A member-run network for ambient artists
and listeners
Est. in 2024, Atmospheric Music Alliance (AMA) is a cooperative made of dedicated artists and listeners supporting independent ambient, drone, and atmospheric music. We host gatherings, fund projects, and share tools to help each other keep going.
HOW IT WORKS:
- Join AMA via WithFriends. Choose a tier based on how involved you want to be. All memberships support programming, artist grants, and events.
- Shape the direction. Propose new projects, vote on grants, and join Town Halls. Members decide where AMA goes next.
- Drop in. We host live shows, virtual events, and low-stakes meetups across NYC, Chicago, Hudson Valley + beyond.
Membership Tiers
MEMBERSHIP TIERS
Friend — $5/month or $60/year
Buy us a coffee each month and help cover the basics: planning, admin, newsletters, and all the little things that keep AMA going.
• Vote on artist grants
• AMA newsletters & exclusive downloads
• 15% off StretchMetal shows & merch
Guide — $15/month or $160/year
Play a bigger role in how decisions are made.
• All Participant benefits
• Vote on which proposals get funded
• Help shape the AMA budget + structure
• Discounts on events and items from 4MS, National Audio Co., Reflections, Heavy Trip
• Option to be listed on AMA site
• Eligible for fiscal sponsorship (pilot)
Participant — $12/month or $144/year
Help shape where AMA goes next.
• All Friend benefits
• Attend Town Halls
• Submit proposals (shows, workshops, etc.)
• Apply for artist grants
Your support helps us offer sliding scale access for QTBIPOC members.
• All Guide benefits
• Directly funds accessibility + equity
Sliding Scale Guide ($60–$115/year)
Available via application for QTBIPOC members
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Full Guide benefits
The application window is now open. Application
WHAT YOUR MEMBERSHIP SUPPORTS:
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Live events and gatherings
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Workshops + skill-sharing
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Artist grants + equipment support
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Web hosting + admin
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Member proposals + promotion
Artist Grant
AMA ARTIST GRANT
The AMA Artist Grant supports AMA members in creating new works in ambient music, offering flexible funding for projects, equipment, and artist development. In Fall 2025, AMA will award a total of $2,400: $1,200 to 1 member and $600 to 2 runner-ups. To apply, you must be an active AMA member in the Guide, Gem, or Participant tier. Winners will be decided by AMA members' votes.
The current grant cycle is now closed. More updates in December 2025.
Guest Reviewer: Christopher Willits
Christopher Willits is a pioneering composer, guitarist, and visual artist whose work expands how we experience sound and space. As a core artist on the Ghostly International roster since the early 2000s, he has shaped contemporary ambient music with fluid guitar harmonies, textural depth, and immersive audio innovation. His catalog spans critically acclaimed solo works, alongside collaborations with Tycho, Taylor Deupree, Zach Hill, and Japanese legend Ryuichi Sakamoto.
At the center of Willits’ practice is harmonic spatial sound; music that creates expansive space for reflection and connection. Through this love, he co-founded and directs Envelop, a nonprofit building community through immersive listening spaces, inspiring events, and free open-source spatial audio tools (E4L). Envelop’s mission, to connect and inspire through listening, runs through Christopher's performances, installations, and studio work.
Listen to his new album New Moon on Ghostly.
We’re honored to have Christopher Willits join us as guest reviewer for this fall’s AMA Artist Grant to listen and select five finalists from this season’s pool of submissions, which will then go to AMA members for the final vote.
Voting Rights by Tier
VOTING BREAKDOWN
Friend
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Vote on artist grants: ✓
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Vote on proposal funding: ✖
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Vote on AMA budget or structure: ✖
Participant
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Vote + apply on artist grants (after 3 months): ✓
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Submit event proposals: ✓
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Vote on AMA budget or structure: ✖
Guide / Gem
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Vote on artist grants: ✓
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Vote on + submit event proposals: ✓
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Vote on AMA budget or structure: ✓
Partners
PARTNER DISCOUNTS
Codes are shared with Guide and Gem members after signup.
• 4MS – 15% off synths + gear
• National Audio Co – 15–20% off duplication
• Reflections – 15% off tickets
• Heavy Trip – select free shows
Interested in becoming a partner?
We’re always open to adding new partner relationships that serve the needs of our members.
Contact us if you’d like to suggest a partnership.
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Events
PAST AMA EVENTS
Ambient BBQ (Chicago)
AMA member song share (virtual)
Radiant Day release (Chicago)
Drone Rodeo (NYC)
Sound Market (Chicago)
Great Big Pond (Hudson Valley)
AMA New Year Gathering (Chicago)
Drone Sleepover V.6 Listening Party (virtual)
Members
WHO’S INVOLVED
AMA is a program of StretchMetal 501(c)(3)
Logo by Nat King
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