Warm, lo-fi ambient from the man behind Lillerne Tapes.
It’s hard to think of a label as reliably great as Lillerne Tapes. Since launching in 2007, the cassette imprint has become an anchor of the lo-fi and experimental ambient music world, its output ranging from contemplative dance to musique concrète to more abstract productions, with releases from the likes of Forest Management, mdo, Rhucle and Ulla Straus, to name just a few.
The man behind the prolific label is Gabe Holcombe. In 2021, he’s already put out three excellent releases from José María Delgado, jung dj and more eaze, all of which are worth checking out. While the label still retains its local, DIY feel, Holcombe doesn’t just release his friends’ music. Last year, he also tapped into Australia’s underground scene, releasing an EP and track from Melbourne’s Yunzero and Other Joe.
The label’s varied discography serves as an illustration of Holcombe’s sound palette; it’s rich in warm, fuzzy textures, tape hiss and subtle, often beautiful melodies. His mix casts a similar spell. Most of the songs come from ambient tape labels circa 2012—“reliable favourites”, in his words. Over 50 plus minutes, he weaves together music from the likes of Bermuda Link, Hakobune and Motion Sickness of Time Travel, creating the aural equivalent of a warm blanket.
How are you today?
I’m doing pretty good! The weather here in Chicago has improved dramatically over the past few days, so I’ve made a priority of hiking a lot and being outside as much as possible.
Your label has been releasing consistently great music since 2007. How do you decide what goes out on Lillerne Tapes? Is there a particular sound or aesthetic you have in mind?
I’ve always said that there’s no aesthetic (visually or sonically) to Lillerne, but it has certainly skewed more towards the ambient and the calm in more recent years. I like music made by kind people--expressive and emotive and with good intent. Lillerne is basically just a catalogue of music that I love to listen to and want a copy of at home. My only hope is that everyone else hearing it will feel the same, too.
If you could choose any album from any time to release on Lillerne, what would it be?
This question hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s very hard. Lately I’ve been obsessed with this Scottish band called The Blue Nile. Maybe everyone else in the world has been onto them for forever, but they’re a recent discovery on my end. To me, almost all of their songs seem like perfect pop tunes. Probably either their album A Walk Across Rooftops or Hats. Can’t get over it at the moment.
Can you tell us a little bit about your Theory Therapy mix? What were you feeling when you made it?
I’ve been listening to a lot of my older, reliable favorites lately. I wanted to make a mix of some of the musicians and labels that really had a big effect on what Lillerne is today. A big emphasis on probably my favorite era for tape labels and contemporary ambient music, say 2007-2012, give or take a couple years in either direction.
Where did you record the mix?
I recorded this in my living room after a nice afternoon in the park.
Where would you recommend listening to it?
In your living room or during a nice afternoon in the park.
Are there any tracks you’ve used in the mix that are special or significant to you?
Anything by Hakobune remains eternally significant. Mostly just the overall warm blanket vibe of the sounds on this mix. Lots of tape hiss and slabs of melody.
Theory Therapy mixes are about sharing the music that you personally find therapeutic and restorative. What does that mean for you?
I think the concept behind this mix series is amazing and extremely pertinent right now. I’m constantly amazed at the therapeutic power of music. I’ve found it to be an incredibly important tool for both healing and growing as a person. If you can find peace from music, you’ll always have it on your side. Damn! Music is sick!
Is there a particular album or piece of music that you find yourself returning to for tranquillity?
Laraaji’s Essence/Universe flips my brain around to its correct positioning no matter how many times I hear it.
What do you have planned for release in 2021?
Lots of great stuff in the works for 2021! Hoping to continue a nice stream of music that people can find soothing and meaningful. Working with friends, both old and new. Up next is a great collection of music from Alex Cobb, who runs Students of Decay and Soda Gong. His label has been another huge influence on Lillerne, so it’s a big deal for me to be able to help release some of his own tunes.
Tracklist:
Bermuda Link - Untitled [Not on Label]
Magnétophonique - Leaving the City For A While [Carpi]
Lace Bows - 40 Summers Left [Exo Tapes]
Earn - Building Bridge [Not on Label]
Venn Rain - Cathexis 2 [Tranquility Tapes]
Motion Sickness of Time Travel - Late Day Sun Silhouettes [Digitalis Recordings]
Hakobune - Interlude [Rural Colours]
Former Selves - Upper Plains [Patient Sounds]
Thoughts On Air - Untitled [Terrapin]