Cousin Silas is the stage name of English electronic music artist David Hughes. The name comes from a character in King Crimson's song, "Happy Family". He has released over eighty albums on various netlabels. Between 1990 and 2000 he wrote several short stories, poetry, prose, and articles that were published in small press magazines such as Back Brain Recluse, Nova SF, The Scanner, REM, Nerve Gardens, The Lyre, Auguries and Focus. On 28 January 2004 Cousin Silas made an appearance on BBC Radio 1 played by John Peel.
Biography
David Hughes, born 7 May 1959, is an English musician and electronic music producer most notable for his ambient and drone music. David was born in Huddersfield, and spent most of that time in the Colne Valley. He attended Crow Lane, Royds Hall School, Colne Valley High School and Kirklees College, formerly known as Huddersfield Technical College. He then apprenticed as an electrical engineer and moved on to become a telecommunications engineer. Before experimenting with soundscapes in 2000, David played guitar in a couple of local bands doing new wave and punk covers. His current style of music is influenced by JG Ballard, Brian Eno, and Forteana. The musician is a self-proclaimed "sound alchemist" and has referred to his music as "audio photographs" or "moodscapes." He is a fan of science fiction novels written between 1950 and 1980 by authors such as Clark Ashton Smith, HP Lovecraft, M.R. James, Brian Aldiss, and Michael Moorcock.
Discography + Solo ReleasesRelease TitleYearLabelLilliput2001Fflint CentralPortraits and Peelings2003Fflint CentralGeographics2005Earth Monkey ProductionsBallard Landscapes2005Earth Monkey ProductionsRelic Once Lost2005Earth Monkey ProductionsNecropolis Line2006EarthridBallard Landscapes 22006Earth Monkey ProductionsUncertainty2009Just Not NormalThe Melting Static2009EarthridThe Snow Imposed Silence2010BFW RecordingsCanaveral Dreams2010AcustronicaAdrift Off The Islets of Langerhans2010EarthridComplex Silence 9 - Fresh Landscapes2010Treetrunk RecordsDecember's Shipping Forecast2010TBAThe Path Between The Trees2012We Are All GhostsUnhinged Constellations2012We Are All GhostsComplex Silence 282012Treetrunk RecordsEndless Summer2012We Are All GhostsThank You2012We Are All GhostsDronescape 0012013We Are All GhostsWhispers Fall2013Free Floating MusicDronescape 0022013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0032013We Are All GhostsBallard Landscapes 32013Aural FilmsDronescape 0042013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0052013We Are All GhostsEast2013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0062013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0072013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0082013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0092013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0102013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0112013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0122013We Are All GhostsLong Decay2013Withering TreesDronescape 0132013We Are All GhostsDronescape 0142013We Are All GhostsInto the Dark2013We Are All GhostsPrisoner of the Coral Deep2014BFW RecordingsDronescape 0152014We Are All GhostsThe Place It Used To Be2014Sucu MusicDronescape 0162014We Are All GhostsInto the Dark Volume ii2014We Are All GhostsDronescape 0172014We Are All GhostsDronescape 0182014We Are All GhostsDronescape 0192014We Are All GhostsFog Music 12014Aural FilmsDronescape 0202014We Are All GhostsInto the Dark Volume iii2014We Are All GhostsBallard Landscapes 42014Aural FilmsSingular Passion2014Petroglypth MusicWeaving Portraits2014Sucu MusicStanding on the Edge of Decay2014TouchedDronescape 0212014We Are All GhostsThe Sound of Silas2014We Are All GhostsDronescape 0222014We Are All GhostsThe Dying Lights2014Petroglyph MusicThe Shipping Forecast (rerelease)2015TBADronescape 0232015We Are All GhostsGallimaufry2015UnsheepDronescape 0242015We Are All GhostsAmidst Silence2015BatenimTwang!2015We Are All GhostsTwang Too2015We Are All GhostsOwlers