Using his familiar and ever-present array of tape machines, Brighton based Will Samson has patiently and carefully crafted his most detailed and ambitious album to date - displaying a much heavier focus on beats and electronics.
The pieces themselves were created in various locations across Europe and completed on the northern coast of Portugal. Although the cold, rough Atlantic Ocean provided a great backdrop for inspiration and contemplation (sounds of which can be found in the album), the recording environment itself was less romantic. Working from the late evening through to the early hours, as this was the only time the sublet room’s feeble heater was able to be used, Samson persevered through the Winter nights, deeply submerged in the creative process.
"The house was so cold at night that there were thick clouds of vapour from my breath when recording the vocals" he recalls.
Inspired by his collaborative works, the beats and electronics, which previously perched subtly in the background, have now edged their way to the front line of Samson’s music. Prominent violins, found sounds, plus contributions from musical peers, such as Benoit Pioulard (Kranky) and Message To Bears all assist in bringing Will’s sonic output a further step forward in its evolution.
"Ground Luminosity" reflects more on the lessons learnt and seeks to focus on the ’calm after the storm’, perhaps indirectly influenced by a long and fervent dedication to medication practise".
The album was mixed by Martyn Heyne (co-engineer of Nils Frahm’s Spaces and Lubomyr Melnyk’s Corollaries) at Lichte Studio in Berlin and finally mastered by Harris Newman at Hotel 2 Tango in Montreal.