Tigerforest is the ambient and cinematic music project of German-born composer, producer and synthesist Gunnar Spardel.
Born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, and now based in New England, USA, Spardel has spent nearly two decades creating atmospheric electronic music inspired by nature, memory, travel and the places that shape our lives. Blending ambient, chillout, cinematic electronica and dreamlike soundscapes, Tigerforest invites listeners into immersive worlds filled with emotion, reflection and wonder.
A largely self-taught musician who began playing synthesizers at an early age, Spardel developed a distinctive musical voice characterized by lush textures, organic instrumentation and evocative melodies. His compositions balance intimacy and scale, combining the warmth of classic electronic music with contemporary production and cinematic storytelling.
Tigerforest first gained wider recognition in 2006 after winning a music competition hosted by German radio station NDR 2. Since then, the project has steadily evolved into a respected name within the international ambient and chillout scene. Over the years, Spardel has received multiple Schallwelle Awards, including honors for Best Newcomer and Best Artist. In 2020, he performed live at the Schallwelle Awards in front of an enthusiastic audience, further establishing his presence within Germany’s electronic music community.
His music has been featured on SiriusXM Chill, international radio programs and ambient channels worldwide, reaching listeners across Europe and North America. Beyond the studio, Spardel has performed live at renowned venues including Joe’s Pub in New York City, as well as appearances in Boston and New Orleans.
Throughout his career, Tigerforest has collaborated with a diverse range of artists from the ambient, electronic and cinematic music worlds, including Shelley Harland, David Helpling, Joey Fehrenbach, Jody Quine, Eskadet, Der Waldläufer and Stefan Erbe. These collaborations have helped shape a body of work that is both deeply personal and internationally connected.
From early releases such as The Sound of Life and Daybreak to later albums including Discovery, and Today and Onward, Tigerforest has continually explored new sonic landscapes while remaining true to its atmospheric roots. In 2026, the project enters a new chapter with Made of Dreams, released on Lemongrassmusic. The album brings together years of artistic growth and explores themes of connection, nostalgia, coastlines, loss, hope and the passage of time.
Whether inspired by a distant shoreline, a quiet forest path or the memories we carry with us throughout life, Tigerforest creates music for dreamers, travelers and those who still believe in the power of atmosphere.
Discography
– Made of Dreams (2026)
– Today and Onward (2023)
– Re:Discovery (2021)
– Discovery (2020)
– Songs of Reverence (2016)
– The Tides of Day and Night (2014)
– Islands (2013)
– The Electric Tree (2011)
– Daybreak (2009)
– The Sound of Life (2006)
