AV's State of the Ambient Union 2008 Things have certainly changed from when I started looking up ambient resources on the web a few years ago, some established sites and forums have come and gone, but I think the main change is that the ‘ambient world’ has become wider. Certainly for musicians, MySpace (in particular) has really opened things up. While it has a lot of rubbish attached to it, the networking side really does work. The correspondence I've had with other ambient musicians has been very encouraging (the private messages thing that goes on behind the scenes), as has been the comments and messages from fans and 'friends'.      I would say that the vast majority of previously unknown artists' music I've come across recently has been from MySpace and the 'viral' nature of it leads to a degree of 'cross-pollination' that I don't think exists anywhere else. I get friend requests from people outside of the ‘ambient world’ and I find this very refreshing. It’s the whole social-networking element, which has brought about this diversification.  Click here for the rest of Pete's thoughts

Welcome to The Foundry by Jim Brenholts   Jim Brenholts has been a regular reviewer here at Ambient Visions for over a year now and we are proud to present Jim's latest foray into the world of journalism as he takes an in depth look at an innovative label that has been releasing quality music since about 1997. Their alliance with Hypnos records will only continue to see the spread of Foundry product into more and more markets in the coming years. This article encompasses many formats as it blends reviews and interviews to give the reader a close look at what Foundry records is all about and what the future might hold for these talented individuals. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Michael Bentley and all of the artists who comprise Foundry records for their cooperation in the creation of this article and for the photos of the artists that you see scattered throughout this piece. For now, step inside and get to know more about The Foundry and just what kind of music that they have been forging over the last few years. I'm sure you'll be glad that you did.  Click here to read the whole article

Travelling the Sacred Sound Current:  Keys For Conscious Evolution© By Deborah Van Dyke   Deborah Van Dyke is the author and artist of the newly released book, Travelling the Sacred Sound Current:  Keys for Conscious Evolution and the companion CD, Travelling the Sacred Sound Current:  Divine Chants & Sacred Tones For Healing & Meditation.  She is also the creator of Crystal Voices and Sounds of Light crystal bowl meditation CDs, definitive healing tools in the field of therapeutic sound.   She holds ceremonial concerts of Sound and Light at the Vancouver Planetarium Star Dome and teaches Sacred Sound Intensives.  For more information you can call toll free 1-877-777-6863, or visit her website at www.soundcurrent.net   Her book and CDs are also available at Amazon.com, Borders stores, or your local bookstore. Click here to read the whole article

Music Directions: Trends for 2001 by Lloyd Barde   Lloyd Barde is the owner and founder of Backroads Music, the Source for music since 1981. He produces and writes the Heartbeats catalog, has written music reviews for Common Ground since 1993, and has fifteen years of experience as a radio show host. He currently resides in Fairfax, CA with his 14-year old son Robin, and is readily available to make music recommendations by contacting him directly at Backroads Music. Click here to read the whole article

Powered By Love: Niche Music in the New Millennium  by Stephen Hill   In 1973 Stephen created Music from the Hearts of Space as a weekly live three-hour local radio program. National syndication of a one hour program began in 1983. Stephen and original partner Anna Turner created Hearts of Space Records in 1984, in response to radio listeners demands to purchase music played on the program. He has produced thousands of live and recorded radio broadcasts, as well as dozens of record albums and soundtracks, including one Academy Award-winning feature length documentary. In addition to hosting and directing the production of the radio program, he handles A&R and directs mastering for the record labels, and currently serves as in-house Art Director of packaging graphics and print and online and promotion. Click here to read the whole article.

Making Sense of the Last 20 Years in New Music by Lloyd Barde   Lloyd Barde is the owner and founder of Backroads Music, the Source for music since 1981. He produces and writes the Heartbeats catalog, has written music reviews for Common Ground since 1993, and has fifteen years of experience as a radio show host. He currently resides in Fairfax, CA with his 14-year old son Robin, and is readily available to make music recommendations by contacting him directly at Backroads Music. Click here to read the whole article