2020 / 2021

An end has come to this strange year 2020.
Like every year, I would like to look back at this year's musical activities.
Because of current situation, I have so many plans for next year, but because it's uncertain yet when old-fashioned concerts and festivals are going to be take place again, there are no concrete events planned. As always I am involved in a couple musical projects, and I hope to extend my Deserted Island Music label with more new and interesting releases. This year there have been four new albums on my small label (which are mentioned below), and hopefully our catalog will grow within next years.

But before the highlights, before I forget: I am wishing everyone a great, musical and prosperous 2021.
And that we are able to meet soon again in real life!

Deserted Island Music
Four new releases from different artists have been released on my Deserted Island Music label this year.

It might not sound that much, but until last year I mainly used to release music projects which were very close to myself only. Now, I have made a start to extend the catalog with other artist than REMY.
From the first release of this year, the cd's from now on come into gatefold digisleeves, instead of basic cardboard sleeves.

Now, I am aiming for a more consistent exposure of my label, so if you have any suggestions for great electronic music which definitely needs to be released, or if you think your own music fits within our catalog, don't hesitate to contact me!

For more details, see the links below or visit www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

Here's a short overview of this 2020's releases:

Mäläskä - First Day of Spring (DIM-009)
Born out of improvisations Petter Janse and I did in december 2019 in Jannum, Friesland.
The ambience and atmospheric laidback soundscapes are something completely different than our 2016 debut album "Uncle Jim's Cidney Factory".
Featuring Bas Broekhuis on percussion on one of the tracks.

Read more about the album on my blog:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4493991774210317112/1190478425073764303

REMY - The Other Side (DIM-010)
A conceptual album in the make for two years, and my first REMY album since 2016's "Fears".
Containing collaborations with Bas Broekhuis (drums), Judith Wessluis (vocals), Joost Verhagen (vocals) and Nausikaä de Blaauw (photography).

Read more:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4493991774210317112/3827413632895914746

Däcker - Pareidolia (DIM-011)
I produced an 2018 improvisation session by Peter Dekker. There are a lot of similarities in our musical styles and visions, so when I suggested to enhance Peter's 2-track recording, he immediately agreed. The result is "Pareidolia", which will appeal a lot of traditional electronic music lovers.

It seems that I haven't written a blog item about this album, but you can listen to album excerpts here:
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/syntheticman/dacker-pareidolia-excerpts-2020
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrF32GVJ2zE

On December 19th Peter and I did a live stream concert at BYSS. Below you can read about this.

Space Art - Entrevues (DIM-012)
In first instance my label did distribution and sales for the limited edition LP of Space Art's new album "Entrevues", which was released in March. However, earlier this month, the CD and digital download, have been released on Deserted Island Music. I am really proud to have this legendary band contracted!

On my blog I wrote about the limited edition LP release:
https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/4493991774210317112/7265360976870964874

All versions contain slightly different tracklisting, and while the LP has been mastered by Patrick Pelamourgues, the CD and download have been mastered by Michel Geiss.

Schallwelle Preis

It's the time of the year again to vote for the Schallwelle Awards. Everyone can now vote for his or her favourite electronic music artists and albums of 2020.

All Deserted Island Music releases as well as individual artists can be found in the list:

 

Best Artist:

Däcker

Mälaskä

REMY

Space Art

 

Best Album:

Däcker - Pareidolia

Mäläskä - First Day of Spring

REMY - The Other Side

Space Art - Entrevues

 

Visit http://www.schallwen.de/swvoting/en/ for all details, the complete lists, and to vote.

 

REMY & Däcker live at BYSS
December 19th, Peter Dekker and I did a concert at the BYSS studio of Bas Broekhuis.

In first instance this concert was streamed live via Facebook. For all who missed it, the concert has been archived for watching on the same URL as the live stream:
https://www.facebook.com/events/222915992531041

Because not everyone has a Facebook account, the slightly enhanced version of the concert has been uploaded to YouTube: https://youtu.be/3bDa1O8ZOF8
Adjustments are described in the video credits.

