Raays // Innervzm & Innervzm II TAPE
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A cassette released in June 2023 by multi-instrumentalist Raays from Southern California, USA, from the long-established all-genre label Leaving Records in LA, USA.
Contains 12 Ascension-type post-new age ambient songs. 14-sided J card included.
*If you would like a digital sound source, please feel free to contact us.
Below is a commentary by the label.
About Innervzm:
"Introducing Southern California's Raays. Born flexible producer and multi-instrumentalist, Aaron Rays. Now based in Los Angeles, he's a central figure in Leaving Records' GenreDAO cooperative, and a leader in the all-genre scene. I am a musician active in
Innervzm EP, an experimental ambient work composed of synthesizers and percussion, is a universal conversation born from the need for grounding, world design, and deepening with nature.Co-created with designer Ben Lu, each of the six tracks is paired with a divination map, an invitation for listeners to take a closer look.
From his versatile synthesizer player on the texture-rich Innervzm, to his experimental beatmaker and sound designer on his previous Prelude EP, to his high-fidelity rap production prowess in his group 3V3RY1 with rapper Jahsh Banks, Raays is the LA underground. It continues to deftly execute a remarkable stylistic palette while being sure of the heartbeat of the music community. "
Innervzm About II:
"Innervzm II, the follow-up to 2022's Innervzm, is a vast, contemplative collection by Los Angeles-based producer, drummer, and sound architect Raays. The EP is titled by Raays and Leaving's labelmates. It comes from a Deantoni Parks talking about "archeology of the self" as a creative methodology. Innervzm, as a concept, signifies the work of the soul that necessarily precedes outward action to make it possible, meaningful and effective. The Innervzm II EP blends musique concrète, field recordings and improvised synthesis,It documents Raays' methodological, ritualistic, and materialistic approach to composition.
Each of the 6 songs on the EP isIt's the result of (Pauline Oliveros) deep listening in a variety of environments, from Raays' own backyard Ernest Debs Pond to Michoacán's thundering night forest landscapes.If we take it seriously as music that has always existed in this world, how would the listener interpret the spatial and melodic interplay between, for example, the chirping of birds and the distant sounds of traffic?And how will those same listeners respond musically? Innervzm II gives such an example.A keen mind intermittently (less than 10 minutes at a time) tunes into the chaos of sound, deciphers the elements (because it's really chaotic), and immediately distills the experience into a song.Aided by an hourglass (something like a talisman) and following a 'first thought/best thought' approach of completing tracks at once, Innervzm II constitutes an artist's snapshot of a particularly fruitful transitional period. I'm here.
Self-proclaimed "optimistic futurist"Raays' tapestry is a delightful blend of the organic and the analogue. Beneath Your Surface has a sustained, vibrating flutter that sounds like a hummingbird humming in slow motion. "Equiinox," which opens the EP, hides a subtle warb that reminds me of a VHS sunrise rainbow.The title of track 5 is textural message, but you could say that all of these works are textural messages.
---------------------------
Ask us for digital files.
Leaving Records:
Innervzm
"Introducing Southern California's Raays - the pliable producer & multi-instrumentalist born Aaron Rays. Currently creating in Los Angeles, he is a core contributor to the developing Leaving Records GenreDAO cooperative, and an active musical member of its All Genre scene.
Raays cites his synthesizer & percussion-threaded experimental ambient Innervzm EP as a universal conversation conceived from one's need for grounding, world design, and a deepening with nature. Created in collaboration with designer Ben Lu, the six songs are each paired with a divination map that serve as an invitation to be further examined by the listener.
As a versatile synthesist showcased here on the texturally-dense Innervzm, an experimental beatmaker & sound designer like seen on the previous Prelude EP, and through high-fidelity rap production chops on display via his group 3V3RY1 with rapper Jahsh Banks, Raays continues to tastefully execute a notable style pallette with a confident finger on the pulse of his LA underground music community."
