Calm Pills - Soothing Space Ambient and Piano Music for Relaxing, Sleeping, Reading, or Mindful Meditation

This mix was released on this day 5 years ago as part of my Drifter ambient series, which I created under my previous pseudonym DJ Seroton. It was the second collaboration I have done with the talented musician Tonepoet, who creates an excellent ambient mix podcast called Spaceman’s Transmissions. We gave this mix the title of “As The World Comes into Focus”. It’s essentially an exploration of our inner senses as we drift in and out of consciousness. You may recognize this feeling from a time when you drifted off to sleep and then brought back somehow to faint awakening, only to drift back afterwards into a peaceful and restful sleep.

This is what Tonepoet had to say about the mix and our collaboration:

“While a simple mix from myself would seem sufficient, having the partnership with the humbling DJ SEROTON is one thing that pushes this mix far over the edge. I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to create 2 mixes with him (the other is DRIFTER VOL. 6). For this particular mix, I stirred up the first half of the set, and he countered my vision with an unparalleled mix of intensity, beauty, and authority. It’s really nice to have someone enhance my intentions and gives a fresh vibe to the set. The unpredictability of the outcome is what provides inspiration smiles. Not only is DJ Seroton such a very cool guy and like-minded music aficionado, but his production standards of both his art and presentation are of the highest standards. I really felt that I should do my best so as to really raise the standard of what we both could offer our peace seeking listeners. I’m very confident that together we have woven the perfect texture of sound and color; using light as glue and sealing it all in a consumable format for your mind and ears.

My hope is that the music brings you a sense of solitude and elation. Feel free to use the music any time you need those sensations. Peace.”

Tracklist

00:00

02:21

04:41

06:00

11:03

13:58

17:44

20:28

21:27

24:14

28:24

31:04

31:32

34:09

38:49

43:35

49:05

50:09

52:15

Brilliant colors wash over the sky

Clouds bathed in the rich tones at dusk

The elegance of the sun sinking into the sea

The stars emerge through the deepened sky

Moonbeams dance; sparkling upon the waves

There is a joy in viewing this scene

As steady as the breeze that blows from the sea

As constant as the pounding of the surf

With the certainty that the sun will rise

Fading Light by James Casey

Tracklist

00:00

03:26

07:03

11:40

13:11

15:01

16:53

19:36

23:13

26:11

34:06

39:32

46:42

49:12

This album is dedicated to Antonymes, an artist whose work has inspired me for years. Ian’s music has been described as “rich in ambient textures and tonal arrangements that are both beautiful and haunting. If you close your eyes you can see a landscape that pulses with color and life that cannot be seen with the human eye.” (Joseph Timmons, blogcritics.org)

The opening track, Coming Into Silence, was Ian’s contribution to a charity compilation album called Gap In Time, whose proceeds go to WHO’s efforts to counteract the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. This highlights yet another side of Ian’s character. His humane, down-to-earth and generous qualities shed light on the wonderful human being behind this mesmerizing music.

As if this wasn’t enough, Ian’s an avid designer and photographer. He carved out a unique niche in photography: documenting disused properties across the UK and Europe. The cover photo of this album was shot by Ian, and is part of a great set of photos reflecting the haunting decay of abandoned buildings.

Tracklist

00:00

04:58

06:02

14:49

21:12

24:11

26:06

30:31

36:13

37:36

39:38

47:47

51:18

53:00

55:47

Time goes by but memories never fade. I released this mix on this day 4 years ago, a week after my friend passed away. It would become the 9th and final episode of my Drifter ambient series. It is a deeply personal mix in which I tried to express a never-before-felt outpouring of grief. Somehow the tracks I’ve chosen had titles that told a similar story, and those words by Megan Bokowski were quite consoling at the time:

