No Voices by Ian Hawgood & Stijn Hüwels

Released on Home Normal at the end of 2019, 'No Voices' marked the end of Home Normal's output before a hiatus during 2020 until autumn. It also brought to a close a number of works with Stijn Hüwels on the label with various artists, as well as a beginning with Stijn joining the label as lead photographer as well as becoming one of my most regular collaborators in music, photography and in future label endevours from 2021 on.

It was built around some vocal layers I processed using lots of tape delay and looping, as well as the first recordings I made on my OP-1. Stjn then added beautiful layers of guitar before I mixed and mastered the whole album on a wonderful set of reels.

I hope you enjoy this all-encompassing ambient work. The follow up 'Voices' will be out mid-2021 on Home Normal once again.

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'No Voices' was recorded during 2018. I came across a pile of old tape in my garage back in Warsaw, and decided to try to salvage it. It ultimately destroyed an old Akai reel to reel recorder but not before I caught a few recordings of it as it slowed down to an eventual halt. I listened to the recordings for a while and just found the concept of such a beautiful old machine dying, leaving behind such unique tones and disintegrating textures, truly special.

After one of my regular chats to Stijn about our current recording processes and equipment, I shared the long-form recording with him, and thus began the path for 'No Voices' with Stijn's rare ability to subtly create submerged and subtle melodies.

'No Voices' is a truly analog-ambient album, and the kind of music we'd always wanted to release on Home Normal. That it now quietly marks a long hiatus for the label is fitting in sound, development and nature.

Thank you

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hello.

my name is ian. i am human. i make music.

for music not here please see relevant labels.

i hope these musical conversations and adventures help on your journey.

thank you for your ears.