Influences: Celestial Trax

Music

Following a series of increasingly abstract club EPs for PTP and Rinse, Joni Judén aka Celestial Trax is releasing his debut album this Friday. Nothing Is Real is a departure from his previous work – both sonically and spiritually, reflecting Judén's increased interest in mysticism and esotericism. Deleting all sample packs and software synths, using his own field recordings of New York and turning his focus inward, he's come up with a more organic album which stands as his most complete work yet.

Celestial Trax has put together an Influences playlist that sheds a lot of light on his particular headspace while recording the album – so from the trance-inducing qualities of Manuel Göttsching to the wisdom and love of Alice Coltrane, dig in below.

Nothing Is Real is out 27th October on PTP.

LISTEN

Manuel Göttsching - Echo Waves

I listened to a lot of Kosmische Musik in the process of making ‘Nothing Is Real’ and I love the trance-inducing quality of the music. This minimalist track is full of ostinatos and repetition. It’s by the guitarist from Ashra Temple, who was massively ahead of his time.

Manuel Göttsching - Echo Waves

I listened to a lot of Kosmische Musik in the process of making ‘Nothing Is Real’ and I love the trance-inducing quality of the music. This minimalist track is full of ostinatos and repetition. It’s by the guitarist from Ashra Temple, who was massively ahead of his time.
Alice Coltrane - Rama Rama

I could’ve picked any number of Alice Coltrane tracks but went with this one mainly because of the beautifully distorting glissando synths. There’s so much wisdom, love and higher power in her music. It’s truly magical.
The Stooges - We Will Fall

This track scared the hell out of me as a kid. It’s like ‘The End’ by The Doors on quaaludes. Atmosphere in music is everything and this one especially resonates with me.
Jimmy Scott - Sycamore Trees

I became obsessed with this song around the time when the concept for ‘Nothing Is Real’ was really starting to take shape. Obviously the Twin Peaks is strong in this one but I think it’s also a surrealistic masterpiece in its own right. Any music that sounds like a smoky whisky bar on mushrooms is basically all I ever wanna hear.
Phew - Signal

I love Phew and her music has a timelessness to it. This song has a manic energy, a controlled chaos that feels like the wheels are about to come off any second. I feel like this from time to time in life and this track represents that feeling perfectly.
Pink Floyd - Careful With That Axe, Eugene (Live At Pompeii)

I listened to a lot of Pink Floyd throughout the album making process. I wasn’t really aware how incredible the Live At Pompeii recordings were but the concept and execution of the album are completely amazing. Also the organ in this track.
Death Grips - Eh

Death Grips are one of my favorite bands. It’s high culture. Their entire approach to their art is very inspirational. This track’s synth line weaves around you like a mechanical bumblebee and is unsettling and comforting all at once.
Miles Davis - He Loved Him Madly

A 30+ minute ambient masterpiece by one of the greats. The whole thing sounds like a painting of a funeral march and is in fact a tribute to Duke Ellington. This one is a very special journey from start to finish.