Then, last 30 minutes of our concert was also broadcast live on Wim Dekker's radio show Haarlem Underground at Radio Haarlem 105:
https://www.mixcloud.com/wimdekker/haarlemunderground-19-12-20-21-2200

Last but not least, the entire concert is going to be broadcast on Jos Verboven's radio show Electronic Fusion on January 2nd.
The two hours REMY & Däcker special is going to be co-hosted by Peter and me.
Broadcasting schedule:

Saturday 02-01-2021 at 6 pm CET/CEST on Modul303 from Germany:
https://www.facebook.com/modul303com/
Sunday 03-01-2021 at 9 am PST/PDT on Krypton Radio from the USA:
https://www.facebook.com/KryptonRadio/
Sunday 03-01-2021 at 3 pm CET/CEST on Radio Dark Tunnel from Germany:
https://www.facebook.com/RadioDarkTunnel/
Monday 04-01-2021 at 1 pm VET on Electronic Music Radio from Chile & Venezuela:
https://www.facebook.com/ElectronicMusicFM1/

Afterwards, the show will be archived on Mixcloud:
https://www.mixcloud.com/brainvoyager/

My report of this adventure can be read on previous blog post:
https://exhibitionofdreams.blogspot.com/2020/12/remy-dacker-live-at-byss.html 

That's it for now!
I am very curious about what 2021 has to offer. For now, stay safe!

REMY - The Other Side [new album release]

For April 11th there are scheduled three new album releases on my Deserted Island Music label:

- Mäläskä - First Day of Spring
- REMY - The Other Side
- Space Art - Entrevues

I have already spotlighted two of these albums on this blog the last couple of days.
And now concluding with my own new release: "The Other Side".

Pre-order your copy from www.desertedislandmusic.nl




REMY - The Other Side
Deserted Island Music | DIM-010 | CD and digital download | Release date: April 11th, 2020

“The Other Side” is about the other side of each story, everything we don’t know, and all those things we will never be able to imagine or understand.

TRACKLIST
1. A Different View
2. Everything is Distraction
3. The Perfect Dream
4. Lost in Reality  

THE ALBUM
 This most conceptual project to date by renowned Dutch musician of electronic music REMY (Remy Stroomer, 1979) reflects the composer's curiosity about our existence, presence and perception here on this place and at this time, and everything attached to it.

The Other Side consists of four extensive music pieces.
For the musical direction, Remy slightly refers to the kind of music from the beginning of his career, more than 20 years ago. Partially winking to the Berlin School of electronic music, but also including plenty of elements that make REMY’s unique musical style recognisable: stretched out, repetitive and story-telling pieces, evolving sequencer-patterns, and subtle details and layering.

The overture, A Different View, is about thinking different and opposite from the mainstream. Approaching things from another point of view leads to new or different insights.
The second track imagines a point of view which human being is never capable to imagine. We are constantly focussing on the things we know from experience, and all things we have been told and educated. What if Everything is Distraction from the real essence? If there is any.
The Perfect Dream questions how dreams and reality are connected to eachother. A dream so perfect that it could be reality. Or is it reality? With musical and conceptual winks to Klaus Schulze's 1986 album Dreams, which has always been one of the main inspirations for REMY’s music.
The concluding epos Lost in Reality is trying to find a way through a world of dreams and reality. Quietly putting things into perspective, while trying not to lose it from insanity.



COLLABORATIONS
The Other Side includes a number of interesting collaborations, which resulted into this dynamic project.

Bas Broekhuis (photo 1), Joost Verhagen and Judith Wesselius (photo 2), Nausikaä de Blaauw (photo 3).

The album's second track, Everything is Distraction, features drums and percussion by Bas Broekhuis (Broekhuis, Keller & Schönwälder).

For the project's finale, Joost Verhagen converted the project’s subject into text, and Judith Wesselius created the vocal structure. Both Grey Lotus vocalists make the second part of the 23 minute final epos Lost in Reality complete, trying to find a connection between dream and reality.
While Judith relativates tranquillizing, the narrating Joost becomes insane near the end.

Photographer Nausikaä de Blaauw did various photo sessions using a mirror to visualize The Other Side. Each of the selected photos is linked to one of the album’s titles.

THE COMPOSER
Remy Stroomer is born on October 9th, 1979 in Haarlem, The Netherlands. Although Remy tries to let hear his own things and following his own intuition on his musical journey, Klaus Schulze is often mentioned in comparison to Remy's musical style.

At the end of 1999, Remy's debuts with the self-released Exhibition of Dreams. The Art of Imagination is released nearly a year later. With this album Remy wins a Schwingungen award. In the years after Remy releases various albums and performs in the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.
2011's i-Dentity marks a new era, with the establishment of Remy's Deserted Island Music label, on which his latest albums are being released.

Remy collaborated with a large number of established musicians, including Ron Boots, Eric van der Heijden, Harold van der Heijden, Bill Fox, Gert Emmens, Eric Wøllo, Francis Rimbert, Synth.nl, Thomas Betzler, Moonbooter, My Breath My Music, Wolfram Spyra, Mario Schönwälder,
Bas Broekhuis, David Wright and Space Art.

