Sonic Adventure Project

Artist Information

Biography

The latest album "Who Is In?" spent 2 weeks in the Top 40 CMJ RPM charts in April 2012 with over 100 radio stations having several tracks on rotation.

The Sonic Adventure Project has been introduced to the Chillout and Downtempo scene through their appearance on numerous compilations like the popular “Café del Mar” series.
Their debut album „Exergonic“ was a Top 3 Finalist in the Album of the Year 2006 Independent Music Awards. "Exergonic" was also runner up in the Just Plain Folks Music Awards 2006 - Best Ambient Album of the Year. The song "Forty-two" came in 3rd in the Best Ambient Song category. The song "Inner Journey" won a songwriting competition hosted by Song & Film and was nominated for the Hollywood Music Awards 2008. The song "A New Morning" was nominated for the Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2009 (HMMA) and the brand-new song "Hollow (Sine Remix)" was nominated for the 2010 HMMA.
The music of producers/composers Thomas Viehboeck and Peter Koellerer has been played worldwide on select radio stations and has been used for TV, film and advertising. For example: Motion pictures "White Noise – The Light", "Solitary Man". TV series "Kyle XY", "10 Things I Hate About You", "The Glades". A Weitz & Luxenberg commercial featuring Erin Brockovich or recently an ad for the support of the relief efforts in Haiti.

Instrumentation

Thomas Viehboeck
Peter Koellerer

Discography

Who Is In?
Exergonic
A New Morning - Single


Over 50 Releases on Compilations:
Bar Lounge Classics - Edition 01/2010 (Sony) Track: Hollow (Sine Remix)
Calm Ibiza - Winter Edition 2011 (Sine Music) Track: Momentum
Tranquility 002 (Invisible Lounge) Track: Hollow (Sine Remix)
La Catharsis Vol. 4 (Catharsis) Track: Hollow (Sine Remix)
La Catharsis Vol. 3 (Catharsis) Track: Hollow (Sine Remix)
Cosmic Chill Lounge V (Sine Music) Track: Sundown Dance
Cosmic Chill Lounge IV (Sine Music) Track: Hollow (Sine Remix)
GOA Chillout Zone Vol. 2 (WOA Records) Track: Forty-two
Place du Marché - Les Sons Vol. 1 (Lili is Pi Records) Track: Waters in Motion
Autumn Time (Sine Music) Track: Hollow (Sine Remix)
Le Café Abstrait Vol. 6 (Abstrait Music) Track: Pink Synth
Art Deco In Style (High Note Records) Track: Forty-two
Supperclub Arrogance (United Recordings) Track: Forty-two
Café del Mar Dreams 4 (Café del Mar Music) Track: Inner Journey (Remix)
Spa Sunrise Collection (Hyatt Hotels) Track: Waters In Motion
0815 (ZAP Music) Track: Waters In Motion
CARPE DIEM and enjoy easy livin (Domino/Warner Track: Forty-two
Young Grooves (Toptrax/Zyx) Track: Inner Journey
Le Voyage Abstrait (Abstrait Music) Track: Four Notes
Spa Music Resort Vol. 1 (More Music) Track: Waters In Motion
Emotional Sound Energy 2 (Domino) Track: Forty-two
Walk of Style (Abstrait/InStyle) Track: Mode III
Café del Mar Vol. 11 (Café del Mar Music) Track: Waters In Motion
Kaffeehaus Lounge 3 (Toptrax/Zyx) Track: Inner Journey
Café Oriental Vol.3 (Zyx/Ayia Napa) Track: Sitarian Supernova
Café del Mar Dreams 2 (Café del Mar Music) Track: Forty-two (opening track!)
Coffeeshop Vol. 3 (Edel) Track: Forty-two
Vienna Scientists III (Columbia/Sony) Track: Forty-two
Hidden Treasures IV (Prudence/BSC Music) Track: Pink Synth (opening track)
Bésame - Chilling Tunes (PopUp/Universal) Track: Pink Synth
Spacecakes (Vitaminic) Track: Above The City
Chi:Tastic (Boerding Entertainment) B2B Track: Above The City
Cooldown 5 (Multitrax) B2B Track: Waters In Motion
and many more...

