SleepResearch Facility
Encyclopedia
SleepResearch_Facility is a dark ambient
artist from Glasgow
, Scotland
, specializing in sleep
-conducive beatless ambient music
which is both artistic as well as functional.
ic elements (one exception is "2.5" on Dead Weather Machine
), but instead relies on spacious, extended, richly-textured sounds. Occasionally, true 'musical' elements appear in his work, such as sustained chords
(in "c-deck" on Nostromo
for example), but the majority of his compositions consist of evolving layers of manipulated noise and mechanical drones. He deliberately attempts to avoid any sonic elements which would be likely to disturb a sleepy or sleeping listener, such as sudden loud noises.
The music of SR_F is also intended to create an aural environment which allows listeners to let their thoughts drift, being gently guided (instead of forced) by the music. The following advice is provided for listeners: "recommended playback level: just above quiet". A more detailed overview of SR_F can be found on the info page of the official website.
The works of SR_F are inspired by power stations, distant motorways, certain sci-fi movies (eg. Alien
) and various aspects of nature, including thunderstorms, empty frozen tundra, deserts, jungles and rushing water. Two complete albums (Dead Weather Machine
and Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat
) were based entirely on the manipulation of a three minute recording of a malfunctioning Dimplex
electric fan heater.
So far, all albums by SR_F have been produced or engineered at Somnambu-Lab (also spelled Somnambulab) in Glasgow
. The correct spelling of the artist's name is SleepResearch_Facility, but Sleep Research Facility is a commonly seen variation.
Appearances on compilations
Merchandise
and Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat
on his website, and even sold the albums from his online store while stocks lasted.
SR_F's work has also been highly praised by ambient websites such as AmbiEntrance and Aural Pressure, and the artist's official guestbook contains many positive comments which have been submitted since 2004.
In 2005, some of SR_F's music was broadcast on Dutch Radio 4FM (now known as NPS Studio 6). Radio 6 program FOLIO broadcast a full SR_F radio special on October 2, 2007.
SR_F has performed live at several venues:
The January 2008 edition of Terrorizer included a feature on SR_F in the "Breaking Faces" section.
, which provide a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the albums, as well as background information on SR_F in general.
has an archived copy. Other copies are also available here and here.
has archived the magazine's home page, the interview itself doesn't appear to be archived. A copy of the original interview is available here. Another copy is available on the Heathen Harvest website.
s which they linked to are still available.
Assembler had its own website, which consisted of a home page, a main page (archived here), and a collection of free tracks in RealAudio
format: "Two Towers", "Hack1 quick edit", "Hack3 Final mix", "Whole in 1" and "one tower". MP3s of the tracks Sentinals, Union Station, Jack-2-Jack and Kernals are still available.
Dark ambient
Dark ambient is a subgenre of ambient music that features foreboding, ominous, or discordant overtones. Although it had its roots in the 1970s, Dark ambient emerged in the 1980s and 1990s with the introduction of newer, smaller, and more affordable Effects units, synthesizer and sampling technology...
artist from Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, specializing in sleep
Sleep
Sleep is a naturally recurring state characterized by reduced or absent consciousness, relatively suspended sensory activity, and inactivity of nearly all voluntary muscles. It is distinguished from quiet wakefulness by a decreased ability to react to stimuli, and is more easily reversible than...
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
which is both artistic as well as functional.
Overview
SleepResearch_Facility consists of the single band member Kevin Doherty. His music usually contains no rhythmRhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
ic elements (one exception is "2.5" on Dead Weather Machine
Dead Weather Machine
Dead Weather Machine is the second album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch Facility, and is the first of a two-part set, the second part being Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat ....
), but instead relies on spacious, extended, richly-textured sounds. Occasionally, true 'musical' elements appear in his work, such as sustained chords
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
(in "c-deck" on Nostromo
Nostromo (album)
Nostromo is the debut album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch Facility. The original release in 2001 was a limited edition , and has now sold out...
for example), but the majority of his compositions consist of evolving layers of manipulated noise and mechanical drones. He deliberately attempts to avoid any sonic elements which would be likely to disturb a sleepy or sleeping listener, such as sudden loud noises.
The music of SR_F is also intended to create an aural environment which allows listeners to let their thoughts drift, being gently guided (instead of forced) by the music. The following advice is provided for listeners: "recommended playback level: just above quiet". A more detailed overview of SR_F can be found on the info page of the official website.
The works of SR_F are inspired by power stations, distant motorways, certain sci-fi movies (eg. Alien
Alien (film)
Alien is a 1979 science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Tom Skerritt, Sigourney Weaver, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm and Yaphet Kotto. The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a highly aggressive extraterrestrial creature which...