Wood2015Re-Released on We Are All GhostsDronescape 0252015We Are All GhostsTwang Free!2015We Are All GhostsTwang Fore!2015We Are All GhostsDronescape 0262015We Are All GhostsThrough a Cobweb Strange2015We Are All GhostsTwang V: A Journey Through the Solar System & Beyond2015We Are All GhostsDronescape 0272015We Are All GhostsDark Moons2015Studio 4632Diversions For Guitar2015Classwar KaraokeQuiet Afternoons2015Treetrunk RecordsA Brief Moment2015Petroglyph MusicOver Moors and Silver Streams2015Re-released on Hortus Conclusus RecordsForeshore2015BFW RecordingsDronescape 0282015We Are All GhostsCold Star2015CerebralAudioGeographics 22015We Are All GhostsThe Beginner's Guide to Looping2015BatenimBallard Landscapes 52015Aural FilmsDronescape 0292015We Are All GhostsCousin Silas - In Dub2015TBAModified Dronescapes And Other Assorted Misdemeanours2015We Are All GhostsSoul Vacuum2015Petroglyph MusicObservations From Earth And Beyond2015CerebralAudioEbb2015Studio 4632The Gift2015Private ReleaseCatharsis2016Hortus Conclusus RecordsBetween Worlds2016Hortus Conclusus RecordsContrasts2016Hortus Conclusus RecordsLift the Sky2016Hortus Conclusus RecordsA Moment Lost2016Sucu MusicDronescape 0302016We Are All GhostsDronescape 0312016We Are All GhostsLiving In The Liminal Zone2016Studio 4632Swirl2016We Are All GhostsLiminal Drone 12016Studio 4632Dronescape 0322016We Are All GhostsTryptych2016Petroglyph MusicMicro Dronescapes Volume 12016We Are All GhostsContrasts2016Hortus Conclusus RecordsSky Road2016CerebralAudioBallard Landscapes 62016Aural FilmsUrge2016CerebralAudioMemories Of A Journey2016BatenimLiminal Drone 2 - Fragile Dissonance2016Studio 4632Twang VI - Structures2016We Are All GhostsThe Gift (2) 2016Private ReleaseDronescape 0332016We Are All GhostsBerlin Evenings2016We Are All GhostsDronescape 0342016We Are All GhostsLift The Sky2016Hortus Conclusus RecordsTwang VII2016We Are All GhostsTransformations2016CerebralAudioPanoramica2016Studio 4632Seasonal Tracks (Gift 3)2016Private ReleaseDronescape 0352016We Are All GhostsRecrudescence 2017We Are All GhostsSilence & Solitude2017Murmure IntemporelLandscapes2017Studio 4632Dronescape 0362017We Are All GhostsStygian2017Studio 4632Metamorphosis2017Aural FilmsLiminal Drones 3 & 4 (Summer & Fall)2017Studio 4632A Fall Of Moondust2017Hortus Conclusus RecordsDronescape 0372017We Are All GhostsDronescape 0382017We Are All GhostsThe Law Of Contagion2017Cephalopagus RecordsThe Gift (4)2017Private ReleasePermutations2017We Are All GhostsCousin Silas2017We Are All GhostsLiminal Drone 6 (Spring)2017Studio 4632Snowline2017CerebralAudioTwang! 82018We Are All GhostsDronescape 0392018We Are All GhostsMechanics Of Solitude2018Studio 4632Sketches, Rough Drafts and Early Ideas2018Submarine Broadcasting CompanyRadio Galaxies2018Submarine Broadcasting CompanyUnlimited Boundaries2018We Are All GhostsShort Stories2018Studio 4632Short Stories Volume 22018Studio 4632Galactic Procession2018We Are All GhostsSky Watching2018Hortus Conclusus RecordsLiminal Done 7 - (Dark Days & Sacrificial Nights)2018Studio 4632White Sand Lagoons2018esoundcDronescape 0402018We Are All GhostsRestoration2019The Cousin Silas EmporiumOrphans 32019The Cousin Silas EmporiumOrphans 42019The Cousin Silas EmporiumBlue Ice Beyond2019The Cousin Silas EmporiumDronescape 0422019We Are All GhostsBallard Landscapes 72019We Are All GhostsDronescape 0442020We Are All GhostsDronescape 0452020We Are All GhostsElectric Portraits2020Self-releasedShades2020Self-releasedOrphans One2020Self-releasedOrphans Two2020Self-releasedThe Liminal Drone 7 (Dark Days & Sacrifical Nights)2020Self-releasedLiminal Dronescapes 3 & 4 (Summer & Fall)2020Self-releasedLiminal Drone 5 | Winter2020Self-releasedThe Mechanics Of Solitude2020Studio 4632Cold Star2020Digital DizzyEmporium Drone 0132022Self-releasedEmporium Drone 0152023Self-released + CollaborationsRelease TitleCollaboratorYearLabelAbominations of YondoKevin Busby2007EarthridRebekkah's Cousin Silas – The Devil Came To MeRebekkah Hilgraves2012We Are All GhostsAbominations of Yondo – That