Idiosyncratic folk-rocker Sufjan Stevens has a five volume set of deeply ambient compositions called Convocations. It’s partly a response to deaths in the family and the pandemic.
Playlists
Weekend, May 22-23, 2021 – Programs 2120A & 2120B
Tag: New Age
Coming Up
Friday, June 4, 2021 – Slow Flow Echoes
Music by Norwegian electronic artist Sverre Knut Johansen, from an album of ambient moods called Dreams Beyond. We’ll also hear from Granmmy-winning guitarist Jim Kimo West.
Playlists
Friday, May 21, 2021 – Echoes Program 2120E
Deep ambient chamber music by Joshua Van Tassell whose album title says it all, Dance Music Volume II: More Songs for Slow Motion. We’ll also hear from German downtempo artist, Tauon.
Coming Up
Thursday, June 3, 2021 – Music from Lisa Gerrard
Lisa Gerrard returns in full force. Her ecstatic sound is all over a new collaboration with Jules Maxwell called Burn. We’ll also hear from All India Radio’s Afterworld.
Interview Podcast
Echoes Podcast: Sufjan Stevens, Mythos, Patrick O’Hearn
Playlists
Thursday, May 20, 2021 – Echoes Program 2120D
New music by Tor, the electronic musician with a hypnotic, downtempo sound. He has a new album called Oasis Sky. We’ll also hear from Jomoro, A project headed by Joey Waronker
Coming Up
Wednesday, June 2, 2021 – Icon Harold Budd
The 24th Icon of Echoes is Harold Budd. We’ll remember this artist who influenced ambient and chamber music composers for half a century, right up until he passed away last year.
Reviews & Commentary
Patrick O’Hearn: Five Essential Albums
Patrick O’Hearn is one of the most heartfelt, mood inducing artists in the ambient space. Here are his most essential recordings including his 1985 debut Ancient Dreams.
Playlists
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 – Echoes Program 2120C
The 22nd Icon, Patrick O’Hearn, came to renown with Frank Zappa, was a pop star in Missing Persons, then crafted personal electronic music on a string of albums starting with Ancient Dreams.
Coming Up
Tuesday, June 1, 2021 – Bob Boilen Interview
NPR’s Bob Boilen is more than the host of Tiny Desk Concerts and All Songs Considered. He’s also a composer of music from ambient to punk rock. We talk about his pandemic album Hidden Smiles.