Across the Horizon Ep. 63: Pan-American

Episode 63 of Across the Horizon welcomes Mark Nelson, known as Pan American, to discuss his freshly released album Fly the Ocean in a Silver Plane on Cranky Records. The record arrived after an intense 18‑month creative burst that also produced collaborations with Chelsea Bridge, Michael Gregoni and Kramer. Listeners hear the lead single "Silver Plane, Now Boarding," a track that captures the show’s core mission—uniting ambient textures, experimental structures, and Americana storytelling. The conversation also revisits the duo’s recent performances at the Big Ears Festival, underscoring how live settings amplify the album’s atmospheric depth.

Both hosts reflect on how Mark’s earlier appearances reshaped the podcast’s identity. The first interview broke the "ambient country" mold, inviting blues, jazz, and vocal tracks, while his guidance on the Across the Horizon music series sparked a "no‑guardrails" philosophy that encouraged artists to explore unfamiliar territories. This mindset birthed the series’ signature theme song and set a new benchmark for curators. Moreover, Mark’s recent work with Chelsea Bridge illustrates a continued commitment to cross‑disciplinary collaboration, blending violin, vocals, and electronic layers into a cohesive narrative.

The episode’s discovery segment spotlights obscure releases from the Peak Oil label, including Hoavi’s "Song of the Forgotten," Russian‑inspired electronic dub, and Jonine’s stark, field‑record‑driven "South Side Girl." A contrasting jazz‑fusion piece by Sam Wilkes, Dylan Day, and Chris Fishman demonstrates the breadth of modern experimental music, linking vintage keyboard tones to contemporary improvisation. By weaving these selections together, the hosts illustrate a growing appetite among listeners for genre‑defying soundscapes that challenge traditional playlists. This curated approach not only enriches the audience’s sonic palette but also reinforces Across the Horizon’s role as a catalyst for innovative musical dialogue.