H A L L S O F T H E M A C H I N E is an ongoing musical collaboration between two former members of Course Of Empire and keyboardist/producer Van Eric Martin. The original album "Atmospheres For Lovers And Sleepers" was released on the Lustrejaw label in 2001. HOTM's recent version of the Love And Rockets classic "Saudade" is being included on an upcoming tribute compilation called "New Tales To Tell". Please see links to find out more. The following text is from the band's original biography, released with the "Atmospheres" album:
Guitarist Mike Graff and drummer Michael Jerome, formally of the post-industrial rock band Course of Empire, have surprised their long-time fans with
a new album of ambient instrumental music. Atmospheres for Lovers and Sleepers,
the seductive, hypnotic debut from Halls of the Machine, evolved organically
from their previous group.
"I was intrigued by the idea of making a record designed to be listened
to between wakeful and dream states" Graff says of his ambient endeavors
with Halls of the Machine. "Industrial music had sort of run it's
course, and all of the loud, heavy groups seemed to be splitting up, so we
wanted to go in the complete opposite direction of where we had been."
The project reflects Graff's earliest influences as a composer. While a
film student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, he began writing
and performing music to score ambient videos he made. His music took off faster than the ambient video art form, and with Course of Empire, "each record had a
track that was atmospheric, as opposed to the heavy industrial sort of stuff",
says Graff. Graff and Jerome sketched out the basic tracks for eight of Lovers and Sleepers
10 songs in one day during the summer of 1999.
With recordings in hand, they
approached producer and composer Van Eric Martin, one of Jerome's long-time friends and former collaborators. At the time, Martin was composing music for Contemporary Dance/Ft Worth
in the same keys, and with similar melodic movements as what Graff and Jerome had already recorded. "When they played their tracks for me, I was immediately able to jump on the piano and play along. It was bizarre for them, being the first time I heard their ambient music, and my first time to meet Mike Graff."
During the next two years, the three worked during breaks in Jerome's touring schedule with singer-songwriter Richard Thompson.
courtesy Hugh
During this time,
Jerome also recorded with artist James Hall
Meanwhile, Martin and Graff remixed tracks for German industrial
group Weissglut.
Nevertheless, their shared artistic vision was clear. Cinematic drama shaped
Graff's melodic heart, while space and movement influenced Martin's
atmospheric accents. Jerome interpreted techno-style rhythms through acoustic
instruments with influences ranging from Radiohead, to Japan's Kodo Drummers.
Standout tracks such as "Satie II" and "Tension" reflect
Graff's love of works by composer Erik Satie, while opening cut "Shadows
on the Moon" recalls the spacey guitar stylings of early Police. "This
is something that I escape with" says Jerome of Lovers and Sleepers.
"I turn everything off and enter a world of pure instrumentation."
In the coming months, Van Eric and Mike G. will be producing and mixing new H.O.T.M. with Michael Jerome through our ftp server as he tours Europe playing drums with John Cale.
GO JEROME!
Influences
Brian Eno... David Sylvain... Eric Satie... This Mortal Coil...
"Atmospheres for Lovers and Sleepers" can be delivered directly to your doorstep! You can find us at Apple itunes, share us with a friend with Napster, or buy direct with CD Baby!
http://cdbaby.com/cd/hallsofmachine
Produced by: Van Eric Martin
Songs: Shadows on the Moon, Immortality, Inc., Nightfall, Satie I, Satie II, Voyage, Echos, Tension, Dark Shores, Immortality, Inc. (acoustic)
Guitars: Mike Graff Drums: Michael Jerome Piano & Atmospheres: Van Eric Martin
File Under: Ambient/Experimental
Distributed by
Music to dream to from former members of COURSE OF EMPIRE.
Ambient music in the tradition of Eno and Sylvian.
For best results, listen in the dark.
-The Digital Release of "NEW TALES TO TELL - A tribute to Love and Rockets" is finally online and available! There's a ton a music available on this thing offering up a multitude of artists and alternative ways to check it out! (available online digital, CD, and/or Vinyl). I hope you'll check it out when you can, especially the Halls of the Machine rendition of SAUDADE! This track is ONLY available on the Digital Release. So we hope to spread the "hypnotic" word and get as many people as we can to give it a listen, and share their thoughts @ myspace.com/hallsofthemachine.
-Currently back in TX to help complete various records, specifically the brand new HOTM record due for release this Fall!
-I have also been touring with Better Than Ezra for the past few months and albeit quite different from anything I've been a part of for many years, the experience has been an honor and a pleasure. BTE also made a contribution to the tribute record with its rendition of SO ALIVE. Straight to the point with great energy and good fun to record! You can give it a listen and share your thoughts for anything BTE @ myspace.com/betterthanezra or betterthanezra.com
Following their highest profile year to date, which contained their fourth tour of Europe and performances at Lincoln Center, Newport Jazz Festival, a Guinness Jazz Award, and much more, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey returns to Denton,TX on Sat. Jan. 17th w/Snarky Puppy! Tell your friends & family! See you there!
*begin transmission* ...eperation of new HOTM visual project, please refrain from thought while allowing the sounds to flow through your body and mind. *repeat* In preperation of new HOTM vi... *end transmission*
Online Now!
