Artist:
CJ Mirra

Title:
‘STATIC’ - Original Surf Soundtracks Vol. 1

Release Date:
Spring 2018

Format:
Digital / Limited Edition 12” Vinyl / Cassette

Label:
The state51 Conspiracy

“I like to think of CJ as my own Angelo Badalamenti"

Chris McClean, Film Director / BACKWA.SH

PRESS RELEASE

As the boundaries of surf exploration expand to the furthest reaches, so too does the soundtrack that accompanies the journey.
CJ Mirra’s ‘STATIC - Original Surf Soundtracks Vol.1’ released this Spring serves to stir up the wanderlust for those new frontiers.

Ethereal soundscapes, lo-fi guitar excursions and rising orchestral, neo-classical moments summon images of the wild, awe-inspiring surf destinations – Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, The Faroes and beyond. Aficianados of cold water cinematic adventures will already be familiar with CJ’s work. The album is a selection of 8 tracks, each originally composed for one of a number of award winning surf films scored by CJ Mirra over the past four years. “The light, the landscape, the size of the waves and colour of the water all had an influence on the sound,” says CJ on harnessing the essence of these cold water locales.

A musician and composer, CJ Mirra’s entry to the world of surf film came through acclaimed director Chris McClean after Chris heard an early track that was leaked online. This led to a unique partnership that has produced over 20 short films screened at festivals worldwide from SXSW to London, as well as the award-winning live A/V show ‘Chasing Zero’. The critically acclaimed ‘Edges Of Sanity’, with poetry by Dan Crockett narrated by Charles Dance, features on the album alongside a series of evocative and ethereal tracks taking the listener on a journey across an epic surfscape.

“The music has an identity of its own beyond the films, putting them into an album tells the story of this unique collaboration,” explains CJ Mirra, while the project itself is a continuation of his creative relationships. “Chris designed and took the photos for the cover artwork; Dan has written a bespoke short poem.”

‘STATIC - Original Surf Soundtracks Vol.1’ is available on digital download, cassette and limited edition gatefold 12” vinyl through The state51 Conspiracy, a new ethically-minded record label. “We want to reward and invest in brilliantly talented musicians making inspirational music,” says the label of their relationship with CJ Mirra. “In this project we found the mix of incredible surf film footage with irresistible ambient musical pieces a richly rewarding experience.” The vinyl, produced in association with Finisterre will also be available through the surf brand’s UK stores and website.

CJ Mirra will be on tour in late April / May. The new live band features renowned surfer/ musician LeeAnn Curren and will be accompanied by visuals from Chris McClean.

MORE INFO & CONTACT:

CJ MIRRA: cjmirrasound@gmail.com

FB: https://www.facebook.com/cjmirra
IG: https://www.instagram.com/cj_mirra

PACKSHOT - Click image to download 4096x4096 jpeg

"A melody creeps across the sand as if an orchestra sat in neat rows within the waves..." DAN CROCKETT

CJ MIRRA (AKA John Sampson) is an artist currently based in London.

His recent output covers a broad spectrum of art forms: original composition for film, sound designer, filmmaker, producer, mix engineer and live a/v performer. 

In Spring 2018 he is releasing STATIC - Original Surf Soundtracks Vol.1 on The state51 Conspiracy label. The album is a compilation of soundtracks composed for surf films over the last four years. A unique collaboration with acclaimed director Chris McClean began with the film ‘Beyond The Scars’ (C4, 2013) and has led to over 20 short surf films that have screened worldwide at festivals including SXSW, London, Berlin, Lisbon, Honolulu, Sydney, San Francisco to name a few. They also created Chasing Zero, an award-winning audiovisual performance which toured throughout 2016/17. 

CJ Mirra produced the Space Trix Volume 1 binaural compilation featuring music by artists like Matthew Dear and Mike Slott mixed especially for headphone listening to much critical acclaim. The physical release was a sold-out limited edition boxset containing a 3D printed Cosmonaut through his underground collective, Colour8. He has a monthly radio show on Resonance Fm
 
He has collaborated with Chris Watson and JG Thirlwell on original soundtracks and sound design to the feature film, Norfolk and has worked alongside Benjamin Zephaniah on Paa Joe and The Lion feature documentary. He is currently working on the music for feature film, Freedom Fields and the latest film he did sound design for, Time Trial premiered at Amsterdam IDFA and screens at SXSW in March 2018. 

What they’ve said about him:

“I like to think of CJ as my own Angelo Badalamenti, supremely talented and able to adapt to every given situation with a new range of sounds yet with a very CJ-esque sound which never fails to amaze and deliver.” 
Chris McClean, Multi award winning filmmaker

"Working with CJ was one of the most special experiences I’ve had in collaborating with artists...He created a timeless soundtrack that after years still blows my mind. I don’t know what happened there between us there but I believe it is a piece of art."
Felix Gansicke, Award winning Director, Headache

 "When we were defining what cold water surfing looked like for us - surfing and seeking out some of the coldest most uncompromising waves - we turned to CJ … From the outset his haunting soundscapes exemplified the search, the elements, the camaraderie and the reward” 
David Gray, Finisterre

“A highly evocative audio visual journey into the sublime that feels at once both powerful and personal and when it comes to an end, you feel awoken.” 
Demi Taylor, London Surf / Film Festival Director on Chasing Zero

“I like to think of CJ as my own Angelo Badalamenti"

STREAM 'STATIC'

DOWNLOAD 'STATIC' MP3's

"A melody creeps across the sand as if an orchestra sat in neat rows within the waves..." DAN CROCKETT