New Zealand artist Michael Upton has been making music as Jet Jaguar for over 25 years now. He has collaborated widely as well, most regularly with his ambient band, Tonkyn Pearson. Epiphytes marks the 10th Jet Jaguar album and follows 2022’s beautiful Room Tones album on Shimmering Moods Records.

Epiphytes are a common kind of plant in New Zealand that grow on other trees without harming the host. Something about how things can unexpectedly come to life in a new setting fits how Michael Upton conceives the music he makes as Jet Jaguar. Most of the tracks on Epiphytes involve lifting and replanting at least one element from another session, seeing how things can shift and fit together again. The album is all about exploring how different elements can grow and work in unison.