Dallas is known for many things: a dynamic oil and natural gas sector, America’s Team The Dallas Cowboys, a bustling state fair, and the Reunion Tower to name a few. But what might surprise you and even delight you is that Dallas is also a hub for ambient music. Before moving forward I have to give a digital nod to my friend Josh Dubose for without him this article would not exist. It is Josh who routinely shares his love of ambient music and made mention of a monthly night of ambient music he frequented called Dallas Ambient Music Nights. The event’s Facebook page describes Dallas Ambient Music Nights as an “escape from the normal day” and a “place you go when you need to forgive AND forget.” The need to leave the daily grind at the door is certainly a familiar calling and something I can get behind.
Dallas Ambient Music Nights is run by Cody McPhail, one of Dallas’s ambient music visionaries. Just last week, Dallas Ambient Music Nights brought together 11 music acts and six video artists to weave a musical and visual tapestry. This particular installment was held at RBC, a venue open to all live music genres that can be found in Deep Ellum. Artists included Apocrypha, Filth, Orgullo Primitivo, The Tiniest Lightbulb that Destroyed the Sun, Deflowered Electric Flesh Bride, Cinema, Biochimp, Beach Priest, Amulets, Thorrific, and Böhm. Last week was also a celebration of the grand opening of a new location of Juiceland and a night to raise money for No Thanks Fest, an annual volunteer ran camping and metal festival on a 1600 acre nature reserve in Emory Texas that will be held November 6-8.
It is clear when talking to Cody that he believes in what he is doing and has an immense passion for ambient music. He cultivates a rich, immersive experience by melding the talents of artists from Texas and beyond. The inclusion of video artists brought to mind the work of the Briokids, a musical outfit I was introduced to in the early days of my time in the Houston electronic dance music scene. They incorporated all manner of visual media and projections as the backdrop to the music they played. It was an experience, to say the least. Dallas Ambient Music Nights also strives to create an experience, an experience I yearned to know more about. I got the chance to sit down with Cody to learn more about his monthly ambient music nights and ambient music. Below is the interview.
How did you discover ambient music?
I truly discovered ambient music like many of my compatriots who love this music by purchasing and devouring Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works Vol 2. I then realized that a lot of film scores that I loved had this kind of music in them. It opened up a whole world for me to explore.
Who are some of your favorite artists?
There are so many. Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, The Beatles, Brian Eno, This Heat, Radiohead, Tim Hecker, Iasos, Miles Davis, Pink Floyd, Cluster, Kraftwerk, Aphex Twin, Björk, Moondog, Nick Drake, Boards of Canada, Sun Ra, Kyuss, Nirvana, Joy Division, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Squarepusher, 36, King Crimson, Yes, Tool, Wu Tang Clan, Kiln, Tortoise, Sir Mix A Lot, Kool Keith, the Orb………the list will never end.
They turn a room into a new room filled with beautiful morphing color and light. I wanted to give a room a complete overhaul by covering the walls with white foam core or sheets and then have the video artists do whatever they want to on as much wall space as we can cover. This creates an amazing atmosphere. The show becomes more immersive, allowing the attendees to escape their daily routines and have some me/free time.
What does the future hold for Dallas Ambient Music Nights?
I am working on building DAMN up to festival level. One or two weekends with amazing musicians and video artists from all over the world working together to make the most amazing art experience anyone can imagine. This is what I want Dallas Ambient Music Nights to become as well as still doing monthly shows.
Yes! Hahaha! Always. I want to throw a show at the Meyerson. I want to install wild, elaborate art into the venues. I want DAMN to be an adult playground for the more civilized, reasonable people. I always want it to blow people’s minds in great ways. Inspire those that inspire to create and help facilitate that natural cycle.
Keep updated on DAMN at the Facebook page, Dallas Ambient Music Nights. The music of the artists who have played at DAMN events has been released through Dallas Distortion Music. In addition to hosting ambient music nights in Dallas, Cody also produces, having made music under several aliases including Atop, P∆N, Devil’s Tor, and Sagmo B. Stop, close your eyes, and listen.
I was listening to electronic dance music without even knowing it when I was listening to Jock Jams in the 90s. Fast forward to my senior year in high school and I had discovered Fatboy Slim. I have been listening to edm ever since and love writing about new sounds, good sounds, and the music that makes us move.
