For over a decade, Gang Violins have been crafting some of New Zealand’s most evocative and immersive ambient soundscapes, operating from the Waikato region with a singular purpose: to create music capable of transporting listeners to other worlds. The duo—comprising Jason Lurman and Micah Templeton-Wolfe—established themselves in 2011 as a vehicle for widescreen electronic explorations that sit at the intersection of cinematic ambient, downtempo electronica, and atmospheric post-rock.
Origins and Background
Gang Violins emerged from the fertile ground of New Zealand’s experimental music scene, bringing together two musicians already deeply embedded in the country’s ambient and post-rock communities. Jason Lurman serves as lead guitarist and composer for the darkened post-rock band Sora Shima, while Micah Templeton-Wolfe explores serene cinematica under his solo moniker Stray Theories. This convergence of talents created what they describe as “an expressive sonic canvas for the more widescreen electronic musings” of both artists.
Based in Hamilton, within the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island, the duo has maintained a consistent creative output while operating independently. Their tagline—”Deep music for deep minds”—encapsulates their commitment to crafting music that demands contemplation and rewards careful listening.
Sound and Musical Approach
Gang Violins have carved out a distinctive niche within ambient music by embracing what they describe as “cinematic ambient/electronic downtempo”. Their music defies simple categorization, blending dramatic downbeat electronica with expansive electronic washes—or, as one description aptly puts it, “sometimes there are drums, sometimes definitely not”.
The duo’s sound draws heavily from their stated influences, which include post-rock luminaries Hammock, trip-hop pioneers Massive Attack, and Scottish ambient-rock masters Mogwai. These albums, according to Jason Lurman, “have informed my creativity for many years and maintain a strong influence on the Gang Violins sound”. The connection to Massive Attack’s dark, atmospheric production and Hammock’s emotional depth is particularly evident in their longer, more meditative pieces.
Their approach emphasizes patient, methodical composition. Tracks frequently stretch beyond the typical three-minute mark, with pieces like “Deep State” clocking in at over ten minutes. This extended format allows the duo to build layered atmospheres that evolve gradually, rewarding attentive listeners with subtle textural shifts and emotional transitions.
Key Releases and Discography
Gang Violins’ catalog comprises ten releases available through Bandcamp, spanning singles, EPs, and conceptual works. Their discography reveals a consistent evolution while maintaining their core aesthetic.
Early Work (2012-2019)
The duo’s debut single, “Deep State” from 2012 established their credentials with a drums-forward example of their mellow, atmospheric approach. “This Fire (You Lit in My Heart Will Destroy Us Both)” holds special significance for Jason Lurman: “For me, ‘This Fire’ has a special place in my heart as it was one of our earliest accomplishments, and it still gives me goosebumps. It harkens back to a certain personal time in my life, and we’ve never done anything quite like it since”.
The tracks “Lost Futures” and “Clarity” from 2019 demonstrated their continuing refinement, balancing ambient textures with subtle rhythmic elements.
The Trilogy Series (2023)
In 2023, Gang Violins released an ambitious three-part series of singles: “I. Provenance, “II. Clarity (Higher Dimensions),” and “III. Outliers”. While not officially released as a unified EP, these tracks were designed as a connected narrative journey.
The trilogy tells a cohesive story through its track descriptions. “Provenance” begins with explorers setting out at dusk, following a trail into the ranges where they encounter a mysterious pulsating luminescence. “Clarity (Higher Dimensions)” finds the travelers enveloped by an otherworldly radiance, with the description noting: “The closer we get, the farther it seems. The pale glow becomes a radiance, breathing a lustrous green-blue as though it is alive”. “Outliers” concludes the journey on a desolate shoreline of black sand, pressing through heavy fog toward ominous silhouettes resembling guardians of a forsaken kingdom.
Mastering for “Clarity (Higher Dimensions)” was handled by Nathan Moody at Obsidian Sound, with artwork by Johnny Sipp and design by Jason Lurman. The trilogy showcases Gang Violins at their most conceptually ambitious, weaving narrative and sound into an immersive experience.
Recent Work (2023-2024)
“Ghosts of Aleppo” (2023) represents a full rework of a track that originally appeared on Touched Music’s “Touched Two” charity compilation in 2014. The reworked version features both the main track and a “Citadel Opus” variation.
“Deep State (Exiled Mix)” (2024) reimagines their original “Deep State” composition as a “slow and bass-heavy alternative mix”. Described as delivering “blissed out soundscape” and praised for its depth and production quality, the track exemplifies their mature, refined approach to atmospheric electronic music.
Their most recent release, “Light the Dark,” rounds out a catalog that demonstrates both consistency of vision and willingness to revisit and reimagine earlier work.
Collaborations and Charity Work
Gang Violins have been active contributors to charitable compilations through Touched Music, a UK-based initiative raising funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. Their track “Ghosts of Aleppo” appeared on the sprawling “Touched Two” compilation, which featured an incredible 255 songs from artists across the electronic and ambient spectrum.
