diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 96a6512..2a51383 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@ Based on Immersive Sounds .36 mod by Neuromancer and optimized to run on servers
 - 1.2 - Added PlayerPlus compatibility, removed fire sounds, added volume changes
 - 1.3 - Added API for use with other mods, code rewrite
 - 1.4 - Re-ordered water sets to come before fire and lava, day/night sounds play when leaves around and above ground
-- 1.5 - Added 'flame_sound' and fire redo check, code tidy
+- 1.5 - Added 'flame_sound' and fire redo check, code tidy and tweak, added ephemeral flag for background sounds.
 
 Code license: MIT
diff --git a/api.txt b/api.txt
index 50584a9..fb97081 100644
--- a/api.txt
+++ b/api.txt
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ ambience.add_set(set_name, def)
         'feet_node' nameof node at player foot level
 
 This will let you add a set or sounds with the frequency it's used and check
-function for it to play.
+function for it to play.  If ephemeral is true then no handler will be used and sound will be played in background alongside other sounds.
 
 e.g.
 
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ ambience.add_set("windy", {
 	sounds = {
 		{name = "wind", length = 9, gain = 0.3},
 		{name = "desertwind", length = 8, gain = 0.3},
+		{name = "crow", length = 3, ephemeral = true},
 	},
 	sound_check = function(def)
 		local number = totals["default:sand"] or 0 -- yep, can also be nil
diff --git a/init.lua b/init.lua
index 9202dd7..50d41a4 100644
--- a/init.lua
+++ b/init.lua
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ minetest.register_globalstep(function(dtime)
 				handler = minetest.sound_play(ambience.name, {
 					to_player = player_name,
 					gain = ((ambience.gain or 0.3) + (MORE_GAIN or 0)) * SOUNDVOLUME
-				})
+				}, ambience.ephemeral)
 
 				-- only continue if sound is playing
 				if handler then
diff --git a/soundsets.lua b/soundsets.lua
index da14657..657674f 100644
--- a/soundsets.lua
+++ b/soundsets.lua
@@ -203,9 +203,9 @@ ambience.add_set("beach", {
 	frequency = 40,
 
 	sounds = {
-		{name = "seagull", length = 4.5},
+		{name = "seagull", length = 4.5, ephemeral = true},
 		{name = "beach", length = 13},
-		{name = "gull", length = 1},
+		{name = "gull", length = 1, ephemeral = true},
 		{name = "beach_2", length = 6}
 	},
 
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ ambience.add_set("desert", {
 	frequency = 20,
 
 	sounds = {
-		{name = "coyote", length = 2.5},
+		{name = "coyote", length = 2.5, ephemeral = true},
 		{name = "wind", length = 9},
 		{name = "desertwind", length = 8}
 	},
@@ -277,8 +277,8 @@ ambience.add_set("cave", {
 	frequency = 60,
 
 	sounds = {
-		{name = "drippingwater1", length = 1.5},
-		{name = "drippingwater2", length = 1.5}
+		{name = "drippingwater1", length = 1.5, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "drippingwater2", length = 1.5, ephemeral = true}
 	},
 
 	sound_check = function(def)
@@ -297,10 +297,10 @@ ambience.add_set("jungle", {
 
 	sounds = {
 		{name = "jungle_day_1", length = 7},
-		{name = "deer", length = 7},
+		{name = "deer", length = 7, ephemeral = true},
 		{name = "canadianloon2", length = 14},
 		{name = "bird1", length = 11},
-		{name = "peacock", length = 2}
+		{name = "peacock", length = 2, ephemeral = true}
 	},
 
 	nodes = {"default:jungletree"},
@@ -322,10 +322,10 @@ ambience.add_set("jungle_night", {
 	frequency = 200,
 
 	sounds = {
-		{name = "jungle_night_1", length = 4},
-		{name = "jungle_night_2", length = 4},
-		{name = "deer", length = 7},
-		{name = "frog", length = 1}
+		{name = "jungle_night_1", length = 4, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "jungle_night_2", length = 4, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "deer", length = 7, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "frog", length = 1, ephemeral = true}
 	},
 
 	sound_check = function(def)
@@ -346,14 +346,14 @@ ambience.add_set("day", {
 	frequency = 40,
 
 	sounds = {
-		{name = "cardinal", length = 3},
-		{name = "craw", length = 3},
-		{name = "bluejay", length = 6},
-		{name = "robin", length = 4},
+		{name = "cardinal", length = 3, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "craw", length = 3, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "bluejay", length = 6, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "robin", length = 4, ephemeral = true},
 		{name = "bird1", length = 11},
-		{name = "bird2", length = 6},
-		{name = "crestedlark", length = 6},
-		{name = "peacock", length = 2},
+		{name = "bird2", length = 6, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "crestedlark", length = 6, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "peacock", length = 2, ephemeral = true},
 		{name = "wind", length = 9}
 	},
 
@@ -382,11 +382,11 @@ ambience.add_set("night", {
 	frequency = 40,
 
 	sounds = {
-		{name = "hornedowl", length = 2},
-		{name = "wolves", length = 4, gain = 0.4},
-		{name = "cricket", length = 6},
-		{name = "deer", length = 7},
-		{name = "frog", length = 1}
+		{name = "hornedowl", length = 2, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "wolves", length = 4, gain = 0.4, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "cricket", length = 6, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "deer", length = 7, ephemeral = true},
+		{name = "frog", length = 1, ephemeral = true}
 	},
 
 	sound_check = function(def)