Remote and Awful TwilightKevin Busby2012EarthridAbominations of Yondo – ClandestineKevin Busby2012EarthridJaguars & ShamenJack Hertz2013Aural FilmsSilas & Friends Volume 1Various Artists2013We Are All GhostsThe Quiet ForestJack Hertz2013We Are All GhostsSilas & Friends Volume 2Various Artists2013We Are All GhostsThe Silent CitadelAde Hodges & Kevin Lyons2013We Are All GhostsSpace Time MantraAde Hodges2014We Are All GhostsSilas & Friends Volume 3Various Artists2014We Are All GhostsScannerWorksKevin Lyons2014We Are All GhostsIn the Green LightAde Hodges2014We Are All GhostsLeaving The ISSmusicformessier 2014IndependentInner & Outer Space (Split Album 2 Silas Tracks)Csillagköd 2014BatenimBridges of the SouthBlack Hill2015IndependentA Journey Beyond UnderstandingHead Joint2015PetroglyphAbsent AgreementsWolfgang Gsell2015Aural FilmsCousin Silas David GerardDavid Gerard2015We Are All GhostsAmazing Tales Of Time & SpaceKevin Lyons2015We Are All GhostsTime SpinnersJack Hertz2015Aural FilmsSilas & Friends Volume 4Various Artists2015We Are All GhostsAnd Memories FadeWolfgang Gsell2015Aural FilmsFurther FartherMystified2015Independent (Deleted)Internal FurnitureTim Jones, Kevin Lyons2015We Are All GhostsInterplanetary BluesKevin Lyons2015We Are All GhostsWhy Not: The CollaborationsCandy L2015Studio 4632Deep Dark SkiesMyklH 2016Studio 4632Silas & Friends Volume 5Various2016We Are All GhostsTwo SuitesGlenn Sogge2016Studio 4632OrnithologyGlove Of Bones2016We Are All Ghosts2Kevin Lyons & Tim Jones2016We Are All GhostsThe Time DwellersKevin Lyons2016We Are All GhostsIn The SkiesWolfgang Gsell Ft Miriam Christina2016Aural FilmsThe MirrorAdeptus Mechanicus & Lutz Thuns2016IndependentThe Three ImpostersKevin Lyons & Tim Jones2016We Are All GhostsMabinogiGlove Of Bones2017We Are All GhostsCanyonCandy L2017Studio 4632The Moorcock PrincipleKevin Lyons2017We Are All GhostsReckoningCandy L2017Studio 4632Unexpected SpacescapeTotal ET2017Studio 4632Roaming In TeesdaleBlack Hill2017IndependentTheme Music From The Aether Various2017We Are All GhostsCoefficient Of VariationOystein Jorgenson 2017We Are All GhostsSilas & Friends Volume 6Various2017We Are All GhostsSoundtrack To Your Own FantasyMixtaped Monk2017Studio 4632PianoMartin Neuhold2017Studio 4632Music For A PhotoJaime Munarriz 2017Studio 4632Beyond The InfiniteKevin Lyons2017We Are All GhostsTranquil Minds And Other DistractionsHeadJoint2018We Are All GhostsNew Dub ManifestoGlove Of Bones2018We Are All GhostsThree Imposters 2Kevin Lyons & Tim Jones2018We Are All GhostsThe BridgeGlenn Sogge2018Cerebral AudioSense Of DoubtEisenlager2018Studio 4632Merging GalaxiesDawn Tuesday & Total E.T.2018Studio 4632The Audio SculleryPendro2018PendroSpirits of AfrodubismGlove of Bones2018Submarine Broadcasting Company
Compilations Unholy Trinity (2002, Fflint Central Records) :: FALLING :: (2006, Earth Monkey Productions) The Resting Bench Remix Project – Volume 1 (Collab, 2006, Earth Monkey Productions) EMP075 | Various Artists | Field Notes (2009, Earth Monkey Productions) Dark Minds compilation (2010, Kopp Netlabel) Ambient Consequences (2010, Kopp Netlabel) The BFW Christmas Album 2010 (2010, BFW Recordings) BFW Album in a Day volume 2 (2011, BFW Recordings) Chain Reaction (2011, Kopp Netlabel) BFW Album in a Day volume 3 (2011, BFW Recordings) The BFW Christmas Album 2011 (2011, BFW Recordings) Elements 1 (2012, The Future Elements) Space Rock: The Compilation (2012, Sound For Good Records) BFW Album In A Day volume 4 (2012, BFW Recordings) all|is|calm 2012 (2012, Free Floating Music) Remix Eye Movement (Collab, 2012 Acustronica) BFW Album in a Day volume 5 (2012, BFW Recordings) Doomsday and Brimstone (2012, Sound For Good Records) Other People's Remixes (Collab, 2012, Peter Fitzpatrick) ...ending the year on a high 2012 (2012, We Are All Ghosts) The BFW Christmas Album 2012 (2012, BFW Recordings) No Labels No Musics 4 (Collab, 2013, Editora Do Porto) I Heard Something in the Distance volume 10 (2013, BFW Recordings) ANDREAS N°16 – Parallel Worlds (2013, Fraction Studio)