New REMY, Mäläskä and Space Art albums

I am delighted to announce three brand new releases! These new titles will be available on April 11th.

To start with, a new REMY 'solo' album, "The Other Side", was in first instance scheduled for the end of last year. But due to the "Exhibition of Dreams" 20th anniversary celebration, this release was postponed until April 11th.
The four extensive album tracks contain some elements from the traditional electronic music, but also touch the borders of my musical interests.

With artistic collaborations by Bas Broekhuis, Judith Wesslius, Joost Verhagen, and Nausikaä de Blaauw.

For what I had in mind, this would have been the only release for early 2020. But then, during the end of 2019, plans slightly changed.

The last weekend of last year's November, Petter and I - accompanied with lots of equipment - locked ourselves into a house on the other side of the country, to create and record new Mäläskä stuff. The final day, Bas Broekhuis joined us during sessions. Read about it here.
The weeks that followed, we made a selection from the 11 hours of music that was recorded.
"First Day of Spring", is described as 'classical electronic music of the future' by one of the very early listeners.

And then, also late 2019, I was contacted by Dominique Perrier related to a brand new Space Art album. Inititally to be released as limited edition LP.
The result is new music, which is for the largest part in line with the band's early music from the 70s.
"Entrevues" is a valuable collaboration with Tommy Rizzitelli on drums, who perfectly succeeded in maintaining his father's legacy.
While the first part of the album consists of typical old-school Space Art style, some never before released tracks have also been added to the album's tracklist.


Coming days I will dedicate blog items to these individual albums.

For now, you can pre-order the new REMY, Mäläskä and Space Art albums from www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

2019 / 2020

Happy new year to all of you!

I would like to take some time to shortly resume my past musical year and look forward to some exciting things to come for 2020. Follow the links for more details.

Planet of the Arps (and Schallwelle Awards pre-nominitions)
In April my ambient side-project "Planet of the Arps" was released.
The well-received collaboration with Wolfram Spyra and Roksana Vikaluk is also in the pre-nomination list of the annual Schallwelle Awards. You can vote for the album or me as artist: www.schallwen.de/swvoting/en

Ars Phantasia
At the same time the piano album "La Papillone" by Ars Phantasia was added to the Deserted Island Music shop. Although not directly in line with the electronic music my label deals with, it has a lot of connections with the traditional electronic music scene. Including artistic collaborations by Francis Rimbert and Michel Geiss, who are also known for their work with Jean Michel Jarre.

Exhibition of Dreams
On December 22nd, two decades passed by since my debut album "Exhibition of Dreams". For the occassion of this 20th anniversary celebration there have been released limimted edition boxsets. Read more about it on my blog.







New solo and Mäläskä albums
In my first blog of 2019 I announced a new studio album, as well as the second Mäläskä release. Both didn't happen before the end of the year.
First, the new album has been postponed, because of the 20th anniversary releases of my debut album "Exhibition of Dreams". The upcoming "The Other Side" is now scheduled to be released on April 11th. Coming weeks, until the release of the new music, I will post more about this on this blog, social media and www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

Then, the follow-up of Mäläskä's "Uncle Jim's Cidney Factory" (2016) is finally being worked on.
One month ago, Petter and I did a lot of sessions during a weekend in Friesland. From the 11 hours we recorded, a selection has been made. Which will be the upcoming album release. As we are currently in the mixing process, I can't say much about it yet, with the exception that it will be one long trip, and actually not at all in line with our debut album or recent concerts.

Space Art
After more than two years of 'silence' Space Art is back with brand new music! Dominique Perrier asked me to have an exclusive Dutch vinyl release of the new Space Art album "Entrevues". Further details and plans will be announced later, but the new music is going to be available from Deserted Island Music, also somewhere in the first quarter of 2020.
I have already heard the music, and if you love the early Space Art sound and compositions, you will adore this one. With participation of Tommy Rizzitelli. His way of drumming definitely reminds of his father's style. A real treat.

And more...
And, for what is currently scheduled, there should also be released another (Berlin School-like) project I am currently producing. So, concerning new music and releases, a lot is coming up.

Then, on personal level, I am aiming to get involved into music more than ever before. Let's see what 2020 has to offer!

Archives 5

The fifth release of my archives recordings is available. This edition might be the most experimental Archives so far, containing five improvisations.

