This compilation traces fragments and developments of my musical work between 2011 and 2026. Loosely connected by dub as both attitude and sonic language, the material moves between ambient, stripped-down club music and timeless in-between spaces. The first part of a two-volume project. All tracks written & produced by Joachim
This piece emerged during preparations for a live set. It is composed of fragmented elements drawn from various previously released tracks, intricately interwoven and transformed through a series of modulators evolving over time. While certain passages may sound familiar, the result is not a “version” of any existing work, but
Conversion, the second opus from German electronic duo Guentner + Spieth, dives deep into their shared musical roots to reinterpret them through a contemporary, nuanced lens. The result is a body of work that blends ambient expansiveness with dub-inspired detail – layered soundscapes that balance openness with structure. Unbound by
Arcadia brings together zakè, Joachim Spieth, and Markus Guentner in a collaborative work that thoughtfully expands the possibilities of ambient and drone music. Released via Affin, the album merges the trio’s distinct artistic voices into a coherent whole, resulting in a body of work that is both contemplative and richly
Following the release of their acclaimed 2023 ambient masterpiece Overlay, Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth have unveiled Overlay Reworks, an album that breathes new life into their original compositions collecting the limited 10″ lathe cuts and digital releases. This collection gathers an exceptional lineup of artists from the ambient and
Nocturna is the first collaborative album between New Zealand musician Andrew Thomas and German artist Joachim Spieth. Inspired by fleeting moments of beauty in nature, where light illuminates and then disappears into the shadows, Thomas began composing on the piano during Summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Gathering piano fragments like
At the end of last year, we gained a new Affin colleague in rhubiqs. The London-based artist has delivered an exceptional album with ‘Aegis Of Silence’, reason enough to delve a little deeper… J: When you look back on your debut album, what has changed since then in your musical
A quarter of a century after I opened the first Pop Ambient compilation, I have now been given the honor of making a mix of some of my personal favorites from the series curated by Wolfgang Voigt. No more words are needed… Tracklist Markus Guentner – In Moll 4 Gregor
Fragments is the first joint album by Joachim Spieth and Warmth.It brings together two musical characters with an affinity for expansive, imaginary soundscapes and atmospheric compositions. Agustin Mena is a Spanish ambient producer and has been operating under his 2 alter egos ‘Warmth’ and ‘SVLBRD’ on the two labels he
Joachim Spieth presents his new project, “Retrace,” on his eminent electronic label, Affin. Dub influences and cooling, ambient electronics blend to create complex, aqueous soundscapes. The seven track album reveals detailed textures and crystalized melodies that captivate the imagination. Like glittering drops of water, the sound elements combine to slowly
The Spanish-Australian project Galán / Vogt has existed for several years. As there have already been a few musical points of contact between us in recent years, we want to get to the bottom of things in a little more detail today… JS: How did you first come together musically,
Following the release of the first installment of the “Overlay Reworks” series in May, featuring remixes by Hollie Kenniff and Rafael Anton Irisarri, Guentner and Spieth have invited renowned artists Pole and Abul Mogard to rework tracks from their acclaimed album “Overlay”, released last year. These two innovators are celebrated
These days the “A Strangely Isolated Place” label is celebrating its fiftieth physical release. The anniversary offers me the opportunity to reflect on some of the events with label founder and operator Ryan Griffin, as well as give an outlook on what’s to come. J: I find it exciting that
Over the past few years, the US-American artist zakè and his friends have created a social ecosystem around the field of ambient music that is unrivalled. A network of labels, artists, collaborations and the resulting creative output. In the course of his upcoming album “Dolere”, I talked to him about
For the collaboration album “Overlay” by Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth, which was released last November, a series of reworks by artist friends was prepared, the first part of which will be released at the beginning of May. The composer Hollie Kenniff and the multi-instrumentalist/mastering engineer Rafael Anton Irisarri interpret
Rafael Anton Irisarri lives and works in New York. In addition to several LPs for labels such as Ghostly International, Room40, Morr Music and A Strangely Isolated Place, he can look back on a history of numerous worldwide live performances over the last few decades. Some years ago, he also
Hollie Kenniff is a multi-instrumentalist/composer who composes music for advertising, film and television. In addition to her project, which is released under her own name, she is also one half of the music group Mint Julep, which she co-founded with her husband Keith Kenniff. As we are both musically involved
After Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth’s first joint album, “Overlay”, was released last October, there is now a 10″ lathe cut limited to thirty pieces, which will be released on February 2nd. “Overlay Variations” uses elements that were taken exclusively from the album and puts them together to create completely
Absis is a music project based in Barcelona. Behind it is Salva Coromina, who can look back on many years of experience as a DJ and live act. In recent years he has proven his qualities as a musician on labels such as Hivern Discs, Oslated, Huinali Recordings and several
In 2001, Regensburg-based Markus Guentner and Affin’s Joachim Spieth first crossed paths through their contributions to Kompakt’s Pop Ambient series. Their creative synergy resurfaces with ‘Overlay,’ a six-track album that amalgamates decades of their distinctive styles – a harmonious blend of Guentner’s ethereal, atmospheric textures and Spieth’s pulsating rhythms. “We
With “Onda”, Regensburg artist Markus Guentner releases his follow-up to Empire, which appeared on A Strangely Isolated Place in 2021. “Onda” captivates with its orchestral-like progressions, an endlessly interwoven carpet of sound that spreads out over six etudes. As if in slow motion, he scans through the individual sound particles,
In the last few years Markus has released a concept series of albums with Theia, Empire and Extropy on the US label “A Strangely Isolated Place”. Together we launched our first collaboration tracks on Affin and the Pop Ambient compilation series, and Markus is also responsible for the new label
I’m happy to find my recent album “Terrain” in The Wire Magazine.