They also contributed “Zamalka” to “Touched 3” and “This Fire (You Lit in My Heart Will Destroy Us Both)” to the original “Touched” compilation. These charity efforts connect Gang Violins to a broader international community of ambient and electronic artists committed to using their music for social good.
Musical Influences and Context
Jason Lurman has spoken openly about his formative musical experiences: “I remember hearing Jean-Michel Jarre’s Oxygène as a child in the early 80s and being absolutely enamored with it. My father also introduced me to Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. I guess my love of instrumental electronic music began pretty early”. This early exposure to pioneering electronic composers established a foundation that would inform Gang Violins’ expansive, instrumental approach.
The duo exists within a vibrant New Zealand ambient and post-rock scene. Their connection to other projects—particularly Sora Shima and Stray Theories places them in dialogue with artists exploring similar atmospheric territories. Sora Shima, described as creating “ambient-based, instrumental post-rock” from the Waikato region, shares Gang Violins’ commitment to wordless music that communicates through texture and atmosphere.
Stray Theories, Micah Templeton-Wolfe’s solo project, has released albums on the respected n5MD label, known for releasing “emotive styles of contemporary music” including ambient, modern composition, and experimental electronic. This connection to n5MD—home to artists like Ocoeur and Jason van Wyk—situates Gang Violins within an international network of artists pursuing similar aesthetic goals.
Production and Artistry
Gang Violins maintain complete creative control over their work, with Jason Lurman and Micah Templeton-Wolfe handling composition, recording, production, mixing, and often mastering duties themselves. Jason Lurman also creates the visual artwork and design for many of their releases, ensuring a unified artistic vision across sonic and visual elements.
Their production aesthetic emphasizes space, depth, and careful attention to texture. Reviews consistently praise their mixing and mastering, with one listener noting the “a lot of depth in the track” and describing their soundscapes as “very well sounding”. This technical proficiency allows their atmospheric compositions to breathe and evolve naturally, avoiding the compressed, claustrophobic feel that can plague lesser ambient productions.
Reception and Reach
While Gang Violins operate somewhat under the radar of mainstream music media, they have cultivated a dedicated following within ambient and electronic music communities. Their presence on platforms like Bandcamp, Spotify, and SoundCloud has allowed them to reach listeners globally, with their monthly Spotify listener count hovering around 372.
YouTube channels dedicated to ambient music have featured Gang Violins tracks, with “Greater Forces” receiving promotion from the Ambient YouTube channel, which described it as “atmospheric drone ambient”. The track “Deep State (Exiled Mix)” was also featured by MOR Chilled, extending their reach to curated ambient music audiences.youtube+1
New Zealand music outlets have taken note as well. Under the Radar featured “Ghosts of Aleppo” in 2014, describing Gang Violins as a “locally-based ambient outfit” bringing together members from different projects to create “simmering instrumental” work.
The New Zealand Context
Gang Violins emerged from and contribute to New Zealand’s distinctive music ecosystem. While the country is perhaps better known internationally for indie rock, reggae fusion, and electronic dance music acts, there exists a thriving undercurrent of ambient, experimental, and post-rock artists.
The Waikato region specifically has a rich musical history extending back to the early rock and roll era. Hamilton and the surrounding areas have produced diverse musical communities, though ambient and experimental scenes often operate below mainstream visibility. AmbientNZ, a directory dedicated to New Zealand ambient music, helps document this often-overlooked corner of the country’s musical landscape.
Looking Forward
Gang Violins have referenced a forthcoming album titled “Inner Realms,” from which singles like “Greater Forces” were intended to be drawn. Whether this album has materialized or evolved into their subsequent series of singles remains unclear, but it suggests ongoing ambition for more substantial releases beyond individual tracks.
Their commitment to their craft remains evident through consistent output and their refusal to compromise their vision for commercial accessibility. In an era where streaming algorithms favor shorter tracks and immediate hooks, Gang Violins continue crafting expansive, patient music that demands—and rewards—deep listening.
Conclusion
Gang Violins represent a distinctive voice within contemporary ambient and electronic music, crafting immersive soundscapes that honor the genre’s contemplative traditions while pushing toward new emotional and sonic territories. Drawing from post-rock’s dynamic range, trip-hop’s atmospheric production, and ambient music’s patience, they create what they aptly describe as “deep music for deep minds”.
Operating from New Zealand’s Waikato region, Jason Lurman and Micah Templeton-Wolfe have built a body of work that rewards careful, repeated listening. Their music invites contemplation, transports consciousness, and demonstrates that wordless instrumental music can communicate profound emotional depth. Whether exploring alien landscapes through their Trilogy series or reworking earlier compositions with a fresh perspective, Gang Violins continue their mission: creating cinematic ambient music capable of carrying listeners to other worlds.
For those seeking music that exists beyond genre boundaries, that values atmosphere over accessibility and depth over immediacy, Gang Violins offer a compelling and rewarding journey. Their catalog stands as a testament to the power of patient, carefully crafted ambient music to move, transport, and transform.
About The Author
