New Magellan album held hostage?

I've got to admit, Trent Gardner has come up with an interesting idea here for Magellan's next release. Has any other artist tried this?

Pirates will have to wait for Magellan

a look at 'Shadow Watcher'

I've always been intrigued by a lot of the rock music composed for the television shows of the 1960's and 70's. This was a time where many film scores were getting away from the standard orchestral soundtracks and going for a more contemporary sound, and TV seemed to follow this trend. So, I decided to try something that might reflect that sound a little bit - except what was obviously 'contemporary' then is now considered retro! Basically, what I came up with was a driving 7/4 rock riff and slightly harsh harmony that would be played by piano, bass and drums. Added to that would be a small brass and string section, and your typical vintage lead synthesizer to add some bite.

'Shadow Watcher' is of course short and concise, as it's intended to play during the show's title sequence (whatever that may be!). It would be interesting to explore the theme further and work elements of it into underscore for the 'show', as was standard procedure then - as well as today.

Listen to Shadow Watcher

more band thoughts...

I believe the best way to promote (and hence, sell) music is to get in front of people and play it for them. I've understood that from way back in my band days (which pretty much ended during the mid-90's). The difference is that back then there was really no easy way to produce and distribute independent music. In other words, you HAD to have a performing band, and then you HAD to have a deal with a label. In the years since, the production and distribution part became real easy to do independently, thanks to technology and the internet. But, in that new found artistic freedom, it became too easy to lose site of the other part - playing for people. An indie-myth developed, that you can just sit back in a home studio, crank out product and sell it online, and not worry about getting out there and playing for people. Well, of course you can do that, but just don't expect to sell many cds.

a look at 'A Different Day'

A Different Day was composed as the main title for an independent film I scored back in 2003. The original version that appeared in the movie was written for a small orchestra, and was much softer. However, not having a small orchestra at my disposal, or the orchestration chops to convincingly simulate one with samples always bugged me. So, afterwards I decided to have some fun and take the music in another direction, while still maintaining the somber mood of the original composition.

In my totally reworked version, I chose an unlikely combination of instruments: a big, majestic pipe organ with horns and electric guitar; all set over a powerful marching beat. The rather unexpected result brings to mind some sort of overblown funeral procession! Morbid maybe, but musically effective I think!

Listen to A Different Day

To band or Not to band?

That is the question... I've recently started to come around on the idea of putting together a band again to perform my music. For the past couple of years I've been dead-set against it (mostly because of the bad taste left in my mouth from my earlier days). But I now realize that I'm almost in the same situation I was 10 years ago: I have no way to perform my material live, and furthermore, there just ain't anyone calling on me to join their band...

I do miss sharing my music in a more personal way. Not to mention I would like to get another crack at singing some of the songs from Arisen that I think perhaps didn't come off right in the studio. And the expressive musical power that a full band can convey is a very tempting prospect (as opposed to solo piano/vocal performances, which is limiting in many ways, although liberating in others).

The Prog Report

Just found a really cool blog: The Prog Report. This guy Ronnie 'The Cruiser' Cruz writes about some of the same things and people that I have, and remarkably, has almost identical tastes in music. I see his blog hasn't been updated recently though, so I hope he's still tending to it.

2 down, 10 to go...

Well, last month was a light one blog-wise (only 2 posts!). But this was mainly because I've been busy working on stuff more and thinking about stuff less.

Ok... Now it's March, and I'm still moving along on the album. Bit by bit. But I've suddenly got a couple of exciting little side-project possibilities sneaking up on me (Oh No!). They're small enough, however, that they won't impede my album progress too much (Suuuuure they wont...) , if at all.

Anyway, things are coming together. I've sort of found my sound now, and am settling into it. This album will be more unified and self-assured I think, than the first one.