The Thousands

Some meditation experiences are fronted by a chump who thinks he can coax you into saying “Ohm” for an hour because he’s decked out in fisherman pants. DIY meditation is about channelling self-improvised concentration, from the inside out. The only exterior should be sound and that’s why music is key.

Siberia and New Planes have released a meditation sound track on cassette, the sides A and B representing the duality of life – the Yin and Yang. Fifteen tracks melt from deep to high pitched electronic drones, to overlaid samples, to tribal chimes, to field recordings and a focus on rhythm, heartbeats and breathing. The result is an ambient soundscape, where essential calm planes throughout. Bass-heavy, dub-ish ‘Slip Time’ by Young Magic is not your average musing, syncopated and slow. Whereas Quiet Evenings‘ ‘Breeze’ is light and airy – exactly what’s expected and that’s not a bad thing. A definite sound-summit is the Erik Omen offering ‘Tneibma’. A very simple and quiet track, super-spacious and beautiful – as is Hochman’s ‘Natural Cover’. Either could be put on repeat for an hour to get the same thoughtful effect.

There are so many people involved in this one – Daniel Stricker, Erik Omen, Hi God People, Jonathan Hochman (Holy Balm), Deep Magic (Sun Araw), The School of Radiant Living, Deep Magic, Rites Wild, Young Magic, Bum Creek, FORCES, the list goes on. The cassette draws upon a peaceful li’l community happening around us, with people exhibiting their own sounds to guide others.