Belgian composer and multi-instrumentalist Suntapes has long been a master of the "slow listen." Operating from his Ghent studio, the artist—known to his friends as Tomas Johan Kristian—crafts instrumental soundscapes that bridge the gap between memory and geography. His latest offering, ‘Commemorating Barskoon’, serves as a breathtaking preview of his upcoming audio-visual EP, ‘Air of Kyrgyzstan’, scheduled for release on 24 April this year.
Suntapes’ musical identity is rooted in a lifelong obsession with ivory and oscillation. Having started a daily piano ritual at just six years old, Kristian’s evolution has seen him move from the heavy low-end of metal and the rhythmic pulse of rock, including a seven-year stint with Belgian icon Arno, into the more ethereal realms of neo-classical and ambient music. This diverse background informs his solo work, where delicate piano melodies meet the vintage warmth of analogue synthesisers and mellotrons.
The new single, ‘Commemorating Barskoon’, is perhaps his most poignant work yet. Inspired by the lush grasslands surrounding Kyrgyzstan's Barskoon waterfall, the track was born from a specific, quiet moment shared with family after a mountain trek. Kristian’s process here was uniquely intimate: he composed the melodies live while watching his own filmed footage of the landscape, ensuring a literal "emotional link" between the visual and the sonic.
“’Commemorating Barskoon’ captures a quiet family moment after a mountain walk. Field recordings from the location form the foundation of the piece, blended with a slow piano melody and soft mellotron layers. Both melodies were recorded live while watching the video footage, creating a strong emotional link between sound and image.”
This immersive approach is the hallmark of the ‘Air of Kyrgyzstan’ project. Each of the six tracks on the EP is paired with self-shot landscape videos, turning the listening experience into a digital pilgrimage. By weaving authentic field recordings into his compositions, Suntapes doesn't just describe a location; he transports the listener there.
With over 1.5 million streams and consistent support on major playlists like ‘Not Quite Classical’, Suntapes continues to prove that there is a massive global appetite for music that invites reflection. Whether he is scoring a dance production or documenting the vast Central Asian wilderness, Kristian’s work remains a vital sanctuary of calm in a noisy world.
As the release of the new EP draws near, make sure you connect with Suntapes on Facebook and Instagram.