Innervzm II
"Innervzm II, a companion to 2022's Innervzm, is a sprawling, meditative collection from Los Angeles-based producer, drummer, and sound architect, Raays. The EP's title derives from a conversation between Raays and Leaving labelmate Deantoni Parks regarding “archeology of self ” as a creative methodology. Innervzm, as a concept, connotes the kind of soul work that necessarily precedes and renders outward action possible, meaningful, and effective. Methodical, ritualistic, and materially grounded approach to composition.
Each of the EP's six tracks was seeded by a discrete instance of deep listening (of the Pauline Oliveros variety) in environments ranging from Raays' own backyard of Ernest Debs Pond to the thundery night time forestscapes of Michoacán. present music of this world, how might a listener interpret the spatial and melodic interplay of, say, birdsong and the distant hum of traffic? And how might that same listener respond, musically? Innervzm II provides one such example: a keen spirit, intermittently (generally for no more than ten minutes at a time) tuning into the sonic chaos, deciphering the elements (for it is only ever really seemingly Aided by an hourglass (as much a talisman as an actual timekeeper), and abiding by a sort of “first thought / best thought” approach to completing a track in a single sitting, Innervzm II constitutes a snapshot of an artist in an especially fruitful and transitory period of exploration.
As a self-described “optimistic futurist,” the tapestry Raays weaves is indeed soothing and consoling, deftly melding the organic and the analog. A persistent albeit oscillating flutter on “Beneath Your Surface” suggests the slow-motion beating of a hummingbird's wings. The subtle warble hidden within the EP's opener, “Equiinox” conjures the rainbow artifacts of a VHS sunrise. Though “textural message” is the title of track five, these pieces might very well all be considered textural messages, replete as they are in soil and static, dredged (lovingly) from some place just beyond the frame of knowing.
Innervzm (dubbed “Full of vibrant life” by New Age luminary Laraaji) will be paired with Innervzm II for a joint physical cassette release in June, and Raays will soon join longtime experimental/ambient luminary, The Album Leaf, as an opener and drummer on a global tour. Which is all to say, Raays is diligently tending the garden, to our collective benefit. "
Artist : raays
Label: Leaving Records
A cassette released in June 2023 by multi-instrumentalist Raays from Southern California, USA, from the long-established all-genre label Leaving Records in LA, USA.
Contains 12 Ascension-type post-new age ambient songs. 14-sided J card included.
*If you would like a digital sound source, please feel free to contact us.
Below is a commentary by the label.
About Innervzm:
"Introducing Southern California's Raays. Born flexible producer and multi-instrumentalist, Aaron Rays. Now based in Los Angeles, he's a central figure in Leaving Records' GenreDAO cooperative, and a leader in the all-genre scene. I am a musician active in
Innervzm EP, an experimental ambient work composed of synthesizers and percussion, is a universal conversation born from the need for grounding, world design, and deepening with nature.Co-created with designer Ben Lu, each of the six tracks is paired with a divination map, an invitation for listeners to take a closer look.
From his versatile synthesizer player on the texture-rich Innervzm, to his experimental beatmaker and sound designer on his previous Prelude EP, to his high-fidelity rap production prowess in his group 3V3RY1 with rapper Jahsh Banks, Raays is the LA underground. It continues to deftly execute a remarkable stylistic palette while being sure of the heartbeat of the music community. "
Innervzm About II:
"Innervzm II, the follow-up to 2022's Innervzm, is a vast, contemplative collection by Los Angeles-based producer, drummer, and sound architect Raays. The EP is titled by Raays and Leaving's labelmates. It comes from a Deantoni Parks talking about "archeology of the self" as a creative methodology. Innervzm, as a concept, signifies the work of the soul that necessarily precedes outward action to make it possible, meaningful and effective. The Innervzm II EP blends musique concrète, field recordings and improvised synthesis,It documents Raays' methodological, ritualistic, and materialistic approach to composition.
