Theory Therapy 49: outsidenightair

Luminous textures from Chicago.

Theory Therapy 49 was recorded on a sunny morning in Chicago by outsidenightair. 

We're really pleased to welcome Allison on to the series. Her interest in the more delicate aspects of sound is evident in all of the mixes she makes. Last year, we also got to hear that in some of her own productions. She gifted us with a texturally beautiful track on the Out of Season Vol.2 comp, plus teased a couple more things on SoundCloud. We can't wait to hear more.

Her recording moves from stripped-down folk to richly textured ambient. It contains all of the qualities we love about Allison’s own music — patient, luminous and warm. Sit back and enjoy.

Hey Allison, how are you today?

Hi, I am doing well thank you :) 

What was the last song you listened to?

Been listening to Laraaji all morning:

When’s your favourite time to listen to music?

Definitely towards the end of the day and into night. I love kind of just zoning out when I come home and playing music until I go to sleep.

Day time or night time?

Day time! I’m a big morning person. 

City or countryside?

I love living in a city, but not without a gooood balance of getting out of the city haha. The area I grew up in is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, so spending time outside of the city and in nature is so important to me. I find it really grounding.

Home cooked meal or your favourite take away (take out in US terms I think lol)?

I love to make a nice home cooked meal! Outside of music, I would consider cooking to be one of my favorite hobbies.

Pair a song to go with your favourite season.

I listen to this song a lot during summer sunset walks: 

What’s your favourite thing about living in Chicago?

Summers in Chicago are unmatched. It’s winter here now, which can get pretty brutal, but as soon as the weather starts to warm up again, there is this massive burst of the best energy ever that makes all the months of cold and 5pm sunsets totally worth it. I <3 Chicago summers.

Outside of music, what inspires you? 

My friends!!! I feel so lucky to know so many talented, creative people. They are an endless flow of inspiration for me. I also generally feel really inspired by my environment. I love going on long walks just to observe/take in everything around me sort of in a meditative way. 

What music have you had on repeat recently?

I’ve been listening to so much maxine funke this winter. Perfect cozy music. 

Can you tell us a little about the mix? What were you feeling when you made it? 

I recorded this mix right after waking up a few days ago on a really chilled out sunny morning. I had actually recorded something pretty different a few days before. The morning I recorded this version of the mix, I had a few tracks in mind, but mostly just went for it and ended up resonating with this version a lot more :) 

Where did you record the mix?

At home in my living room.

Where would you recommend listening to it?

With your morning coffee, going on a sunrise or sunset walk, riding around in a car somewhere.

Are there any tracks you’ve used in the mix that are special or significant to you?

There are a few tracks in here that have been in heavy rotation for me for years. Whenever I record a mix, it kind of becomes like a time capsule for me that I can listen to and be transported back to when I made it, so I feel like I regularly experience tracks becoming more special to me after making mixes with them. 

Theory Therapy mixes are about sharing the music that you personally find therapeutic, cathartic or restorative. What does that mean for you?

When I recorded this mix, I definitely gravitated toward tracks that I find comforting or turn to for comfort. In a therapeutic sense, I think the feeling of comfort is something I am often seeking in music — music that fills space and becomes really immersive, or just connects to whatever I’m feeling at the time.  All of the tracks in this mix have that feeling of comfort for me.

Is there a particular album or piece of music that you find yourself returning to for similar reasons?

Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill by Grouper. That album has been with me through everything 😭 Liz Harris is my favorite.

Tell us something exciting that's coming up in your life, music or otherwise.

Live show on the horizon that I’m really excited about, and just working on more music in general this year. Also planning some travel this spring :)

Theory Therapy · Theory Therapy 49: outsidenightair

Tracklist:

1. Linda Smith - Fugue Chamber for Amnesiacs

2. JJ+JS - Lily Pad (with Izella)

3. mea0u - closer

4. the blessed kitty - blessings 234

5. Les Halles - Under The Sycamore Tree

6. Erin Wake - If you could feel that gently

7. lilien rosarian - say 'hi' to friendly creatures

8. Yolabmi - III

9. sea oleena - On Possession

10. His Name Is Alive - My Thoughts Are To Thee Drawn

11. perila & ulla - night

12. maxine funke - crab song

13. Mirroring - Drowning The Call

14. Windy & Carl - Venice (demo version, 1995)

15. baby bong - baby bong

16. Clinic Stars - Who Will Stop the Rain