Darkroom ambient podcast - free music from ambient/avant-garde improvisers Darkroom

After something of a long break from the podcast, here's a bang-up-to-date rehearsal recording from yesterday (13th October 2007). We were rehearsing with an electronic drummer by the name of Andrew Booker, with whom we'll shortly be playing a number of gigs, including at the Improvizone nights (http://www.improvizone.com/) and at a loopfest in Norwich. Copyright 2007 Darkroom. Composed and performed by Andrew Booker, Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.

This track has its basis in the same session as the last episode (that of April 4th). It's been doubled-up in the studio and had another layer of keyboard added. This track is dedicated to Paul Needler and his Ambientia podcast, since he was kind enough to feature the music of Darkroom in a recent episode (see http://www.armsfullofsound.com/). Copyright 2007 Darkroom. Composed and performed by Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.

Mike and I got together on April 4th with the intention of creating some classic Eno-esque ambient. Instead we produced some rather nice drones. This is the last 10 minutes or so of one improvisation. Copyright 2007 Darkroom. Composed and performed by Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.

I was listening back to some old recordings that had yet to be turned into anything, when this short section jumped out at me. It was recorded in a hotel room (rock and roll!) in Zürich - we were over for the '1st International Loopfestival Zürich' (http://www.loopfestival.com/) and were rehearsing for our performance there. The track sounds like it has a piano on it but it must be slowed down guitar - there was barely room for the two of us in the room, let alone a piano. Copyright 2007 Darkroom. Composed and performed by Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.

Following on from the last episode, here's some more of what Mike and I got up to with Daryl Shawn. A little more edited than last time, and with some drums overlaid. Probably the least ambient thing on this podcast so far! Copyright 2007 Darkroom and Daryl Shawn. Composed and performed by Daryl Shawn, Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.

More NINJAM-ing, this time using it to its full potential for long-distance collaboration. Mike and I (in the UK) jammed for an evening with acoustic guitarist Daryl Shawn (in Mexico). This episode is a slightly edited section from right at the start - Daryl had been up and running for a while, whereas Mike had just plugged in. More to follow! Copyright 2007 Darkroom and Daryl Shawn. Composed and performed by Daryl Shawn, Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.

A section of an improvisation Mike and I did using NINJAM, a clever bit of software that lets musicians jam over the internet. (Some bass subsequently added in the studio.) This track is an audiophile's nightmare - the sections of audio that were transported over the net were Ogg Vorbis compressed; the whole jam was recorded to minidisc; and now you're listening to an mp3. That's 3 different kinds of lossy compression! Copyright 2006 Darkroom. Composed and performed by Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.

A section from an extended gig at a Norwich shoe factory in September 2005 (extract code bata42_36.30_41.30), with some additional bass, synth and vocal added in the studio. Copyright 2006 Darkroom. Original material composed and performed by Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler; vocal by Melissa Terras.

Finally, a track which is more than just a quick edit from a rehearsal recording. Though still based on material recorded in rehearsal (the "bass and meringue" session from May), this track adds layers of drums recorded way back in 2004. Copyright 2006 Darkroom. Original material composed and performed by Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler; drums by Diego Mancini.

The second part of a two part rehearsal extract from May 2006. This is the prettier of the two parts. It picks up about 3 minutes on from the end of the first part. Copyright 2006 Darkroom. Composed and performed by Michael Bearpark and Andrew Ostler.