Exclusive Interview with Ambient2k: Gear, Inspirations and More
We got to speak to Ambient2k - an artist who has carved out a unique section of YouTube, one featuring people using 1990s adjacent technology in a botanical and/or aquatic setting.
I first came across Ambient2k last summer here in Ireland - I had just watched some of the TV show Russian Doll, which had made me feel kind of psychedelic, and I wanted to listen to something as I took in the endless blue skies and lush green plant life outside my window. I put on peace, and was swept away into a blissful, shimmering oceanic world - quite unlike anything I had heard before.
Ambient2k has been consistently releasing music since then, all possessing a very distinct aesthetic and style. In this interview, we discuss gear, influences, how Ambient2k manages to release so much high-quality music, how YouTube can be of benefit to artists, how it is much more fun to figure things out on your own and more.
Eimear O Sullivan, Musicngear: You have been doing really well in the ambient music scene on YouTube - I think a lot of people came across you via your video ‘peace’ - could you maybe run us through the creative and thought process behind 'peace'?
Honestly, it's more of an amalgamation of ideas and tracks that I've done over the space of 6 years. I use YouTube as something to hide behind. I get too precious over certain tracks and don't want to release them. This is starting to change as I'm flirting with the idea of releasing something very close to me on the channel soon.
Musicngear: The blend of aquatic and botanical imagery paired with people using 1990s/early ‘00s era technology is a standout feature of your music; what was the inspiration for these?
Well, I grew up in the countryside, so being influenced by nature and making music that compliments it came naturally.
A lot of influential synthesisers were created during the 80s and 90s, and I have been inspired by a lot of artists from that era. By no means do I try to make my music sound old, but I make sure to avoid making my music sound too clean. Something easily done when using VSTs. You need something that constantly changes and evolves over time to make it sound real. Analog gear can offer that via distortion, phasing, or saturation. And if I'm using VSTs, I try to implement that without it sounding too forced.
Musicngear: Who would be your main influences?
I don't really consider myself much of an ambient musician - I make it more as a meditative process.
I'm mostly making experimental electronic music or "IDM". So I mostly listen to artists from that circle: Squarepusher, Aphex Twin, Skeemask, Oli XL, Loraine James, U-ziq. Not sure if I can say I'm influenced by them, or they're just artists I really like. Hard to say. I'm definitely influenced by some Japanese ambient artists from the 90s, like Takashi Kukubo and Hiroshi Yoshimura, though. I also feel a strong connection to the film Fishtank from Andrea Arnold.
Musicngear: What gear and software do you use to make your music?
Korg Minilogue, Behringer MS-1, Polyend tracker, Alesis midiverb (or quadraverb, I can’t remember) and a Casio cz101. I sold a lot of stuff because I'm currently travelling about, so I rely on software, of which I keep pretty basic. When I come home, I'm going to get some new gear, which is always inspiring.
Musicngear: You release a lot of music, all of it very high quality - do you have any tips/techniques for others who might be struggling with this?
You do it long enough, you pick up your own techniques.
These are more valuable than any practical advice someone can give you. Also, know how you work, for me, I get spells where I'm very inspired to work. Then afterwards, I'll have weeks on end where I don't touch music, but in that time I'll be thinking about a certain track I'm making. When I started, I used to get bogged down on thinking there was 'a way to do things'.
Musicngear: For people who are interested in getting into making ambient music, are there any tutorials, resources and so on that you would recommend?
Nah. It just takes time, it's also more fun and rewarding to learn things by your own book.
There's no rush. These things don't happen overnight and they don't happen from watching loads of tutorials. Where's the fun in that? I can mess around for hours before I get an idea I like. It's sort of similar to the phrase: "The more I practise, the luckier I get".
If you truly enjoy it, then you'll naturally spend a lot of time doing it.
Musicngear: I think that too much importance is put on Spotify, and that YouTube is actually a fantastic way to grow as an artist and reach new people - do you have any tips for other artists on utilizing Youtube to release music?
Yeah, I hate that I feel like I need to upload stuff to Spotify. I'm not sure, really. I'm still trying to work that out for myself. I guess, understand your aesthetic and don't just get a song and put a huge reverb on it and call it ambient like a lot of other channels do lol.
Connect with Ambient2k: Bandcamp / Spotify / Instagram / YouTube
About Eimear O Sullivan
Eimear Ann O Sullivan is a multi-genre music producer, audio engineer and vocalist. After receiving a Masters in Music Technology from the CIT Cork School of Music, she went on to operate as a producer under the name Blakkheart. Her releases have received critical acclaim from Ireland's biggest music publications, such as District Magazine and Nialler9, alongside receiving heavy commercial radio airplay. She currently works in Cork recording studio Flashpoint CC. Previous clients of hers include the likes of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunt star Candy Warhol, rapper Darce and Outsider YP. (Photo credit @Fabian Boros)
Contact Eimear O Sullivan at eimear.o.sullivan@musicngear.com
In this section of the blog we host interviews with established but also up and coming artists we love and recommend as well as music industry professionals with tons of useful information to share.
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