Official Website

http://www.starmill.at

Links

• Facebook
• Last.fm
• Twitter
• MySpace
• Who Is In? @ iTunes!
• Who Is In? @ Amazon.com
• Exergonic @ iTunes!
• Exergonic @ Amazon.com
• VISCO @ Myspace

Audio

• A New Morning.
  Listen   Download
• Momentum
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• Inner Journey
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• Forty-two
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• Waters In Motion
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• Double Helix
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• Memories of I Am
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• Mode III
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• Hollow
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• Live Now (Chillout Mix)
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• Live Now (Radio Edit)
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• Peace
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• Who Are You
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Inner Journey
• A New Morning
• Hollow
• Live Now (Radio Edit)
• Live Now (Chillout Mix)
• Peace
• Who Are You

Video

Forty-two

Photo Gallery

Press

• Melody can be a dangerous thing... [+ Show ]
  

  Melody can be a dangerous thing. This world is awash with electronic melodies both sublimely beautif...Melody can be a dangerous thing. This world is awash with electronic melodies both sublimely beautiful (Global Communication) and hideously cheesy ("uplifting" Dutch trance anyone?). For composers it seems melody is the easiest of elements to catch but the hardest to master. So what's my point?
  Into this realm has ventured Sonic Adventure Project, two unassuming Austrians with backgrounds in rock, pop and production for various bands.
  One wonders if they are on the receiving end of a direct line from God when it comes to dispensing good melodies to mortal beings. On their debut album Exergonic Thomas Viehbock and Peter Koellerer have taken melody to serious heights. They arrange their instrumental tunes into a variety of shapes from ambient piano solos to electro-rock to emotional slow trance grooves.
  You might call it trance-pop, except that to evoke such a creatively bankrupt hybrid would be insulting.
  Those schooled in the sounds of vintage German electronica and classic ambient trance might catch glimpses of its legacy here. The layered melodies of "Circuit" and the epic "Pink Synth" recall Tangerine Dream's best work from the early 80's but with significant differences: the rock-flavoured drum programming is looser and and the overall sound a little warmer. "Waters In Motion" is a wistful solo piano piece bedded with gorgeous strings. … You'll hear "Waters In Motion" on this years Cafe Del Mar volume 11, a sign that Sonic are getting some much deserved attention.
  Exergonic is a beautiful - there's no other word for it.
  www.ambientmusicguide.com
  

• Replete with atmospheric and provocative tracks [+ Show ]
  

  As the clouds swelled and unloaded buckets of rain from the sky during what seemed like an intermina...As the clouds swelled and unloaded buckets of rain from the sky during what seemed like an interminable drive to Southern California, the ambient/electronica music on the debut CD from Exergonic, a duo from Vienna, Austria, consisting of Thomas Viehboeck and Peter Koellerer, served as my soundtrack.
  
  This project is replete with atmospheric and provocative tracks that can be used for licensing in both film and television. Even though all but one are instrumentals, they embrace the 6 rules of commercial music success just the same and display a penchant for well-crafted melodies that seem to drive their compositions foward.
  
  The dramatic elements of "Forty-Two" make it the commercial stand-out and offers the best chance of radio play, but unlike vocal music in other genres, it is really tough to isolate tracks on such a cohesive project. Doing so is like trying to pull the apples way from an apple pie: they belong together and they serve a purpose. For those who like apple pie, I suggest they consume it in its entirety, not by the slice.
  
  Advice: Keep it up and try to license this project.
  

• You'll dig this collection... [+ Show ]
  

  While the meaning of this group's album means to release energy, it's clear that they do so in a bea...While the meaning of this group's album means to release energy, it's clear that they do so in a beautiful way -- in a relaxing, thought-provoked trip-hop way. That's right, you can hear moving trip hop, electronica sounds via Zero 7 and Mono throughout this album. You won't hear the usual DiscoveringArtists.com meld of "great lyrics" that "evoke emotion" here, but we think you'll dig this collection. The ambiance here is chill, as the Austrian duo of Peter Koellerer & Thomas Viehboeck create a relaxing album. The song "Inner Journey" on the album was named runner up winners in the VH1 Save the Music contest. It's clear to see that good things come imported.

• Delightful melodies... [+ Show ]
  

  Downtempo and chill-out music aficionados probably have already heard the work of Sonic Adventure Pr...Downtempo and chill-out music aficionados probably have already heard the work of Sonic Adventure Project with their emergence on popular compilations on the Café Del Mar series of compilations. But everyone should be well aware of this talented duo. Their compositions are wrought in delightful melodies and pleasant atmospheric synthetic structures. Musically they reach out to everyone—even though you might not expect to enjoy such music—with their album “Exergonic” that will no doubt have lasting appeal for decades to come, let alone mere years.

