{"id":125372,"date":"2026-06-23T14:06:46","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T18:06:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=125372"},"modified":"2026-06-23T14:06:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T18:06:46","slug":"feature-lake-effect-quiet-music-toronto-citys-ambient-neoclassical-experimental-composers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/06\/23\/feature-lake-effect-quiet-music-toronto-citys-ambient-neoclassical-experimental-composers\/","title":{"rendered":"FEATURE | Lake Effect: Quiet Music From Toronto From The City\u2019s Ambient, Neoclassical &#038; Experimental Composers"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_125377\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125377\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-125377\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-REVIEW-9.jpg\" alt=\"Live ambient\/quiet music event (Photo courtesy of Imaginary North)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-REVIEW-9.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-REVIEW-9-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-REVIEW-9-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-REVIEW-9-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-125377\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Live ambient\/quiet music event (Photo courtesy of Imaginary North)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lake Effect: Quiet Music From Toronto is a compilation of tracks from composers working in the fields of ambient, neoclassical, and electronic music. It showcases a musical side of the city that isn\u2019t as glittery and apparent as many; its sound is mapped out in syths and guitars, violins and other low key instrumentation.<\/p>\n<p>The album was released on June 19, 2026 on the Imaginary North label, and is available on vinyl, CD, and as a digital download.<\/p>\n<p>You can help celebrate the album on June 25 at a release party at Tapestry in Toronto\u2019s Kensington Market.<\/p>\n<h2>The Album<\/h2>\n<p>Many of the artists on the album have been working in the field for decades, while others are relative newcomers to the scene. Contributors include familiar names, offering tracks inspired by the many faces of Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>The composers take a wide variety of approaches to the concept of \u201cquiet\u201d music, some using acoustic instruments like violins and guitars, other electronic, and others still using electroacoustic hybrid sounds. The tone ranges from darker and moody to bright and optimistic.<\/p>\n<p>They includes Jessica Deutsch (violinist\/contributor with Lemon Bucket Orchestra, Leif Vollebekk, and others), and her string-driven it\u2019s snowing ice, the Asian-inspired sounds of Night Market by Drones Over Dufferin (David from Fembots&#8217; ambient country project), and Ben McCarthy\u2019s electronic meditation magic star REDUX.<\/p>\n<p>Other contributors include Kilometre Club, R Grunwald (keyboardist for Donovan Woods and Good Lovelies), and dreamSTATE a veteran of Toronto\u2019s live ambient scene for more than three decades.<\/p>\n<p>Jessica Deutsch\u2019s it\u2019s snowing ice:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/xtL1zqkeeWI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<p>The full tracklist includes:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>inchoate: nefer<\/li>\n<li>Gollden: when i started to bloom<\/li>\n<li>Sun Rain: May<\/li>\n<li>dreamSTATE: Beltline Spectre<\/li>\n<li>anth\u00e9ne: wallace emerson<\/li>\n<li>JICS: Concetta (In North York At Dawn)<\/li>\n<li>Kyle Gottschalk: Brick By Brick (Excerpt)<\/li>\n<li>Kilometre Club: This River I Step In Is Not The River I Stand In<\/li>\n<li>W L C: Stars Over Pond<\/li>\n<li>Jessica Deutsch: it&#8217;s snowing ice<\/li>\n<li>Drones Over Dufferin: Night Market<\/li>\n<li>Ben McCarthy: magic star [REDUX]<\/li>\n<li>\u00cf\u00cf\u00cf: thirteen<\/li>\n<li>Adrian Berry and Ely Lyonblum: Listening Otherwise<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>LV caught up with producer <strong>Daniel Field<\/strong> to talk about the music.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_125378\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125378\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-125378\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-NEWS-5.jpg\" alt=\"Live ambient\/quiet music event (Photo courtesy of Imaginary North)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-NEWS-5.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-NEWS-5-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-NEWS-5-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Copy-of-Copy-of-NEWS-5-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-125378\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Live ambient\/quiet music events (Photo courtesy of Imaginary North)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Daniel Field: The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>How did Field, who put the album together, come up with such a diverse array of artists and approaches?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI knew most of these people already,\u201d Field explains. \u201cWe\u2019ve been putting together a live show called Ambient Afternoon for a few months.\u201d Ambient Afternoon is a monthly family-friendly event that takes place at Society Clubhouse on College Street.<\/p>\n<p>Last July, Field made up a list of potential contributors and contacted them with his idea of a compilation album. \u201cQuite a few artists were able to take the concept and come up with something that they\u2019d want to do,\u201d he says. \u201cI wanted to land with at least 10 to 12.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Toronto theme was an interesting one to examine.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s interesting, because when you look at the histories of modern and popular music, there is electronic music in certain spaces,\u201d Field notes. He cites house music in Chicago as an example. \u201cThere is a sound associated with geography,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI don\u2019t think there is a certain Toronto sound in ambient music,\u201d he says. That\u2019s not to say it\u2019s not part of the larger music scene. \u201cI think that there are a number of artists interested in exploring these quiet [sounds],\u201d he says. The link to the Toronto theme was intended to sound intentional, all the same.