Derrick Stembridge Talks New Solo Album, Labile Records, And Ambient Project Drifting In Silence

Witness the awe-inspiring power of nature.

When you’ve been doing music as long as Derrick Stembridge has, there’s almost nothing you haven’t seen or done.

After founding Labile Records in 2004, Stembridge has been a paragon and visionary in the music industry, showcasing rare versatility and the equally vital ability to innovate and evolve without compromising quality.

A musical shapeshifter of the highest order, his ventures Drifting in Silence and Long The Night may not initially sound similar. Still, the underlying quality and artistic genius that underlines both releases are the mark of Stembridge’s artistic footprint.

In his venture, Long The Night, Stembridge fittingly takes us on a musical journey that feels simultaneously mysterious, bewildering, and captivating. Beckoning listeners to follow with its dark yet brilliant and ambient soundscapes,

Long The Night is a fully immersive musical experience that channels the mysterious beauty of the brilliant night sky and the stars that adorn it. Softly drawing you into the shadowy, ethereal realms deep within our psyches, Long The Night innovates and stimulates while drawing on strange yet familiar influences.

In another of his most noted ventures, “Drifting in Silence,” Stembridge trades the mysterious yet charming brilliance of the night sky for the warmth and gentle familiarity of the great outdoors. In all its expansive and grand simplicity, nature has the innate ability to inspire and evoke the visceral.

In this project, Stembridge manages to channel this truth to significant effect. Expect breathtaking videos showcasing man and nature in harmony and glory, combined with gorgeous choreography. Once again, channeling the power of ambient electronic sounds and synths that seem to capture the simple essence of nature itself, feelings of tranquillity wash over you on this project.

With a dogged commitment to his artistic integrity, Derrick Stembridge accepts nothing short of brilliance for any of his releases. Through his Long The Night and Drifting in Silence ventures, he’s pushed the genre of the ambient realm forward by channeling the power of day and night.

Not content to simply have his voice heard, he’s also ensured that he’s allowed other artists to make their voices heard through his imprint Labile Records. Whenever you’re ready to step into the vast world of ambiance Stembridge has created, tap in and check his projects out; we’ll see you on the other side.

Welcome to BuzzMusic, Derrick Stembridge! First, what was your vision when you created Labile Records? What did you want to achieve?

When Labile Records came to life in 2003, it was much more than a mechanism for disseminating my musical compositions. It was born from a vision to create an all-encompassing platform that wasn't confined to a single genre or a singular voice. Initially anchored by my first project, "Drifting In Silence," the label was a canvas upon which I could paint a broad spectrum of sonic emotions, extending from IDM to ambient and even to industrial terrains. Collaborating with industry partners like IODA and later Sony Music's The Orchard, I aspired to create a label that serves as a lighthouse in a vast sea of electronic and experimental music. The label needed to be more than just a brand; it aimed to be an influential voice that could resonate with a global audience while promoting avant-garde artistry and diversity in electronic music.

As someone who's been doing this for so long, what's been the favorite part of your musical journey thus far?

Looking back, it's not just the milestone moments that make this journey rewarding but also the smaller, nuanced experiences that have helped me grow as an artist. While working on "Drifting In Silence," I had the privilege to create tracks for VH1's Behind The Music for Pink, contribute to various TV spots, and even score for the compelling documentary "The Sons of the Jaguar." These varied experiences haven't merely padded my portfolio; they've significantly enriched my artistic vocabulary and broadened my understanding of how music can be a powerful medium for storytelling and emotion.

There's quite an interesting contrast between your ventures "Long The Night" and "Drifting in Silence"! What was the inspiration behind the two incidents, and what kind of feeling do you try to capture in them?

"Long The Night" and "Drifting In Silence" are like branches stemming from the same artistic root. While both are ambient, "Long The Night" delves into darker, more complex sonic realms. The projects seek to challenge and provoke, employing drones, field recordings, and modular synths to venture into ambient music's more reflective and darker realms. On the other hand, "Drifting In Silence," which was also the first endeavor I undertook and the spark that ignited Labile Records, leans heavily towards a cinematic experience. This project is a sonic tapestry woven with emotional threads that range from tranquility to melancholy, exemplified perfectly in the latest album released in May this year. Tracks like "IV XV MMXXII" showcase a cinematic yet slow-burning soundscape, while others like "As You Drift Away" feature a lush synth tone that encapsulates the listener.

If your audience could take one thing away from your music, what would you want it to be?

The essence of what I aim to provide my audience is a form of emotional literacy and a sonic journey. I aspire for my works to be not just compositions but tools for introspection and reflection. I want listeners to find themselves in the crevices of my music, identifying the emotions that often go unspoken and unfelt. The idea is that when you listen to "Long The Night" and then"Drifting In Silence" or any of my other works, you emerge on the other side with a fuller emotional palette, capable of understanding, articulating, and exploring your internal world more fully.

What's next for Derrick Stembridge? Can we expect to hear more new music soon, and is there anything you want to say to your fans?

The next chapter of my artistic journey is already in the pipeline. I'm gearing up to release "Past Present Future: Archive 1" in October and "Past Present Future: Archive 2" in November. These compilations will showcase not just the breadth but also the evolution of my creative endeavors. They will serve as a testament to where I've been musically and glimpse the exciting future ahead. In light of the positive reception to the latest "Drifting In Silence" album, I'm even more encouraged to explore deeper and push boundaries further. To my fans, your unwavering support and active engagement fuel my artistic journey. I can't stress enough how much your enthusiasm, critical feedback, and words of encouragement have shaped and will continue to shape my work.

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