LIVE EVENT: Sleep Concert with Robert Rich

One of the best night's sleep in my entire life was had in a hammock at Burning Man after exploring the Playa all night. I fell into it wrapped in my vegan fur, with a huge dome of twinkle lights overhead and ambient music all around me, and slept like Thumbelina in her peapod.  Ever since then, I've been championing the intensely under-utilized power of music and sound for sleep and restoration.  So, imagine my delight when I read that The Bay Area’s sprawling music and arts festival Noise Pop will feature a "sleep concert."

Amplify reports:  “This year we are very excited about several alternative programming elements,” said Ludwig. “The crown jewel is we’re doing a sleep concert with Robert Rich which is this very strange experience. It starts at midnight and the intention is for people to fall asleep in a room and to have ambient music wash over them for eight hours.”

The overnight gig on Feb. 23 fits about 140 people in the Gray Area theater as the “godfather of sleep concerts” Robert Rich in collaboration with Flow Kana plays ambient music. Attendees are encouraged to bring yoga mats, sleeping bags, and pillows to make themselves comfortable until morning.

“In actuality, it is not a great night sleep,” Ludwig explained. “The idea is to have the music invade people’s peripheral space and that doesn’t necessarily lend itself to great sleeping conditions. But it does create an incredibly unique experience.” Ludwig added, “It’s right on the money in terms of what the Bay Area likes.”

Even though Rich is from the Bay Area, this will be his first sleep concert for local audiences since the 1980s.

Music wash, soundbath, sonic cleansing...call it what you will, I'm just thrilled it is happening for this generation of festival goers.  Read the full story about this hipster sleepover at Amplify.  And get a good night's sleep before you go. 

MUSIC REVIEW:

Sacred Dreams: Music For Relaxation and Wellbeing 

From Norway with love: Tron Syversen’s  latest U.S. release is quiet and deep as the blue fjords of his native coastline.

Norwegian producer and recording artist Tron Syversen shares a part of his soul with his latest offering, Sacred Dreams, ten original, gently-lulling pieces that are characterized by serene melodies and scintillating instrumentation with a slight classical ambiance. Not only playing the piano and keyboards, Syverson’s production, songwriting, arranging, and mixing talents are evident throughout.  The album is well-balanced, which is critical to Syversen’s intent to go beyond mere entertainment, and to create music that truly relaxes and heals others as they go about their busy lives.

Essential to this album is the sensually-sweet voice of co-producer Elin Lokken that borders on magical, angelic, and otherworldly; the vocal delivery is primarily wordless hums with varying timbres and tones. Electric and acoustic violins are skillfully provided by Sunniva Bergsane, Ase Haga, and Lise Sorensen. Plaintive acoustic guitars by Glenn Kristiansen, Rolf Kristiansen, and Jorn Takla provide a calming, but engaging result throughout. In addition, Silje Katrine Gotaas plays the cello, and bassist Per Elias Drablos fills in the melodies with pinpoint precision. Additional embellishments on English horn and flute are provided by Henrik Eurenius and Randi Krogvold Lundquist, respectively.  Upon hearing the depth of musicianship present in Sacred Dreams, it comes as no surprise that several of these accomplished artists also play for popular new age group, Secret Garden.

Tron Syversen, producer, recording
artist and founder of Tron Music, has
released nine albums to date.

The gentle “Lullaby For You” opens the album with a fluid flute and sparkling acoustic guitar strumming. Lokken’s distinctive and universal hums make the song particularly relaxing, which is the primary intention overall. The violins fill in the melody and the acoustic guitar provides a warm presence against the piano backdrop. “Dreamland” begins with spritely piano melodies, droning horns and strings, and Elin’s characteristic humming style, a smooth transition from  “Lullaby For You.” The pace picks up with “Cradle Song” bringing livelier acoustic guitar melodies, and the vocals flowing effortlessly with the guitar and flute. The symphonic “In A Silent Place” contains scintillating strings; Lokken hums with a calming and emotive display that is both relaxing and meditative. Here, Syversen utilizes a classical ambiance with a slow tempo and undulating progression that harkens the nuances of Enya. The popular “Moonlight Reflections” (for which there is an accompanying video) opens with acoustic guitar and contemplative piano incorporating the wistful sounds of violin throughout; the effect is akin to medieval European folk music with a touch of classicism and new age.  Acoustic guitar takes center stage in “A Quiet Evening” but the violin, humming, and undulating horns complete the relaxing melody. “At The End Of The Day” takes us home to “Lullaby For You” and “Dreamland” with piano, vocals, flute renditions, and soft guitar strums.  The mix of violin, guitar, and humming on “Twilight Lullaby” is pure, simple new age gold.  The album comes to a close with “All Through The Night” and “Tender Moments” containing equal elements of guitar, piano, strings, and horn with Lokken’s angelic vocal delivery. Notably, the acoustic guitar makes a strong appearance on “Tender Moments,” along with hums that are slightly lower in range than the flute and piano.  Moreover, the acoustic guitar strums are almost harp-like in tonal quality, which accentuates the angelic vocal characteristics to a greater extent.  

With Sacred Dreams, Syversen successfully produces a stunning album of lullaby brilliance that awakens the child-like spirit in all of us. Each piece presents melodies that are sweet and highly tranquil while Lokken’s sporadic humming and wordless vocals provide just the right amount of vocal ornamentation to differentiate each piece.  This album is incredibly subtle and perfectly-suited to calm the mind in preparation for creative visioning work, deep relaxation, or blissfully restorative sleep.  

Writer Kira Jaines states it perfectly when, in a Live Strong article called "Music to Help You Fall Asleep", she advises "Try Classical or New Age music, and keep in mind that lullabies are not just for babies." 

"Highly recommended" for meditation, sleep therapy, relaxation and children’s bedtimes. 

Artist: Tron Syversen

Album: Sacred Dreams: Music For Relaxation and Wellbeing

Label: Global Journey/TK Music Production

Playing time: 57:54.

Website: www.tronmusic.com

Amazon.com sample track