The Silent Tide – From 80s Pop to Infinite Drifts
Some artists arrive at ambient music through careful study. Tarl, the Southern English musician behind The Silent Tide, stumbled into it through a chain of happy accidents. A child of 80s pop, he had his world turned upside down at fifteen when a cousin dragged him to a gig. Guitars followed, then an indie band, then a life-changing encounter with Spiritualized, The Irresistible Force and Aphex Twin on a single night in 1993. Somewhere between Klaus Schulze’s Picture Music and countless hours spent exploring Bandcamp’s deepest corners, the textures took over. Born from the ashes of his earlier project Drifts in Autumn, The Silent Tide carries forward that same love of slow, immersive soundscapes, now shaped through Ableton and Omnisphere. We caught up with Tarl to talk about the moments that opened his ears, the music that never leaves his side and what’s coming next.
Who are you ?
An over the hill middle aged man from Southern England.. My name is Tarl
How did you get into music? What is your musical background?
Grew up in the 80s loving pop music which I still enjoy to this day.. then in 91 a I was invited to a gig by one of my cousins. I was 15 and that night changed everything. I then picked up the guitar (which I can only play now as well as I did when I started back then!). Me and a friend started an indie band and enjoyed that for a few years…
How did your ambient project begin ?
The Silent Tide was born out of an old project, Drifts in Autumn. I was hoping to try something different for me with this project however it has ended up being much the same!
How did you get into ambient music? What did you like about this style of music?
My first real understanding of ambient music was hearing Picture Music by Klaus Schulze. An uncle of mine played it to me (amongst many other amazing things over the years – thanks Dickle). In April 93 I saw Spiritualized who had both The Irresistible Force and The Aphex Twin supporting.. hearing these two got my ears open to their music and other artists doing similar things. The Irresistible Force being a favourite to this day.
Does ambient music accompany you in your everyday life? What role does it play?
Yes indeed.. I am a big fan of Bandcamp and the amount of amazing ambient music available on this platform keeps me very busy. I am able to listen to ambient music all day while at work and very much use it as a sleep aid..
What tools do you use to compose music?
Ableton as my DAW and not surprise that my main synth is Omnisphere
What’s new with you, and what are your upcoming projects?
Currently working on a remix for the artist Trees Can Talk. I am remixing the final track on her latest album (which is wonderful) The Logic of Ruin. I have lots of other plans this year but unsure if ill manage them!
