My hat is in the ring this year. Not New Age, Ambient, or Chant, but the other Grammy® categories don't have a convenient slot for me (and probably never will, understandably). #electronicmusic #techno #idm #chillout #chill #ambientmusic #musicsky #ambientsky #electronicmusician #electronica

'Access', from the album "Cup". #electronicmusic #electronicmusic #ambientmusic #ambient #ambientelectronic #musicisart #idm #techno #electronica #downtempo #atmospheric #musicsky #ambientsky #chill #chillout #soundscape #soundscape aetopus-spm.bandcamp.com/track/access

Live presentations are necessarily a little heavier than my studio work, and provide me with an opportunity to mix things up a bit. #polyrhythmic #idm #techno #electronicmusic #liveelectronicmusic #industrialmusic @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=b83D...

I'll be presenting a 30-minute musical odyssey at this show - If you're in the PNW on 7/30, check it out! #electronicmusic #idm #chillout #ambientmusic #ambient #darkambientmusic #electroacoustic #bellinghammusic #bellinghamwa #pnw #seattlemusic @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social

'iota', released this February, landed right in the middle of this top 35 list. Thank you, @echoesradio.bsky.social ! @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social #electronicmusic #idm #ambient #ambientmusic #chillout #chill #techno #polymeter #electronicart #newage #newagemusic

Each album usually contains one or two tracks that are stylistic outliers compared to the rest of the theme. Very often, it's those songs that get a lot of attention from broadcasters and fans. In 'iota', that song is 'Probe' www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vru6... #idm #oddtimesignature #electronicmusic

Melorman fan here... Please check it! #idm #electronicmusic #soundscape #moodmusic #ambientmusic

Tonight on Echoes! echoes.org/2025/04/11/f... @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social #electronicmusic #idm #chill #chillout #ambient #ambientmusic #techno #electricacoustic #collegeradio #npr

'iota' is still hanging on the NACC Top 30 Chill Charts nearly 8 weeks since release - Thanks for all the spins, college and community radio! #electronicmusic #idm #chill #chillout #ambient #ambientmusic #techno #electricacoustic #nacc #collegeradio #npr

Honored, @syndaepodcast.bsky.social ! 🎧🎹🎧

"This isn’t Berlin School, nor is it your typical floating ambient sound, but elements of both do inform Hughes’ compositions, which tend to steer clear of any easy categorization." expose.org/index.php/ar... @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social #chillout #ambientmusic #ambient #idm

From a new Brainvoyager review: "Wordless electronic music is one of the purest and most beautiful representations of abstract art. The act of listening should always involve an element of mystery. This is AeTopus." www.brainvoyagermusic.com/review/iota/ #abstractart #ambientmusic #techno #idm

French masterworks (Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse) at Bellingham's Whatcom Museum. Equally noteworthy was the top-notch security at the museum - an unusual scenario in our little community. #matisse #renoir #cezanne #cézanne #frenchart #frenchartist #impressionism #impressionist #bellinghamwashington

It's not for me to decide, of course. But based on listener and reviewer comments since its release two weeks ago, it's possible that 'iota' may be one of those stand-out, pivotal albums many musicians hope for. Time will tell. orcd.co/iota #electronicmusic #techno #idm #chillout #ambientmusic

The NACC charts indicate broadcaster interest and listenership in the college, NPR, and community space - This morning, I was very pleased to learn that 'iota' has edged into the top 10 in the Chill universe. Thanks! orcd.co/iota #chillout #chill #idm #ambientmusic #nacc #musicsky #ambientsky

In this podcast, we discuss the origins of AeTopus, the creative process, and go off on a few tangents that are decidedly *not* New Age-y... www.newagemusicreviews.net/2025/03/AeTo... @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social #musicsky #ambientsky #idm #chillout #creativeprocess

A quick exposé of my hybrid approach to making electronic music. www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwhW... @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social #electronicmusic #techno #idm #chillout #ambientmusic #musicsky #ambientsky #electronicmusician #electronica #soundartist

Relaxed, textured, and atmospheric, with tasteful glitch elements and plenty of air. And the cover art's color palette is a nice touch - I might have to get the vinyl if there are any left.

