Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 3d

Feeling grateful for a lovely weekend of music and connection, but gong practice is currenty on hold.

A grey and brown tabby cat is seated on top of a green meditation cushion, in front of a large brass gong.

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 5d

✨Tonight at MirrorLab!
Amy and I will perform two pieces from the new 𝒱𝒾𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝐿𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 album, warming the stage for Jon Mueller & Tom Lecky's All Colors Present. Plus music from local luminaries Michael Gallope & Mary Hanson Scott! If you're nearby, we'd love to see you there. @jonmueller.bsky.social

2

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 7d

Tickets and more info: luma.com/prkvn4x6
If you're in the area, I’d love to see you there!

Friday, October 18th | 7pm
Reforesters Laboratory
147 Metropolitan Ave
Brooklyn, NY

Sierra de Luquillo: A Living Soundscape · Luma

Visible Light Visible Light will premiere a new environmental composition "Sierra de Luquillo: A Living Soundscape" at Reforesters Laboratory, shaped by field…

luma.com

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 7d

We’ll be premiering a new piece for 24-channel spatial audio and live performance, shaped by field recordings and plant data from Puerto Rico’s El Yunque Rainforest.

1

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 7d

✨ East coast friends! I'm happy to share that I'll be in Brooklyn later this month, for a special performance at Reforesters Laboratory, an intimate listening space in Williamsburg.

1 1

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 8d

Many thanks to @richardchartier.bsky.social for including 𝒱𝒾𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝐿𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 in the new mix for @dublab.bsky.social ! ✨

RICHARD CHARTIER / LINE / PINKCOURTESYPHONE @richardchartier.bsky.social · 8d

now streaming on @dublab.bsky.social
Between Two Points: September

exploring textures, tones, place, and space, featuring selections of experimental electronic, avant-garde, ambient works from the mid-20th century through to our current time.

www.dublab.com/archive/rich...

2 3

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 8d

For folks overseas, I’m happy to share that the new 𝒱𝒾𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒 𝐿𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉 album is available from the great Soundohm!

www.soundohm.com/product/song...

Visible Light – Songs for Eventide (LP) – Soundohm

*100 copies limited edition* Soundtracks for the edge of day. Visible Light use their instruments to open portals of seasonal consciousness through site-specific recording and real-time composition. O...

www.soundohm.com

2

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 9d

I’m so happy and thankful to be included in Stephan Kunze’s incredible Zen Sounds Newsletter. Visible Light is featured in this months Best New Ambient! 🙏✨

“… will quickly transform any space into an autumn meadow in the wilderness of the American Midwest.”

www.zensounds.de/p/best-new-a...

Best New Ambient (October 2025)

These records will take you places

www.zensounds.de

5

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 10d

There are plenty of other great writers with excellent newsletters on music. But in this era of crumbling empires, how else am I going to hear about amplified architecture, or music made from a laptop on fire, or fabric ripping? The road is long my friends ❤️

1 5

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 10d

It's the end of an era. The VW archive stands as a veritable encyclopedia, documenting many years of underground noise and experimental music, from artists and labels all around the world. Thanks Frans, you're a champion.

www.vitalweekly.net

1 1 2

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 10d

🍂 Our track 'Losing Leaves' is featured in the Vital Weekly Mix for that week, which is a wonderful honor. The program is a deep, dynamic listen, I'm thankful to be included.

www.mixcloud.com/Vitalweekly/...

1 1 2

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 10d

I've had several of my own works reviewed by Frans. I was lucky to get a review of the new Visible Light album in issue #1496, before the doors shut for good. Frans resists anything leaning too close to "new age" music, so he always gives a little poke, which I think is funny and great.

1 1 3

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 10d

The site's distinct approach has deeply influenced my own understanding and immersion in experimental music over the years. It's exposed me to countless artists and labels I never would have heard of otherwise, and served as a model in writing about music as a creative practice unto itself.

1 1 3

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 10d

A wide swath of wonderful writers have passed through the gates, it's an institution. It's sad to see it go, but I understand. After so many years of reading, the music still shines through. I always appreciate the odd stories woven in, always pushing the limits of what writing about music could be.

