Mathieu Lamontagne is an artist from Québec, the French part of Canada who also produces as Arbee who has been active since 2003.
Under his own name, he has previous releases available via Somehow Recordings, Unknown Tone and Inner Ocean to name but a few. Mathieu has also collaborated alongside artists such as Emmanuel Toledo, Specta Ciera and Bluepulp.
Mathieu has been influenced by a range of sounds and styles, with early inspiration coming from the IDM and Hip Hop genres, which play a bigger part in his work as Arbee. He is also influenced by the modern Ambient music scene and in 2012, decided to record under his own name after the emotionally driven ‘Calme Relatif’ demo was submitted to Tim David Brice, who made the suggestion to do so.
Mathieu’s work for his short Audio Gourmet EP ‘Lieux Communs’ deals with broken melodies, field recordings and lulling drones which wash over you as you listen. The EP does not have a clear concept, although Lieux Communs translates from French as common places but also has a split meaning for something that is widely accepted or obvious.
The soundscapes are anything but obvious and along with a blank white canvas of severe snow as the cover artwork, this will provide you with a vacant, unobtrusive space to sink into for a few minutes.
Released by Audiogourmet Netlabel:
audiogourmet.bandcamp.com/album/lieux-communs