debut as a recording artist with a rare audio interview that offers a few glimpses of his musical life.

Øystein Sevåg is an artist whose recognition exceeded the borders of his native Norway. His style of composing emphasizes structural clarity and spiritual connection. Find out more about his new projects and many other topics by listening to this extensive audio interview that explores Øystein Sevåg's life in the service of Music.

Max Corbacho's sonic mythology encompasses primordial and futuristic themes rooted in the territories first explored by Steve Roach, Michael Stearns, and Robert Rich. Although his style shares lots of similarities with the work of these American pioneers, it organically grew into more personal directions, integrating the influences and evolving toward a wider abstractisation. But better to listen to the artist himself speaking about his musical journey.

Rudy Adrian is an Ambient electronic artist from New Zealand. Composing in styles ranging from beatless atmospheric soundscapes to rhythmic sequenced electronica, he delivered 17 studio albums to date. In this interview, he discusses the new release from the Spotted Peccary Music label `As Dusk Becomes Night`, his technical choices, the creative approach, and many more. Bonus: we will listen to an unreleased track and a special music mix.

Ambient music master and Grammy-nominated artist Steve Roach is back on our show, this time together with the very talented Serena Gabriel. In our interview, we talk about their collaboration and new albums, discuss the recent SoundQuest Fest 2021, Steve's new record label, and many more.

Al Gromer Khan, despite his underground status, is well-known for those who love to immerse in Ambient and Indian Music. He is playing sitar every day now for more than 50 years, practicing the instrument as a ritual that offers access to the privacy of the soul.

In this episode of `Journeys to the Infinite`, the Long-Beach, California-based composer speaks about his new album `The Gong Prophet' and shares his passion for mixing ambient electronica with the sounds and music of Indonesia.

Ian Boddy is a British synthesist involved in electronic music for over four decades, and the man in charge of DiN label. From purely abstract to sequencer driven tracks, he creates a vibrant environment where early Teutonic space sounds cohabit with modern forms of ambient music. Using both vintage synths and new technology, Boddy is always stretching his sonic vocabulary into new musical terrains explored in solo and collaborative works.

As a multi-instrumentalist with advanced music production skills, Jef Stott showcases wide-ranging capabilities with playing and recording memorable tracks. He was involved in Stellamara and Lumin projects before starting an exciting solo career. Albums like `Saracen` and `Arcana`, both released on Six Degrees label, prove his gift for crafting rich soundworlds that promote peace and appreciation through cultural awareness.

If Space is your game, Jeff Pearce is the name. His exquisite guitar playing resonates with cosmic vistas and timeless nostalgia of the Infinite. Despite his sometimes celestial style, I discovered in Jeff Pearce a very down-to-earth person endowed with a good sense of humor. It is a pleasure to feature him in our interview collection. I hope you will enjoy Jeff Pearce's thoughts and music on Journeys to the Infinite.

Talking from his studio in Portland, Oregon, Howard Givens discuss The Bodhi Mantra album, answers my questions about his musical evolution, explains the preference for collaborations, and provides insights into the creative labor of Spotted Peccary Music label.

Kevin Keller specializes in `ambient chamber music`, a term coined by John Diliberto on the radio show `Echoes`. In our interview, Kevin Keller reveals the results of his latest musical endeavor, named `The Front Porch of Heaven`, and shares with us his cinematic journey into sound, image, and movement.

Erik Wollo's newest partnership is with the American master Michael Stearns. With the release of 'Convergence', they have taken a significant step forward in exploring new and promising ambient vistas. My interview with Erik gravitates around this collaborative album and connects the present achievements with some essential moments of his career.

Robert Rich is an influential ambient artist, and one of the original pioneers of the American West-Coast School of Electronic Music. In our interview, we discuss diverse topics, from his music and early memories to Surrealism, from Tarkovsky's cinematography to technology, wine, and food.

Michael Stearns is a forefather of Ambient music and one of the most original composers and sound designers in the film industry. In our interview, Stearns review some significant moments of his career, explains his creative approach to composing and sound design, and discusses the impact of technological evolution on his music. Throughout the conversation, we uncovered many interesting stories, including also details about his spiritual interests and personal life.

Mark Seelig is an artist and transpersonal psychotherapist who is known for his deeply mystical music and the collaboration albums recorded with Byron Metcalf, Steve Roach, and Loren Nerell. Discover his sounds and story in this new episode of our show.

My guest on this episode of „Journeys to the Infinite” is the legendary Tribal Ambient percussionist and Shamanic drummer Byron Metcalf.

Hollan Holmes is an electronic music composer and landscape artist from Dallas, Texas. His 7th album, `Milestones` is a synthesis of well-executed musical textures and patterns that captures some significant personal experiences. It is, without a doubt, one of the Journeys to the Infinite's best electronic albums of 2020 so far.

My special guest in this episode of „Journeys to the Infinite” needs no introduction: a contemporary hero of Electronic Music, the Ambient pioneer and Grammy-nominated composer Steve Roach.