“I conceived the idea behind this EP after seeing the World War II painting “Flanders (Where To In This World?)” by the artist Franz Radziwill. It’s a striking image portraying the horror of war, which has been an important part of my identity (having experienced war in Bosnia as a child). It was also a reminder about the continuing horrors of war, in places like Ukraine that has been an important part of my life. I’ve been touring in Ukraine as a musician every year over the last decade, and some of my fondest music memories were made there. So to see the country bombed and destroyed, in a similar was that my country was bombed and destroyed, was deeply upsetting and sad. With so many new refugees now looking for a different life somewhere far away from home, like I did in the 1990s, I started processing all those familiar feelings of trauma, despair, and uncertainty. I wanted to create a release that processes those emotions through music, if nothing else then for me to find a breath of air in a world that sometimes feels like it’s sinking fast”
Arms and Sleepers
Arms and Sleepers
[ Key Achievements ]
- Over 30 million streams on Spotify and editorial playlist placements: Atmospheric Calm, Melantronic, Ambiente, Рабочий баланс (Russia), Kopfkino, Electronic Rising, Electronic Focus, Indie Brandneu, Acid Jazz, Deep Listening, cloud gazing, Brain Food, Genre Glitch, Peaceful Indie Ambient, The Wind Down, Mellow Mood, Productive Morning, Quiet Hours, Coding Mode, Chill Gaming
- Over 7 million streams on Apple Music and editorial playlist placements: Pure Chill, Pure Focus, Today’s Chill, The Lounge, Morning Focus
- Over 2 million streams on Amazon Music in the last 2 years + Recent DSP editorial playlist placements: Amazon Music > Lo-Fi Hip Hop (US), Chilled Beats (UK), Chill-out & Ambient (Station), Lo-Fi Hip-Hop Radio (Station), Sleep (Station)
- Social media reach: 19K FB followers, 3.9K IG followers, 3.6K YouTube
- Co-founder of Future Archive Recordings (releasing music from Blockhead, Yppah, Little People, il:lo, Sun Glitters, Arms and Sleepers)
- Publications on: Clash Magazine, VICE, EARMILK, XLR8R, NPR, The Ransom Note, Veil of Sound, Idioteq, Impose Magazine, PrettyInNoise, Pilerats, Tinymixtapes
[ Praise ]
- “Read any review of Arms and Sleepers and you will find mention of a powerful dream-like nostalgia, an almost spiritual quality infused in their music. Trip-hop, ambient – call it what you want – as the proliferation of ‘chill-out’ compilation albums of the late 90s demonstrated, the line between transformative and dull ephemera is a delicate one and takes a great deal of talent to tread” – Ransom Note
- “Through some elaborate sonic alchemy, Arms and Sleepers have managed to extract pure serotonin from the ether, to be delivered straight to your ears for instant relief “ – Veil Of Sound
- “Gorgeous soundscapes that invigorate and awaken the mind and spirit” – Impose Magazine
- “ARMS AND SLEEPERS has always been a promising platform for well-balanced, tasteful crosssover sounds.” – Idioteq
- “The group refuses to adhere to any scene in particular, and its subdued, magical sound remains unique” – NPR
Arms and Sleepers – where to in this world EP
[ Schedule ]
February 14th – what have you tried lately
March 15th – all forgotten ft. Sofia Insua
April 14th – where to in this world
[ Genres ]
chillhop, downtempo, electronica, experimental
[ Similar Artists ]
Rival Consoles, Yppah, The Album Leaf, Catching Flies, Emancipator
[ Release Info ]
Arms and Sleepers started as a duo consisting of Max Lewis and Mirza Ramic in 2006 in Boston, Massachusetts. With Lewis being less active for the last three years, Ramic takes over and has been releasing music since 2020, and now a new EP emerges with an experimental spirit not to be ignored. As a group, they unwrap a serious portfolio with 30 releases, numerous TV and film music placements, and an exploration of genres such as trip-hop, electronica, downtempo, ambient, hip hop, and subtle pop. Mirza decided to continue the tradition and not stay loyal to one type of music because every project should be special, and where to in this world falls into that category.
Ramic’s goal in music is to be absolutely honest while writing tunes based on what is impactful for him at the moment. Being from Bosnia, the current war in Ukraine brought back childhood memories and through this record, he recalls his Ukrainian friends’ stories but also remembers what it’s like to be on the other side, trying to survive. where this world has a sadder turn dealing with topics of war, forced migration, mental health, and remembrance of a homeland changed forever. The EP is also his journey that leads him back to Europe after many years spent in the US.
where to in this world is a downtempo/chillhop experience that comes with its falling sounds and steady rhythms, but sometimes it includes beautiful vocals like the one from Sofia Insua in the second single “all forgotten.” An important letter with vibrations instead of words that are meant to be listened to carefully.
[ Artist Bio ]
Arms and Sleepers is the electronic music act founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 2006, formerly comprising Max Lewis and Mirza Ramic. The group has explored trip-hop, electronica, downtempo, ambient, hip-hop, and subtle pop with deftness and grace.
In recent years, Lewis has become a less active member leaving Arms and Sleepers to continue with Ramic as the sole official member. Over the years, the group has amassed over 30 releases, 2,000 live performances, and countless TV and Film music placements in their 15-year history. 2020 was Arms and Sleepers’ busiest year yet, with the release of a 6-part conceptual music series that included 3 full-length albums and 3 EPs. In 2021, Arms and Sleepers celebrated its 15th anniversary with a slew of re-releases and anniversary editions. 2022 saw the release of Arms and Sleepers’ 13th studio album titled former kingdoms, supported with European and US tours. Arms and Sleepers is now gearing up for a busy 2023, with more new music and live concerts on the horizon.