Here are the details:
Since the early 90s, Remy registered an uncountable amount of compositions, improvisations, try-outs, sketches, studies and performances.
Remy always felt the need to release a lot of this material, but with such a huge variety of recordings, it was never possible to release everthing.
During the selection process for the released REMY-albums, a lot of music was rejected. Simply because these tracks didn't fit into the concept or feeling of the specific release.
A large amount of unfinished tracks, sketches, etc. will definitely never be released. And there also is enough stuff that is absolutely not good enough by means of technique and recording.
But through “Archives” there is this possibility to publish and share a lot of these recordings. Recordings that otherwise would never have seen the light.
Besides the fact that “Archives” offers music that could never be heard before, it gives the perfect insight into Remy's musical and artistic world, as well as it might also help to understand the direction Remy's music evolved into.
“Archives 5” contains material from 2002.


Tracklist:
1. Say What You Want (improvisation, 4-11-2002)
2. Ruled By Thoughts (improvisation, 4-11-2002)
3. From A Crazy Mind (improvisation, 5-11-2002)
4. Getting Those Thoughts Out (improvisation, 5-11-2002)
5. Nice Looking (improvisation, 5-11-2002)

Here you can hear excerpts from each song:



"Archives 5" consists of mastered archives recordings and is available as 320 kbps MP3 and 16 bit / 44,1 kHz FLAC. The accompanied artwork contains the necessary background information on each of the tracks, as well as some photos from the period of the specific music pieces.

The digital download only release "Archives 5" is exclusively available from www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

2016 Overview

I would like to wish you a wonderful, prosperous and musical 2017.

2016 has been a very active musical year for me.
It all started with my new album, called "Fears", which was already scheduled back in 2015. For this first solo studio album in 5 years there was done a lot of studio work.
Details:  https://desertedislandmusic.nl/shop/cd/remy-fears-3-detail

While working towards the new album's release date of October 27th, there were published re-releases of my existing albums so far. All remastered by Wouter Bessels, and including revisited artwork.
In between May and October, each three weeks another title became available as digital download.
Details: http://exhibitionofdreams.blogspot.nl/2016/09/all-remy-remastered-albums-available.html

Then also episodes 3 and 4 in the "Archives" series were released in respectively April and October.
"Archives 3" contains tracks from 2007. "Archives 4" covers earlier musical years (1999-2000).
Details: http://exhibitionofdreams.blogspot.nl/2016/10/archives-4.html

Completely unexpected was the fully improvised output, established together with Petter Janse. With Mäläskä we released our debut album, "Uncle Jim's Cidney Factory", as well as we did a couple of concerts in the Netherlands and Germany.
Details: http://exhibitionofdreams.blogspot.nl/2016/06/malaska-album-release-and-concerts.html

Another special moment was the My Breath My Music in Concert event in Zoetermeer, on October 9th. For this ocassion I wrote a new piece which I performed together with members of My Breath My Music. On this day I also received a special award.
Details: http://exhibitionofdreams.blogspot.nl/2016/10/concerts-with-malaska-and-my-breath-my.html

The November edition of LivePodium Magazine featured an interview about my music and new album: https://www.joomag.com/magazine/livepodium-magazine-uitgave-19-november-2016/0928803001479832643?short

In December I submitted an unreleased song for the 100th edition of Sequences podcast.
Details: http://exhibitionofdreams.blogspot.nl/2016/12/sequences-podcast-100.html

And, during the last days of 2016, I visited my friend and legendary musician of electronic music, Dominique Perrier. This year is the 40th anniversary of his formation Space Art, which is going to be widely celebrated. I am very excited and honoured to be part of this! Within the coming weeks there should become available details about this celebration, including the announcement of worldwide concerts. 

Visit www.desertedislandmusic.nl for all releases by REMY, Mäläskä and Space Art. 

Now the new year has started, it also is time to vote for the Schallwelle Awards again!
REMY and Mäläskä both have been included in the list of pre-nominees, in the categories "Artist International" and "Album International".
During January you can vote here: http://schallwelle-preis.de/voting/en/

I am looking forward a lot to the musical year 2017. I have a lot of plans for new releases, concerts, and organizing another event myself again. Hopefully there will be enough time to establish everything (or at least as much as) I want to do. Probably not, but we will see...

