All posts by ryan

Audio, Band News

Expanded “Sideways Forest” Single Out Digitally

1 Comment

For the first time ever, the 1996 ‘Sideways Forest Single’ is available digitally! This was the only CD-single ever released by Love Spirals Downwards, and while you can still find a few used copies of the CD online, it has been largely unavailable. In addition to the album mix from ‘Ever’, the ‘Quantum Remix’, and and b-side instrumental, “Amarillo,” this expanded reissue also features 2 bonus tracks: the recently unearthed “Acoustic Mix” made by Ryan in 1996 — PLUS a live version of the ‘Quantum Remix’ recorded at ProjektFest 1997. While the “Quantum Remix” was never released digitally, only on the original CD-single, neither of these bonus tracks have been previously released in ANY format, making this a very special release. The cover artwork has been recreated with a slight update using the original photo taken by Barbara Dowis. The ‘Sideways Forest EP” is also available on iTunes.

“Beautiful arrangements and heavenly vocals have always been at the heart of Love Spirals Downwards’ work, and the Sideways Forest EP is a great example of the band at their best.” RIKM

Stream or Download from Bandcamp:

Continue reading Expanded “Sideways Forest” Single Out Digitally →
Audio, Band News

Love Spirals Downwards Live Album Out Now!

Leave a comment

Digital Album out now at Bandcamp.

Immerse yourself in the angelic majesty of Suzanne Perry’s haunting vocals and the lush melodic strums of Ryan Lum’s steel string acoustic guitar. Love Spirals Downwards Live brings the past to the present, putting you front row and center at a signature Love Spirals Downwards show.

This compilation of rare live tracks, taken from several shows including the Projekt Festival (1997), the Troubadour (1995), and a living room concert recorded for Echoes on Public Radio International (1996), has been lovingly assembled to provide a seamless concert experience. Featuring a previously unreleased live renditions of “Kykeon,” “Stir About the Stars” and a cover of “Tear Love From My Mind” by Black Tape for a Blue Girl, plus the 9 songs originally included on a super rare mp3.com CDR back in 2001.

Love Spirals Downwards offers this record of their live acoustic sound for all the fans who were unable to attend one of their rare shows, and for fans who would like re-experience the magic once again.

Produced and mastered by Ryan Lum in 2014.

Audio, Band News

Ardor Remastered Reissue Now On Bandcamp!

Leave a comment

Love Spirals Downwards new Bandcamp page is now offering the 2007 remastered reissue of their seminal second album, ‘Ardor,’ Not only does this reissue offer excellent sonic quality, but an extended songlist including two never before released out-takes and a live recording. Plus, it boasts a beautiful new version of the cover art, expanded for the digipac format. Band founder, Ryan Lum,  returned to his master tapes and re-mastered the entire album to ensure the highest sound quality possible. Lum has said that he “always felt the mastering quality was lacking, particularly with ‘Ardor'” and that “compared to the original” the reissue “sounds much cleaner and sweeter.” Indeed, the depth and clarity of the recordings is remarkably improved with greater definition and more sparkle. Buy either the Projekt Records CD or digital download in your choice of audio format on Bandcamp now!

“An album that is compelling, evocative and very, very beautiful.” -Singapore Vogue

Audio, Band News

Idylls Remastered Reissue Now On Bandcamp!

Leave a comment

Love Spirals Downwards have joined Bandcamp at long last, starting off with the remastered reissue of their 1992 debut album, ‘Idylls.’ This 2007 remastered reissue of ‘Idylls’ is much improved in sound quality from the original CD and cassette version, with more sonic depth and clarity. It also features 3 additional tracks, including Love Spirals Downwards first ever recorded song, “Mediterranea,” a live version of “Scattery January,” and a rare extended mix of “Love’s Labours Lost” from the out-of-print “Heavenly Voices Pt. 1” comp. Buy the Projekt Records digital CD or digital download in your choice of audio file format now!

“Like a cloud-ride to a heaven via angelic voices and delicate music.” -Industrial Nation

Band News, Video

“Mirrors A Still Sky” New Studio Recording

Leave a comment
“Mirrors A Still Sky” 2013 Recording

Ryan Lum of Love Spirals Downwards and Lovespirals recreates his instrumental classic “Mirrors A Still Sky” from LSD’s 1994 album ‘Ardor’.

“I’ve been in the ethereal zone for some time while writing new material, and I thought it’d be a fun challenge to recreate an old LSD song with a superior recording studio. It’s not an exact duplication; I’ve kept the original’s vibe and intent while bringing in a few new elements to enhance the mood. It’s a very emotionally intense instrumental and revisiting it brought back a rush of the feelings I had while creating the song 20 years ago. I hope this new recording may bring a similar joy to the listeners as it brought me to work on this project.”

— Ryan Lum

NOTE: this re-recording is now available as a bonus track on ‘Temporal’ digital release on Bandcamp!



