Sam writes:

Projekt starts 2025 the way we start every year: with a string of wonderful releases in the ambient / electronic / space music genre. Projekt’s albums are Name-Your-Price downloads on our Bandcamp page. People often ask me “Why? Why do you make the music available for free?” The answer is multi-fold. One part is that we appreciate all your interest in the music on the label, and it’s a nice way to give back to those of you who cannot afford to buy every new release for $10 at iTunes. Another part is that free adds up; on average 36% of people who download put in a donation; and even though that donation averages just $2.41, it adds up to some money for the label / artist. And third, quite a few of Projekt’s releases are from newer acts that you might not have heard of. $$$ has always been an obstacle to discovering new music, a barrier. With streaming being the primary way music is heard, I like the idea that some of our listeners are still collecting music and enjoying it more than once when the algorithm throws it their way. Those are some of my reasons.

Stay safe and stay well, Sam

an extremely slow motion explosion by yttriphie at Bandcamp The debut ambient release from yttriphie (Michael Plaster of soulwhirlingsomewhere. Innesti writes: Love the melodies, the atmosphere, and the way that everything feels suspended in time. Outstanding. Dave Aftandilian writes: Tranquil and serene, yet constantly in motion, each track of yttriphie gives the listener a feeling of floating suspended in a perfect bittersweet moment; watching everything change around you, but more with a sense of wonder than fear. Perihelion by Forrest Fang at Bandcamp Also on Limited Edition CD, under 50 left. Veteran Bay Area ambient musician Forrest Fang’s latest takes rewarding risks by incorporating unusual microtonal tunings into his personal blend of electroacoustic minimalism, space music, and world fusion. Andrew Williams writes: Wow, what a beautiful album, really South East Asian in nature, which I adore. I will have to visit Ankor Wat and listen to this <3. Favorite track: Vessels of a Minor Deity. Neon Blue Utopia by deepspace at Bandcamp On Limited Edition CD. KarPeri writes: Strangely fascinating and fascinatingly strange, Neon Blue Utopia is a great way to start into the new year. mysticwolf75 writes: A unique musical journey. It takes you to all kinds of different places. Definitely unlike anything I’ve heard from deepspace thus far. Multifaceted. I also very much like the concept behind this album. “Vertical Automated Parking” and “Upside Down City Traffic” brings to mind images of one of my favorite movies, The Fifth Element. JTH writes: deepspace goes utopian virtual. his best so far. Eight videos for tracks on the new album at YouTube purr24 by Various Artists at Bandcamp $1800 donated to charity, thus far. shoegazekeith writes: I bought this to donate to charity but the music on this album is high quality ambient soundscapes. Played most days since purchase and helping my broken heart since my 19-year old cat passed away this week. Thank you. mahore writes: The idea of donating some money to charity for the purpose of making some old cat’s remaining time a bit happier hit right into the centre of my heart. What a great project!! Dave Aftandilian writes: As a lifelong cat lover, I have long been entranced by the rhythmic, melodic, and hypnotic sounds of cat purrs, each as individual and perfect as their creator. Here a wide variety of Projekt artists use purrs of cats past and present as inspiration for lovely and loving ambient compositions that range from otherworldly, ethereal, and transcendent to grounded, organic, and playful. What a fabulous holiday gift to the universe! Deep gratitude to the composers, both human and feline. Live at the Middle East, Boston, July 21 1998 by Black Tape For A Blue Girl at Bandcamp Back when the band was only 12 years old — in the summer of 1998 — Blacktape performed 15 shows with the three-piece line-up (Julianna, Lisa & Sam). This was the only time Julianna performed with the band. These recordings capture emotional and intense performances ranging from the searing “For you will burn your wings upon the sun” to the ethereal wave of “Given” & “Seireenien lumoama.” The full 63-minute concert video is streaming at YouTube.

Steve Roach performs at the esteemed Big Ears Festival, March 27 + 29 in Knoxville, TN. Headlining 2 nights at the Church Street United Methodist with Age of Reflections’ Eric Epstein, visionary light artist.

14 artists collaborate with their lovely kitties on a charity compilation!

Various Artists: Purr24 Name-Your-Price digital at Projekt's Bandcamp Page

This collection stars our beloved cats whose purrs fill the heart of each track. Fourteen artists in the electronic, ambient, space music, and drone genres weave their kitty's purrs into the mix highlighting the warmth and unique presence our feline companions add to our lives. Though some of these magnificent beings have passed on, their essence runs throughout. With all royalties and profits going to an elder-cat charity, Purr24 is nearly 100 minutes following sonic tangents and red dots of light created with our furbabies in our thoughts.

