Headphone Activist & Rareform Audio Team Up with Calm: Project Insights + Interview
Hello!
We are hyped to share some exciting news with you! We have teamed up with Calm once again to bring you a special new release: the Contemplative Chill (Calm Mix) by our artist Headphone Activist.
Project Insights
Headphone Activist has created a mix that aligns with Calm's mission of promoting mental well-being. This mix is a 12-track collection of ambient textures and vibey beats are designed to help listeners relax, reduce stress, and find peace of mind.
This mix was created for various situations, whether you're meditating, doing yoga, unwinding after a busy day, focusing on creative work, or simply taking a moment to relax.
Tracklist:
About Headphone Activist
Headphone Activist has always aimed to brighten listeners' days through his art. His music is a blend of ambient, lofi, and minimal beats, each track meticulously crafted to provide a sense of peace and tranquility. Influenced by artists like Aphex Twin, Clams Casino, and DJ Shadow, he has developed a sound that is both unique and deeply soothing.
Since the inception of his music project, Headphone Activist has released numerous tracks and concept EPs designed to enhance various aspects of daily life. His music is not just about entertainment; it's about creating an atmosphere that helps with sleep, stress relief, and anxiety.
Headphone Activist’s discography is a testament to his dedication to his craft and his audience. He strives to offer his listeners a sanctuary through sound, a place where they can escape the chaos of everyday life and find solace. His Contemplative Chill (Calm Mix) is a natural extension of this mission, as it brings his healing sounds to a broader audience seeking relaxation and mental clarity. Discover more of Headphone Activist's music on his Spotify and SoundCloud pages.
Exclusive Interview with Headphone Activist
We had the chance to interview Headphone Activist about this collaboration, his journey in the music industry, and his thoughts on the impact of his work.
RA: Can you tell us about the origin of the Headphone Activist project? How did it all start?
HA: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me about my project. I began to take my art more seriously in my early 20s. Before that, I mostly enjoyed going to shows, learning to DJ, and experimenting with Ableton and FL Studio.
I officially launched my project in 2012. During the first few years I spent most of my time in my apartment outside of Pittsburgh, dedicating all my free time to writing and experimenting with new ideas. I contribute a lot of my early success to my friend/mentor Doverspike. From DJing to Production he has been supporting and helping me navigate the music industry since day one.
My breakthrough came when I discovered Clams Casino's “Rainforest EP.” After listening to his music for a few months, I knew I wanted to create chill, meditation-focused beats and music. My growth as a musician and the increasing awareness of my project were largely the result of organic networking, putting new music out regularly, and emailing blogs/Youtube channels.
By 2015, I was fortunate to receive industry support from Mr. SuicideSheep, Trap Nation, and a collection of other artists and curators. This support led to several years of summer traveling, DJing at music festivals, then performing at shows and clubs during the fall/spring. These experiences were incredible.
Then in 2019, I felt burned out from the constant traveling and the lifestyle that came with it. I decided to switch things up, my focus turned to learning new synth software, experimenting with sampling, and dedicating more time to creating music rather than showcasing it live. This shift has been very rewarding. I’ve connected with many new friends and artists, rekindled my love for the creative process behind music, and my audience has grown almost fourfold since making this change.
RA: How did you feel about your music being featured in Spotify meditation playlists? What do you think contributed to that success?
HA: It's amazing. Being featured on those playlists is like our generation's radio stations. So many new people hear your work, allowing you to reach people from all over the world instantly. It's incredibly helpful.
As for how that happened, I believe it was releasing the music I truly wanted to put out, rather than what others around me were suggesting. When Spotify started picking up my songs for editorial playlists, it was a meditation record that first broke through—not a traditional song with a beat or something that was "festival-friendly."
Interestingly, the record that was featured was actually discouraged by my old management, who thought it wouldn’t do well. However, it went on to gain nine million streams, thanks to the meditation playlists.
Since then I have been fortunate to be featured by Spotify over the years with different records, some with drums, others without, but it was one of the new records that started this part of my journey, not the songs that people around me expected me to keep making year after year. Take risks & try new ideas out with your art.
RA: Your song "nightlights" is beautiful. Can you share the story behind how that song came to be?
HA: nightlights is a collaboration between my friends Sevenlies and Yourhome. The record came together in about a month from the day they sent me the stems. We all met through Discord and were fans of each other’s work, so when they asked if I wanted to collaborate, I was thrilled to be a part of it.
Production-wise, the song is pretty straightforward. We primarily used Serum for sound design and kept it simple, aiming to create a record that helps people relax and unwind from their day or stress.
After releasing nightlight, Sevenlies and I went on to collaborate on an EP titled October, which focuses on our favorite month and time of the year. Much like nightlights, I am very proud of that EP. The last 12 months have been truly amazing from a creative standpoint.
RA: Collaborating with Calm aligns perfectly with your sound. How did that project come about?
HA: Agreed. it's been great working with Calm, Nathan from Rareform was the one who helped put all of this together for us, we connected years ago when we were both in Austin for SXSW, over the years we have stayed connected and supported each other in our own ventures, now with this Calm mix, we finally found a project that aligns with both our interests and expertise.
The Calm mix is designed to enhance your daily routine. It blends two of my favorite genres: meditation music, specifically older meditation CD's that I have used over the years to help me center myself, and lofi mixes, which I use to start my day with while making coffee or while hosting friends over at my home. This mix is a hybrid of both worlds, designed for anyone looking to relax, unwind, or brighten their day.
The mix also features a blend of past releases and unreleased records I've saved over the years. I'm especially excited about the opportunity this mix provides to introduce my music to fans of easy listening music and encourage exploration of the rest of my catalog. This project is a true highlight of my summer.
RA: What has been the most rewarding feedback you’ve received from listeners about how your music has impacted their lives?
HA: When people message me to say that my music has saved their life in some way, it's hard to explain just how happy that makes me. Knowing that my favorite hobby and pastime can have such a positive impact on others still leaves me in shock and awe.
It's also wonderful to hear from people who share how they use my records in their daily lives—whether while traveling, studying, taking care of their newborns, or simply playing the music in their homes while spending time with their families and friends. All of these stories fuel my creativity and truly solidify that the path I chose in life was the right one.
Experience The Mix
Discover the Contemplative Chill (Calm Mix) on the Calm app today.
Let’s Collaborate!
Need help building the tone for your production? Hit us up – the Rareform Audio team would love to help you create the perfect soundtrack that speaks to your audience and enhances the power of your visual storytelling to new heights!
Rareform Highlights