A great review of 'iota', and an awesome breakdown of my creative approach, in @igloomag.bsky.social 🎹🙌🎹 #polyrhythmic #ambientmusic #idm #chillout #techno #ambient #electronicmusic #newmusic #newrelease @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social

Thank you, @nighttides.bsky.social , for including 'iota' in tonight's show 🙌🎧🙌 #soundscape #ambientmusic #chill #chillout #electronicmusic #bellinghamwa #idm #ambient #downtempo #musicisart #berlinschool #berlinschoolofmusic #techno #electronica

Release day for 'iota'. My latest fusion of ambient, active electronic, and IDM is now available everywhere - compact disc, digital download, streaming... Many thanks! #polyrhythmic #ambientmusic #idm #chillout #techno #ambient #electronicmusic #newmusic #newrelease orcd.co/iota

It's always an honor to be featured on @echoesradio.bsky.social ... @bhilton.bsky.social @spottedpeccary.bsky.social #ambientmusic #idm #musicisart #electronicmusic #chillout #techno #newmusic #electronicart

Join @aetopus.bsky.social for a listening party for his new album, iota! Hear the full album+live chat! Begins at 1pm EST / 10am PST, (chat opens 30 mins before). RSVP: cutt.ly/iotalp #Ambient #ambientelectronic #electronica #electronicmusic @bandcamp.com @bhilton.bsky.social @spopecnw.bsky.social

My sincere thanks goes out to everyone who has come along for the ride, whether for one album or for the whole adventure. 'iota' releases on Friday, February 21, and I can't wait to add it to the pile. #electronicmusic #idm #chillout #ambientmusic #electroacoustic #soundartist #musicisart #ambient

The tiny, subtle details of how we communicate with the universe, how the universe connects with us, how nature interacts with itself. www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDEL... @spottedpeccary.bsky.social @bhilton.bsky.social #electronicmusic #techno #idm #chillout #ambientmusic #newmusic #electronica

#NewMusic from AeTopus, one of the latest signings to #SpottedPeccary, and a vivid new voice in #electronic music. @aetopus.bsky.social. #newsingle

PRE-ORDER has begun for my new full-length album, 'iota' - I hope you'll give the early-release track, "Wave Hello", a listen, and thank you! orcd.co/iota @spottedpeccary.bsky.social #newrelease #newmusic #electronicmusic #techno #idm #chillout #ambientmusic #ambient #synth #electroacoustic

Skipping rocks on a frozen lake during yesterday's hike. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my portable stereo recorder to capture this for sound design material - If this freezes again, I'll be back. #sounddesign #ambientmusic #electronicmusic #hiking #skippingrocks #pewpew

An old wall, its peeling layers revealing yet more peeling underneath... Fresh album coming in February. #newrelease #newmusic #electronicmusic #techno #idm #chillout #ambientmusic

Sneak peak of two upcoming releases from one of the best labels in the ambient/electronic space. One of the releases happens to be mine, so of course! @spottedpeccary.bsky.social #idm #ambient #ambientmusic #musicisart #electronicmusic www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIw-...

Album art and song titles necessarily contain little clues about a musician's intentions, but the listener should have every opportunity to fill in the blanks with their imagination. Stay tuned... #idm #ambientmusic #abstractart

Following on Bandcamp remains one of the most convenient, fun, cost-effective ways to discover and obtain new music - Plus, you'll have no problem finding my next release (right around the corner)! aetopus.bandcamp.com/follow_me #idm #ambientmusic #musicisart #techno #electronicmusic #newrelease

Most influential albums for AeTopus. A friend recommended this exercise as a way of getting to the essence of one's formative listening. An eclectic, meaningful mix of early electronic instrumental, orchestral, and ethno-ambient. #idm #ambient #musiciansky #musicsky #ambientmusic #musicisart

Outside-the-box electronica here. Most enjoyable.

I don’t know whether heaven or hell got Toby Keith, but I know that whichever side got Mojo is having a hell of a better party right now.

A few days ago, I listened to my album, 'Cup', for the first time since it was released in October. It has taken on new meaning now that the trees are bare and the natural world has gone to sleep (in the Pacific Northwest, anyway). Impermanence, acceptance, rest, and the prospect of rebirth...

Reloop and Ortofon composition. #music #musicsky #vinyl #blackandwhite

Cup, from AeTopus is now available everywhere – CD, Digital and all streaming platforms! Order it here: orcd.co/aetopus-cup and catch it today running in its entirety on our live stream: ambientelectronic.tv #ambientelectronic #ElectronicMusic #ambient #AeTopus