Spelonk by Machinefabriek

Most of the music I make nowadays is commissioned for film, dance, or other projects. And I love it — it’s the best job in the world! — but sometimes I have to pull myself away from it, and make something purely for myself. My 2004 release “Omval” was one of these works, as is now “Spelonk”. These projects are always made in short bursts; once I start creating, things fall into place quickly, as if the ideas were (unknowingly) already there and just needed to get out of my system.

The three tracks that comprise “Spelonk” (simply titled I, II, III) are build with “hardware jams” that I recorded with my live setup. It’s all quite hands-on, with effects pedals, an oscillator, and electronic gadgets. The magic happens when combining different recordings, layering them, and hearing what happens. Listening is always a favorite moment in the process, with a welcome element of surprise. I guess it’s all about creating alien landscapes — alien also to me too — that are exciting to explore.

I hesitate to say much more about these tracks as colouring the listener’s experience would be an unwelcome distraction. Eyes closed… enjoy the ride.

Rutger Zuydervelt, September 2025

Tracklist

1.	Spelonk I	6:14

2.	Spelonk II
3.	Spelonk III

Credits

releases January 20, 2026

Rutger Zuydervelt (also known as Machinefabriek) combines elements of ambient, noise, minimalism, drone, field recordings and electro-acoustic experiments. The music can be heard as an attempt to create sonic environments for the listener to dwell in. Finding tension in texture, tone and timing, the result can be very minimalistic at first glance, but reveals its depth upon closer listening. The devil is in the details.

Zuydervelt was born in 1978 in Apeldoorn (The Netherlands) and now resides in Schiedam. He started recording as Machinefabriek in 2004 and since then released a steady stream of music. He also composed for dance performances and films, and collaborated with various artists, like Michel Banabila, Gareth Davis, Steven Hess, Sylvain Chauveau, Aaron Martin, Dirk Serries, Dead Neanderthals, and many more.

License