the Latest Album
Finite Space
The new Alias Zone album uses the well-known electronic genres of Space Music and Berlin School as its jumping-off point, and extends them with touches of jazz, classical, and world musics – all serving Chris’ melodic, cinematic approach to aural storytelling. His unique, interactive approach to sequencing brings very human melodic phrasing to music otherwise created by machines. Complex pads, languid leads, haunting choirs, deep basses, field recordings, and acoustic percussion add layers of detail and texture. The intoxicating results definitely rewards multiple listens. Longtime collaborator Richard Bugg lends his hyperacoustic flute to the epic closing track, Nightfall: Kyiv.
Steve Sheppard of One World Music Radio says: “…albums of this ilk do not come around that often. Finite Space is a total masterpiece of a release. This has to be the finest for me this year, with ease. I defy anyone to press play on this album and not be totally immersed by the experience that follows.”
Previews from the upcoming album:
Premonition
Ash Tree Window
Sputnik's Ghosts
Nightfall: Kyiv
The reaction from fellow electronic musicians has been glowing:
“great to hear modular synths used in such a musical way”
– Ian Boddy
“a fresh take on sequencer melodies that avoids the overtly Teutonic zone”
– Robert Rich
“never static…continually moving and morphing…it sounds so very ‘alive’”
– David Helping
“the sonic clarity, balance, dynamics and detail in the production of Finite Space makes this one of my favorite albums to listen to for the pure pleasure of it, as it transcends conventional auditory experiences”
– Bart Hawkins
“this is music: there is a medium between experimental & melodic construction that a lot of people miss; Finite Space navigates beautifully between both”
– Steve Turner
Chris Meyer of Alias Zone
Alias Zone is the “zen master alter ego” of Chris Meyer of LearningModular.com. Each composition starts with a sound that catches Chris’ ear: an experiment on his modular synthesizers, a particular rhythmic pattern, a field recording, or even something as simple as a Tibetan bowl being struck. From this core, he builds stories and entire worlds by researching and retelling the stories behind those sounds, weaving in layers of complimentary textures as he conjures his own narrative to this “alias” or alternate reality.
Musically, modular synthesis is at the core of each new Alias Zone composition. However, Chris is unafraid to blend in struck & plucked arpeggios, ambient soundscapes, ethnic rhythms & percussion, and “found” spoken word in different languages as part of his journey creating this uniquely emotional, impressionistic electronic music.
Upcoming Events
Alias Zone performances have been described as “amazing,” “nuanced,” “transcendent,” as being in “a whole other class,” and simply “one of the finest live electronic sets I have ever witnessed.” Make sure you catch Chris Meyer perform when he appears near you:
October 10, 2024
Fort Greene Bar – Denver, Colorado – 7-9:30 PM
This is the inaugural Modular Electronica event from the Colorado Modular Synth Society. Performers will include Amra the White Lion, Sine Mountain, The Aefonic, and myself. The evening will have a downtempo/ambient groove/deep listening vibe, where you can get close to the musicians. Admission is free.
If you are in Denver for our show, stick around a couple of nights and make sure you check out Steve Roach’s 40 Years of Silence concert in Denver on Saturday, October 12 – I will be in attendance as well!
October 17, 2024
FUSION | The Cell – Albuquerque, New Mexico – 7-10 PM
This night of Wavetrails – part of the larger Rising High Arts Festival happening October 10-20 at FUSION Theatre in Albuquerque – will feature three main performances: a spoken word performance; a motion-activated dance piece; and a concert by me. Each of us are performing in a video cube, will will feature originally produced and choreographed visuals. Ticket options include an all-music program Friday night and access to a VIP chill-out lounge.
January 23, 2025
Radiant Beer Company – Anaheim, California – doors at 6PM
The Southern California Synth Society puts on an annual Electronic Sonic Madness show during NAMM week for modular synthesis acts, with a long list of performers, free admission, and lots of giveaways. I will be playing an extended “kick off” set when the doors open at 6 PM.
live performance
Chris Meyer’s Alias Zone: Paradise Lost
additional camera: Nick Peck
audio capture: Golf Shoes Music
post production: Chris Meyer
the Previous album
Water Stories
Bodies of water – and the mysteries that lie beneath their surface – is the thread that runs throughout this deeply-layered audio travelogue. Inside these three extended tracks,
Chris takes you searching for sea monsters in Iceland, waking the souls stranded underwater in a shipwreck off the coast of Cyprus, and exploring a series of majestic underground caverns by canoe in Thailand. His goal is to create a uniquely emotional experience. Ellison Wolf of Waveform Magazine described Water Stories as “a relaxing, positive-vibed, soothing listen.” It has also been featured on numerous playlists, and was named one of the best Ambient/Space Music releases of 2022 by Lloyd Barde.
Previews from the Water Stories:
Iceland
Shipwrecked
The Cave
Compelling Dreamscapes
We Only Came to Dream
Aztec poetry (read by a descendent of the author), a Buddhist ceremony in Vietnam, and a Navajo elder sharing his wisdom provide the inspiration for the tracks on this album. Chris Meyer takes these seeds and carefully crafts entire musical worlds around them with each story slowly unfolding for the listener to explore and enjoy. Two pieces also contain flute by old friend Richard Bugg, who appeared also on the original Alias Zone album from 20 years ago, Lucid Dreams.