) and various aspects of nature, including thunderstorms, empty frozen tundra, deserts, jungles and rushing water. Two complete albums (Dead Weather Machine
Dead Weather Machine
Dead Weather Machine is the second album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch Facility, and is the first of a two-part set, the second part being Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat ....
and Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat
Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat
Dead Weather Machine_Re:Heat is the third album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch_Facility, and is the second of a two-part set, the first part being Dead Weather Machine ....
) were based entirely on the manipulation of a three minute recording of a malfunctioning Dimplex
Glen Dimplex
Glen Dimplex is an Irish-based consumer electrical goods firm. It is the world's largest electrical heating business and holds significant market positions in the domestic appliance industry worldwide...
electric fan heater.
So far, all albums by SR_F have been produced or engineered at Somnambu-Lab (also spelled Somnambulab) in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. The correct spelling of the artist's name is SleepResearch_Facility, but Sleep Research Facility is a commonly seen variation.
Discography and merchandise
Albums- NostromoNostromo (album)Nostromo is the debut album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch Facility. The original release in 2001 was a limited edition , and has now sold out...
, Cold SpringCold Spring (label)Cold Spring is an independent record label based in Northamptonshire, England, specialising in "all forms of extreme media, but particularly: black/dark Ambient, Neo-classical/Neo-folk, Orchestral, Power Electronics/Noise, Japanese Noise, Minimal, Death Industrial, Dark Soundtracks, Experimental,...
, 2001 (original release) and 2007 (reissue) - Dead Weather MachineDead Weather MachineDead Weather Machine is the second album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch Facility, and is the first of a two-part set, the second part being Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat ....
, Manifold RecordsManifold RecordsManifold Records is a US-based record label and mailorder store specializing in experimental, ambient and other hard-to-define audio materials. Begun in 1993 by writer and zine-publisher Vince Harrigan, the label has released works by Gravitar, Final , Mick Harris, Lull, Steve Roach, Jeph Jerman,...
, 2004 - Dead Weather Machine Re:HeatDead Weather Machine Re:HeatDead Weather Machine_Re:Heat is the third album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch_Facility, and is the second of a two-part set, the first part being Dead Weather Machine ....
, Manifold RecordsManifold RecordsManifold Records is a US-based record label and mailorder store specializing in experimental, ambient and other hard-to-define audio materials. Begun in 1993 by writer and zine-publisher Vince Harrigan, the label has released works by Gravitar, Final , Mick Harris, Lull, Steve Roach, Jeph Jerman,...
, 2004 - Deep FriezeDeep Frieze- Overview :The album is described as "Ultra deep, glacial Dark Ambient, based around Antarctic co-ordinates" on the website of the record label, Cold Spring. Each of the five tracks is associated with a particular location in Antarctica....
, Cold SpringCold Spring (label)Cold Spring is an independent record label based in Northamptonshire, England, specialising in "all forms of extreme media, but particularly: black/dark Ambient, Neo-classical/Neo-folk, Orchestral, Power Electronics/Noise, Japanese Noise, Minimal, Death Industrial, Dark Soundtracks, Experimental,...
, 12 April 2007
Appearances on compilations
- "Deck A – Deck B" on Chamber, Cold SpringCold Spring (label)Cold Spring is an independent record label based in Northamptonshire, England, specialising in "all forms of extreme media, but particularly: black/dark Ambient, Neo-classical/Neo-folk, Orchestral, Power Electronics/Noise, Japanese Noise, Minimal, Death Industrial, Dark Soundtracks, Experimental,...
, 2003 - "82°S 45°E" on Swarm, Cold SpringCold Spring (label)Cold Spring is an independent record label based in Northamptonshire, England, specialising in "all forms of extreme media, but particularly: black/dark Ambient, Neo-classical/Neo-folk, Orchestral, Power Electronics/Noise, Japanese Noise, Minimal, Death Industrial, Dark Soundtracks, Experimental,...
, 2006 - "Dark Side Of The Lune* on Au Clair De La Lune, INFREQUENCY, 2009
Merchandise
- SR_F appeared on the February page of the Cold Spring Calendar 2007.
Critical response and public exposure
The majority of feedback on SR_F's work is extremely positive. Steve Roach has written a very complimentary review of SR_F's albums Dead Weather MachineDead Weather Machine
Dead Weather Machine is the second album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch Facility, and is the first of a two-part set, the second part being Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat ....
and Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat
Dead Weather Machine Re:Heat
Dead Weather Machine_Re:Heat is the third album by dark ambient artist SleepResearch_Facility, and is the second of a two-part set, the first part being Dead Weather Machine ....
on his website, and even sold the albums from his online store while stocks lasted.