To close this overview, here are some announcements of broadcasts: 

1-1-2017
E-Cloud - Electronic Music Radio Online, hosted by Marc van Oers.
My new album "Fears" is album of the month. A track from this latest released is aired.
Stream: http://178.21.116.54:9090/live
22:00 - 23:00 CET 

January 2017
Dreamscape Radio, hosted by Ron Boots.
Featuring the first 36 minutes of the New Years Party concert in Theater de Enck, back in 2015.
Participating musicians:

Harold & Eric v.d. Heijden, FD Project, Remy Stroomer, Jeffrey Haster (Synthex), Bas Broekhuis, Rene Splinter, Rene de Bakker, Martin Peters.
Stream: http://www.dreamscaperadio.nl/

Archives 4

The fourth release of my archives recordings is available. This edition features four studio tracks and an experimental improvisation, from 1999-2000.

Here are the details:

Since the early 90s, Remy registered an uncountable amount of compositions, improvisations, try-outs, sketches, studies and performances.
Remy always felt the need to release a lot of this material, but with such a huge variety of recordings, it was never possible to release everthing.
During the selection process for the released REMY-albums, a lot of music was rejected. Simply because these tracks didn't fit into the concept or feeling of the specific release.
A large amount of unfinished tracks, sketches, etc. will definitely never be released. And there also is enough stuff that is absolutely not good enough by means of technique and recording.
But through “Archives” there is this possibility to publish and share a lot of these recordings. Recordings that otherwise would never have seen the light.
Besides the fact that “Archives” offers music that could never be heard before, it gives the perfect insight into Remy's musical and artistic world, as well as it might also help to understand the direction Remy's music evolved into.
“Archives 2” contains material from 1999 and 2000.


Tracklist:
1. Daydreaming (studio, 30-12-1999)
2. It's Time (studio, 16-1-2000)
3. Touch It (studio, 25-1-2000)
4. In The Cave (improvisation, 5-2-2000)
5. Simone (studio, 5-2-2000)

Here you can hear excerpts from each song:

"Archives 4" consists of mastered archives recordings and is available as 320 kbps MP3 and 16 bit / 44,1 kHz FLAC. The accompanied artwork contains the necessary background information on each of the tracks, as well as some photos from the period of the specific music pieces.

The digital download only release "Archives 4" is exclusively available from www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

Rehearsing with My Breath My Music

As you could have read in a previous post, I will be joining "My Breath My Music In Concert", at
Cultuurpodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer, October 9th.

Yesterday we (me with three members of My Breath My Music) did a rehearsing session for a brand new 15 minutes piece I composed for this occassion. It was good to be back at Rijndam Revalidatiecentrum in Rotterdam.

Because the largest part of the track will be filled with improvisation, we put the focus on selecting lead sounds on the Magic Flute. Sounds with which Korneel and Christian felt comfortable while playing their parts. We played through the music piece a couple of times, and set a global structure.

Glenn took care of the drums and percussion. Born without hands it is unbelievable to witness him controlling the drums.
Each time again, it is a real treat to see and hear all these musician's passion and feeling for the music.
Coming time the drum pads will be programmed with the fitting sounds. Although there still is enough room for improvisation, Glenn's output has to be more structured, because of the development of the track.

Then, I will also participate during the 'overture' on the day of the event. Together with organiser and My Breath My Music chairman Ruud van der Wel we worked out my contribution on this.

There are still tickets left, so spread the word, consider joining us, and bring all your family and friends, on October 9th!

Info and tickets: http://cultuurpodiumboerderij.nl/programma/my-breath-my-music/

All REMY's remastered albums available

Within the last months, REMY's physical released back catalog from 1999 to 2010 has been remastered entirely by Wouter Bessels.
This includes the limited bonus discs that had once been available with the first purchases of some of the regular albums.

From May 13th, every three weeks another album (eventually with bonus material from the same musical period) was released as digital download (320 kbps MP3 and 16 bits / 44,1 kHz FLAC). All titles contain revisited artwork.
In the meanwhile the remaster of "Exhibition of Deams revisited" (originally called "EoD") completed the series.

Here is the full list of all remastered REMY releases:

Exhibition of Dreams - 10th Anniversary remaster (1999/2010)

Exhibition of Dreams - bonus tracks (1999/2010)
The Art of Imagination (2000)

DisConnected (2003)

Connected (2003)

DisConnected sessions (2003)

Different Shades of Dust (2004)

A-Live (2004)

Sense (2006)

Sense - bonus (2006)

This Is Not The End (2008)

This Is Not The End - bonus tracks (2008)

Exhibition of Dreams - revisited (2009)

The remasters are available from www.desertedislandmusic.nl.
www.musiczeit.com will be updated early October; other download platforms will follow later.

And a reminder for what you could have read in a previous blog post: The mp3 from "This Is Not The End - bonus tracks" can still be downloaded for free.

