Aarktica

<a href="spotify:album:6mmx14G3yviFLywqwC973t" data-name="Ecstatic Lightsongs">Ecstatic Lightsongs</a> out NOW! · <a href="spotify:album:399jbmrqzVQljDkqSZT8SV" data-name="No Solace in Sleep (2025 Remaster)">No Solace in Sleep (2025 Remaster)</a> out NOW! · Both available on LP &amp; CD at Aarktica.bandcamp.com &#x1f33f; Aarktica is the sonic identity of <a href="spotify:artist:21VfKZQ4t1TYplQqSUHK2M" data-name="Jon DeRosa">Jon DeRosa</a>, who along with a multitude of collaborators, has released a diverse catalog of music under this name since 1998. While Aarktica began as a solo ambient guitar project, its sound evolved over the years, often incorporating a larger orchestral or brass ensemble, and integrating elements of post-rock, shoegaze, darkwave, and electronic into a distinct and atmospheric sonic identity.

As the origin story goes, after going deaf in his right ear, DeRosa began recording audio experiments as a way to interpret the aural hallucinations he was experiencing. These early audio endeavors, recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder, would become the first Aarktica album “No Solace In Sleep” (Silber Records, 1999).

It was also around this time that DeRosa began studying with minimalist pioneer <a href="spotify:artist:5h2yl4fuAyztOOBgMRyQhE" data-name="La Monte Young">La Monte Young</a>, an experience which would greatly influence all of DeRosa’s music in the years to follow.

As a solo artist, DeRosa has collaborated with <a href="spotify:artist:2x7iCl510O317XjOcG7iOf" data-name="Stephin Merritt">Stephin Merritt</a> of <a href="spotify:artist:6RWjTQqILL7a1tQ0VapyLK" data-name="The Magnetic Fields">The Magnetic Fields</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:070g5I7Ibt7cRwXCd4goF3" data-name="Carina Round">Carina Round</a> of <a href="spotify:artist:2pAajGWerK3ghwToNWFENS" data-name="Puscifer">Puscifer</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7ljTofQBh5fR5SYfGHRYs8" data-name="Alan Sparhawk">Alan Sparhawk</a> of <a href="spotify:artist:0wz0jO9anccPzH04N7FLBH" data-name="Low">Low</a> and toured with <a href="spotify:artist:3aSkzI3DQrdPtYXizXnwda" data-name="Lydia Lunch">Lydia Lunch</a>. In addition to Aarktica, DeRosa releases music under his own name and is vocalist for darkwave act <a href="spotify:artist:2LM56NUYjaQzmYyQkZjBlZ" data-name="Black Tape For A Blue Girl">Black Tape For A Blue Girl</a>. Ecstatic Lightsongs is Aarktica&#39;s 10th studio album, out now on HanaqPacha Records.