Stream: Ashan “Breathknow”

04 Jun 2014 — Noah Klein

I personally admire contributors within our music community who involve themselves with public programs like Girls Rock Camp and Dublab, labels like Orchid Tapes and Elestial Sound, and community arts organizations like the Silent Barn and Vera Project. I find that thirst for creating something constructive in this world, larger than one’s own expression, is infinitely inspiring. So today I'm very enthused to introduce Ashan, a definite contributor to this #feel. Ashan, *cough* Sean Conrad, is a curator behind the pacifist, experimentalist cassette regime Inner Islands, has released more than a dozen serene albums with gkfoes vjgoaf, mist connections, Nearone, River Spirit Dragon, and today Constellation Tatsu releases his latest collection, Breathknow.

Recorded as an ode to the natural world, a ballad for the forest, Breathknow began as a series of field recordings in the hills of Berkeley. Gestures in the blades of grass, the rustling of leaves, and strength within water currents developed into a transformative album crafted by wildlife. Slices of vocal patterns interwoven with finely affected field recordings, hand drums, flutes, bells, and blissful, unrecognizable guitar are the ear candy, but on a more intimate level Sean explained to me that,

“Ashan is actually derived from these teachings that my dad’s friend channeled back in 1980 called ‘Ashan: The Gentle Way’. They mostly talk about how to approach one’s life with love, other teachings go into the creation of the universe and its trajectory, but Ashan is the sound of the universe’s vibration. For me it’s just a recognition that I am a part of everything and that I am living out of love.”

That approach to sound-crafting is immediately recognizable in his compositions. Whether he manipulates the forest into a rhythmic orchestra or meditates on a chant, Sean deals in revelation, and finding that salvation makes Breathknow a stunning journey. The Zelda references don’t hurt either. Purchase this gem on cassette from Constellation Tatsu (or get it digitally here) because it’s a devastating tape from a beautiful label and maybe we’ll listen to it at the same time and ascend together.