• A lot for the open ears and minds of this world to embrace [+ Show ]
  

  Thomas Viehboeck and Peter Koellerer are two Austrians that have learned well from their legendary n...Thomas Viehboeck and Peter Koellerer are two Austrians that have learned well from their legendary neighbors in Germany, Kraftwerk. The two men find rhythm in ambient trance music, an unusual event by any measure. This is music for your own original soundtrack happening inside your head. I can see it fitting in the background of films without a problem.
  
  It seems the more I listen to this CD, the more I discover, there is more to this than meets the ear. Obviously, the men are true students of music, covering the gamut from classical to rock. That is what you get in different doses throughout this album; there are elements of pop grandeur at times, but enough of the trance synth and swirling wind like sounds to keep you on a cloud, you will hear jazz at times as well (“Above The City”) which is welcome in any setting as far as I am concerned.
  
  Therefore, in the end, you get what you would expect on a recording like this and a lot more in between the cracks ready for the taking if you choose to really listen to this music with big ears. It is a very cool CD, and as I indicated before, one listen will certainly not cut to the chase. This is not complex music, it is interesting layers of many sounds-a digital landscape if you will that soothes and invites you. There is a lot here for the open ears and minds of this world to embrace. The best example of their sound and approach would be their masterpiece of instrumental ambiance “Forty-two (V. 11),” which runs for nearly 12 minutes. I think it is their personal tribute to Kraftwerk, but one never knows.
  
  Check out this duo and let them take you to a world far away from the one we exist in as physical beings.
  

• Journey into understated production beauty & craftsmanship [+ Show ]
  

  Sonic Adventure Project transport themselves to us from Austria in a cascade of modern ambiance & ta...Sonic Adventure Project transport themselves to us from Austria in a cascade of modern ambiance & tasteful flair. Peter Koellerer & Thomas Viehboeck have a singular audio vision that transforms their works into a seamless integration of music amidst a colorful sublime palette of moods & backgrounds.
  As if on an icy meridian facing the eternal abode of deep interstellar space, the music of Sonic Adventure Project is a journey into understated production beauty & craftsmanship. The song "Inner Journey" is an excellent example of the creative heights these two gentleman are capable of & so much more. Its warm string flow & piano accents coupled with guest vocalist Julia Fischer's emotive resonance, make for a moving spacial quality. The chromatic three step hook is simply superb.
  In "Waters In Motion" the revolving piano in minor cadence coupled with lush strings & flute segue into the electronica mellowness & stereo panning of "Pink Synth" with its major to minor modal changes.
  Songs such as "Double Helix" offer the listener a stark & beautific progression with rhythmic undercurrent, while "Mode III" & its techna-smooth groove & string movement enhance the impression. Whereas "Forty-two (V.11)" enthralls with a sleek heart pulse & fluid mood; "Above The City" throws us a modern urban subtle-bustle vibe complete with reflections of the city night & lights.
  The song "Four Notes" combines a signature piano movement with inventive counterpoint patterns that weave their musical textures. In "Sitarian Supernova" the music tangents into an explosive sitar driven eastern mode, that together with "Eye Of Egypt" stretch out into an angular chugging current of counterpoint refrain.
  In essence, these composers of interstellar mediums float & glide into & out of several variations & mediums of musical expressionism. Sonic Adventure Project continue to expand in an outward radius that encompasses an ever widening galactic drift & space time continuum that grooves & pulses with such a smooth wonderful ambiance, that it's impossible to not become attracted to the inner eye audio arena of our reflective & interactive musical dream mode, that Sonic Adventure Project so artfully & brilliantly reflect.
  United Global Artists Webpage (www.u-g-a.com)
  
  

• Great potential for mainstream appeal... [+ Show ]
  

