Svietas 07 // Sugai Ken // Tom Bickley

In this episode of Svietas, we delve into the rich and immersive soundscapes crafted by Japanese artist Sugai Ken and American composer Tom Bickley. Both artists explore the deep connection between natural landscapes and sound, creating music that feels like a journey through time and place.

Sugai Ken’s “Tone River” transports listeners to a tranquil yet dynamic environment, blending field recordings with electronic textures that evoke the serene flow of a river, while weaving subtle elements of drone and ambient sound. His work invites us to reflect on the subtle sounds of nature and the way they interact with human-made sounds.

Tom Bickley’s “Jepson Prairie” offers a similar exploration, blending field recordings of California’s native flora with delicate electronic manipulations. His music feels rooted in the idea of preserving the sonic identity of specific landscapes, using subtle shifts in tone and timbre to highlight the quiet beauty of the prairie.Both artists share an interest in capturing the essence of place through sound, crafting pieces that bridge the natural world with the digital realm.

Together, their work invites listeners on a contemplative sonic & environmental journey.