The time soon comes for parting,

You knew one day you’d have to go,

You had your shining moments,

Like the exploding of a star,

Drifter’s Melody by Megan R. Bokowski

Tracklist

00:00

01:39

03:21

10:57

19:12

22:01

28:04

30:38

32:21

34:02

36:04

37:20

38:43

42:16

45:08

54:44

I’m lost in a stream of thoughts

Whither away for memories

Lost in a Stream of Thought by Emma Vernacchia

Tracklist

00:00

02:48

08:43

12:29

14:08

16:10

26:16

27:51

31:08

33:21

33:53

47:30

51:20

54:56

This mix is inspired by one of the best ambient albums I have heard in recent memory: Kaleidoscope by none other than my good friend and previous mix collaborator Tonepoet. Released on his birthday this year, he describes it as a semi-autobiographical album representing some of life changes he has been going through. What drew me to this album, besides the phenomenal music, is the message that Tom wanted to convey about seeing the world refracted through a metaphorical kaleidoscope to see its beauty with childlike wonder and innocence. Tom has a better way with words so I’m going to cite his words describing the album below. I highly encourage you to check out and purchase his albums, and if you were to ask what other ambient mixes I recommend, his Spaceman’s Transmissions mixes are the first ones I’d recommend!

“The title ‘Kaleidoscope’ was chosen as a reference to the device used (mostly) by kids to refract the world around them and display it in a fascinatingly colorful recreation. No matter how you twist and turn the device, it yields a captivating image that for a mere moment represents your entire world. I honestly can’t remember a time as a child when I thought that every single representation I created wasn’t the best thing ever.

While this children’s toy is a symmetrical world and makes a lot of sense, the adult world is asymmetrical and seen in many different and ever changing angles. We seek to (blindly and effortlessly) navigate through the ether by jumping from one distorted angle of perceived success to the next with hopes that we land on our feet.

In an attempt to feel and act grown up, we’ve abandoned our true inner longings and dreams, our childlike wonder and innocence. Instead of ‘finding the time’, MAKE the time to restore yourself back to that refracted world of enthusiasm and elation with a renewed sense of how to achieve your objectives with an innocence that is a dynamic reflection of your innocent creativity. I know that I will. Peace.”

Tracklist

00:00

02:24

05:38

09:02

17:02

18:25

22:38

25:45

29:34

34:18

37:52

44:06

48:32

51:41

59:16

Holding the compass of uncertainties,

Without boundaries or borders,

The journey of love and joy,

Miles and milestones left behind,

from The Drifter by Jayakumar K

Tracklist

00:00

04:19

06:42

09:25

10:10

25:54

28:20

29:04

31:52

33:52

36:56

43:12

46:30

51:04

56:23

Nils Feldhus is one the most productive and talented fellow mix producers that I know. He hosts two shows on Proton and Frisky Radio and have been curating ambient and atmospheric electronic music mixes under Helioscope and Planetarium brands since 2011 (right around the same time I started making mixes under the DJ Seroton pseudonym).

I’m especially a fan of his Planetarium selections, which share a lot of the same ambient feel as my Calm Pills (and previously Drifter) mixes. I approached him and he was happy to have me guest mix on his show. I think this turned out to be one of the best ones I’ve created and I hope you like it too.

I would also like to dedicate this mix to my friend Alaeddin Naasani. I’ve known him since college and I was surprised that the day I silently put a “tip me” link on my website (for fans of the show who want to show their support and appreciation), he was the first to do so with a generous amount that I proceeded to use to buy the songs featured on this episode. Thanks Alaeddin!

Tracklist

00:00

05:37

09:00

12:56

16:12

22:48

27:20

30:44

34:52

38:55

40:29

44:46

48:51

57:21

My thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by the vicious 2019-nCoV Novel Coronavirus. I can’t imagine what it feels like to be isolated and quarantined, along with your fears of the unknown. This mix is for you. I hope it eases your affliction.

Tracklist

00:00

04:40

06:47

08:21

09:51

11:36

18:39

22:20

25:41

27:54

30:46

35:56

42:00

45:46

50:56

57:23

59:36

“Cool night air lulls us to cast away our net defenses, and bury our weariness deep into our soft pillow. The troubles of the day are behind us, and joyful hope awaits us when remove the vale of sweet slumber.” ― Joseph Kushnir

Tracklist

00:00

02:21

05:36

06:16

11:28

18:48

25:47

29:02

32:56

38:53

44:00

50:02