  Another act that came to my attention through their inclusion on the `Hidden Treasures Vol.4` double...Another act that came to my attention through their inclusion on the `Hidden Treasures Vol.4` double sampler (reviewed next issue), Sonic Adventure Project are a duo of Peter Koellerer & Thomas Viehbock, both of whom have had much experience over the years, taking part in varying musical projects.
  The title is defined as `liberating or releasing energy` although this shouldn`t be taken to mean that this is any sort of crash bang wallop music, rather a well played selection of 90s influenced tracks that would sit well within any of the recent plethora of `Chill Out` albums. Only occasionally does the music bear it`s teeth, most noticeably in the relatively bombastic `Sitarian Supernova` which, true to its title, does feature the Indian instrument of the title atop floating chords & some pretty heavy rhythms. Elsewhere, though, this is pretty tranquil stuff that should appeal to all those who enjoyes Venja`s recent works (it wouldn`t surprise me to see these two turning up on some of IC`s compilations one day soon, either!) ,as well as top names such as Moby. Just listen to the totally chilled ambience of `Pink Synth` or the trip hop flavoured `Double Helix` for proof of this. The music here does without any sampled voice that is very much the norm these days, instead the polished & laid back melodies are allowed to take centre stage pretty much for the duration. The sequenced opening of `Mode III` does herald a slightly more direct number although this is still another track to lie back & soak in. The 11 minute `Forty Two (V.11)` really takes this style to the extreme with a greater degree of ethnic rhythms acting as the backbone to the otherwise chilled synths. `Waters In Motion` & the closing `Four Notes` are both beautifully crafted piano-led pieces. The synth colouration is perfection, especially the gorgeously sumptuous synth pads on the latter track which really tugs the heartstrings without fail.
  This kind of easy going but effecting music has a great potential for mainstream appeal & hopefully fate will see the duo getting their just desserts in the near future."
  Carl Jenkinson
  Sequences Magazine (Vol. 26).
  

• Wonderfully designed Ambient... [+ Show ]
  

  Besonic.com, Premium Collection (May 2000): "In stillness, there is strength... Are you familiar ...Besonic.com, Premium Collection (May 2000):
  "In stillness, there is strength...
  Are you familiar with these moments, when life is only going in slow-motion? 'Pink Synth' by 'Sonic Adventure Project' thoroughly turns down the play-back velocity of our perception. Wonderfully designed Ambient, 'Future Sound of London' style. Electronic sounds and beats mingle masterfully with sounds and beats of real instruments. It is indeed a 'Sonic Adventure'!" (translated into English by P.K.)
  
  

• Do yourself a favor... [+ Show ]
  

  For the past few weeks, I have given Sonic Adventure Project's first full length release, Exergonic,...For the past few weeks, I have given Sonic Adventure Project's first full length release, Exergonic, prime attention, in an attempt to find an angle in which to review this disc. I think I figured it out.
  First off, Exergonic is right up the antiFan's alley. The composition, focus, and delivery are far from the MTV mold that so many have become accustomed to. Sonic Adventure Project takes elements from Kraftwerk (mainly) and Pink Floyd to produce music that could chill a fire. The instrumentation is technically tight, but it lacks the pompous bullshit that comes with virtuosos like Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai.
  The album contains softer, piano-led numbers ("Four Notes", "Waters in Motion"), synth-orchestra pieces ("Inner Journey", "Double Helix"), and new age techno tracks ("Forty-Two", "Memories of Who I Am", "Mode III"). With this type of versatility, this album could find its way to coffee shops, video games, and Mitsubishi commercials.
  Although the album is solid throughout, I think the softer numbers are the strongest tracks on the album, and are the band's best chance at getting noticed. Although Sonic Adventure Project decided to go sans vocals (for the most part), they used the piano to bring the melodies to life. Sometimes an instrumental can be more moving than your typical song with vocals. For example, I doubt that "Four Notes" or "Waters in Motion" would benefit by a vocal addition, regardless of who stepped behind the mic. The other tracks could be praised, but the album as a cohesive whole is much greater than its individual parts.
  After listening to Exergonic several times, I'm contemplating buying an Audi, driving to the Pacific Northwest coast, and praying for rain. Do yourself a favor and check this disc out.
  

• A delicate journey... [+ Show ]
  

  "Gentle new age-minded electronic tracks merge the visions of two Austrian composers. A delicate jou..."Gentle new age-minded electronic tracks merge the visions of two Austrian composers. A delicate journey through multi-layered emotions created by light beats, warm synth textures and moving piano melodies."
  Melissa P. Listen.com
  
  

Setlist

DJ - especially for Chillout, Downtempo, Lounge sessions.

Basic Requirements

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