A new ambient EP, Unna, a collaboration between Michael A. Muller of Balmorhea and Otto A. Totland of Deaf Center, has been released by Ojas Music in partnership with The Vinyl Factory. The limited-edition vinyl pressing, restricted to 500 copies worldwide, marks the inaugural release for Ojas Music, the label established by Devon Turnbull.
Muller, known as the co-founder of the instrumental duo Balmorhea, also maintains a prolific solo career and has contributed to film scores. His previous perform includes collaborations with artists such as Hania Rani, Alva Noto, Víkingur Ólafsson, The Album Leaf, and Douglas McCombs of Tortoise, and has been released on Deutsche Grammophon. Totland is recognized as one half of the Norwegian experimental ambient duo Deaf Center, whose earlier recordings on Type Records and Sonic Pieces were influential in the development of minimalist and ambient music. He has also released a critically acclaimed solo piano trilogy produced by Nils Frahm.
The EP’s title, Unna, a Norwegian word meaning “away,” reflects both the geographical separation between Muller and Totland during the creative process and the immersive state of artistic focus where perception of time is altered. The music itself combines Totland’s delicate piano work, captured with close-miking techniques, with Muller’s textural contributions using double bass, glockenspiel, Mellotron, and Rhodes piano.
The release coincides with the continued operation of Turnbull’s HiFi Listening Room Dream No. 1, a permanent installation at 180 Studios. This space is designed to provide an optimal audiophile experience, with careful attention paid to every element to enhance both the music and the listener’s engagement.
Unna is currently available through The Vinyl Factory shop on 180g vinyl. A visualiser for the track ‘Rolig’ has been released alongside the EP.
