Episode 35 is an ambient music special with one of the genre’s contemporary luminaries and a personal favourite of mine, John Elliott, also known as Imaginary Softwoods.

Although he’d be loathe to describe his work as ambient, John’s music as Imaginary Softwoods is celebrated for its deep, lush tones, beautiful synthwork, pensive melodies, and thoughtful samples. Perhaps best known for his band Emeralds, which disbanded in 2012, John has been making music as Imaginary Softwoods since 2008, releasing several incredible works on tape and on vinyl over the years, while simultaneously managing the @EditionsMego offshoot label @SpectrumSpools. In this conversation, John and I discuss the ins and outs of making, playing, and releasing ambient music, and what the genre has to offer in 2021.

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Music:

"Another First/Sea Machine" - Imaginary Softwoods (2020)

"Overlook" - Tetsu Inoue (2007)

"The Imminent Collapse Department" - Imaginary Softwoods (2020)

"Court of Failure" - Imaginary Softwoods (2008)

"Entrance Through Selenite Pillars" - Imaginary Softwoods (2016)

"Vaporware 04" - Donato Dozzy Plays Bee Mask (2013)

"Sapphire Point" - Imaginary Softwoods (2019)