{ "ok" : true, "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon", "description" : "Ambient/World dream field", "location" : "Newcastle, England", "bio" : "I first began to work seriously with sound in the mid-seventies. I moved into this medium from the disciplines of painting and printmaking. Sound had the added attraction of unfolding over time.\n\nTime is an important aspect in my work. There are references and connections to time running throughout the body of my work from the first to the last.\n\nEarly influences included Can and Neu, Stockhausen and Cage. These gradually gave way to the music that I was discovering myself which was more in line with Eno and Hassell and extreme experimentalists like Throbbing Gristle and Test Department.\n\nI was a founder member of the band :zoviet*france: who are generally regarded as amongst the pioneers of the post-industrial experimental genre and who have influenced many more mainstream bands in the following years.\n\nMy own work has been noted as having a unique style and individuality and has itself fed back into more mainstream genres in the form of commissioned sample libraries, collaborations and re-mixes, and film and installation work.\n\nAs a continuing practitioner in the visual arts I do not draw a clear distinction between the two mediums. The work in both areas is inter-related and cross-referenced. This is perhaps best illustrated by referring to my earliest releases, which were vinyl LP's encased in a succession of unlikely and impractical \"sleeves\". This served at least two purposes; one being to demonstrate that the \"object\" was equally as important as the music contained in the medium. (These sleeves were all hand-made and hand-printed on a variety of materials including hessian, hardboard, aluminum, roofing-felt, ceramic boxes etc. and have since become collector's items as \"art objects\".)\n\nThe second purpose derived exactly from the \"punk\" ethos of doing it yourself and the \"f*** you\" attitude embodied within punk. (We had been told that it was impossible to make these sleeves in any commercially viable quantity and were determined to prove the critic's wrong.)\n\nThe third purpose, of course, was that it set our releases apart from the norm.\n\nWhenever possible I have carried this practice over into later works and continued to place equal emphasis on the artwork included with a release and the object itself, with CDs encased in specially designed, and often hand-made, packaging. The purpose, once again, is to make something \"special\" and to elevate it beyond the usual defining parameters. Subsequently they have become objects of much greater significance to people than they would have been had they been released in ordinary cardboard sleeves or crystal cases.\n\nThe definition of the genre that I work within is one that is also open to interpretation. I think of my work as \"soundtrack\" music and as such it remains open to the inclusion of whatever style I see as relevant. This also allows me to include narrative occasionally e.g. \"Tin of Drum\" includes narrative pieces written and performed by myself. These owe something to David Lynch and Twin Peaks.\n\nA visit to the real Twin Peaks during an American tour prompted me to later write the pieces which were imaginary spoken statements given to the FBI concerning the whereabouts of the narrators on a date some forty-five years previously. The point being that this would be an almost impossible task, yet all the people \"interviewed\" managed to give accounts of the day in question. It didn't really matter if the stories were true or not, the narrators were all glad to have been asked as it somehow gave some kind of meaning to their lives.\n\nThis is reflected in the statements that they make which include details and insights into their lives, as they judge them to be. In this case these characters (like Becket's) judge their lives as essentially pointless and filled with regret.\n\nThe \"Tin of Drum\" in the title is a reference to my own search for some comfort whilst in a situation that at times seemed pointless and wearisome. In the middle of an exhausting and demanding tour where I missed my family and home my \"happiness\" devolved down to feeding my (then) last remaining addiction - tobacco. After running out of the rolling tobacco that I had brought with me from Europe I had been reduced to buying awful, unsmokeable American blends and was growing more and more agitated and depressed. Then at an unpromising gas stop I wandered into the small store and there alone on the shelf behind the counter was a solitary tin of Drum rolling tobacco. (My all-time favourite.) It suddenly became the Holy Grail of salvation; I could almost see a blazing aura of light around it. My body jumped for joy and once again I was confronted with the question \"what do we seek from life\" and what makes us \"happy\".\n\nWe can search for truth and meaning and enlightenment yet seemingly \"bliss\" can be attained with a hand-rolled cigarette of Dutch tobacco and a cup of Italian espresso.\n\nReflections on the human need to attach some kind of \"meaning\" to life could serve as one definition of what my work is about.", "photo" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/img/rapoon.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/rapoon/", "albums" : [{ "sku" : "rapoon-westandblue", "name" : "To West and Blue", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2015-03-16", "genres" : ["Ambient","Experimental","Darkwave"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","melancholic","reflective","mysterious"], "uses" : ["nature documentary","documentary","meditation or yoga","podcast background","emotional storytelling","slideshow or memories"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["ambient synths","textural electronics","layered vocals","atmospheric field recordings"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient, vocal-driven dream field album evoking tidal UK coastlines; ideal for reflective, atmospheric, and emotionally resonant visual or audio projects.