These re-releases pave the road to REMY's first solo album in five years: "Fears". More information on this upcoming release (scheduled for October 29th) is going to be revealed within the coming days and weeks.
Pre-order now from www.desertedislandmusic.nl and receive a free limited edition bonus disc with your order.

While preparing for the release of "Fears", there are also scheduled a couple of other things:

- The release of "Archives 4" on October 7th (an update about this follows around that date);

- Another performance with Mäläskä (at the Graauwe Hengst in Schiedam, October 8th). Details follow;

- And I will be part of "My Breath My Music In Concert" (Cultuurpodium Boerderij in Zoetermeer, October 9th).

Mixes for "Fears" finished

Mixes for my upcoming studio album "Fears" are finished! Last week I did the final touches on each of the tracks. Within the coming days all music will be listened carefully to. If there are no issues, Wouter Bessels will start the mastering. In the meanwhile I can finish the artwork and prepare the promotional stuff.

By the way: have you already pre-ordered "Fears" from www.desertedislandmusic.nl? First 50 orders will get a free strictly limited and numbered bonus disc, containing never before released music.
There are still copies left, so don't wait too long.
 

"Fears" ready for pre-ordering

As from now, the new REMY solo album "Fears" can be pre-ordered from www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

This pre-order offers you to get the album at latest 1 day before the official release date of October 29th. But, there also is something exclusive for the first people who buy the album.

Everyone who orders the cd, gets a strictly limited and individually numbered cd-r (only 50 copies available), which will be included for free with your order.
Everyone who orders the download (MP3 or FLAC), receives the cd-r's exclusive content in the same format as you have ordered the album. However, the download version is not individually numbered.
This bonus material consists of never before released music.

Pre-ordering is available until October 28th, 2016, or until stock lasts. So don't wait too long ordering your copy!
Eventually remaining physical copies after the pre-order period will be available for the first customers.

And yes, currently there are no direct sound clips, and no artwork. But, I hope you have a little more patience. Things will be revealed within the coming days and weeks. So stay tuned!

Remastered REMY albums update + free download

Today another two remastered REMY albums have been released, and are available from the www.desertedislandmusic.nl webshop: 

"This Is Not The End" and "This Is Not The End bonus".

Both titles have been released on cd in 2008.
These were my first albums mastered by Wouter Bessels. Who since then took care of the masters for my releases, as well as the current remaster series.

It is nice to rediscover my own music during this remaster process. In most of the cases I don't listen to my music for months, or sometimes even years, as soon as it has been released.
In most of the cases I am already involved into new projects at the time of a publication. And why should I listen back and analyze over and over when it's already accomplished?
Anyhow, I was really delighted to hear my own music again after all this time. And especially with the fresh remastered sound, I got a lot of inspiration to create more new music in this vein.

For a limited time only the MP3's (including artwork) of "This Is Not The End bonus" can be downloaded for free.
Just visit www.desertedislandmusic.nl, add this title to your shopping cart and checkout. Within a couple of minutes you should get the download link into your mailbox.

The last remastered album ("Exhibition of Dreams revisited") will be available on September 16th. Then, October 7th, it's time for the fourth episode of the "Archives" series, and last, but not least, my new solo album "Fears" is scheduled for October 29th.

As you could have read in my recent blog posts, I am currently involved into the final mixing stages of my first solo album since 5 years. Did I already mention I am extremely excited to share this with you?

Recent and upcoming solo releases overview:
May 13: "Exhibition of Dreams" / "Exhibition of Dreams" (bonus)
June 3: "The Art of Imagination"
June 24: "DisConnected" / "Connected" / "DisConnected Sessions" (bonus)
July 15: "Different Shades of Dust" / "A-Live" (bonus)
August 5: "Sense" / "Sense" (bonus)
August 26: "This Is Not The End" / "This Is Not The End" (bonus)
September 16: "EoD"
October 7: "Archives 4"
October 29: "Fears"

Violin recording

Yesterday I did another recording session for my upcoming studio album, "Fears".
Largest part of the compositions have been established by using synthesizers and samples. Besides, I have also recorded some parts on guitar.

Two of the tracks needed to be upgraded in some way. So I recently recorded a grand piano for one of the pieces, to let it sound more organic and natural. And I had in mind to record violin for the other one. My sister Irene took care of this. Yesterday, we recorded several parts, which will be layered in the end.
I decided to include real violin to add a more organic and dramatic feel to the specific track.

Coming weeks I am going to use for the mixing and completion of this track. The remaining titles will be fine-tuned too.

