March 25, 2022
Dream Theory
The third release on ambient imprint Dream Theory marks label founder Anna Wall's debut album; featuring a collection of music created from 2018 to 2021. It's a contemplative trip through various different ideas, thoughts, and moments via ambient soundscapes, reminiscent of times and places, and snapshots of memories. "This is quite a personal, introspective project that I've been working on over the last four years. I found a sense of escapism during the writing process, especially in the last few years, when we were in moments of standstill. 'Missing Moments' is perhaps the most nostalgic piece, written in lockdown when our previous lives felt like a distant memory. Writing music gave me a little sense of hope." Anna Wall The album explores various production processes, with analogue recordings from synthesizers such as the Roland SH-09 and Oberheim 12, and field recordings from travels to Ibiza and Portugal that provide subtle atmospheres, plus sounds recorded from her local environment such as the Hackney Marshes in London. Featured vocalist Binky is a singer/songwriter and longtime friend of Anna, with the emotive lyrics of 'Alone Tonight' being one of the first pieces they made together. Another collaboration with musician Steve 'Bertie' Burton provides the final touches, recorded after meeting in Hamble through their mutual friend Mat Playford, with improvised compositions played on classic pianos from his collection such as the Wurlitzer and the Rhodes. Finally, the artwork by Natalia Latyszonek is inspired by the expansive and pensive feel of the album. "Each piece of sky speaks to these Missing Moments, these snapshots in time. Anything brought to life is a collection of moments, of inspirations and challenges ~ and by being open to these we can create from a responsive generative place to create beauty. The open road and the swallows migrating are alluding to a meditative state, how inspiration comes when we are open and in flow and the feather that hangs above the cloud is from the wing of the manakin bird which makes an incredible sound by rubbing its wings together. I feel we live in a world made of and communicating in a language of sound, vibration, movement...and is residing over as an ode to this musical universe." Natalia Latyszonek