Projekt-founder Sam Rosenthal’s 18-year-old collaborator Nova Cat passed away in April. “When Nova died,” he reflects, “I lifted my spirits thinking of the five years she spent with me, enjoying our friendship in her final forever home. I emailed Michael Stearns as we previously chatted about a kitten he found in Los Angeles in the 80s who lived to 23 (108 in human years!) I knew he could empathize with my attachment to older cats who need more care yet offer a wealth of wisdom and love. With ideas of a benefit album and royalties donated to an elder-cat charity, I asked Michael if he'd create a song incorporating his kitty’s purrs. I’d already released two collaborative albums with my Nova (as 'Nova Cat Purring Sounds'). I was interested in what other artists would create within the purr + music concept.”

Rosenthal continues, “Collectively, we’ve been in the music business for more than 400 years; over those centuries many felines have shared our lives. They hang out in the studio, run around like madmen in the other room while we’re trying to create, and sometimes lie at the feet of our cellists curled up and purring to the deep tones. There’s a lot of ASMR of cat purrs available, but not much where the purrs are incorporated into music. The results here are loving, lovely and warm. My new kitties like listening to everyone's purrs.”

In 1999, Rosenthal compiled (and released on Projekt) the darkwave collection A cat-shaped hole in my heart, raising over $10,000 for charity. With some help from feline-loving fans on social media and today’s streaming economy, there’s no telling what this album might raise! All artists royalties are contributed to charity, starting with Senior Cat Action Network (and changing over time).

The 14 songs on Purr24 illuminate the lasting joy our cats give and gave us, their purrs woven into the music to keep their spirit close.

Sam & Nova Cat 1. Michael Stearns – Morris Dreams of a Past Life 2. deepspace – Tiki Sleeps 3. Lorenzo Montanà – Violetta 4. Nova Cat Purring Sounds / Sam Rosenthal – the Next Day 5. yttriphie – Pinna (Timmy) 6. Serena Gabriel – The Feline Path (Muffin) 7. Peter Bjärgö (of Arcana) – The Old Boy Buzz (Lill-Grabben) 8. Android Lust – Of Slumber and Whiskers (Motu) 9. Steve Jones (of the Arms of Someone New) – Iron Gray (Felix & Oscar) 10. Paulina Fae – Skyward (Mortimer) 11. Chris Russell – Purrfect Pawsibilities (The Russell Purrtet) 12. jarguna – Little Puma (Morgana) 13. Dirk Serries – Lullaby for Kuro 14. theAdelaidean – Planet Rudi

Artist quotes:

Mirko of deepspace reflects, “Tiki is a pure white Khao Manee with heterochromic eyes and is the remaining cat of our two household felines. Smoo, who was the more dominant and chirpy cat, was much loved but sadly passed away from lymphoma early in 2024. Tiki was very much on the back paw and often seemed antagonised when Smoo, a bubbly ginger cat, was around, and spent a lot of her time alone. Recently, her earlier more gentle personalty has re-emerged. These days, Tiki, who is clearly meant to be an only-cat, seems more relaxed and happy, now often extending a long furry white arm from the edge of her soft cat bed whilst sleeping. This was the inspiration for the deepspace piece, ‘Tiki Sleeps.’ “

Paulina Fae reflects, “I wrote ‘Skyward’ as a playful composition mixing Mortimer’s gentle purrs and my voice. I like the delicate interplay. I think I captured the essence of our human-kitty connection — transcending the physical realm to resonate beyond the veil. I sometimes still hear his gentle purring and sense his presence. I know he's near when I feel a soft tingle and hear a faint, bubbly sound by my right ear like the fizz of champagne. I imagine Mortimer now as a majestic galactic lion watching over the Earth.”

Share on your social

I've created a banner for you to merge with your favorite kitty photo to share Purr24 on your social (banner on left, examples of it in use in middle + right). The banner has transparency that allows you to overlay your image in whatever graphic software you use. Download the banner. When sharing, please link https://projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/purr24 and hash #PURR24 and #ProjektRecords — our profiles to tag at Bsky, & facebook. We’ll reshare your post on our Bsky + facebook.

thanks, Sam.

Name-Your-Price digital at Projekt's Bandcamp Page

Streaming tomorrow, Friday Nov 29, at Spotify, YouTube, Apple & everywhere else