In a notable shift from his previous synth-focused solo work, Montreal composer Nick Schofield is set to release his new album Ambient Ensemble on February 9th, 2024, under the label Backward Music. The album, anticipated for its eclectic blend of ambient, contemporary-classical, and electronic elements, marks a departure from Schofield’s earlier albums, Water Sine and Glass Gallery, both of which were purely solo projects.
The second single from this upcoming album, “Picture Perfect,” has been released alongside a music video. The track is described as an upbeat ambient piece, reflecting Schofield’s evolving musical direction. The song explores the concept of envisioning an ideal state while appreciating the present moment’s inherent perfection.
Watch the video by Christopher Honeywell below:
Ambient Ensemble represents a significant expansion of Schofield’s musical repertoire. The album incorporates a chamber ensemble, adding layers of acoustic instruments to Schofield’s signature ambient sound. This new direction was partly inspired by Schofield’s experience hosting the “Ambient Ensemble” concert series at Resonance Cafe in Montreal from 2018 to 2020. The series saw Schofield collaborate with a diverse range of local musicians, encouraging improvisation over his ambient compositions.
The album promises a rich tapestry of sounds, ranging from distant piano and vintage synths to orchestral arrangements, all resonating within spacious natural reverb. The ensemble includes a mix of instruments such as double bass, violin, vocals, and clarinet, all centered around Schofield’s piano improvisations.
“I wanted to work with acoustic instruments and an ensemble of musicians after hosting a concert series at Resonance Cafe in Montreal (which is sadly now closed) from 2018-2020 called Ambient Ensemble where I invited small ensembles of local musicians to improvise over my ambient music,” explains Schofield. “It was beautiful and playful, full of serene surprises. The series featured so many amazing musicians – I was joined by label-mates Pietro Amato, Michael Feuerstack and Sarah Pagé, as well as Thanya Iyer, Austin Tufts, Eve Parker Finley, Sean Michaels, Alexei Perry Cox, Desert Bloom, Adam Kinner, Sarah Feldman, Justin Wright and many more.
This new album is my way to produce the ‘Ambient Ensemble’ concert series on record. I am in love with how the album turned out because it is equally playful, serene and full of surprises that I would have never come up with on my own – just like the concert series.”
With Ambient Ensemble, Nick Schofield steps into a new phase of his musical journey, inviting listeners to experience a fusion of ambient soundscapes with the dynamic textures of an acoustic ensemble. The album is poised to offer a refreshing and exploratory take on ambient music, blending the boundaries between electronic and acoustic, solitude and collaboration.
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