As Ignorable As It Is Interesting
As Ignorable As It Is Interesting is drawn from Brian Eno’s description of ambient music, suggests a dual function: sound that can sit quietly as part of the atmosphere while remaining interesting enough to reward focused listening.
To understand this idea, it helps to look at composer Erik Satie, who developed “furniture music” in the early twentieth century. His pieces were not intended for performance or attention. Instead, he imagined sound as an element of interior design, functioning like lighting, texture, or furniture. The aim was to shape a subtle mood without becoming the centre of focus. Satie even disliked when audiences tried to listen too closely. The success of the music lay in how seamlessly it blended into the environment.
Although his concept was ahead of its time, it remained more of a proposal than a practice until Brian Eno expanded it decades later.
Eno approached ambient music as a way of influencing how a space feels rather than directing how listeners should behave. His compositions often move slowly, emphasising tone and atmosphere instead of melody. They create a sense of openness that can hold attention when you choose to engage, yet remain gentle enough to slip into the background. This flexibility reflects his belief that sound is another tool for shaping an environment, no different from light or objects in a room.
How Softerfields Work
The evening begins with a mystery vinyl, chosen from small shops, travel finds, or overlooked releases. Starting with something unfamiliar encourages openness, helps listeners settle at their own pace, and eases the transition into a slower rhythm. The record is always chosen to match the mood of the session.
The intention of softerfields is not to guide anyone toward a single, defined experience. Instead, it supports multiple modes of listening. Some may follow the music closely. Others may let it drift in and out of awareness. Some may simply enjoy being in the room with people.
The goal is to create an environment where people can step away from the pace of daily life and find a moment of rest without pressure or expectation. This pilot session is the first exploration of how sound, space, and presence can work together to form a soft field in the night.
What Is softerfields?