Astrowind might be a slightly ridiculous band name, especially if you consider the fact these two Latvian guys play lush ambient music on Soviet synthesizers. But nevertheless, it’s a good name. An accurate name, at least. Because there is a feel of acroamatic escapism, there are these huge chords of hissing analogue synthesizers and you can even find this special kind of Slavonian melancholia (or Baltic, respectively) people use to rave about. Astrowind bring up a lot of references in their beautiful and, well, obsolete music. 70’s Krautrock Avant-gardists like Cluster or Harmonia make up for the most obvious comparison, but you can also find some influences from contemporary composers like Arvo Pärt (listen to the stagnant organ-chords on Impressions) or Terry Riley (the overall tonality). Add some traces of experimental guitar-music (on The Night the Stars Flew for instance) and you get an idea. But who’s behind the Astrowind-moniker? The project consists of Kriipis Tulo and Mahi Bukimi. Tulo is an important figure in the electronic music-underground of Riga, the humming capital of Latvia. He founded the Kolka-label, released several EPs at Nexsound, Sutemos and Synergy Networks and travelled Europe for several live-gigs. He was collaborating with a lot of influential artists ranging from fine arts (Ritums Ivanovs, Voldemars Johansons) to free improvisation (Derek Holzer, Maksims Shentelevs). After collaborations with Rodions Zolotarevs (duo Oloolo) and I/DEX, he started Astrowind in late 2006 with Mahi Bukimi. Bukimis’ approach to music is even more academic. He’s been into Avant-garde film music (see Ieva Arone) and real-time algorithmic sound-processing, when he teamed up with Dutch Derek Holzer for diverse field recordings in deserted Soviet military zone Karosta. Under the alias of Kur Zeme, he explores some more ‘musical’ ideas, fusing field recordings with baroque piano arrangements and expanded synth-scapes. He released at Kolka and met Kriipis Tulo at K@2, the cultural epicentre in the outskirts of Riga. You can see: These guys know what they’re doing. Astrowind got the harmonies and the sound to become one of the most interesting Baltic acts to emerge from a scene rich of innovative musicians (Muschraum, Joel Tammik, Selffish, to name just the most obvious).

Astrowind ir audiovizuaals projekts, kas savaas audio ainavaas pauzh visuma ilgtspeejiibas nemainiigo virziibu. Maakslinieks restaurees skanas no pagaatnes kas kaa veca radio charkstona piepildiis telpu ar taalaam un nosleepumainaam melodijaam.

Live performances:

12 | 09 | 2009  live w/ VJ Vixen (Fi) @ 'Balta Nakts' in Riga, Latvia.
04 | 07 | 2009  live @ 'Tundra' open-air electronic music festival in Lithuania.
28 | 05 | 2009  live @ 'Live Performers Meeting 2009' in Rome, Italy.
16 | 05 | 2009  live @ 'Muzeju Nakts' in Riga, Latvia.
27 | 09 | 2008  live @ 'Klusais Siltums' in Liepaja, Latvia.
30 | 08 | 2008  live @ 'Klusa Daba 2008' open-air electronic music mini festival in Riga, Latvia.
05 | 07 | 2008  live @ 'Tundra' open-air electronic music festival in Lithuania.
03 | 04 | 2008  live @ opening of 'Dreamers' a new exhibition of well-known Latvian painter Ritums Ivanovs
06 | 10 | 2007  live @ the 'Hea Uus Heli Festival' electronic music festival in Tallinn, Estonia.
25 | 08 | 2007  live @ the 'Cybergraffity' - installation by A.Punte (Orbita), Andrejsala, Riga, Latvia.
25 | 08 | 2007  live @ the 'Klusa Daba 2007' electronic music festival in Riga, Latvia.
09 | 06 | 2007  live @ the 'Mijatmina' music festival in Riga, Latvia.
19 | 05 | 2007  live @ the 'Mikrofakti' in Riga, Latvia.
12 | 05 | 2007  live @ the 'Skanu Mezs' electronic music festival in Riga, Latvia.

"Kurland" mp3 Resting Bell 074 2009
Download full album in ZIP file

It is the third release on Resting Bell, after “Somewhere The Music Had Been Played“ in September 2007 and “Der Leuchtturm“ in October 2008. “Kurland” contains 15 pieces and has a total duration of over 60 minutes, a real longplayer. Kurland is the german name for one of the cultural and historical regions of Latvia (in english: Courland). So you have scenic titles like “Kurland“, “Nebel”, “Sounds Of The Shores” but also pieces about aerospace and deep sea. Compared to the older Astrowind-releases the new work sounds a bit deeper and adult. You still find the synth-drones and the noises and glitches but everything is arranged very focused, very sublime. Every element is set very sensible and well chosen. And again Grisha Kochenov did a really impressive artwork.

 


astro [at] astrowind dot net

Astrowind albums are available in mp3 format all around the web, but if you want to enjoy the authentic analog sound of Astrowind music, you can buy the original audio-cd, that is made from original high-quality audio material. Price: 9 Euro including worldwide shipping. We accept paypal.