I’ve been meaning to do this more. The idea behind The New Balearic was to promote music without giving away free mp3s without the bands permission, however, more and more (usually new) bands seem to be embracing the idea of handing out one or two tracks in order to promote their new release. It’s a great promotional tool, and it’s one I would like to start using more and more as well.

I want to start with a new band based in San Antonio called Aether. This is the moniker of Diego Chavez, who also makes music under the names A.M. Archtect and Otic Angst. His debut release under his Aether alias is called Artifacts, and three tracks from this album have been featured on the past three episodes of The New Balearic, with more to come.

It’s no secret that I am a Boards of Canada fan. I am infatuated with the mid-70s, ambient/analog nostalgic aesthetic, and it is something I am always keeping an ear out for. However, I was surprised to hear something similar in what was supposed to be a hip-hop album. Indeed, there are a lot of counterfeit BoC bands out there (which I unabashedly love). Chavez, however, attempts to mix some of his hip-hop influences in with analog, synthesizer-based IDM. It’s digital meets analog, with some amazing results. Aether have taken the gritty and repetitive drum loops, aged samples, and short, deep rhythms of Boards of Canada, and gives it a unique, head-nodding and hypnotic sound. Artifacts is a perfectly mastered mix of 16 tracks that have been intelligently connected to one another, making the whole album a wonderfully intriguing soundscape.

Similar to: Boards of Canada, DJ Shadow, Luomo

Download:
Aether - Makeshift Sanctuary
Lykke Li - A Little Bit (Aether Remix)

Aether on The New Balearic:
‘Makeshift Sanctuary’ on Episode 32
‘Orfeu Negro’ on Episode 33
‘Autumn Pisces’ on Episode 34

Buy Artifacts at emusic or iTunes

Aether on MySpace