(Ambient) Milieu - Memory Hearth - 2014, MP3, 320 kbps

Brian Grainger started making music somewhere after his parents' divorce in 1997. He played multiple instruments in a number of different bands and projects, teaching himself how to play guitar, drums, bass and keyboard without the aid of classical training. In 2001, Brian began dabbling in psychedelic and ambient music, and by 2002 he became interested in writing computer-produced (but still organic) songs. Doing simple recordings with a four-track, guitar, organ and a drum machine, he adopted the Parallax moniker and slowly progressed into a unique and expressive aesthetic for himself. By May of 2004, Brian had completed 6 albums under the Parallax name before retiring it and releasing music as Milieu. Brian currently lives with his wife Sophia and his pets in Columbia, South Carolina.

Memory Hearth is a swirling storm of psychedelic color that coalesces and eventually explodes. A sonic vessel built out of solid gold and diamonds that takes a full hour to ascend into the clouds. This is a Milieu album as you have never before heard or experienced it. Filled to the brim with tape droning, shoegazing guitars and humming pedal bass, and led by both cut-up breaks and live drums and percussion, until it bursts with bright hot streams of sunny feedback and detuned melody. Meant to be played loud.
Written & produced by Brian Grainger. Recorded at Botany Bay, Summer 2014. Mastered by The Analog Botanist. Cover photograph by Penelope Grainger. This is Milieu Music number MML100.
released 31 October 2014