Welcome to Bespoke Bandcamp where we highlight some of our favorite music found on Bandcamp just in time for Bandcamp Friday. (On the first Friday of each month, the online record store Bandcamp waives its usual fees and gives 100% of the proceeds of music bought on their platform directly to artists.)
Today we’re linked up with Bespoke Sound Curator and Methods of Mellow Label Head Fergus Ewbank to celebrate the launch of the label’s first release and compilation: Greetings from Cloud Nine: Vol. 1. Methods of Mellow was founded by the DJ in London 2020 amid the lockdown as a radio show that explores slower yet still highly interesting and groovy music.
Take a look below to check out Fergus’s top picks for your listening pleasure. (And be sure to join our mailing list to be the first to get our latest playlists!)
John Carroll Kirby: Tuscany
This record was on constant rotation for me during last year’s lockdown. It’s so simple and so beautiful, just two 18-minute long solo piano tracks. That sounds like something that might get dull pretty quickly but there’s just the right amount of intrigue and progression in these tracks to keep you hooked.
It’s the kind of music that’s perfect for listening to on sunny days, walking through the park, on a long cycle ride or just sitting on the grass somewhere, and that’s exactly the kind of music I try to share with people via Methods of Mellow.
Luke Elliott: 40 Million Cat Hairs
I came across Luke’s music in the early days of the Methods of Mellow project, he and his friend Luis had put together a release under the name Balm, which is a super nice, lush ambient record. Luke and I have been in touch ever since, and incidentally both his solo music and Balm feature on our upcoming compilation. Luke’s 40 Million Cat Hairs E.P sees him venturing into a sound that’s more instrumental than electronic, with jazz-leaning drum samples, guitars and keys. The result is a record that feels really off-the-cuff and immediate, like you’re there in the room whilst it’s being made, and it's really great.
Altered Colours: Elements
Jake, aka Altered Colours, is an old friend of mine, and the person who taught me how to DJ… and, to be honest, still is. It’s been great to hear his skill as a producer growing over the past few years and, at last, he’s released something out into the world. This is a chunky electronic release with some proper dancefloor heaters inside. The track ‘Junk’ sounds like some pre-Pharrell Daft Punk and would no doubt go down just as well. New music from Altered Colours is on the way soon so keep an ear out.
Methods of Mellow: Greetings from Cloud Nine Vol.1
Last but definitely not least (if I may say so myself). Methods of Mellow is set to expand into a record label this coming Bandcamp Friday with the release of our first compilation. Greetings from Cloud Nine Vol.1 collects unreleased music from 15 artists, who have all contributed a mix to our series at one point or another.
It’s been a huge learning curve putting this record together but I think the end result is brilliant. The compilation covers everything from ambient to off-kilter funk, and features many artists that I’ve been listening to for a while now, which is a great feeling. It’s an eclectic mix of sounds that all work really nicely together. Our mix series and radio show have always been about championing music of all kinds and things are no different here.