Band News, Video

Love Spirals Downwards YouTube Channel

Leave a comment

Ryan of Love Spirals Downwards has been quite active as of late with the band’s YouTube channel. Dissatisfied with the audio quality of the band’s tracks on previously found on YouTube, he’s has been uploading his own videos with the highest quality possible on YouTube. Already, Idylls is available in its entirety with most of Ardor as well. Expect to find rare bonus tracks and previously unreleased material in the not so distant future. Be sure to subscribe to the Love Spirals Downwards YouTube Channel to stay up to date.

Audio, Band News

Projekt Holiday Comp Features New Lovespirals Song

Leave a comment

Check out the brand new Lovespirals recording of an original holiday song by Lovespirals vocalist/lyricist, Anji Bee, for the Projekt Records holiday music compilation, ‘Ornamental‘ — available on double CD or digital download. LSD founder Ryan Lum returns to his vintage Projekt-era roots with melancholic dream pop guitars and lovely female vocal harmonies. Stream it or download it from Bandcamp or check out the official upload on YouTube.

Continue reading Projekt Holiday Comp Features New Lovespirals Song →
Audio, Band News

“Little Drummer Boy” Single Now Available

Leave a comment

It has been a dozen years since Love Spirals Downwards founder, Ryan Lum, recorded his ambient drum & bass rendition of the classic Christmas song, “The Little Drummer Boy,” and at long last, it is finally available for sale! Originally conceived and recorded in 1999 for the Projekt Records holiday music series, Excelsis, this recording has never been properly released. This was the last song that Suzanne Perry contributed vocals to, and it’s sound is very reminiscent of the band’s final album, ‘Flux.’ Like the 1999 Lovespirals song, “Beatitude,” it features jazzy Rhodes piano by guest musician, Gabriel D. Vine, of Monkey Bars. Over the last decade, 2 versions of this cover song have been floating around the internet under different titles; there’s the polished aforementioned vocal version and also an earlier demo mix which features vocal samples from a classic old-school Christmas record. This demo mix is stripped down and funky, with more emphasis on Ryan’s funky live bassline, and less use of synth pads. Both versions are very catchy and a fun addition to anyone’s holiday music library. Pick up the 2 track single for just $2 in the high quality digital audio format of your choice from the newly launched Lovespirals Bandcamp Store. 


Special Thanks to our friend, Susan Jennings, for her 1998 band photograph used as the cover art!

Audio, Band News

New Falling You Album Features Suzanne & Anji

Leave a comment

The 2-time NAR Lifestyle Music Award winning musical project, Falling You, just released a new album entitled, Adore. Enigmatic band founder and producer, John Michael Zorko, has long worked with a revolving cast of talented and varied female vocalists including Lovespirals Downwards own Suzanne Perry, Victoria Lloyd (of Claire Voyant and Mono Chrome), Dru Allen (of Mirabilis and This Ascension), Erica Mulkey (AKA Unwoman), and Shikhee (of Android Lust) — just to name a few.

Suzanne contributed lyrics and vocals to the album’s second track, “Champagne.” With its summery dream pop feel, this collaboration brings to mind her work with Melodyguild. Suzanne’s vocals were engineered and recorded by Melodyguild bandmate, Cris Miller (of Silver Screen). Suzanne had previously been featured on Falling You’s 2006 album, Human, and 2008 album, Faith.

In her first appearance with Falling You, Lovespirals’ vocalist, Anji Bee, contributes lyrics and vocals to the ambient opening track, “Blessed,” penned about her relationship with bandmate, Ryan Lum, who engineered and recorded her vocal tracks in their Chillcuts studio.

Long time friend of Love Spirals Downwards, Lovespirals, Anji Bee, and Falling You, Ken Lee (of Eleven Shadows), mixed and mastered the songs of Adore alongside John at his Blueberry Buddha Recording Studios.

Though known for his melancholic mix of ambient textures and ethereal vocals, John wanted to “explore a more optimistic side of emotional music and this gift called life.”  To this end, he employed liberal use of heavy, distorted, electric guitar in the vein of classic 90’s shoegazer acts like My Bloody Valentine and Ride, which may surprise long time fans of Falling You.

As a side note, Zorko contributed a moodily atmospheric Falling You remix to Lovespirals’ Love EP released in June 2010.

REVIEWS:

“Another beautiful release from Falling You that finds John Michael Zorko collaborating with some truly remarkable vocal talents, resulting in a stunning collection of songs that are moving, inspiring, and powerfully emotional. 

Highly recommended…” 

— RikM

“Intimate and fragile or powerful and full of energy, the tracks are dedicated to the light that is inherent in all of us. Following this idea, soft, harmonious and accessible Shoegaze and Dream Pop sounds dominate. Creativity, love and beauty are the powerful drivers of these songs.” 

– Sonic Seducer