SR_F's work has also been highly praised by ambient websites such as AmbiEntrance and Aural Pressure, and the artist's official guestbook contains many positive comments which have been submitted since 2004.
In 2005, some of SR_F's music was broadcast on Dutch Radio 4FM (now known as NPS Studio 6). Radio 6 program FOLIO broadcast a full SR_F radio special on October 2, 2007.
SR_F has performed live at several venues:
- 17 December 2007 – Altaira ambient night at The White Orchid (Club Z) in Toronto, Canada, alongside Shatterwave, Cauterwall, This Instrument, dreamSTATEDreamSTATEDreamSTATE is a Canadian ambient music project known for their soundscape installations and early live ambient performances in the Toronto, Ontario area...
and Slopoke (first ever live performance). - 29 January 2008 – Ambient Ping night at The Drake HotelDrake HotelDrake Hotel may refer to:in Canada*Drake Hotel in the United States *Drake Hotel , Illinois, listed on the NRHP*Drake Hotel , listed on the NRHP in New Mexico*Drake Hotel...
in Toronto, alongside Syzygia and Ortiz. - 19 March 2008 – Renaissance Cafe in Toronto, alongside dreamSTATEDreamSTATEDreamSTATE is a Canadian ambient music project known for their soundscape installations and early live ambient performances in the Toronto, Ontario area...
, Teratoma, Toxia, Ouroboros, This Instrument, Cauterwall, Sighup, and Beta Cloud. - 23 April 2008 – Altaira ambient night at the Renaissance Cafe in Toronto, for Toronto Noise Promotions.
- 18 May 2008 – The Music Gallery in Toronto, with KTL (Stephen O’Malley and Peter Rehberg) and Németh.
The January 2008 edition of Terrorizer included a feature on SR_F in the "Breaking Faces" section.
Interviews
There are three known SR_F interviews available on the InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
, which provide a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the albums, as well as background information on SR_F in general.
Ortus Obscurum
Sometime between 2001 and 2003, SR_F was interviewed by Ectonaut at Ortus Obscurum, "a webzine devoted to writing about the various types of music referred to as Neo-Classical, Dark Ambient, Ritual, Fantasy, Neo-Pagan, Industrial, Electronic, Experimental and so on". The original interview is no longer available, since the webzine is now offline, but the Internet ArchiveInternet Archive
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
has an archived copy. Other copies are also available here and here.
Foreshadow Magazine
In September 2004, SR_F was interviewed by Dan_H at Foreshadow Magazine. Unfortunately, the website is now offline, and although the Internet ArchiveInternet Archive
The Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...
has archived the magazine's home page, the interview itself doesn't appear to be archived. A copy of the original interview is available here. Another copy is available on the Heathen Harvest website.
Cold Spring Supplement
In January 2007, SR_F was interviewed for the January/February 2007 edition of the Cold Spring Supplement, prior to the release of Deep_Frieze on the Cold Spring label. The supplement is available here in PDF format, and the interview can be found on pages 10 and 11. Another copy of the interview is available here.Hidden information on the official website
The official SR_F website used to contain some pages which appeared to be hidden from the general public, since there were no known links to them from anywhere else on the site. These pages have now been deleted, but some of the MP3MP3
MPEG-1 or MPEG-2 Audio Layer III, more commonly referred to as MP3, is a patented digital audio encoding format using a form of lossy data compression...
s which they linked to are still available.
Audio Project Archive
The Audio Project Archive page contained additional information about released albums, details about upcoming albums and unreleased works, as well as free tracks in MP3 format. An archived copy of the page can be found here. The Sargasso (edit) MP3 from the Electronarcosis Series is still available.Assembler
This little-known project is related to SR_F, and produces mechanically-rhythmic dance music. An overview of Assembler was available in the Audio Project Archive. Currently, no tracks have been released on CD.Assembler had its own website, which consisted of a home page, a main page (archived here), and a collection of free tracks in RealAudio
RealAudio
RealAudio is a proprietary audio format developed by RealNetworks and first released in April 1995. It uses a variety of audio codecs, ranging from low-bitrate formats that can be used over dialup modems, to high-fidelity formats for music. It can also be used as a streaming audio format, that is...
format: "Two Towers", "Hack1 quick edit", "Hack3 Final mix", "Whole in 1" and "one tower". MP3s of the tracks Sentinals, Union Station, Jack-2-Jack and Kernals are still available.