Relaxed. . .I want to unwind, to untangle myself from whatever’s going on in my life. Music is always my salvation for doing that. . .
Experimental. . .But I want to be stimulated. I want layers, complexities, I want to be soothed but engaged. . .
Relaxed. . .I don’t want to be overstimulated by emotive vocals or dense verse, I want space in-between sounds, round edges and warm tones. . .
Experimental. . .I want my mediums mixed. Natural and synthetic sounds in synergy, beats connecting neural pathways and snapping at synapses to forge new energy, to make way for deeper breaths, a stiller mind. . . relaxed. . .experimental.
Matt and I share an affinity for this genre evading sound we’ve labelled Relaxed, Experimental and in putting this list together we gradually defined this sound organically. Through the back and forth of song selection there is a natural ebb and flow that brings about subtle changes in energy.
Emotive, beatless pieces like Maggio by Yotto and Lost in You by Pedro Aguiar gradually give way to playful broken beats and pulsing dancefloor grooves in for the form of New World by Anchorsong and Parallel 2 by Four Tet. We hit our stride at the 10 track mark and from there it feels like one track is an extension of the last – each track just long enough to stimulate the senses and sink into a soothing stream of sounds before the next weaves into the consciousness. The songs began to pick themselves as we relaxed into the experiment and let the music lead the way.
Have you ever had that experience of finally having some time to relax and when it comes to it you can’t? You’re looking round for something to do, something to occupy your mind. You’ve gone from hyper-stimulated to nothing and your mind isn’t ready for the pause. This list speaks to that – a gateway to a more relaxed state.
It started like many 80's babies, 90's children - with blank cassettes.
I would listen to the local radio station, or BBC Radio 1 and record songs I liked - always frustrated when the DJ would speak over the end and wreck the mix! Much rewinding and taping over later, I'd spend hours designing the covers and scrawling the artist and track names on the sleeve in tiny writing.
I've always had an eclectic taste, going through phases like every other teenager but coming out the other side with a disregard for genres and pigeon holes, just an endless desire for more music and to keep learning.
Raised in a musician’s household, I played piano and guitar, was in the school band version of The Strokes and went on to study Popular Music at Liverpool University, the home of The Beatles, the only place I wanted to study. Deepening my knowledge and understanding there, I got into the Liverpool music scene, writing for local music rags interviewing the local talent.
I’ve worked in hospitality, always finding a way to bring my love of music to the fore - curating playlists a small group of bars and restaurants, bringing in live bands and DJs and relishing spinning some tunes when the DJ didn't show up. Nowadays I do festival and events work, with music still filtering through everything I do. I always have something on in the background, always looking to create the perfect soundscape for every situation and mood. I consider myself to a be soundscaper, sound architect if it doesn't sound too grand and dream of creating soundtracks to films, tv shows as well as putting my own musical creations to movement and dance. You can find some old scratchy soundscapes on my Soundcloud.
My lists are always curated with the greatest care - I really want to immerse in the field or focus of the list. My greatest passions are in the kitchen, the yoga mat and wandering the globe and I have countless lists that evoke those places, which you can find on my Spotify.
It's not so much about a formula or a genre for me, but a feeling - being able to put myself in that place when I hear the right song. You can also find me on Instagram @tjeffo7786 and Twitter @TomJeffo
Hi my name is Matt, but my friends call me Matt. I’m on the wrong side of 29 (damn I hate it every time I have to update that number), definitely feeling my age, but never felt happier and more content than I do at this point in my life. I’ve been through some rocky patches (who hasn’t) and lived to tell the tale, and boy do I gots some stories.
When I’m not giving opinions absolutely nobody asked for, I’m doing a worldbuilding with my passion project, vivaellipsis. If you like offbeat nonsense delivered through immersive escapism, then go and get involved. Or don’t, I’m not telling you what to do. I’m not yer boss.
I’m a simple man with simple interests. I like Yorkshire tea, the sound of rain on the window, and a bloody good story.
