Ambiant music, Please splain that to me

creapyrob · Post by **creapyrob** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:05 am

So I and some of my buddies went to the "Piolt Light" Saturday to see a friends band play. The band had the second set. The first band played some 'ambiance' music.

They sat with their back to the audience in front of their amps. They strummed their guitars once and then put them in front of the amps and then turned the dials on the amps and the effects boxes / pedals. FOR FUCKING 45 MINUTES!

I just don't get it.

There were a bunch of Mods and Hipsters there. The whole place was quite except for well I and my friends in the back talking and heckling each other and the band. When the band we came to see played their set most everyone was talking, I guess I don't get it.

If this band was at an art gallery or a coffee shop or some place you could do with some 'background' music I would get it but they played a bar that charged $5 at the door.

I know most of you don't get Country but I think I can explain it, at least most of the better stuff. Maybe not Gary Nunn, or some of the other more odd ball musicians.

rec|use · Post by **rec|use** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 10:29 am

your first clue to "getting it" would probably come a lot faster
once you learn to spell the word ambient

who was the band anyway

Varagol · Post by **Varagol** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 5:24 pm

Hey if the grammar police are going to be employed, well they would have a full time job with me as it is!

Ambient music is well, light on lyrics (not always, but usually) and heavy on the melody/rythm. Think Enya without her singing. Delerium and Enigma come to mind (some of it anyway)

creapyrob · Post by **creapyrob** » Mon Feb 09, 2004 6:58 pm

Iberham was the band's name I think.

This 'ambient' as far as I could tell had no 'rythm' or 'melody.' It was quite literally distortion run through effects boards and a volume pedal for 45 minutes.

What is some good or better musicians or groups in the ambient style so I can check out their websites.

rec|use · Post by **rec|use** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:01 am

What is some good or better musicians or groups in the ambient style so I can check out their websites.

i've never heard of the band you mentioned
nor do i know anything about them
so i can not fairly answer this question

chances are if you didnt like or get that band
you probably wouldnt' like or get any others in the associated genres

rec|use · Post by **rec|use** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 3:20 am

not to seem like a complete ass hole i'll compile some bands i like
and you can do your own digging from there

dark ambient :

http://raisondetre.coldmeat.se/
http://protagonist.coldmeat.se/
http://drugie.here.ru/inade/
http://www.derblutharsch.com/

noise
http://user.tninet.se/~bsb015v/hostage1.htm
http://www.geocities.com/OPENWOUNDALLIANCE/
http://www.holyterror.com/lockweld/
http://www.holyterror.com/greywolves/
[url]http://survivalunit.cjb.net/[url]
http://www.susanlawly.freeuk.com/
http://www.leechnest.net/ntt/

zines / etc regarding both subjects and more
http://www.vengeancemag.com/
http://www.industrial.org/
http://www.holyterror.com/aversionline/
http://crionicmind.org/wormgear/
http://www.bountyhunterinc.com/bhindex.html
http://www.brainwashed.com/

that should be enough for you to make an informed decision

Hardcoregirl · Post by **Hardcoregirl** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:03 am

rec|use wrote:not to seem like a complete ass hole

Your first step in not seeming like a complete "ass hole" would come a lot faster once you learn to spell the world asshole (one word not two).

just messin' with ya man...

Onibubba · Post by **Onibubba** » Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:33 am

This is one of my favorite types of music. I think that what you heard was more along drone than ambient. Something like Godspeed You Black Emperor or some of the longer tracks from the Liars. Think movie soundtrack, think instrumental, add in some dark touches and get ready to explore damnbient.

Recluse gave you some great bands that explore this darker sound, and I actually prefer to think of their works as soundscapes, sound sculptures. Several of the bands he mentioned are on the label Cold Meat Industries which represents that genre very well. Other bands I would recommend, without links - sorry I'm lazy:

Shinjuku Thief
Sephiroth
Coil
A Murder of Angels

I hope you find some good stuff. Most every type of music, like most religions, has something good to offer amongst the crap. And to me, sorting through it all and discovering new stuff is part of the fun. Use MP3's to sample and find what you like, but when you find something good, buy it and support the artist. It is the loyal fan base that allows artists in these smaller selling genres to keep experimenting and providing exciting new sounds, yeah?

Caustic · Post by **Caustic** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:38 pm

I'd throw the Gridlock card on the table.

Celestial Dung · Post by **Celestial Dung** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 1:08 pm

ibrahim? They might have changed their sound since I last heard them but for the most part they do instrumental semi math rock. A lot of pitch and temp change.

as far as Abient...Ambient to me is about a sense of mood. Sometimes melody and rythem is forsaken for the advancement of texture. I think the appeal is to create a sense of calmness or maybe even suggest dreaming.

Well I know you didn't like it but I'm glad Pilot Light gives a chance to explore other types of music. Long live Pilot Light aye aye!

rec|use · Post by **rec|use** » Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:39 pm

I'd throw the Gridlock card on the table

i never considered gridlock to be ambient
considering the use of intelligent / distorted beats
btw if you like gridlock my gf used to do artwork for possessive blindfold and unit before the label kinda folded
you've probably seen some ads she's made

on the other hand from those labels
id say savak is pretty ambient / noisey
as well as law-rah collective
holocaust theory
and zymosiz

Caustic · Post by **Caustic** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 12:25 pm

rec|use wrote:i never considered gridlock to be ambient
considering the use of intelligent / distorted beats

I don't consider that a disqualifier. It just means that they're more complex if you pay attention. Stuff off of n5md like Spark, which some call IDM, I'd consider ambient. Beats and clicks don't mean it won't work well in the peripheral for mood and ambiance. And, honestly, at some point you're just splitting hairs.

you've probably seen some ads she's made

Don't count on it; I hate the music mags.

junkie christ · Post by **junkie christ** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 3:54 pm

tribes of neurot (neurosis side project) and final (godflesh side project) are two of the only groups in that genre i dig... but i hear alot i like thru friends....

rec|use · Post by **rec|use** » Sun Feb 15, 2004 7:18 pm

yeah i just don't consider most idm dnb power noise etc..
as ambient
call it what you will