1 1 3

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 10d

I checked, and I've been subscribed to the Vital Weekly newsletter since early 2008. Frans de Waard consistently reviewed music before anyone else really cared, regardless of name or perceived status. He helped put my own little label on the map, along with many other labels willing to send a copy.

1 2 9

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

Michael Hix's new solo LP just dropped, an air filled offering of elegance and flow. As lovely as can be. Vinyl via @centripetalforce.bsky.social wonderfulaspirationofthesource.bandcamp.com/album/wonder...

Wonderful Aspiration of the Source, by Wonderful Aspiration of the Source

10 track album

wonderfulaspirationofthesource.bandcamp.com

1 4

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

Fascinating new work from trumpeter and experimental composer Steph Richards with percussionist Qasim Naqvi on drums, almglocken bells and modular synthesizer.
Expansive and otherworldly, preorder via @wejazzhelsinki.bsky.social wejazzrecords.bandcamp.com/album/miss-a...

Miss America, by Talk Show

5 track album

wejazzrecords.bandcamp.com

1 2

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

'Forgetting is Violent' is a powerful offering from the prolific composer and saxophonist. The choral arrangements are stunning, it's a joy to follow along as the work continues to evolve. Preorder via American Dreams
patrickshiroishi.bandcamp.com/album/forget...
🌋 @patrickshiroishi.bsky.social

Forgetting is Violent, by Patrick Shiroishi

8 track album

patrickshiroishi.bandcamp.com

1 2

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

Wild new LP from Pulse Emitter drops today on the great Hausu Mountain! Mind-altering mix of progressive and ethereal, a bold path through cloudy waters.
Vinyl: @hausumountain.bsky.social
🎶 @pulseemitter.bsky.social
Mastered by @angelhair0.bsky.social
pulseemitter.bandcamp.com/album/tide-p...

Tide Pools, by Pulse Emitter

15 track album

pulseemitter.bandcamp.com

1 1 5

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

A new gem of crusted oxidation. These stunts crumble into a dusty ointment, somehow both disturbing and mellow? Preorder vinyl thru Psychic Sounds: psychicsounds.bandcamp.com/album/medici...
🎩 @aarondilloway.bsky.social

Medicine Stunts, by Aaron Dilloway

3 track album

psychicsounds.bandcamp.com

1 2

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

The trio of Sam Shalabi, Maurice Louca, and Alan Bishop bring the ruckus like no other. LP drops next weekend! The Dwarfs Of East Agouza: humid and saturated. 🏭

constellation.bandcamp.com/album/sasqua...

Sasquatch Landslide, by The Dwarfs Of East Agouza

7 track album

constellation.bandcamp.com

1

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

Excited for this one! NY electro-crooner Ruth Mascelli returns in collaboration with Minneapolis sax-hynoptist Mary Hanson Scott. Enter the esoteric lounge 🎷🪩✨

Pre-order vinyl via @disciples.bsky.social ruthmascelli.bandcamp.com/album/esoter...

Esoteric Lounge Music Now, by Ruth Mascelli & Mary Hanson Scott

12 track album

ruthmascelli.bandcamp.com

1 1 1

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

Amazing new zones by Golden Brown from the upcoming "Patterner" album. An elevated offering of drift and float, inspired by Earthsea books of Ursula K. Le Guin.
💛🤎 @goldenbrownmusic.bsky.social
Tapes via @innerislands.bsky.social
innerislands.bandcamp.com/album/patter...

Patterner, by Golden Brown

16 track album

innerislands.bandcamp.com

1 3

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

A bountiful wealth of beautiful, strange, and remarkable new music lately! Here's a thread of new releases that demand your attention🧵🪡

2 1 4

Matthew Hiram @matthewhiram.bsky.social · 12d

Thanks to Frequency State for the kind words on Visible Light!

"... both organic and expansive"

Read the full review: electronica.org.uk/blog/visible...

@electronica.org.uk.web.brid.gy
🙏✨🍂

Visible Light – Boreal Shift: Ambient Dialogues with Nature - Frequency State | electronica.org.uk

Visible Light’s Boreal Shift blends cello, analog synth, and Minnesota field recordings into an immersive chamber-ambient soundscape from their debut album Songs for Eventide.

electronica.org.uk

3