Penelope Trappes on Ambient Music, Heavenly Spheres, and Artistic Identity

Australian-born, UK-based musician Penelope Trappes released her album 'Heavenly Spheres' in April 2023 on her own label Nite Hive, recorded during a two-week residency at Britten Pears Arts in the Suffolk home of composer Imogen Holst. The album features eight tracks created using only voice, an upright piano, and a vintage German reel-to-reel recorder, resulting from solitary experimentation and field recordings. Trappes, who began her career in 2008 as part of the electronic duo The Golden Filter with Stephen Hindman, has since developed a solo ambient-drone-gothic sound, releasing a trilogy of albums: 'Penelope One' (2017), 'Penelope Two' (2018), and 'Penelope Three' (2021), exploring themes of birth, loss, and healing. In 2019, she released 'Penelope Redeux', a reworking of 'Penelope Two' by artists including Cosey Fanni Tutti and Mogwai. Trappes also founded Agnes Haus with her partner, focusing on identity photography and experimental film. Her recent performances include opening for William Basinski at Belgrave Music Hall in Leeds and Attenborough Arts Centre in Brighton. She recently contributed a track to the 're-LEAF' compilation benefiting earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria, with proceeds going to Ahbap. Trappes defines art as 'a moment of spiritual energy channeled from beyond and within' and music as 'the vibration of sound resulting from the resonance of the body, instruments, and objects.'