Not exactly the case in Hamish Thomson's experience. But last year while sequestered away in the studio Hamish did become "the hermit". Thus the name of the new "organic electronica" project that Hamish has founded. The hermit's newly released album "flying out of solitude" is an apt description of what it felt like when Hamish emerged.

"It is just the nature of the solo project", says Hamish. "You cut yourself off from everyone else so you can focus on producing all the sounds you have visualized. It can be alienating, but worth the seclusion once you are out in the world again sharing the finished product."

Within the last ten years Hamish has been involved in numerous other music projects and as drummer in more traditional rock bands writing, touring and recording and releasing albums. He has also worked with many producers, including Garth Richardson (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and 54-40), Paul Baker (Paul Hyde and Chilliwack) and Cecil English (D.O.A.).

With the release of his solo project, the hermit, Hamish has entered into a completely new realm of music.

The hermit is a studio/live production project that combines ambient textures with layered loops and deep melodies. These vinyl friendly tracks are suitable for a live setting as well as movies, TV and video game and website soundtracks. In fact, the last track on the album, estuary, has recently been licensed by the new Internet-based company, Modern Groove, which provides music to video and computer game publishers, and is compiling a music database to better market modern music artists to other Internet sites.

Although the music appeals to the youth of today who are very interested in the technological trend, Hamish retains some of his roots within the music. You hear a vintage 1960's air organ simulating bagpipes in the song second wave and you think of Scotland, Hamish's ancestral home. "That's the dichotomy", says Hamish, "I love the freedom of technology, but I also love having the ability to play traditional instruments, so I've incorporated both into my music. I had to come up with a name for it and "organic electronica" describes it perfectly." kind of a bio for Critical Bandwith comp (it comes off the slip cover):

A stereo-spectacular compilation of critical sounds from Germany, France, Italy, India, England, Sweden, and Canada. This 14-track compilation covers all the bases and takes care of all your electronic music needs from down tempo, sci-fi jazz, phunk, break beat, techno, to deep house and more...