Each of the 6 songs on the EP isIt's the result of (Pauline Oliveros) deep listening in a variety of environments, from Raays' own backyard Ernest Debs Pond to Michoacán's thundering night forest landscapes.If we take it seriously as music that has always existed in this world, how would the listener interpret the spatial and melodic interplay between, for example, the chirping of birds and the distant sounds of traffic?And how will those same listeners respond musically? Innervzm II gives such an example.A keen mind intermittently (less than 10 minutes at a time) tunes into the chaos of sound, deciphers the elements (because it's really chaotic), and immediately distills the experience into a song.Aided by an hourglass (something like a talisman) and following a 'first thought/best thought' approach of completing tracks at once, Innervzm II constitutes an artist's snapshot of a particularly fruitful transitional period. I'm here.
Self-proclaimed "optimistic futurist"Raays' tapestry is a delightful blend of the organic and the analogue. Beneath Your Surface has a sustained, vibrating flutter that sounds like a hummingbird humming in slow motion. "Equiinox," which opens the EP, hides a subtle warb that reminds me of a VHS sunrise rainbow.The title of track 5 is textural message, but you could say that all of these works are textural messages.
---------------------------
Ask us for digital files.
Leaving Records:
Innervzm
"Introducing Southern California's Raays - the pliable producer & multi-instrumentalist born Aaron Rays. Currently creating in Los Angeles, he is a core contributor to the developing Leaving Records GenreDAO cooperative, and an active musical member of its All Genre scene.
Raays cites his synthesizer & percussion-threaded experimental ambient Innervzm EP as a universal conversation conceived from one's need for grounding, world design, and a deepening with nature. Created in collaboration with designer Ben Lu, the six songs are each paired with a divination map that serve as an invitation to be further examined by the listener.
As a versatile synthesist showcased here on the texturally-dense Innervzm, an experimental beatmaker & sound designer like seen on the previous Prelude EP, and through high-fidelity rap production chops on display via his group 3V3RY1 with rapper Jahsh Banks, Raays continues to tastefully execute a notable style pallette with a confident finger on the pulse of his LA underground music community."
Innervzm II
"Innervzm II, a companion to 2022's Innervzm, is a sprawling, meditative collection from Los Angeles-based producer, drummer, and sound architect, Raays. The EP's title derives from a conversation between Raays and Leaving labelmate Deantoni Parks regarding “archeology of self ” as a creative methodology. Innervzm, as a concept, connotes the kind of soul work that necessarily precedes and renders outward action possible, meaningful, and effective. Methodical, ritualistic, and materially grounded approach to composition.
Each of the EP's six tracks was seeded by a discrete instance of deep listening (of the Pauline Oliveros variety) in environments ranging from Raays' own backyard of Ernest Debs Pond to the thundery night time forestscapes of Michoacán. present music of this world, how might a listener interpret the spatial and melodic interplay of, say, birdsong and the distant hum of traffic? And how might that same listener respond, musically? Innervzm II provides one such example: a keen spirit, intermittently (generally for no more than ten minutes at a time) tuning into the sonic chaos, deciphering the elements (for it is only ever really seemingly Aided by an hourglass (as much a talisman as an actual timekeeper), and abiding by a sort of “first thought / best thought” approach to completing a track in a single sitting, Innervzm II constitutes a snapshot of an artist in an especially fruitful and transitory period of exploration.
As a self-described “optimistic futurist,” the tapestry Raays weaves is indeed soothing and consoling, deftly melding the organic and the analog. A persistent albeit oscillating flutter on “Beneath Your Surface” suggests the slow-motion beating of a hummingbird's wings. The subtle warble hidden within the EP's opener, “Equiinox” conjures the rainbow artifacts of a VHS sunrise. Though “textural message” is the title of track five, these pieces might very well all be considered textural messages, replete as they are in soil and static, dredged (lovingly) from some place just beyond the frame of knowing.
Innervzm (dubbed “Full of vibrant life” by New Age luminary Laraaji) will be paired with Innervzm II for a joint physical cassette release in June, and Raays will soon join longtime experimental/ambient luminary, The Album Leaf, as an opener and drummer on a global tour. Which is all to say, Raays is diligently tending the garden, to our collective benefit. "
Artist : raays
Label: Leaving Records
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