With at least one month to fix this, everything should be ready in time for the release of "Fears" on October 29th.

I can't hardly wait to share the new REMY album with you very soon! Finally, after five years.

Archives 3

The third release of my archives recordings is available. This edition features my concert at the 8th edition of the Langweiligkeit Festival in The Hague, as well as an improvisation session, both from 2007.

Here are the details:

Since the early 90s, Remy registered an uncountable amount of compositions, improvisations, try-outs, sketches, studies and performances.
Remy always felt the need to release a lot of this material, but with such a huge variety of recordings, it was never possible to release everthing.
During the selection process for the released REMY-albums, a lot of music was rejected. Simply because these tracks didn't fit into the concept or feeling of the specific release.
A large amount of unfinished tracks, sketches, etc. will definitely never be released. And there also is enough stuff that is absolutely not good enough by means of technique and recording.
But through “Archives” there is this possibility to publish and share a lot of these recordings. Recordings that otherwise would never have seen the light.
Besides the fact that “Archives” offers music that could never be heard before, it gives the perfect insight into Remy's musical and artistic world, as well as it might also help to understand the direction Remy's music evolved into.
“Archives 2” contains material from 2007.


Tracklist:
1. Zeta (concert, 27-7-2007)
2. Sigma (improvisation, 23-4-2007)

Here you can hear excerpts from each song:

"Archives 3" consists of mastered archives recordings and is available as 320 kbps MP3 and 16 bit / 44,1 kHz FLAC. The accompanied artwork contains the necessary background information on each of the tracks, as well as some photos from the period of the specific music pieces.

The digital download only release "Archives 3" is exclusively available from www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

REMY special @ House of Prog

September last year, I was interviewed by Iris Hidding for House of Prog.
Tomorrow (January 10th, 21:00 CET), this interview will be broadcast, as part of a REMY special during the "Purple Flower Progressive Hour".

See https://www.facebook.com/events/981384411920205/ for information and details.

The (approximately) 90-minutes special features an extensive interview about various aspects of my music, collaborations and projects with e.g. My Breath My Music and Free Arts Lab, performances, my studio, future plans, as well as a nice selection of  audio tracks.

Including the premiere of one of the tracks from my upcoming studio album "Fears".
If you are not yet familiar with my music, this special gives a good insight and overview into my musical career so far.

In any case, be sure to tune in!

Archives 2

The second release of my archives recordings is available. Due to all activities around the Free Arts Lab EP (which wasn't released at the scheduled moment in the end, very unfortunate), this compilation took some longer than expected to see the light.

Here are the details:

Since the early 90s, Remy registered an uncountable amount of compositions, improvisations, try-outs, sketches, studies and performances.
Remy always felt the need to release a lot of this material, but with such a huge variety of recordings, it was never possible to release everthing.
During the selection process for the released REMY-albums, a lot of music was rejected. Simply because these tracks didn't fit into the concept or feeling of the specific release.
A large amount of unfinished tracks, sketches, etc. will definitely never be released. And there also is enough stuff that is absolutely not good enough by means of technique and recording.
But through “Archives” there is this possibility to publish and share a lot of these recordings. Recordings that otherwise would never have seen the light.
Besides the fact that “Archives” offers music that could never be heard before, it gives the perfect insight into Remy's musical and artistic world, as well as it might also help to understand the direction Remy's music evolved into.
“Archives 2” contains material from 2000 until 2002.


Tracklist:
1. In=Trance (studio, 8-3-2000)
2. Devotion (improvisation, 28-5-2001)
3. Unreachable Beauty (improvisation, 2002)
4. Mirage - part 2 (studio, 30-8-2000)

Here you can hear excerpts from each song:

"Archives 2" consists of mastered archives recordings and is available as 320 kbps MP3 and 16 bit / 44,1 kHz FLAC. The accompanied artwork contains the necessary background information on each of the tracks, as well as some photos from the period of the specific music pieces.

The digital download only release "Archives 2" is exclusively available from www.desertedislandmusic.nl.

New studio album in 2016?

Recent weeks I have been mixing for the upcoming Free Arts Lab EP, as well as my 2012 project "The Return of Planet X". Both should be released within the coming months, so detailed information on these releases is going to follow soon.

And in the meanwhile, I even found time and inspiration to record a nice amount of new music, which is very likely to become my next solo studio album.
Although there still need to be made minor adjustments to the tracks, most of it might already be considered as finished.

With the new REMY-album in the making, I am attempting a slightly different strategic approach.
As part of this, Concertzender's X-Rated* radio host Bob Rusche visited my studio yesterday, for an exclusive pre-listening session of the upcoming album.
And yes, indeed this was combined with delicious food and drinks, pleasant conversations, and more of these things.

