Perception and meaning are strongly tied to specific places—particular locations. As a result, our most vivid memories and emotions are linked to the landscapes we inhabit. This idea is clearly reflected in the striking new collaborative album from Ragana and Drowse, titled Ash Souvenir. A heartfelt meditation on grief and geography, the album thoughtfully combines soil, ash, and shared experiences from the Pacific Northwest. This record is more than just a collection of songs from Ragana and Drowse; it’s a powerful journey that captures the essence of its title.
Scheduled for release on November 14 via The Flenser, Ash Souvenir emphasizes the strong creative bond between Ragana and Drowse. Born from personal tragedy and a shared respect for their regional roots, this project serves as a heartfelt keepsake—an authentic musical souvenir. The music offers a haunting, beautiful exploration of memory that lives up to its name. Ultimately, Ragana and Drowse’s collaboration is a collective tribute, sharing memories that honor a region and its stories.
The Genesis of a Natural Collaboration
The exact origins of the collaborative project are playfully mysterious, but it’s certain that Roadburn commissioned it for their 2024 festival. “We couldn’t figure out exactly whose idea the collaboration was originally,” laughs Maria of Ragana. Still, the foundation for this collaboration is undeniable. Kyle Bates of Drowse had long admired Ragana; they had toured together before, and their shared location and record label made the connection feel inevitable. “We all come from a similar background,” Bates explains. “So it was a very, very natural feeling for us.”
Ragana, a duo from Olympia, Washington, have spent over a decade establishing a unique place in the underground metal scene with their raw, atmospheric, and emotional sound. Likewise, Drowse, Kyle Bates’s project, has earned recognition for its introspective and textured approach to slowcore and drone. The collaboration on Ash Souvenir merges two distinct yet complementary artistic visions.
Weaving Personal History into a Collective Tapestry
Ash Souvenir is deeply tied to the artists’ personal experiences with loss. The title track, for example, is Maria’s heartfelt tribute to her mother. “At that time, my mom was really sick,” Maria shares. “So it was meaningful for me to write something with her in mind and to refer to where we grew up.” They were able to play the song for Maria’s mother before she passed away. The vocal performance on the track is stunningly beautiful, airy yet filled with a palpable, aching love that forms the emotional core of the entire collaborative project.
Similarly, Kyle Bates wrote about family and a sense of place from afar, themes that significantly influence Ash Souvenir. While living in California, his sister was diagnosed with a serious chronic illness. “I was carrying a lot of guilt about living so far away,” he recalls. Likewise, Noel of Ragana expressed grief over their grandmother’s passing through the expansive “In Eternal Woods.” The song features audio from an old home video and a traditional Latvian folk poem, making the contribution to Ash Souvenir a heartfelt tribute to their grandmother’s history and connection to the land.
The Creative Process and a Triumphant Debut
The logistics of creating Ash Souvenir were complicated because the members were in different locations. However, their songwriting process was simple. “We all just brought a song we had written on guitar to each other,” Noel notes. They also started with a shared “mood board” of influences focused on the Pacific Northwest.
Astonishingly, the world premiere of the music that forms Ash Souvenir took place at the prestigious Roadburn Festival in 2024. It was a trial by fire, as the group had only practiced together four times. “We were all backstage doing jumping jacks. We were so jelly-legged,” Bates confesses. Despite the fear, the performance was a triumph. “It was so beautiful,” Maria recalls. This successful debut validated the power of their shared vision for the material that would become Ash Souvenir.
Later, they recorded the album live to tape at the renowned Unknown Studio in Anacortes, WA, with well-known producer and engineer Nicholas Wilbur. “It has that really live feel,” Bates says of the production, which skillfully combines Ragana’s heavy emotional intensity with Drowse’s textural depth to shape the unique sound of Ash Souvenir. The album includes a mesmerizing drawing of a post-eruption Mount St. Helens landscape by artist Cameron Puleo.
A Testament to Artistic Camaraderie
Ultimately, Ash Souvenir stands as a testament to the healing power of artistic collaboration. The members emphasize the deep respect and friendship that fueled the project. “I love these two,” Kyle states. “We’re all going through a tough time. So, for me personally, it was like helping me through some darkness.” This feeling is echoed in a lighter moment Noel remembers, a perfect symbol of their connection: “I knew it was all going to be good when the first time we showed up to practice, Kyle and I were wearing matching Ulver shirts.”
Ash Souvenir is more than an album; it is a shared space where personal grief and collective memory come together. It is a beautiful, weighty, and ultimately hopeful reflection on the people and places we call home, ensuring their stories resonate long after the final note fades. This collaborative work is a gift to listeners navigating their own losses.
Band pic by Jolie M-A
