Introducing: Explorer

Explorer was born when composer Gavin Miller joined a Bedford-based music company and met resident DJ and beatmaker Mark Russell.  Mark’s immersive, groove-heavy productions immediately caught Gavin’s attention.  Fresh off scoring his first film for now-acclaimed director Adam Mason, Gavin was ready to dive into something new.

But it wasn’t just timing. Gavin had recently lost his best friend in a tragic car accident, and his emotional state had pulled him into a world of introspective sounds, such as Air, Zero 7, and Massive Attack. That mood fed straight into the music he and Mark began to create together.

They created four ambient chillout tracks that blurred the lines between cinematic and electronic. The first of these, Night Manoeuvres, was quickly picked up by Ministry of Sound and featured on their iconic Chillout Sessions compilation.  We spoke to the band about the songs that shaped their sound.

Air – All I Need

A beautifully crafted track. The dreamy vocals and lush production offer the perfect escape—effortless and immersive.

Zero 7 – Destiny

A key influence on Explorer. The warm chords, spacious mix, and delicate vocal arrangement create a soundscape that completely transports you. A stunning example of production that breathes.

Massive Attack – Teardrop

A minimalist masterpiece. Its emotional weight and stripped-back approach had a huge impact on Explorer’s direction.

The Beach (movie) Soundtrack – particularly Pure Shores by All Saints & Porcelain by Moby

At the time, chillout and ambient music were dominating the charts, and tracks like these offered a much-needed escape from the chaos of daily life. William Orbit’s production on Pure Shores is pristine, while Porcelain captures a timeless, emotional stillness.

Brian Eno – Deep Blue Day

A direct inspiration for Blue Dawn. It's one of the most iconic and evocative ambient pieces ever made—gentle, spacious, and endlessly inspiring.

Listen to Blue Dawn by Explorer here: https://orcd.co/bluedawn