After contributing a timeless track “Limnic” to the first part of the “Affinity” 12″ series in 2015, we are pleased to announce Claudio PRC once again as part of the Affin label. The Berlin-based DJ, producer and label owner found the time to submit the musical input for a strictly
I am very grateful to be able to present a selection of my musical work on The Memoir at the end of this year. It has been curated by the Swedish Hypnus label since 2014. The track listing is mainly composed of material that has been created since 2015 and
Today my new album Reshape is released. At the end of last year I invited some artists if they wanted to reinterpret a piece of music of mine. Fortunately, I got all the commitments I had hoped for and can present with alva noto, ASC, bvdub, zakè, Markus Guentner, Simone
The Flow Of Water – The Flow Of Music is the result of a grant that I worked on in the first half of 2022. Thematically, the work deals with the translation of water sounds.
I became aware of the project Arovane at the end of the 90s. At the time it was his remix for Pub’s “Summer” which still impresses me today. Also in connection with the Berlin Hardwax localized label “DIN” Arovane appeared with some releases. And everything that came out of the
British-born, U.S.-based artist James Clements, better known to most as ASC, has been musically active for more than 2 decades. With more than 20 albums and collaborations with labels such as Auxiliary (of which he is the operator), Silent Season, Horo, Semantica (…) it needs practically no further words to
Seasons is the result of a grant I worked on in the second half of 2021. Thematically, the EP deals with the translation of nature sounds and sensory impressions that I collected in countless walks in a nearby forest.
15 years is a long time in electronic music. I associate an incredible amount of emotions, thoughts, designs, conversations, projects, contacts and travels with this time.
Some time ago I became aware of the American label “Past Inside The Present” and was amazed by their diverse and comprehensive back catalogue. The other day I had a chat about it with Zakè, the label founder.
There are publications that take you in immediately and don’t let you go. The album Materia by Italian artist Simone Giudice, released in winter 2021 on Semantica, is such a work. Captivating in its diversity and brilliantly led arrangements, it left me speechless. Therefore, I wanted to know who is
…and yes, I was looking forward to getting some answers from Ludvig Cimbrelius. The Swedish artist came to my attention a few years ago, first under his project name Purl. Some time later I discovered a whole network of projects and productions that all trace back to him. Cimbrelius has
The Berlin-based musician and label owner Głós has created his own Non-Print label in recent years, whose music builds bridges between bed and club. Since I have been dealing with this approach for a long time, it was interesting to exchange ideas personally. J: Can you tell us a little
It’s quite a while since I discovered the music of Agustín Mena who is producing ambient music under the monikers Warmth & SVLBRD. The Valencia-based producer runs the labels Archives and Faint. We lately got in touch, that’s why I asked him a few things you’ll find here… J: Your
A conversation with bvdub about living in China, his upcoming label “Silent Reign” and his own artworks
I was super happy being able to include him on our upcoming Affinity 3 vinyl. A Sacred Geometry is an amazing sound designer and label owner, based in Berlin
Introducing the Russian artist Toki Fuko. In 2015 I started working with him and with the Floating EP we’re close to a follow up.
The album “Irradiance”, first released in 2017 , is now available on CD. After it was quickly sold out in the vinyl first edition as well as the following repress I decided to have a limited edition of it produced on CD. This album is the beginning of a series
One of the most influential persons I got in touch in the last years. Gio from Artefacts Mastering shaped my thoughts about how to produce music like no other and with this interview he reveals some facts about mastering and mixdown.
Joachim Spieth 