Locations: England

“Psychedelic duo Simon Posford and Raja Ram are Shpongle, an ambient / electronica project formed in 1996 after the pair viewed a solar eclipse in India. After that event, they entered the studio and attempted to duplicate the experience in sonic form, and the result was a 20-minute track, “…And The Day Turned To Night,” which was featured on Twisted Records label compilation titled Eclipse. Shpongle’s full-length debut album, Are You Shpongled? was released in early 1999. Their sophomore effort, Tales Of The Inexpressible arrived in 2001 and featured the additions of Spanish and East Asian instrumentation. In 2005, the duo released their third album, Nothing Lasts…but Nothing Is Lost (Remastered, 2019) which was intended to be their final project. However, Shpongle returned in 2009 with Ineffable Mysteries, which incorporated world music themes, and the God Particle EP in 2010. Museum of Consciousness followed in 2013. Their sixth album, the appropriately titled Codex VI was released in 2017. In 2019 they played 2 sold out shows at Red Rocks, Colorado with the full live band. Work has already started on their 7th studio album to follow in 2022.”

“Autechre have remained one of electronic music’s most groundbreaking and influential duos since they began releasing material in the early ’90s. Rooted in vintage American electro as well as ambient and musique concrète, their sound has constantly evolved from melodic, intricately programmed techno to vast, algorithmically generated sprawls that challenge the conventions of rhythm and structure. As demanding as their work can be, they’ve frequently received praise from critics, and their influence is inescapable — legions of electronic artists have emulated their style, from their inscrutable track titles to their fluid yet metallic sound design. After helping to establish the template for what the press would soon dub IDM with their 1993 debut, Incunabula, Autechre continued releasing classic full-lengths such as 1995’s Tri Repetae and 1998’s LP5, in addition to equally vital EPs including 1994’s Anti and 1999’s album-length EP7. Their sound gradually became glitchier and less melodic throughout the decade, culminating in 2001’s polarizing Confield. After making a slight return to their more accessible side with 2008’s Quaristice, they began releasing some of the most ambitious works of their career starting with 2013’s two-hour Exai, and continuing through the eight-hour NTS Sessions in 2018. The relatively compact SIGN, released in 2020, was a bit closer to their ambient-leaning material, while its companion PLUS was heavier on beats but still highly abstract.”

(read the full story here) “…Why this title? Being a white Western male abroad, you travel trailing centuries of history behind you. You are always White Man – you can’t escape that. This album is partly an attempt to shine some honest light on myself as White Man, along with that long tail of history and the ugly little elephant-in-the-room I travel on.

It’s also partly a homage to the humanity and courage of the people we met in Iran, who lead their lives in the shadow of an oppressive regime but still remain so hospitable, warm and funny. I promised I would tell the world some of your story – here it is.

And of course, White Man (Moves) is a scrapbook for the memories of good times and brilliant people met over the course of an adventure. With that in mind, I dedicate this album to all those people – this album is full of the sounds of your voices and your streets. Finally, I offer White Man (Moves) to Laura. I never remember to take pictures, but here’s something to remember our trip by.” -Dizraeli