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/To%20West%20and%20Blue/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-westandblue/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-westandblue", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-westandblue" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-psitransient", "name" : "Psi-transient", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2015-02-27", "genres" : ["Ambient","Darkwave"], "vocals" : "instrumental", "moods" : ["dreamy","mysterious","melancholic","ethereal","reflective","dark"], "uses" : ["documentary","film score","horror or thriller","emotional storytelling","meditation or yoga","podcast background"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","ambient textures","experimental electronic elements"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient/darkwave album with elusive, dreamlike electronic textures and whispered vocals, ideal for atmospheric documentary, film, or meditative storytelling.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/Psi-transient/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-psitransient/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-psitransient", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-psitransient" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-disappeared", "name" : "Disappeared", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2010-01-08", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","mysterious","melancholic","reflective","ethereal","nostalgic"], "uses" : ["documentary","sci-fi or space","meditation or yoga","podcast background","emotional storytelling","film score"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["ambient synths","processed spoken word","textural field recordings","subtle industrial elements","atmospheric layers"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient/world dream field album with ethereal, melancholic textures, spoken word fragments, and atmospheric industrial tones—ideal for reflective, sci-fi, or documentary projects.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/Disappeared/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-disappeared/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-disappeared", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-disappeared" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-suppose", "name" : "What do you suppose", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2004-10-05", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","reflective","calm"], "uses" : ["podcast background","meditation or yoga","spa or massage","study or focus","sci-fi or space","emotional storytelling"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","ambient textures","industrial soundscapes","space music elements"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient, dream-field album with ethereal synths, processed vocals, and industrial textures—ideal for meditative, sci-fi, or reflective audio backdrops.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/What%20do%20you%20suppose/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-suppose/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-suppose", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-suppose" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-fallen", "name" : "Fallen Gods", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2003-10-13", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "instrumental", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","melancholic","spiritual"], "uses" : ["sci-fi or space","documentary","meditation or yoga","podcast background","spa or massage","emotional storytelling"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","industrial textures","ambient drones","world-influenced tones"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient, dream-field album with ethereal, industrial-tinged soundscapes and vocal layers, ideal for sci-fi, meditation, or reflective documentary use.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/Fallen%20Gods/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-fallen/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-fallen", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-fallen" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-vernal", "name" : "Vernal Crossing", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2003-10-13", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","peaceful","reflective"], "uses" : ["nature documentary","sci-fi or space","meditation or yoga","spa or massage","study or focus","podcast background"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","ambient textures","world-influenced vocalizations","spacey electronic elements"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient and new age album with dreamy, ethereal vocal textures and spacey electronic elements, ideal for meditation, nature documentaries, or sci-fi soundscapes.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/Vernal%20Crossing/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-vernal/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-vernal", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-vernal" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-tindrum", "name" : "Tin of Drum", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2003-10-08", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","reflective"], "uses" : ["sci-fi or space","meditation or yoga","podcast background","documentary","emotional storytelling","spa or massage"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","ambient textures","industrial soundscapes"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient, dream-field album with ethereal synths, processed vocals, and industrial textures; ideal for sci-fi, meditation, or reflective documentary use.