Saturday, September 1, 2007

I must often face the reality that creating an album isn’t just a matter of  musical inspiration, especially with a project like AeTopus where mixing, arranging, and other studio processes are so tightly woven into the music itself.  This summer, I have spent far more time learning new software and rewiring my studio than I have composing - but it’s necessary to think of it as part of the overall picture rather than a distraction.  Electronic musicians should, by default, devote a considerable percentage of their time to the tools of their trade, just as any other musician would spend time maintaining their instrument.

Ah, but it’s good to be back to the creative aspect of it all. And with that, I hereby announce that work on the next album is proceeding at a healthy clip. Again, it’s still too early to give away any details about the music itself - however, I can definitely comment that the overall sound is going to be very layered and textured due to some new tools and processes I’m using.

Sometimes I’m tempted to compare my earlier work to what I’m composing now, and I find it necessary to just not even think about it.  My natural tendency is to strive for consistency and continuity - to have the current album and all future work be similar to Memories of the Elder or Tempula - but I know that’s not how things work.  Tangerine Dream’s first records bear almost no resemblance to the stuff they’ve put out over the past 15 years, and they’re in the position of having to accept and embrace their own evolution.  By the same token, I imagine that my “early” material will be almost unrecognizable to me as the years tick by.

That’s it for now. Goodnight all!

Sunday, May 6, 2007

Ah, the first entry. There is really too much to talk about within a first entry, and it will probably be best to spread the thoughts out over several installments.

The first order of business is for me to thank all of you for your interest in AeTopus!  I’m very pleased that the eccentric musical ideas I like to play around with have actually appealed to so many of you.  The feedback and reviews received by Memories of the Elder and Tempula have surpassed my expectations, and AeTopus appears to have a nice grass-roots listener base. What more could an independent musician hope for?  A record deal?  NO! NEVER! (More on the recording industry vs. independent production some other day) Anyway, heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who has purchased or downloaded my music over the past five years.

A third CD is well underway. At least six songs have been written, and the general theme of the album has taken shape. As much as I’d like to get into more detail, it’s just too early in the game; sometimes, last-minute adjustments must be made that can literally change the entire feel of a CD. I guess a little mystery can’t hurt!

My studio needs some upgrading.  Sometimes, I think of how nice it would be to just play a trumpet, piano, or guitar and not have to constantly monitor the multi-faceted world of evolving technology. The custom digital audio setup I invested in a few years ago is now virtually worthless due to the processing demands of current software, and next week I will once again dig into my war chest to feed the Technology Gods.  I imagine anyone who’s ever owned a computer can sympathize!

I have a million things to talk about, and this installment could get rather large.  Therefore, I’m going to get back to working on music now, with your blessings.  Until the next entry, adieu!