In this week's blog we have a spotlight on the latest album from Tapes and Topographies, 'Partial Holograms'. Following its warmly received premiere at the album's listening party, artist Todd Gautreau takes us deeper into the record, offering a rare behind the scenes look at how each piece came together, and the themes and ideas behind them.

With Partial Holograms Todd set out to expand his sound world, moving away from familiar tools such as guitar in favour of sampled textures, found sounds and fragments which feel like half-remembered images.

In the following track-by-track walkthrough, Todd reflects on the inspirations, processes and small discoveries that shaped this album. Alongside these reflections, we have artwork by the cover artist Nkl.

With Partial Holograms, I really wanted to expand my palette. My usual practice for a new record is to subtract sounds and methods used on the previous one and introduce a few new ones. This time I opted to remove the guitar completely, which opened up lots of room for exploring. There are very few synths as well; instead, the record draws mostly from sampled sources—found sounds and textures that feel half-remembered. The title refers to the idea of incomplete images—moments that shimmer but never fully resolve. Each track is a kind of sonic apparition, built from pieces that don’t quite fit but still evoke something familiar. ▪️Todd Gautreau (Tapes and Topographies)

further from me now

I always find it difficult to choose an opener and this time was no different. It’s a little gloomy but seems to set the record up well enough. I experimented with a number of piano melodies and settled upon the more minimal, approach with mostly root notes, though I think it is still quite meditative.

saltambanques

While entrenched in surrealist literature in my 20s, this term Saltambanques seemed to appear everywhere. I knew I would have to use this as a song title. Over the years, a couple of other attempts were christened “Saltambanques” but they always fell apart, the title perhaps exacting too high of a standard. The stringed instrument here is a harp. The hopeful melody is set against a texture of uncertainty. The Saltambanque is a central theme in Picasso’s work, representing the isolation and melancholia of the artist. Though I find the Doré painting more moving.

holograms

One of the few times I’ve used bell textures, the only other time I recall dates way back to Fathoms. the most melodic piece here, these timbres foreshadow those that will reappear later.

if, by chance

The first appearance of strings on the record. Initially, there were several string tracks, but they were eventually excised to make room for more atmospheric pieces.

sometimes i feel your ghost

Another track featuring bells, though this time less melodic. The synth pad sound was done on Omnisphere, which everyone seems to love and I’ve had for years but have hardly ever actually used it on anything. I was determined to use it somewhere this time.

partials

One of the earliest tracks composed for the record. I find it both claustrophobic and soothing. I believe there is some brass being manipulated in here somewhere. It reminds me of some of my earliest ambient pieces.

watch me now dissolve

A subconscious nod to Frippertronics, but interestingly what sounds like a guitar is actually an ARP Odyssey which also provides the lovely saturation. The intro sound is from Reason, which has never appealed to me. I tried it for a few days, just long enough to get this, then cancelled the trial. At loss for a title, I was tempted to name it after the synth patch, but Watch Me Now Dissolve came to me as a much better title.

when i dreamed, i dreamed of you

Inspired by the Robert Desnos poem “I Have Dreamed of You So Much.” This is my first foray into a generative music, though I did end up removing more notes than I kept. I believe this is only the second time I have used the human voice, the other being on Ubiquitous Clouds.

a picture from the set

Strings reappear along with something that sounds like a guitar but is something else. For this track, I envisioned a camera slowly pulling away from the creative process as though it were a movie set and the filming had concluded, hence the title.

'Partial Holograms' is available in a limited repress of 100 gatefold vinyl-effect CDrs, as well as a digital option in a range of high quality format options. You can take a listen to the album in full or buy a copy HERE!