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Private Sea

In their interrogation of atmosphere, Private Sea commands the sound, the weight, taste and texture of synthesized tones. From fuming, vigorous and urging, down to the softest susurration of truthful timbral rumination, they navigate between Spacemusic's tidal drone zones and ethereal washes, on up to a lively braindance of melody, rhythm and pulse.

Although geared toward tranquility and quietude, nothing about their work seems confined. Testing the waters in the studio and live in concert, Mitchell & Todd believe in the promise of new coastlines - and that the mind is its own place, its oceans vast and to be explored. In daily life feelings ebb and flow like waves upon the shore, but it is in the Private Sea of individuality that the sheer sensation of accomplished works will endure.

Private Sea live on STAR'S END Space Camp 21 August 2022 (complete concert)

Attention all Owlish Ambient types! Fellow travelers Alex Mitchell and Ryan Todd should be arriving in your listening space with Private Sea (50'26") - their excellent self-titled debut. While Private Sea expresses and experiments in ways built on previous entries in this field, they are far more focussed on the wonders of the psyche than the machinery used to make this release. Their optimism and artistry are fully present throughout every well-crafted musical moment. Driven by openness and compassion, vision and vibe, the assured pacing of its six tracks leads us into this duo's remarkable euphonic, electronic, stereophonic state. In their interrogation of atmosphere, Private Sea commands the sound, the weight, taste and texture of synthesized tones. From fuming, vigorous and urging, down to the softest susurration of truthful timbral rumination, they navigate between Spacemusic's tidal drone zones and ethereal washes, on up to a lively braindance of melody, rhythm and pulse. Although geared toward tranquility and quietude, nothing about this album seems confined. Testing the waters on this their first outing, Mitchell & Todd believe in the promise of new coastlines - and that the mind is its own place, its oceans vast and to be explored. In daily life feelings ebb and flow like waves upon the shore, but it is in the Private Sea of individuality that the sheer sensation of accomplished works like this one will endure.

- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END   16 June 2022

Orbital Decay

Orbital Decay live at the STAR'S END 40th Anniversary event 16 June 2007

Listening to Solar Maxima (69'08") by Orbital Decay one would believe that digital synthesizers had never been invented. Existing on a plane outside the oppressive rush of modernity, this music quotes the classics of spacemusic without mimicking them. Synthesist Terry Furber and guitarist Scott Watkins demonstrate a masterful grasp of the vintage gear around which the spacemusic genre gravitates and explore the past in a new way. The six tracks on this CD are studio-perfected versions of live jams originally found in the act of making. Creating layers of space with harmonies warm and golden, pumping sequencer patterns and strident lead lines, this duo explores the inner darkness of electronic music - yet, out on the verge of ethereality their music gleams like new. Summoning the ghosts of the 1970s, Orbital Decay's music feels like Phaedra, Meddle and Wired recollected in tranquility. With the mythic qualities of their instruments channeled through our most authoritative interpreters, Solar Maxima comes dangerously close to a masterpiece.

- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END   31 May 2007

The Gatherings Concert Series presents Private Sea plus Orbital Decay live in concert on Saturday 10 December 2022 at 8:00PM. (doors open at 7:30PM) in the church sanctuary of St. Mary's Hamilton Village 3916 Locust Walk (just east of 40th & Locust) on the Penn campus in West Philadelphia. Admission: Free (donations requested). Reservations are available through Eventbrite (a limited number of seats will be available at the door/night of show)

(please click the graphic above and reserve advance tickets through Eventbrite)

Additional Material:

• Access the on-line Press Release; use the "Print" function on your web browser to make a "hard copy"
• Access the Press Photo
• Directions to The Gatherings Concert Series
• Questions? Please Send an Email

Private Sea (w/Orbital Decay opening) Youtube Live Stream Saturday 10 December 2022
In-Person Concert/Live Stream - Complete Performance

: :

• Official website: privatesea.bandcamp.com
• STAR'S END Profile at: www.starsend.org/privatesea.html

For more about Orbital Decay, please access the:

• Orbital Decay STAR'S END Profile: www.starsend.org/orbitaldecay.html
• Photos and Reviews of Orbital Decay live at The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia on 15 November 2003
• Photos and Reviews of Orbital Decay live at The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia on 20 May 2006
• Photos and Reviews of Orbital Decay live at The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia on 21 April 2007