Voices #24
◦ “voices” is the place where we ask, artists reply and you read.
here we got:
Eir Drift
answering some questions. We have already observed his ambient / electronic work here.
[1. IDEA]
■ The A. O.: The track from “Limbic Atlas” that we prefer is “Lirae”. Can you tell us how it came to light?
► Eir Drift: This is the first piece I made for the Limbic Atlas album. Lirae was ultimately born spontaneously even though it was the result of a long reflection on how to approach ambient composition. My goal was to merge the illustrative music I’ve been working on for years with a minimalist ambient format built around slow progression. Cinematic composition, for me, is about crafting a build-up that tells a story — with a beginning, a sense of tension, and a resolution. The idea was to experiment with that kind of narrative structure in a very slow ambient appropriate progression. I started with a suite of 4 piano chords that I wanted to be both tense and ethereal; I then transcribed, looped and slowed everything down in a sequencer… I had this ambient bass sonic base with a gradual build that you could get lost in and dream within. From there, I added textured layers and smooth one note drone to emphasize the transitions and builds. In the end, “Lirae” runs 16 minutes and holds a surprisingly introspective, experimental dimension that I hadn’t entirely anticipated.
[2. CREATION]
■ The A. O.: How do you usually approach composition? Do you start with a concept, a sound, a state of mind or what else? How do you generally proceed from the initial seed to the complete work?
► Eir Drift: Like all artists, I don’t have a ready-made formula. There’s always an initial spark. It might be a chord progression, like in Lirae, but it can also come from a natural sound, a texture, or just a few notes that follow each other. Most of the time, the starting point is a small sonic element that grabs my attention, something that sticks in my mind and won’t let go. From there, I experiment, I test, turning knobs, adding effects, trying things out… it’s almost like play. And once I find a foundation that feels right and resonates with me, I begin building the composition, trying to stay spontaneous, as if I were improvising live, even though most of the process happens on my laptop.
[3. FEEDBACK]
■ The A. O.: What do you hope listeners feel or experience when engaging with your music?
► Eir Drift: I often remind myself how lucky I am to make music and to be heard… it’s very rewarding. There’s a real sense of responsibility in occupying the listener’s sonic space, and at the same time, it’s an act of vulnerability. Sharing a new piece feels like a revelation, and I’m always a bit humble during that first moment when what was once just in my mind becomes something audible.
Once my music is out in the world, it also belongs to the listeners : they complete the piece and give it the meaning they choose. If someone feels moved, challenged, or comforted by one of my tracks, then I feel deeply fulfilled.
[4. IDENTITY]
■ The A. O.: In a world saturated with digital music content, how do you try to keep your sound distinct and personally meaningful?
► Eir Drift: I believe that if you truly love what you create and stay sincere in your artistic intent, you naturally cultivate your own uniqueness. When it comes to ambient music, a genre that’s rich and full of composers, I try to offer deep, soft, and floating soundscapes : music to have in the background while working, relaxing, unwinding, or getting lost in… but with enough captivating sonic elements that, if you choose to listen closely, reveal a subtle and rich inner world.
[5. INFLUENCES]
■ The A. O.: Name 3 albums that you consider relevant to your musical path and why.
► Eir Drift: ○ Boards of Canada – Geogaddi
In my opinion, this is the duo’s best album. It’s been with me for over 20 years. The production, the dark atmosphere, the textures… everything is exceptional. Every time I listen to it, I’m struck all over again and grateful that this electronic group exists and that it inspired my early compositions in the 2000s.
○ Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II
A classic that redefined how we experience ambient electronic music: both soothing and captivating, offering a wide emotional range. I listened to it a lot while I was working on the songs for my album.
○ Alessandro Cortini – Scuro Chiaro
Another key reference that accompanied me during the making of the album. I discovered Cortini a few years ago. His approach to ambient music is fascinating : innovative, subtle, refined, and still very accessible. His work creates a truly unique sonic universe. One of the artists who finally convinced me to compose ambient music a few years ago.
[6. REGARDS]
■ The A. O.: Leave us with a quote you love.
► Eir Drift: “Music is the framework around the silence.” (Miles Davis)