The soundtrack to a reduced frame of mind and an expanding resource to encourage better self-care. Explore the archive.
Students of early hip-hop may be aware of the small print on the back sleeve of LL Cool K’s 1985 album Radio: “Reduced by Rick Rubin”, in homage to his pioneering minimalist arrangement. It’s with Rick’s same approach to musical minimalism that this series emerges: stripping sound back to its most transcendental, restorative and atmospheric textures to block out the noise and aid focus, attunement and relaxation.
Discussions have come a long way in recent years, but there still remains a taboo around not being okay. To accompany each audio presentation, we’ll speak to the creator about their experiences with self-care and, if they’re comfortable sharing, mental health. We’ll unpack personal processes, explore the nuances of self-care across cultures and raise awareness of charities with a personal connection. We hope this will grow into an evolving resource of knowledge and experience to provide solace, inspiration, reassurance and company in difficult times.
Following our launch with Laraaji to coincide with World Mental Health day, we welcome Nairobi-based producer Joseph Kamaru a.k.a KMRU. With a proclivity for drones and field recordings, Joseph’s sounds is warm and enveloping, maximal in its textured simplicity. Based in a city whose musical identity is vibrant and multi-faceted, KMRU is an outlier of sorts, but his authenticity is tantamount to his success; a quality instilled by his grandfather of the same name, whose work as a benga musician and political activists has made him a Kenyan hero.
Joseph describes his Reduced mix as “a slowed form of listening” and will be pairing it with Kamili, a Kenyan charity that provides free mental health services via over 30 clinics across the country. To donate or find out more about their work, head to their website.
KMRU is one of 17 artists who have contributed to The Meaning of Time, a compilation by On Board Music that finds a thread among the deepest realms of techno and ambient.
We now premiere all our mixes a week early on Mixcloud. Subscribe to our channel to listen first, download all mixes, and ensure that the artists included in each one gets paid. Read more about our decision here.
First off, what does self-care mean to you?
Being in state where my body and mind is in sync, and is a space where I can express myself fully.
What does your daily or weekly self-care routine look like?
Weekly meditations, walks in nature, field recordings and deep listening sessions.
Can you tell us about the self-care spot at home you’ve photographed and how have made it an optimum spot?
I take 30 minute breaks here when the sun is out. I’m always drinking water when I’m in the sun and also thinking about projects that I’m working on. There’s nothing special about it…I just enjoy being out in the sun barefoot and having my feet on the grass.
What benefits has self-care brought you over the years?
Listening more, and always being conscious of my surroundings.
Are there any specific techniques you favour or come back to more frequently?
Not a technique, but I enjoy walking in the evenings when things are slowing down, and observing nature sleep.
Are there any self-care techniques that are native to your community or heritage and how are they viewed in the global context of the self-care movement?
Music, dance and drumming circles is common, not in my community but larger in the African communities. Also being close to family and having conversations about life..this is something that’s been common within my community and friends.
How is mental health viewed in your own culture or immediate surroundings?
It’s something that isn’t spoken about much in our society and communities and it’s important that people know that it’s there and we need to be educated about it.
Do you think being part of the music industries has had any implications for your mental health. If so, what have you done to cope with it?
Always having support from family and friends has helped me cope with being in the music industry, and in Nairobi. I’m more than grateful for my family for always being there for me and always supporting me.
What advice would you have for anyone who is either skeptical about the benefits of self-care, or is new to it and feels intimidated by the wealth of options available.
It’s always great to have someone who can be with you on this journey.
Based on experiences where others have helped you, what advice would you give to those who are close to someone who’s suffering but doesn’t know how best to support them?
Always being there for people suffering from mental health is important, and to understand them. But emphasis on being there for them always!
What was the idea behind your Reduced set?
A slowed form of listening, recommended to listen with headphones, and in a space without distractions and where you’re most comfortable, either sitting or on the floor.
KMRU is one of 17 artists who have contributed to The Meaning of Time, a compilation by On Board Music that finds a thread among the deepest realms of techno and ambient.
We now premiere all our mixes a week early on Mixcloud. Subscribe to our channel to listen first, download all mixes, and ensure that the artists included in each one gets paid. Read more about our decision here.
