The Hilvarenbeek Recordings

The Hilvarenbeek Recordings is a site-specific project commissioned by the Incubate festival in 2015. Geir Jenssen (Biosphere) spent time at the Biologische boerderij 't Schop, an organic farm in Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands, capturing environmental sounds that would form the backbone of this four-track EP. While Jenssen is historically associated with 'arctic ambient' and the cold landscapes of Tromsø, this release showcases his ability to find beauty in the mundane and the pastoral. The tracks are named after biological or local identifiers, such as 'Pipistrellus' (a genus of bats) and 'Strigiformes' (the order of owls), hinting at the nocturnal and natural themes explored. Sonically, the album sits between pure field recording and minimal techno, using the natural rhythms of the farm to create loops that feel both mechanical and biological. It is a significant entry in his catalog for its warm, organic palette and its successful translation of a specific geographic location into a cohesive musical statement.