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/Tin%20of%20Drum/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-tindrum/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-tindrum", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-tindrum" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-cidar", "name" : "Cidar", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2003-09-09", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "instrumental", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","reflective","calm"], "uses" : ["sci-fi or space","nature documentary","meditation or yoga","spa or massage","study or focus","podcast background"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","industrial textures","ambient field recordings"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient, dream-field album with ethereal, industrial-tinged soundscapes and vocal textures, ideal for sci-fi, meditation, or atmospheric background use.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/Cidar/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-cidar/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-cidar", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-cidar" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-kirghiz1", "name" : "The Kirghiz Light - CD 1", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2003-08-31", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","spiritual"], "uses" : ["sci-fi or space","meditation or yoga","spa or massage","study or focus","podcast background","emotional storytelling"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","ambient textures","industrial soundscapes","space music elements"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "Ambient/World dream field album with ethereal, meditative synths and processed vocals; ideal for sci-fi, meditation, spa, or focused listening.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/The%20Kirghiz%20Light%20-%20CD%201/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-kirghiz1/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-kirghiz1", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-kirghiz1" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-kirghiz2", "name" : "The Kirghiz Light - CD 2", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2003-08-31", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","peaceful","reflective"], "uses" : ["sci-fi or space","documentary","meditation or yoga","spa or massage","study or focus","podcast background"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["synths","processed vocals","ambient textures","layered electronic sounds"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient, dream-field album with ethereal, meditative electronic textures and vocal layers, ideal for sci-fi, documentary, or relaxation contexts.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/The%20Kirghiz%20Light%20-%20CD%202/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-kirghiz2/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-kirghiz2", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-kirghiz2" },{ "sku" : "rapoon-easterly", "name" : "Easterly 6 or 7", "artist" : { "name" : "Rapoon", "page" : "rapoon" }, "release_date" : "2003-08-02", "genres" : ["Ambient","New Age"], "vocals" : "vocals", "moods" : ["dreamy","ethereal","meditative","mysterious","melancholic","reflective"], "uses" : ["documentary","nature documentary","sci-fi or space","meditation or yoga","podcast background","emotional storytelling"], "energy" : 2, "instrumentation" : ["ambient synths","processed vocals","industrial textures","space music elements"], "sounds_like" : [], "summary" : "An ambient, dream-field album with ethereal, melancholic vocals and industrial textures, ideal for reflective, sci-fi, or meditative audiovisual projects.", "cover" : "https://magnatune.com/music/Rapoon/Easterly%206%20or%207/cover_400.jpg", "web_url" : "https://magnatune.com/artists/albums/rapoon-easterly/", "api_url" : "https://magnatune.com/api/albums/rapoon-easterly", "buy_url" : "https://magnatune.com/buy/album?sku=rapoon-easterly" }] }, "license" : { "music_license" : "Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 1.0 (CC BY-NC-SA 1.0)", "music_license_url" : "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/1.0/", "listening" : "Stream the free previews, or buy an album for $8 to download it in MP3, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, OGG or WAV. 100% of the price goes to the musician.", "non_commercial" : "Non-commercial projects may use the music under CC BY-NC-SA 1.0: credit the artist and Magnatune, and share alike.", "projects" : "Magnatune members may use any Magnatune music in their projects, commercial or not (videos, films, podcasts, games, apps, websites, adverts), including work for clients, under the Magnatune Project Licence. Projects released while a member stay licensed for good; new projects need an active membership. Credit is required. TV or radio broadcast, cinema, and background music in shops, restaurants or on-hold lines are not included: license those from the musician. Membership: $10/month, $99/year or $299 lifetime; agents can buy one themselves with MPP at /api/member-pass ($10 month, $99 year, $299 lifetime, one-off).", "projects_status" : "available", "projects_signup" : "https://magnatune.com/member/signup", "royalty_free" : "Membership is royalty-free licensing: no per-video, per-download or per-view fees, for every project created and released while a member.", "youtube" : "YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts: members may use the clean songs in monetized videos. Members register their YouTube channel (the set_youtube_channel MCP tool, or their account page) so YouTube's Content ID doesn't claim their videos. The free versions carry a spoken Magnatune voice and are non-commercial (CC BY-NC-SA), so they're not for monetized channels or client work.", "details" : "https://magnatune.com/info/licensing", "how_to_credit" : "Name the artist and \"Magnatune\", with a link to the album's web_url." } }