Michael A. Muller & Otto A. Totland – ‘Unna’: Ambient Minimalism from Balmorhea & Deaf Center Members
The burgeoning world of audiophile-focused record labels has a new player: Ojas Music, launched by Devon Turnbull, known for his high-fidelity audio company and immersive listening spaces. The label’s inaugural release, , is Unna, a quietly compelling collaboration between Michael A. Muller and Otto A. Totland, available now through The Vinyl Factory.
For those familiar with the minimalist and ambient music scenes, the names Muller and Totland carry significant weight. Muller is a co-founder of Balmorhea, the instrumental duo celebrated for its evocative soundscapes, and boasts a diverse background encompassing solo recordings and film scoring. His collaborations read like a who’s who of contemporary music, including Hania Rani, Alva Noto, Víkingur Ólafsson, The Album Leaf, and Douglas McCombs of Tortoise. Totland, meanwhile, is half of the influential Norwegian experimental duo Deaf Center, whose work on labels like Type Records and Sonic Pieces helped define a generation of ambient music. He’s also known for a critically acclaimed solo piano trilogy produced by Nils Frahm.
Unna, the Norwegian word for “away,” isn’t simply a title; it’s a conceptual anchor for the project. As described by those involved, it speaks to both the physical distance separating Muller in Los Angeles and Totland in Brevik, Norway, and the internal distance explored through the creative process itself – a retreat into focused listening and sonic exploration. The EP, limited to 500 copies on 180g vinyl, is a deliberate exercise in texture and space.
The musical pairing is described as a synthesis of dark, ambient atmospheres and intimate, minimal piano. Totland’s piano work, captured with close-miking techniques, forms the core of the sound, while Muller layers in textural counterpoints using instruments like double bass, glockenspiel, Mellotron, and Rhodes. This isn’t about grand gestures or overt melodies; it’s about subtle shifts in tone, the resonance of space, and the delicate interplay between sound and silence.
Turnbull’s commitment to high-fidelity sound extends beyond simply releasing the record. His HiFi Listening Room Dream No. 1, a permanent installation at 180 Studios, is designed as an immersive environment where the nuances of sound can be fully appreciated. It’s a space built on the principle that attentive listening is a practice, and that the physical environment plays a crucial role in the experience.
The genesis of this collaboration dates back to , when Muller and Totland first met at the Decibel Festival in Seattle. A weekend spent kayaking on Lake Union and exploring the forests near Snoqualmie Falls – a location famously featured in the television series Twin Peaks – sparked a creative connection rooted in shared listening experiences and field recordings. That initial bond laid the groundwork for Unna, a project that took years to come to fruition.
The release of Unna marks a significant expansion for Turnbull and Ojas Music. While Ojas has long been respected for its dedication to analog sound and high-end audio equipment, this venture into music production and distribution represents a natural extension of that ethos. The partnership with The Vinyl Factory, known for its deluxe vinyl pressings, underscores the label’s commitment to physical media and sonic quality.
Muller’s background is particularly noteworthy. Having released early solo work on Deutsche Grammophon, he’s navigated a diverse range of musical landscapes. His work, as evidenced by his extensive list of collaborators, often centers around evocative melodies and atmospheric arrangements. Totland brings a similar level of experience and artistic depth, having helped shape the minimalist and ambient music landscape with Deaf Center and his acclaimed solo work.
Unna isn’t intended as a statement of intent, but rather an invitation. An invitation to slow down, to listen deeply, and to appreciate the subtle beauty of sound. It’s a project born from a shared passion for sonic exploration and a commitment to the art of listening, and it signals the arrival of a new voice in the world of ambient and minimalist music.