Graham “Dids” Dowdall has enjoyed a storied career to date. In the ’80s he played with Nico — yes, that Nico — and he’s collaborated with the likes of John Cale, Ludus, Eric Random, Suns of Arqa, Band of Holy Jo and Low Bias. What stories this man might have. These days he crafts gorgeous ambient music under his Gargarin alias, producing music that’s pensive and purposeful. He’s also a member of avant rock legends Pere Ubu and duo Roshi featuring Pars Radio.
In advance of the release of Gargarin’s upcomoming album, Corvid (Geo), we’re thrilled to world premiere “Winterfold,” a lush, airy soundscape.
“‘Winterfold’ is a rework of a track originally commissioned as part of a sound project based on 5 hills in Surrey,” explains Dowdall, who is practitioner and expert in music and disabilities as well as a lecturer at Goldsmiths.
“This hill is called Winterfold and the track features recordings of sounds from the top this wooded hill which I visited one evening in June. Whilst there a thunderstorm arrived though no rain fell as I walked. In this rework I’ve tried to capture the atmosphere of being high above the flat plain of southern Surrey and Sussex. All percussive sounds were generated by hitting twigs, branches and trees.”
Hit the play button below and prepare to chill out.