I can’t remember exactly when I met Tomek Mirt for the first time, but it might very well be the first SuperBooth in Berlin. So, 2016, exactly eight years ago. He was there as a member of the XAOC Devices crew; I was there as a visitor looking for what was exciting and hot in the world of modular synthesis. And what I can say is that XAOC Devices is a brand that perfectly fits my triggers and philosophy, so Tomek and I (as well as the rest of the crew) quickly became connected.
What struck me from Tomek – and I hear that part of him back in his music – is that he is a ‘thinker outside of the box’. If a device or a musical development sends someone in a specific direction, Tomek is someone to go against that given direction. The exploration is the journey, and the final destination is less important. His ” Wanderlust ” describes this exploratory journey, which is the title of his latest release.
“Wanderlust” is divided into eight parts, all flowing into each other. So, the vinyl has two sides, 20 minutes each, and no concrete starting or ending points. You now understand where the previously mentioned ‘journey’ comes from. But the modular, sound and synthesis explorations are only half of the journey. The other half are field recordings from early dawn and morning rain recorded on Tarutao Island in December 2022. Because Mirt loves to travel and bring his recording gear, many field recordings he made can be found on Saamleng (link: https://saamleng.bandcamp.com/).
However, “Wanderlust” is more than a collection of field recordings and modular explorations. The result depicts what the field recordings do to you, what they do with you, and how they influence you. And the same field recording you listen to may trigger you differently on a different day. And even two different mornings on Tarutao Island may do two completely different things to you. In my honest opinion, that is what “Wanderlust” is about. Being an artist, you can tell stories, either strictly conceptual or emotional, but each time you tell the story, it will change. But if the result is that your audience loves listening to stories about the world or places they will probably never visit, then you have done something beautiful. You have shared your love for exploring and wandering. The promo text says it is more beautiful than I can: you will have created ‘a path leading through a slowly evolving artificial soundscape’. Mirt is your guide on this album. Let him lead you … You’ll see great things.
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