Category: Music

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Redding artists Craig Padilla and Marvin Allen release new music!

Redding-based Musicians Craig Padilla & Marvin Allen Intensify Their Electronic Post-Rock Journey on ‘UNFOLDING SKIES’

Album cover art for Weathering the Storm
Unfolding Skies is a continuation of the themes developed in our first three albums and another chapter in the many strange environments encountered by the Umbrella People on their journey.” — Marvin Allen
REDDING, CA, UNITED STATES, February 20, 2026 — Spotted Peccary Music artists Craig Padilla and Marvin Allen reunite for their fourth release Unfolding Skies, bending the ambience and turning up the intensity of their three previous collaborations into an electronic post-rock sound that pulses and shimmers like the stellar nightscapes that inspired it. The album releases worldwide today and is available on the streaming platform of your choice at https://orcd.co/unfolding-skies.
On this project, Padilla and Allen meticulously crafted Unfolding Skies into an amalgamation of sound expressiveness. This live approach brings Allen’s guitar work centerstage through Padilla’s electronic landscapes, blending familiar tones of classic rock, ambient and prog into something new.
“Unfolding Skies has a more straight-forward approach with Marvin’s guitar work, meaning that it’s more of his actual performance without the use of additional overdubs,” Padilla thoughtfully states, noting that in the past they used a technique of composing material through live studio improvisation, extracting vibrant elements, defining structure and perfecting the musical conversation. The difference is palpable.
Focus tracks for the album include “Jammin’ with Buddha,” “Undercurrents of Change” and the epic “Architects of Time,” in which Allen’s fiery guitar blazes a trail through film score panorama and space rock pyrotechnics. Padilla’s swirls of synth and guitar complement one another throughout the album, evoking listener references to Alan Parsons, Vangelis, Tangerine Dream and Robin Trower, who is one of Allen’s inspirations.

All of Padilla and Allen’s collaborations have featured the “Umbrella People” in the album artwork as a representation of everyone trying to find their way of existence in the chaos of the world. Unfolding Skies is the next step in that journey, but even bolder and brighter than before.

Starting in 2019 with Toward The Horizon, followed in 2021 by Strange Gravity, then Weathering The Storm in 2023 and now Unfolding Skies, which is available as a CD and in digital formats for streaming and downloading, including high resolution studio master formats. Listeners may select the format of their choice at https://spottedpeccary.com/shop/unfolding-skies/


New CD available now on Spotted Peccary Music, perfect for fans & playlists of Prog / Classic EM / Berlin-School / Atmospheric / Post-Rock music.

The album was mastered by Howard Givens at Spotted Peccary Studios, NW, Portland, OR; creative direction by Daniel Pipitone at Spotted Peccary Studios, NE, Ligonier, PA. Spotted Peccary owns a vast catalog of over 200 albums for easy licensing to TV, Film and commercials.
Catch the curated relaxing ambient electronic 24/7 LIVE STREAM – SPMLive: 24/7 Ambient Electronic – https://linktr.ee/ambientelectronic.tv
For artist interviews, reviews, or promotional requests, please contact Beth Ann Hilton via beth@spottedpeccary.com.
Tracklist:
1 Framework 12:03
2 Undercurrents of Change 05:28
3 Sun Portal 05:58
4 Jammin’ with Buddha 05:14
5 Cosmic Blueprint 08:38
6 Architects of Time 05:37
7 Unfolding Skies 13:20
Links:
Smartlink: https://orcd.co/unfolding-skies
Spotted Peccary Album Page: https://spottedpeccary.com/shop/unfolding-skies/
Bandcamp: https://padilla-allen.bandcamp.com/album/unfolding-skies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spottedpeccary/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spottedpeccary
About Craig Padilla and Marvin Allen:
Craig Padilla and Marvin Allen are an international award-winning electronic ambient-rock duo from Northern California whose music combines expressive musicianship with deep atmospheric sound design. Padilla, a veteran of the electronic music scene with over 40 releases, is known for crafting immersive soundscapes using analog and digital synthesizers. Allen, a seasoned multi-instrumentalist, performer, and music educator, brings decades of experience in recording, film scoring, and mentoring young musicians. In addition to being released on the world-renowned Hemi-Sync label (through Spotted Peccary Music), their collaborative works have charted at NUMBER 1 for numerous weeks on the NACC Charts, have been commissioned by Star’s End Radio, and have also been featured on Sirius XM, nationally syndicated programs Echoes and Music from the Hearts of Space, as well as many other radio programs and podcasts. https://spottedpeccary.com/artists/craig-padilla-and-marvin-allen/
About Spotted Peccary Music:
Portland-based Spotted Peccary Music is North America’s finest independent record label with a focus on deep, vast and introspective soundscapes. For over four decades, the artists of Spotted Peccary have been on a mission to develop, produce, publish and release ultra-high-quality, deep-listening experiences that engage the listener and exceed expectations. Every release is carefully prepared in a variety of high-quality formats from MP3 to high-res studio masters. In 2023, they were named Best Independent Record Label by the HIMAwards. Explore more than 200 titles and 50 artists released over 40 years of excellence. Explore perks of the 40th Retrospective celebration at https://spottedpeccary.com/spm40/ and shop for a collectible music $20 Discovery Pack while supplies last at www.AmbientElectronic.com
Beth Hilton
Spotted Peccary Music
+1 310-560-8390
email us here
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Late summer sunset, where the river runs through Redding

Here’s a soothing flight overlooking the Sacramento River as it passes through Redding California on its way to the sea. The devastating Park Fire rages into the fragile and crucial Mill Creek drainage of the norther Sierra. One of the few remaining un-dammed Salmon runs for protected spring run fish. Truly awful events taking place to the east provide a a golden and smoky light to Redding. Pretty, but deadly.

