{"product_id":"sophia-space-agency-the-turning-blue","title":"Sophia Space Agency - The Turning Blue","description":"\u003cp\u003eToday, \u003cstrong\u003eSophia Space Agency\u003c\/strong\u003e shares her debut album \u003cem\u003eThe Turning Blue\u003c\/em\u003e -- an ethereal, sci-fi sound collage mixed in immersive 3D spatial audio by electronic pioneer \u003cstrong\u003eMartyn Ware\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cstrong\u003eHeaven 17\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eThe Human League\u003c\/strong\u003e). Alongside, she unveils the haunting music video for the track “\u003cem\u003eDriven To Ruin\u003c\/em\u003e”.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn \u003cem\u003eThe Turning Blue\u003c\/em\u003e, otherworldly vocals cascade around pulsing synthesisers as poetic lyrics contemplate ecological disaster caused by climate change. The record's sonic architecture is built on project leader \u003cstrong\u003eKermanidou\u003c\/strong\u003e's singing: utilising hundreds of vocal takes, her voice is contorted through sound synthesis into the grand synths and alien textures that mix with her natural vocal lines. The resulting tracks are challenging, minimalist soundscapes that unite the avant-garde vocal experimentalism of \u003cstrong\u003eMeredith Monk\u003c\/strong\u003e with the synthetic grandiosity of \u003cstrong\u003eTim Hecker\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eJon Hopkins\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKermanidou and co-producer \u003cstrong\u003eCygnus Rift\u003c\/strong\u003e's sonic experimentation realises the album's cosmic concepts, with Kermanidou explaining, \"This album is about seeing ourselves within the universe. There is life and sound out there, and this is an imagining of what that sounds like.\" Opener “\u003cem\u003eStar Cycle\u003c\/em\u003e” -- one of the last tracks recorded at Britannia Row (\u003cstrong\u003ePink Floyd\u003c\/strong\u003e's former studio) -- is a musical villanelle poem told from an alien perspective. Incorporating direct samples of the Mars Curiosity Rover on pulsing “\u003cem\u003eWe Are Not Alone\u003c\/em\u003e”, Kermanidou offers a direct response to \u003cstrong\u003eDavid Bowie\u003c\/strong\u003e's glam-rock epic “\u003cem\u003eLife On Mars?\u003c\/em\u003e” Upon reaching closer “\u003cem\u003eThe Turning Blue\u003c\/em\u003e”, the album's most direct and emotional moment sparked by a conversation with Ware, there is a sense of clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lynchian video for “\u003cem\u003eDriven To Ruin\u003c\/em\u003e” is a visual expression of Kermanidou's vision. Rather than traditional singing notes, “\u003cem\u003eDriven To Ruin\u003c\/em\u003e”'s soundscape is created from deconstructed vocal fragments - blending this fragmentation with the work of video-maker \u003cstrong\u003eDelaney Schenker\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cstrong\u003eOsees\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eEvil Island\u003c\/strong\u003e) to evoke the feeling that the world is falling apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartyn Ware mixed and mastered in 3D spatial audio at Tileyard Studios, creating an immersive auditory experience exclusively for its digital version. Ware shares his thoughts on the record: \"\u003cem\u003eThe Turning Blue\u003c\/em\u003e is sonically lush and expansive, with a mesmerising blend of moods and compelling, inventive vocals. It's emotionally powerful and ethereal with elegant, deeply considered songwriting; driven by a bold and unmistakable vision. All of this, while you're deeply immersed in the possibilities of space and 3D sound. I'm very proud of what we've achieved on this album.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReflecting on \u003cem\u003eThe Turning Blue\u003c\/em\u003e, Kermanidou adds: \"In modern life, we are so far removed from nature that it has affected our relationship to planet Earth, so I imagined getting lost in space and seeing things from there - giving the lyrics a detached, otherworldly perspective. Vocals and piano are my main musical instruments, so I wanted to take the performance, and the technical production of these instruments, as far as I could. As a species, we are strong communicators-- our voices are power, and collectively, we can do so much with them\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe numbered vinyl edition, mastered in stereo by \u003cstrong\u003eRafael Anton Irisarri\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cstrong\u003eRyuichi Sakamoto\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eWilliam Basinski\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eGrouper\u003c\/strong\u003e), will be released on 9th October.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003eAbout Sophia Space Agency\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSophia Space Agency is the experimental recording project of \u003cstrong\u003eMelpomeni Kermanidou\u003c\/strong\u003e, a London-based experimental sound artist and vocalist. Kermanidou served as Chair of the Ivors Academy Future Sound Experience Council, created with Martyn Ware - dedicated to spatial sound, AI, ambient music, electronic music, and the latest in music creation. Melpomeni studied modern music composition at university in Melbourne, Australia before heading over to the UK. A long-serving member of \u003cstrong\u003eMediaeval Baebes\u003c\/strong\u003e, and releasing her own solo album \u003cem\u003e8 Tragedies, 2\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"LEMURIAN RECORDS (CODE 7)","offers":[{"title":"180g Vinyl LP","offer_id":59552664322393,"sku":"SDZ-53131","price":37.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/a3179447585_10.jpg?v=1790179137","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/sophia-space-agency-the-turning-blue","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}