Recently I was asked by Network 23‘s Alan Bruzon if I would mind an interview for his Ambient Music Blog. After our collaboration earlier this year, we kept in touch via email and discussed some interesting topics.
https://bluambient.blogspot.com/2019/06/interview-with-arjen-schat.html
A year after setting up my smaller studio, I’ve settled in quite nicely and try to be as prolific as I can, continuing my quarterly releases per project. The name of the studio derives from the chemical formula of the name of the street we live on, which is named after a form of quartz. At its core, the studio is still based around a set of analog synthesizers and sequencers with a touch of digital synthesis and signal processing, but it’s less expandable due to its spatial limitations. Despite these limitations, I try to broaden my horizon by adding more diverse elements and exploring non-western scales, as can be heard on this album.
Out now: “The Clock Of Dreams”, a collaborative album with the wonderful Network 23 from the UK. Three analog sequential frameworks I recorded, filled in by Alan and Simon with an eclectic range of elements, including guitar, samples, loops, and VSTi’s.
Audionautic Research Program was conceptualized in 2008 as a placeholder for experimental space music. The cosmic aspect has carried over, but eleven years later its emphasis lies on long-form live recordings, centered around complex sequential patterns in the vein of the Berlin-school of electronic music.
Out now: “Grenzwellen Drei”, a massive compilation with a boggling 55 tracks featuring artists like Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, Ian Boddy, Hecq, and myself amongst many more. All proceeds will be used for the production of the Grenzwellen radio show, presented by Ecki Stieg and broadcasted on Radio Hannover.
“Al-Amry” is a benefit album with ambient music from Mathias Grassow, NODO, Vincent Pierins’ solo project “Kalymorph”, and Arjen Schat. All proceeds are donated to the Unicef program to provide food for the children in Yemen.
http://nsgk.bandcamp.com/album/al-amry-a-benefit-album-for-yemen
Concluding this year’s string of monthly releases, I present “Circadian”, an improvisational album of which all three sequential workouts were recorded within one circadian cycle.
Released under a Creative Commons license, “AS” is a freely available album containing four recorded sessions, exercising my signature sequencing and playing techniques.
Ten years ago today, Dirk Troost (Nano.strike) and I recorded our longest cosmic journey to date under our collaborative name “Elektronikum Ltd”.
“Carinanevel” clocks well over an hour, and was recorded in my former studio “The Foundry” using a double Moog Little Phatty setup and Dirk’s Roland Juno-106, along with a Korg MS2000 and a bunch of Moogerfoogers.
In 2013 I did a remaster for private purposes, but it only seems fitting to make that available for download to celebrate the ten year anniversary.
“Arjen Schat | Spectrum” is out now and available on vinyl + digital + stream!
After months of preparation, we are really proud to present the launch of our record label Trésor D’argent by Arjen Schat en Rik de Voogd.
Our aim is to release the creative output of Arjen on vinyl, adding collectors value with each release by keeping the copies low and adding specialties in the form of printed art. Arjen’s sonic identity can be described as sequential ambient music, characterized by its emphasis on complex polyrhythmic sequencing and extensive use of analog synthesizers.
We are kicking off with the album “Spectrum” which is the first full length LP by Arjen Schat on vinyl. “Spectrum” is a contemporary continuation of the Berlin-school of electronic music. Though the essence of the style revolves around analogue synthesizers propagating melodic sequences, the sequences on this album are constantly evolving using an array of complex sequencing methods.
“Spectrum” is pressed on black 140g vinyl, full-colour sleeve, black poly-lined inner sleeve, full-colour insert, and limited to 300 copies worldwide. Every direct order through Trésor D’argent comes with a free download card which makes it easy to download your digital copy of the album.
Order the vinyl here: Trésor D’argent | Arjenschat.nl