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Make Next Year Your “Year of the Gods”

The calendar features striking depictions of lesser-known gods from Greek mythology, reimagined as if they walked among us today. From the radiant god of the sun to the enigmatic goddess of the night, these images invite you to reconsider ancient deities in a modern context. You’ll encounter the gods of the four cardinal winds, imagine the role of the god of wealth in our world, and reflect on what the goddess of discord might stir up today.

Ever wondered about the primordial forces of the universe or the essence of mockery and criticism? These figures leap from myth into vivid, printed form, ready to guide you through the year. Whether as a source of inspiration or a conversation starter, the calendar offers a fresh way to engage with mythology and art.

Musical Horizons: A Compilation That Breaks the Rules

In the realm of music, I’ve recently mastered a compilation album titled Justification of Major. This project began as an experiment in a musical community known for pushing boundaries. The premise? Challenge the “non grata” status of the major triad in experimental and ambient music. Musicians were tasked with creating slow-tempo pieces, infused with a major tonal bias, while staying true to the community’s exploratory spirit.

The result is an album that raises more questions than answers. Does the major key’s inherent optimism create a sense of healing and hope, or does it risk losing depth and complexity? Can slow tempos and major chords evoke serenity without becoming overly functional or simplistic?

This compilation invites listeners to meditate on these questions while enjoying an immersive soundscape. Each track offers surprises and new layers, ensuring the experience evolves with every listen.

mockART: New Tracks and Upcoming Releases

Exciting things are also happening with mockART, my experimental music project. We’ve released the latest chapter in our La Bête Noire series. This time, the titular beast roams the city in search of food, culminating in a feast. The release includes two compelling remixes: the title track by Baco_Giovanni Cristino, a longtime collaborator, and another by Senglar, whose reinterpretation adds a fresh dynamic.

You can stream the tracks on your favourite platforms or watch the accompanying video for La Bête Noire cherche de la nourriture.

Additionally, our track The Wind is Still Whispering has been included in the massive download compilation with 100! Tracks of Experimental Music. It’s a treasure trove for anyone eager to dive deep into the world of experimental sound.

As for our live performance recordings? Mixing and mastering are underway. We aim to release a live album next year, offering a chance to experience mockART in its raw, unfiltered form.

Reflections and New Directions

This year has been a whirlwind of creativity, from immortalising gods to collaborating with musicians across genres. As I shift focus, I’m reminded that art, like life, is about evolution—balancing the old and the new, the familiar and the experimental.

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As I strolled through the rain-drenched streets of Soroca, Moldova, my gaze lingered across the Dnister River, where the shores of Ukraine beckoned. It was a fleeting moment, but one that left an indelible impression. I watched the small ferry boats shuttling between the two countries, a tangible reminder of the divide that separated them. Yet, despite the allure, I was informed that crossing the river required navigating official checkpoints – an encounter that would have to wait.

Fast forward to 2017, during a journey through Poland, I found myself within reach of the Ukrainian border once more. Without hesitation, I seized the opportunity to explore Lviv – a city pulsating with vitality and creative energy. Yet, amidst the vibrant facade, I couldn’t ignore the haunting presence of men who traversed the streets with an air of detachment. Their silent anguish spoke volumes, a testament to the ongoing conflict that ravaged Eastern Ukraine in the shadow of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Collaborating with Ukrainian Poets

When Dmitry Postovalov extended an invitation for mockART to participate in the Blue and Yellow Through Black and Gray project, Christoph and I embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly. Conceived as a collaboration between Ukrainian poets and international musicians, the project sought to intertwine the realms of poetry and music, crafting a narrative that reflected upon the stark realities of war in Ukraine. Penned during the initial throes of conflict, the poems of the twelve contributing authors offer glimpses into a world besieged by turmoil. While not explicitly addressing the war, its spectre looms large, infusing each verse with a sense of poignancy and resilience.

Joining forces with fifteen musicians from across the globe, we embarked on a creative odyssey — one that gave rise to a musical landscape both introspective and discordant. In the lyrical tapestry woven by Maksym Churkov, we found kindred spirits — travellers navigating the vast expanse of poetic imagination. His poem Tænæt served as our guiding light, inspiring us to explore new sonic horizons and reimagine reality through sound.

In tandem with crafting the music, I undertook the task of creating lyric videos—a visual companion to the auditory journey. Infusing static photographs with dynamic animations, I endeavoured to breathe life into the imagery, ensuring that the text transcended its role as mere subtitles.

A Beacon of Hope

As the project took shape, it became evident that our collective efforts were more than just a creative endeavour. They were a testament to the resilience of the human spirit—a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of conflict. Published by Syrphe and presented by AEMC, the Blue and Yellow Through Black and Gray project stands as a testament to the transformative power of art. It serves as a reminder that, in times of uncertainty, we have the capacity to unite, transcending language and borders to weave a tapestry of hope.

As you embark on this journey through the realms of poetry and music, know that your support carries profound significance. With every purchase of the album, you are contributing to the healing and restoration of lives affected by conflict. Together, let us weave a tapestry of hope, painting the world with hues of blue and yellow amidst the black and gray.

Track List:

1. Sterion Music – Peredmova 02:09
2. Medicine Lake – The Braille Stars (feat. Olena Halunets) 04:25
3. Toto Tobass – Alone with the Demon (feat. Anastasiiith) 04:12
4. Jennifer Howd – The Bullet (feat. Ada Yelagina) 01:38
5. Fedir Tkachov – Our House (feat. Stepan Penkaliuk) 02:53
6. James Schlesselman – Rapids of Hunger (feat. Snig na Golovu) 04:49
7. Whispered – Evening Glow Milk (feat. Oleh Ladyzhensky) 03:31
8. Paul Soto – Perepochynok (All Remain Silent) 03:21
9. mockART – Tænæt (feat. Maksym Churkov) 04:58
10. Givun – We Were Men in Black (feat. Vlad Kovbasiuk) 02:43
11. Bayun the Cat – The Temple (feat. Mira Malska) 06:13
12. Mark Daelmans-Sikkel & Paulien Dirkzwager – This Passionate Pleasure (feat. Tetiana Osipenko) 05:07
13. Alex Richardson – Renaissance (feat. Holosy) 05:20
14. Guy Richardson – Dreaming of You Again (feat. Maria Chekariova) 05:43
15. Phil Durrant – Pislyamova 04:10

The poems were written between February 2022, and February 2023.
The music was composed and recorded between February and July 2023.

All profits from album sales will be donated to the Military Medical Clinical Center of the Northern Region, located in Kharkiv, Ukraine. 

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