We are excited to announce our 2nd release on EQ, the new ECU sub-label dedicated to artists in the ambient music space.

The album is available on the artist's page, which can be found at closeyoureyes.bandcamp.com.

Download and stream music.imusician.pro/a/nDqYoRQr

We had the pleasure of meeting closeyoureyes who participated in The 88 Notes - series 1 project. Wandering between silence, music, and noise, this one-person multi-instrumental project hails from Saint Petersburg, Russia.

Drawing inspiration from legendary composers who paved the way for this timeless art form, such as Alva Noto or Pan Sonic's works. What sets closeyoureyes apart from other music producers is not just his ability to create beautiful sounds; it's his unwavering dedication to understanding and embodying the essence of performance.

"ālea" is a captivating live performance that the artist has showcased in various intimate venues in Armenia this year. It offers a fully immersive experience, with semi-improvised and semi-generative tracks created using hardware samplers, synths, and effects. With his innate ability to evoke emotion and capture the essence of each scene, it is here that closeyoureyes shines brightest, effortlessly crafting melodies that intertwine with graceful movements like a dance partner.


_____Artist's Statement & Concept Note

“ālea" is originally a Latin word commonly used in modern academic music to define a process that involves elements of random choice during composition, production, or performance. This term has given rise to the entire genre of aleatoric music.

On one hand, I use this term with a specific meaning: there is a significant element of chance and probability involved in music production and performance. For instance, 16-step loops may play slightly different patterns each time due to the utilization of semi-generative sequencing. The parts played by my hands were always improvised, resulting in variations from one performance to another. These differences were influenced by various factors such as the venue's vibe, weather conditions, and the audience.

On the other hand, it's not just music that sometimes demands us to embrace randomness and unpredictability. During that period of time, these factors were also crucial in making important life choices on a global scale, the inability to control life-changing circumstances, the uncertainty of the future, and the lack of external support in the present prompt us to view an unpredictable chance as an alternative way of existing, independent of cause-and-effect relationships. However, we observe and still act decisively when necessary.

Everyday life inevitably influenced how music was composed. As a result, the term "ālea" expands beyond being just a compositional technique. It also represents an alternative mindset for making life-changing decisions.

This music was intended to be played in venues with a bar and lively background noise. My challenge was to maintain a contemplative mood, vulnerability, and tenderness, which are always important to me in music, while also making it loud enough to capture listeners' attention amidst the loud soundscape of the venue.