Video capture and editing by Skip Murphy. Soundtrack by me and Craig Padilla.

Sunset view 8-7-2024 of the Sacramento River as it flows through Redding CA
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Redding’s Garden of Lights 2023

A quick aerial overview of Redding’s Garden of Lights from 2023. Music excerpt “Live illusions” by Craig Padilla and Skip Murphy from the CD “Analog Destination,” recorded in Redding California in 2008, courtesy of of Groove Unlimited NL. Thank you again this year, Redding! #thisisredding, #gardenoflights, #craigpadilla

 

Garden of Lights at night video by Skip Murphy
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A Christmas present from musician Craig Padilla

Here’s my pal Craig Padilla offering the gift of music for everyone. Recorded for Christmas in a living room in Cottonwood CA (near Redding CA) in 2022. 

Craig Padilla is an American electronic musician and composer known for his ambient and experimental electronic music. He has released numerous solo albums and has collaborated with other artists in the electronic and ambient music genres. Padilla’s music often incorporates elements of space and cosmic themes, and he is known for his use of synthesizers and other electronic instruments to create expansive, immersive soundscapes.

Padilla began his career in the 1980s, releasing his first album, “Beyond the Horizon,” in 1986. Since then, he has released a number of albums and collaborative projects, including “From Within” (1991), “Paradise Found” (2003), and “The Great Shift” (2017). In addition to his solo work, Padilla has collaborated with other artists such as Steve Roach and Michael Stearns, along with local northern California artists Marvin Allen and Skip Murphy (me). He has also and has composed music for film and television.

Padilla’s music has been described as “ethereal” and “otherworldly,” and he is known for his ability to create immersive, atmospheric soundscapes that transport the listener to far-off places and realms of the imagination. His work has been praised by critics and fans alike, and he has developed a devoted following among fans of ambient and experimental electronic music. More about Craig at https://craigpadilla.bandcamp.com/

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Northstate Symphony in Reddding

I saw this beautiful image on Facebook, captured by the always amazing Rachel Hatch. Curating it here for those of you who come to this blog looking for all things Redding. #ThisisRedding
Click to enlarge.
Northstate Symphony by Rachel Hatch
I love the way the stage light reflects from the interior decor of Cascade Theatre. I wish I’d been there in person instead, but this photo is just delightful. Thanks for letting me use it here, Rachel.
Learn more about the Northstate Symphony at their website.

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Summer Schappell performs on national TV show

Local girl Summer Schappell appeared on a national TV show called “The Voice” this week. She did great, and you can watch it here:

Summer Schappell is the granddaughter of Bill Schappell, with whom I shared an adjacent desk at the real estate brokerage in 2009. Back then she was a very young, up and coming singer who had performed around Redding and recorded in Nashville. She and her band gave a terrific performance for an appreciative audience at the Asphalt Cowboys BBQ that year, and I took these photos and posted them here on Really Redding. Looks like a lot of hard work is paying off for Summer. I happen to know proud grandpa Bill had a hand in that effort.

Summer1 Summer2 Summer3 Summer4 Summer5 Summer6
Years of work to leads to “overnight success,” that’s Really Redding.

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Listen online to Redding composer Craig Padilla

Somebody assembled a playlist of videos at YouTube of only Craig Padilla’s music. It has a real nice flow. Great music to put on while working this rainy morning. I like to open a window in my browser to the link and let it play on in the background while I work.

You should try it.

Ascension Craig PadillaThe videos are mostly fan-produced, which is nice. What’s not all that nice is that Craig gets no pay for play. I see some ads, so somebody somewhere is getting paid.

The music “industry” model has been broken for some time now. But I know some artists are finding different ways to get paid. If you like what you hear and wish to support the artist directly, you can make a purchase at Craig’s website by clicking below. Craig and his family would appreciate it.

Interestingly, you can also find Craig Padilla in Wikipedia. Local talent recognized.

Craig greenjpg

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Anderson Summer Concert series to host Tempest tonight!

It used to be the Mosquito Serenade, but now it’s called the Summer Serenade. A free concert series held in Anderson’s lovely River Park on Wednesdays. Tonight they are having the celtic rock band Tempest again. I ran this post below back in 2009. It looks like their lineup has changed a bit, but the spirit remains. I am re-posting to get you in the mood for this evening’s show. I loved the way the chain of dancers formed!
Tempest11
At first only the youngest kids are dancing, since they are more in touch with the muse.
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But soon, the group of dancers grows larger, as the bigger kids join in.
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Like a chain reaction, the group of dancers builds.
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This band is hotter than than an Anderson July.
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Soon the whole crowd is one single pulsating organism, throbbing to the rhythym.
Tempest
Yes, you have them in the palm of your hand. Nice work.
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What a terrific venue! This free concert series is a longtime Anderson tradition. Thanks to all who contribute and sponsor. And Tempest, well, you blew us away!