Seattle-based producer and musician Aaron Holm has been creating experimental ambient and electronic soundscapes since his debut release, Still Dreaming, in 2000, a record which captured his rather diverse travels through Brazil, Pakistan, Kuwait and Oman (he even used recordings of the birds of the Pantanal as part of the music). However, after follow up Alone on a Continent, Holm took an eleven year break from music to focus on the various high-profile tech start-ups he is involved with across the US. Luckily, 2013 saw him return to music with the beginning of Dissolve Records, a self- described ‘modern sound collective’ founded by Holm to “explore photography, art, video, fashion, and life with a constant backdrop of wonderful and thoughtful music”.
The new label saw the release of Transitions Seattle and Hours, two collaborations with pianist Matthew Felton in early 2014, and now Aaron Holm is back with his first solo album since the hiatus. The Boy promises to continue with “ethereal mixes of real and imagined worlds” as Holm “explores the violence and isolation of the inner city boy as he grows, detaches and himself becomes a father”. It also comes with some rather striking album art, which you can see below.
We’re delighted to share the first track from the new record. ‘Little One’, which could easily represent a sonic interpretation of the album’s artwork. On one level graceful and pretty, with the female vocals possessing an oceanic, near-maternal air, there is something harsh and almost violent present too. This juxtaposition builds that beguiling blend of awe and danger that accompanies large-scale natural events, the feeling we experience when witness to things much larger than ourselves, things over which we have no control. All we can do is stare in wonder and feel gloriously present. Take a listen below: