Original cassette was released by Golden Ratio Frequencies.
goldenratiofrequencies.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-ride-hailing-services
“This album is a personal reaction to what I consider some sort of sound abuse I regularly experience in Uber’s car service. When I was living in Sao Paulo, it was very common to use Uber or similar ride hailing apps due to safety and security issues and, of course, more recently the covid pandemic. When in the car I was nearly always forced to listen to the music on the car's radio, which was usually some kind of inane pop music or something I find quite grating and at odds with having a relaxing ride.
At a certain point I started thinking that since I spent so much time in them, I should make some calm and comfortable music to improve my life inside of a car.
Like Eno’s reaction to sound within Airports or Sam Kidel’s attempt of using music as a gentle protest and reconsideration of reality, I feel modern ambient music has potential to assist people in approaching sound or environment in a different, more personal, sometimes critical, spiritual and political way.”
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An introduciton by Golden Ratio Frequencies
As promised, the 30 mins of music contained within, spread over two longform tracks, acts as a calming and soothing agent for the restless cab rider.
A side “3.471” (each track is named after the version of the cab hailing app used by Yama at the time of it’s creation) breathes into life with billowing, resonant drones, sustaining a calm yet euphoric state, before fracturing out into shards of light like organic swells, as though a chorus of harmoniums gently fan the glowing cinders of the heart.
However B side “6.19.6” takes us on an altogether deeper trip. Gentle swells, textures, and field recordings take us on a Uber drive into wistful, contemplative realms, with a slow emotional build before coming back down and dissipating to full Hypnogogia, gentle bowed guitar and voice like pads are awash with environmental sounds of a city in motion evoking subconscious nostalgia, a perfect soundtrack for gazing out of the window of that Uber, taxi, or whatever mode of transport, at world in passing by.
Reminiscent of 90’s Texan astral travellers Stars of the Lid, or contemporary master William Baskinski, Music for Ride Hailing Services acts as both a passive sound aid or deep listening catalyst, either one will make you want to extend that Uber trip a little longer.