23; Listen To “Kiyosumi”

Billow Observatory return with a new EP in January, and single “Kiyosumi” is subtle sonic beauty.

“Temporary Label” : A Conversation With El Paraiso Records’ Jonas Munk and Jakob Skøtt

Last week we had a hell of a time over hear at Complex Distractions celebrating a decade(plus a year) of releases with El Paraiso Records. So many amazing albums, artists, and vibes that have hit our ears and burned out psyches that it was impossible for me to cover all of them. I did cover […]

Odense Vibes : 11 Years Of El Paraiso Records Part V(Solo And Beyond)

It’s been a heady week-long journey into the heart of the mighty El Paraiso Records. So many amazing releases and artists have passed through the hallowed halls of El Paraiso, and I think we’re all the better for it. These last 11 years have seem some amazing records drop, and I’m hoping there’s at least […]

Billow Observatory : Stareside

Billow Observatory, the long-running collaboration between musician/producer Jonas Munk and the great Auburn Lull’s Jason Kolb, has been quietly reinventing what ambient music can be for a decade now. Guitars awash in sonic maipulation that sound more like electo haze in the distance, coupled with synths and effects, Billow Observatory make sounds that feel revelatory. […]

Nicklas Sørensen : Live

Guitarist Nicklas Sørensen comes at the guitar in a very unique way. He paints these vibes out of thin air; he builds cavernous soundscapes and sound fortresses with his instrument. For sure Sørensen can blow the roof off the joint with his red Stratocaster in his psych/prog trio Papir. He can riff and blow minds […]

Complex Distractions Presents Top 30 Albums Of 2021 : 10-1

It’s been a year, hasn’t it? I mean if we’re being honest it’s been quite a couple of years; pandemic, nearly a million deaths from Covid in the US alone, protests, science deniers, attempted insurrection, fascism disguised as nationalism disguised as patriotism, and of course the return of the McRib. But besides all of that, […]

Finding The Sound : Jonas Munk Talks ‘Altered Light’, Ambient Music, And Collaborations

I feel I owe Jonas Munk a debt of gratitude. Ever since discovering Jonas’ work with Causa Sui, his solo work, as well as the whole of Jonas’ record label he runs with Jakob Skott(Causa Sui drummer, graphic design guru, synth noodler) I’ve found this vast sonic world where I’ve spent a good portion of […]

Jonas Munk : Altered Light

Musician, label runner, and all around sound wizard Jonas Munk has a knack for building sonic masterpieces with nothing more than guitars, synths, and racks of blinking lights and patch cables. I liken Munk’s ambient/new age work in Manual, Billow Observatory(with Auburn Lull’s Jason Kolb), Ulrich Schnauss, and his solo work to falling slowly through […]

Transatlantic Chill : The Hazy Significance of Billow Observatory

Day three of our jaunt back in time, and the many significant conversations had at Complex Distractions. This week is a “best of” of sorts connected to the amazing record label El Paraiso Records. We revisited talks with drummer/synth wizard/graphic design guru Jakob Skott back in 2014, and yesterday was a chat with Rasmus Rasmussen […]

Ulrich Schnauss & Jonas Munk : Eight Framents Of An Illusion

It’s been four years since the last collaborative LP between Ulrich Schnauss and Jonas Munk, the exquisite and ethereal Passage. After nearly three years of working in-between other musical projects(Schnauss working in Tangerine Dream and Munk recording with Causa Sui, Billow Observatory, Nicklas Sorensen, and solo work) the two studio wizards have released their follow-up, […]