Son of Ohm

The new album ‘Deeper Ground’ is almost ready. It is something different. All eight songs were composed on polysynths, messing around with chord progressions. It was a very interesting process seeing the songs develop. The main idea was to create lush synthesizer-pop kind of songs, with only synths, Linn drum samples and some vocals. No guitars and organs. This principle I kept. Ofcourse the songs themselves pushed me into a different direction.

After the first three songs were made I had to take a break. The new songs that I made after some time had a different character. I liked it. They actually had a very nice sound and feel. So I returned to the first three songs and gave them the same vibe. Some songs I had to break down and remake.

So what we have now is five tracks with vocals and three instrumental tracks. I used to avoid a lot of chord changes because I like modal scale, so that’s new. The drum sound also makes it different. Apart from Astral Son I haven’t done much singing in productions. I used my voice as an additional melodic sound, with meaning ofcourse. Since I love analogue sound the album is packed with it. I’d say it is very warm and melodic as well.

At the moment I am happy with the album. I think it is one of the best things I’ve done. I’ve dedicated my composing and production skills to the making of an album that has the potential to attract a wider audience that normally would’t listen to electronic music. Only thing is that I’m confused and don’t know yet how to release because it isn’t instrumental electronic or psychedelic. So it will probably be next year!

In a nice flow I made three instrumental synthesizer tracks this week. On only one of them I played guitar, the same pattern over and over, alongside a sequence.. There are dreamy parts, just sounds moving around, sparse melodies, if any. I used the setup that I played at ESE with an additional poly synth. The mood is pretty calm and serene.

Our Electric Spectrum Experience live Electronic music festival was a succes. We had around 30 visitors, EM lovers, EM musicians, EM dj’s from the Netherlands, Germany, England and even Russia. The atmosphere was great and people were able to talk with old friends and meet new people from the scene.

As a festival we’ve grown. As musicians we also gained experience and I was very pleased with the sound and cooperation with the people from Muziek Organisatie Noord. Things like this need time to develop.

The performances were done by: Phrozenlight, Albert Steenbergen, René van der Wouden and of course Phrozen Weaver and Son of Ohm. And we had a little guest Ansgar Stock from Germany who joined our jam session.
Unfortunately Albert wasn’t allowed to play his laser harp! Because of the smoke machine and fire alarm… What a pity.

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We feel ESE deserves continuation and found a place in the EM scene. We may have some exciting developments for the next time. There is a need for live electronic music happenings, a place for musicians to play live and to meet people. We will see what happens.

Here is a German review of ESE by long time visitor Alfred Arnold from the electronic music webzine EM Pulsiv:
EM in Hollands Norden

It was lovely to meet Harald Gramberg from Hippiesland. He wrote a nice report here

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It was also nice to see John Valk Waveman (EM Expert from Underground-ÄxpÄrten) and Norman van Krimpen from STYLZ-Radio.
Among the audience also were Hans van Kroonenburg, Ruud Heij & Marcel Engels from Free System Project and Bas Broekhuis, to name a few. Phil Booth has been visiting us from the beginning and most of the pictures shown here were made by him. He cames together with Michael Shipway from Volt.
Arend and Gert who played with us last year were also present.

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The Electric Spectrum Experience was organised by Bert Hulshoff (Phrozenlight) and me. Because we like to play on stage and for the joy it brings getting people together. We are delighted to have wonderful guest musicians and looking forward to a bright future!