AeTopus - Totem Totum (2018)

Composer Bryan Tewell Hughes deftly combines ethereal electronica with organic/acoustic elements, resulting in a progression of lush, complex pieces that expand the imagination and fill the aural palette. As a composer, musician, and audio craftsman, Hughes’ skill and attention to detail are attention-grabbing and unique. Moreover, his albums are not mere collections of individual songs - they are flowing, thematic works of art. Universal concepts emerge, albeit with a level of sublimity that allows the listener to formulate a unique impression of the theme.

Totem Totum takes the listener on an acoustic-electric journey through gentle pastoral scenes, primitive rituals, and moody planetscapes - A sonic exploration of humanity's inherent yearning for its own context. Goth, Berlin School, and film soundtrack roots lend color and texture to Bryan's spacious, high-fidelity style to reward both the casual listener and the headphone-wearer.

AeTopus is an Electronic music project composed, arranged, and produced by artist/musician Bryan Tewell Hughes. Hughes began taking piano lessons at age 6, and immersed himself in visual arts and amateur filmmaking as a young man. His passion for science fiction and fantasy films and their soundtracks would later help set the tone for his musical pursuits.

During the 1990's, Hughes played bass guitar in blues, Reggae, funk, and punk bands in the Pacific Northwest before settling into a more experimental, studio-based identity. After releasing a solo Industrial album, AnthroPile: Take in 1999, he revisited his more contemplative musical roots and embarked on AeTopus - a project that he has remained passionate about to this day.

AeTopus has become recognized for its unique crossover sound - one that is too fantastic and original to be called “New Age” or “World”, yet too dynamic to be considered pure Ambient or Chillout. Bryan manages to keep his compositions active and instrumentally diverse while maintaining an insightful, mood-generating environment. Special attention to thematic progression makes his albums much more than song collections; they are subtle, flowing works of sonic art, almost essay-like in fashion and form.

Hughes credits his grandparents for introducing him to Electronic music in the 1980's, and names Kitaro, Ray Lynch, Tangerine Dream, and Vangelis as some of his early influences. These vintage roots are deftly melded with current recording technology and an appreciation of organic and acoustic elements to produce a refined, fresh sound not heard until now. AeTopus has been compared to Berlin “active” space music, to the Mystique releases of the Narada label, and to old-school New Age electro-instrumental a la Jean-Michele Jarre and Popol Vuh.

Tracklist:

01. Mosswood 03:28
02. Others 04:39
03. Transhumance 06:10
04. Prime 03:26
05. Numen 05:54
06. Kith 03:47
07. Satellite Study 07:12
08. Aevum 05:17
09. Sky Mountain 03:58
10. Stone City 06:49
11. Marker at Dusk 06:14
12. This Is Our Home 06:48