The 17th release of katharsis is the EP “Digital Séance” by Australian artist Sugar Ross. The album was created in the period of harsh lockdown due to the pandemic situation in Australia, which influenced the artist in various directions both in terms of the methodological and the thematic approach to composing, resulting in a unique style of experimental ambient music. Comprising of six tracks, the release is framed by the conceptual approach of exclusively consisting of heavily manipulated samples recorded directly from digital and analogue radio.

This conceptual approach of repurposing audio material from radio signals speaks directly into the theme of cyclicality in all life, matter and existence, described in Buddhism as Samsara. Simultaneously, the methodology was inspired by the parapsychological concept of the electronic voice phenomenon, which is the idea that electronic sound recordings of noise and static can be used as a method of identifying supernatural entities. Finally, the artist was living in an area of hard rubbish collection during this harsh lockdown, which gave further inspirations from waste culture and the idea of recycling.

released October 7, 2021

mastering by jjjacob
artwork by jjjacob