While my most recent studio release "i-Dentity" (and after this there were also released a live registration ("The Great Church Trilogy"), as well as two collaborational projects (with Synth.nl and My Breath My Music) and the first episode of my archives recordings ("Archives 1")) already dates from 2011, I didn't have any urge to release another new album. Simply because I felt that the music I recorded since then, didn't add anything new (or at least insufficient) to my current catalog. In the years in between I did write and record a lot of new music for various occasions, and although I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with these established tracks, I didn't have the feeling that any of these tracks would lead to the base for a new long player, in a way I had in mind.
But then, with the recently recorded new material, this situation changed. Actually without being planned so.

The new REMY-album is likely to contain 7 tracks with a total duration in between 70 and 80 minutes, with a rather minimalistic and slightly sober approach.
A total of 7 tracks, which might sound quite different from each other, but are clearly connected.
Having in mind to have a physical release early 2016, I already hope to reveal some audio within the coming weeks / months!

The idea for this project evolved indirectly from the concept of "The Return of Planet X".
A intriguing subject which I have already planned to write about detailed as soon as the release date has been set.


In the meanwhile I will focus on publication opportunities and schedule for this new release.


* X-Rated is aired each Sunday from 21:00-23:00 (CET), and can be listened to via the audio player on the Concertzender's website.

"PrimiTiveS" final stage

"PrimiTiveS"
Last weekend Michel van Osenbruggen (aka Synth.nl) and I completed the final mixes from our forthcoming "PrimiTiveS" album release. It was a very exhausting part of the process, only listening very focussed to every detail, and trying to trace any kind of unwanted clicks or errors which might eventually appear. After last Monday's final listening check there can be concluded that everything sounds excellent.
In the meanwhile Wouter Bessels started his mastering and post-productional activities.
Exactly one month to go for the release and presentation at the E-Day Festival in Oirschot. Really looking forward to it. Hope to see you there!

Here is a render of the artwork, created by Michel:

To give you an impression what the album sounds like, there will be uploaded some excerpts on my websites within the coming days.

For all of you who have a Facebook account, and haven't yet seen photos of our previous sessions in the Apollo Studio, check out Michel's photo album.

And... the album can already be pre-ordered from Groove Unlimited.

2013

The first update of 2013! While last year my musical output was mainly noticeable by means of the concerts I did, this year I am also planning some other concrete activities.

While working on the video montage of the Great Church performance I did last year with Ron Boots, I am also in the final phase of the production process of the "Primitives" album with Synth.nl.
This weekend we will work together again on the mixes and discuss the mastering process, which will be done by Wouter Bessels.
Currently we are perfectly on schedule for our release at E-Day, on April 6th, so I am really excited for the final result of 1,5 years of work. The album will be released by Groove Unlimited (www.groove.nl).

Another issue I have been involved into lately was quitting my activities at my own established label AKH Records. My compagnion continues the label on his own.
Detailed information about this will follow soon, as there still have to be arranged some formal things.
Now I can finally focus on my Deserted Island Music label, which I started in 2011.

Furthermore I am near completion of my artist website www.exhibitionofdreams.com, which should be online early February.

Like last year, I will again be involved into activities by the French formation "Space Art".
In continuation of their succesful and well-acclaimed 2012 European promotional tour, Dominique Perrier and his band prepare a complete concert concept to perform later this year. I hope to reveal more information soon.
With the intensive touring of last year, as well as the new album release, Space Art have been nominated for the German Schallwelle Awards (in the categories "Best Artist International" and "Best Album International").
And how nice: I am also nominated in the category "Best Artist International".
Everyone can vote once, and voting is still possible until the end of this month: http://voting.schallwelle-preis.de/

Remy & Synth.nl - Primitives

First of all I would like to take the opportunity to wish all of you a great Christmas and all the best - in good health - for another fascinating musical year to come, 2013.

Yesterday, Michel van Osenbruggen and I worked on the artwork and album credits of our collaboration album "Primitives". Michel really did an excellent job creating the 3D artwork. Here you can see the cover:

With the - finally - set release date of April 6th, 2013 (at the E-Day Festival in Oirschot), we will have a couple of more weeks for the final mixing, editing and mastering.
It's nice to know that our project is nearing completion, since we did our first recordings back in August 2011.

The album will be released by Groove Unlimited (www.groove.nl). Stay tuned for pre-order information, tracklisting and soundclips.