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_125379\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-125379\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-125379\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/image0_2.jpeg\" alt=\"Live ambient\/quiet music event (Photo courtesy of Imaginary North)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/image0_2.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/image0_2-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/image0_2-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/image0_2-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-125379\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Live ambient\/quiet music event (Photo courtesy of Imaginary North)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Ambient Music in Toronto<\/h3>\n<p>As Field explains, while much of quiet or ambient music exists online, one of Imaginary North\u2019s goals is to support live quiet music shows. As such, the release party will be a debut for some of the artists.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are [some] that are working live for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While its very nature doesn\u2019t scream from the rooftops, he points out that quiet music is hardly an undiscovered niche.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe pure ambient music, in the sense of the anonymous playlist, is extremely popular all over the world.\u201d Most streaming services, including Spotify, offer playlists of music produced by uncredited and anonymous library producers that is designed to act as background sound for everyday activities. Field would like the people who love that music to know that they can find it much closer to home. \u201cHere are the local artists,\u201d he says. \u201cShop local, even when you can get something all over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The live events Imaginary North hosts are meant to be cozy and friendly. \u201cIt\u2019s trying to make a space that\u2019s both easy and welcome for [aficionados] and both casual listeners as well.\u201d He wants to cultivate a scene that\u2019s outside the usual music venues. \u201cIt\u2019s not really meant for a bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Drones Over Dufferin\u2019s Night Market:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/CDsyCpPSqHI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>What Is Quiet Music?<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cI specifically wanted to call the compilation quiet music rather than ambient music,\u201d Daniel says. It allows for incorporating other genres, including the neoclassical elements, electronic music, and more experimental sounds. \u201cI think I wanted to broaden the scope,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cQuiet music is for late nights.\u201d The album\u2019s 15 tracks range from just over one minute to 6:20 in length for a total of about 45 minutes of music. \u201cThis is encouraging active listening. Keeping it concise, and keeping it fresh.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When it comes to Toronto, the average person isn\u2019t likely to think of quiet music. That\u2019s partly why he chose the theme. \u201cI think because, if you asked anybody from anywhere else in the country, what adjective they\u2019d use to describe Toronto, they\u2019d say loud,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThose are not what people first associate with Toronto, but they\u2019re very much there. Here\u2019s what\u2019s happening on a quieter level, once you peel back the traffic on the Gardiner.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Despite popular opinion, Field points out the wide diversity of music that is actually being made in the city, much more than simply rock and pop. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t really scratch the surface of all the things that are out there. I think to me it\u2019s a little bit to scale; [there are] touring bands that bring in 15,000,\u201d he notes. \u201cIf you can fill 25 in the Southern Cross [room] at Tranzac, it has a different feeling. If I have 20 people or 30 people, it feels like wow, these are people who are here to listen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Ambient Afternoon and Imaginary North\u2019s other events encourage more than passive listening. \u201cWe bring out Soduko or a colouring table,\u201d he says. The audience, in other words, can be doing something else entirely while still listening to the music, just as they would with playlists at home or at work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy not listen to it in a live context? I think people are so surprised at how exciting that feels.\u201d As the artist plays, the audience becomes an active part of the atmosphere of the event.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been a big component for me, in making this music, is trying to bring it in the real world,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been really fun. You bring out all the introverts,\u201d he laughs.<\/p>\n<p>dreamSTATE&#8217;s Beltline Spectre:<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/53lUMGLX4HI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h2>Album &amp; Release Party<\/h2>\n<p>The album release event on June 25 will feature 13 artists in five different sets, including two or three artists improvising together.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019ll be our way to jump into the summer and celebrate this kind of music.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find details and tickets for the live album release party on <strong>June 25 at Tapestry<\/strong> in Kensington Market [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imaginarynorth.ca\/live-music\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<li>Find the album for purchase and\/or download [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/imaginarynorth.bandcamp.com\/album\/lake-effect-quiet-music-from-toronto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? 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