Craig Aalders is a guitarist and composer based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. His ambient and experimental work explores sound as a medium of visceral resonance. Influenced by the Pacific Northwest, Aalders creates absorbing and evocative soundscapes that use abstraction to convey strong emotional and expressive ideas.

Aalders’ process employs streams of layered sound. Intricate chains of analog and digital signal processing reverberate into a sense of moment and space. Acoustic and electric guitars, piano, synthesizers and field recordings are transformed into diverse, evolving, sonic landscapes. His evocative sounds seamlessly shift between billowing synthetic textures, shimmering organic tones and hauntingly beautiful arrthymic sound collages.

In this interview spotlight, I chat with Craig about his latest project (Oceanography), challenges, motivations, technology and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? 

I’m from Vancouver, Canada. I create music that falls within the genres of ambient and experimental music. I often use streams of layered sound made up of intricate chains of analog and digital signal processing to transform instruments such as guitar, synthesizer and field recordings into evocative soundscapes that use abstraction to convey strong emotional and expressive ideas.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?

There’s definitely an innate resonance I experience with sound and music. It drives me to continue to develop new skills and explore different ways of expressing ideas. 

How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?

My new album Oceanography is a continuation of the processes explored through my previous album Remnants of Late Colour. That being said, I definitely experimented with new ways of creating sounds. For this record I used a lot of acoustic guitar. I developed an intricate signal chain using max/msp which gave the guitar a lot of shimmering tonal characteristics it normally wouldn’t have. I felt this worked well with highlighting the album’s water aesthetic.

In regards to trying to accomplish anything specific, I wanted to create an album rich in sonic detail which would be inviting on first listen but would reveal a greater depth upon further listening. I also aimed to create an immersive sonic experience which could engage the listener’s imagination and take them to a place of meditative reflection. 

Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?

I think the two greatest challenges are developing an audience and having people take the time to listen to your work. And by listen I don’t mean putting on a track for 30 seconds while doing the dishes. I mean actually taking the time to sit down and listen. 

Technology has helped me by creating all of the necessary infrastructure required to be a modern musician- from the instruments I play, to the process of capturing sound for storage, manipulation and playback to the dissemination of one’s creative output. It’s essential! 

What was the last song you listened to?

I’ve been listening a lot to Sandro Perri’s “In another life”. Otherwise I’ve been spellbound by Gayaneh’s Adagio by Khachaturian.

Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?

Generally I lean towards greater fidelity so Vinyl and Cd’s or wav files are best. But mp3’s have their place when limited space is an issue.

How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why? 

Spotify is an revolutionary tool for listeners. I haven’t used Apple Music so I can’t comment on it. Bandcamp is an amazing resource for independent musicians, DIY labels and listeners. They’ve done an excellent job cultivating a technology and a music community to go with it.

Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?

To connect it’s best to find me at www.craig-aalders-music.com or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CraigAaldersMusic

For music you can find me on Spotify, bandcamp, or soundcloud. 

Anything else before we sign off?

I think that’s it. Thanks so much Joshua.