Experimenting and Soundscape

So I've made some progress. I have one nearly complete song that needs some tweaking. And a second song that needs more structure and shape but the idea and flow is very present. I'm pretty happy with the two. Neither will be completely finished for a long time. The patches will be tweaked heavily and I have yet to smother them with effects :D. Both are very basic pieces. Real chill, ambient stuff, inspired by soundtracks of miscellaneous retro games and sci-if movies. A technique I'm hoping to utilize is one where I have one song create a setting, and the next tell a story to fit it. It's an idea I find unintentionally done in lots of modern music. I figured that if I'm aware that im creating a setting and then playing in it, it will hopefully become very obvious to the audience what is being communicated. But like all arts, it will be misinterpreted and that is okay. I just want to experiment with storytelling and soundscape through instrumental music.

I'm a Fan Too

Im a fan as much as I'm a musician, if not, more. And I figured I should share with you who I listen to. Why I listen to. And how I listen to. There are certain albums that are timeless to me. Stuff that I won't grow out of. It's not a phase mom. Electric Wizards "Dopethrone"  has become a staple album in the doom/stoner/sludge metal scene. The emotion and power in "Funeralopolis" will forever represent the bad-assery of my youth. Absolutely genius stuff. The Queens of the Stone Age went though an angry teenager phase in 2007. Pushing the message of how they will never sell out. They're "Designer". "Era Vulgaris" holds a special place in my heart. It was my introduction to QotSA and brings a lot of nostalgia with every listen.
Lately I've found myself experimenting with hip-hop artists such as MF Doom or Madlib. The Jazz influence on the instrumentals of their music is what pulls me in. I've never been a big rap fan but this stuff is top notch.
Pink Floyd, Tool, and Om will forever be my favourites. With "Pilgrimage" being my favourite album of all time, and "Lateralus" and "Wish you were Here" being close behind it. So if you don't know any of this music, go an adventure through YouTube, iTunes, and other miscellaneous music sources. Other notable artists are "King Crimson", "Sleep", "Truckfighters", "Aphex Twin", "Causa Sui", "Black Sabbath", "Fuzz", "The Sword". And if you have any notable artists I can steal ideas fro-.... Get "inspiration" from then let me know. (Just jokes)

Proposition

So I've been thinking. I love the whole electronic analog sound that I've been playing with. But it needs something more. Something a little more organic. Synthesizers can sound lifeless at times and I need something to bring in some emotion. I'm going to attempt to implement some classical style piano playing and some violin. I haven't played violin in like 3 years but was very good at it when I did. Piano I have been playing for as long as I can remember and I'm confident in my abilities with it. So I'm gonna start practicing violin again, and in order to make it sound nice and full, I'll likely put a chorus and reverb on it. It should be very dramatic with the right effects. Also maybe an analog delay. I'm a sucker for a good delay. My hope for these changes is to make my music have its own sound. I really want to solidify my identity as a musician and I think branching off from the norm is a great way to start.

Getting Started

I've practiced the basics of Logic Pro X and have started work on some music. So far my experience is mostly frustration and boredom. While I love playing music, splicing tracks and slowly putting together a song is a lot more tedious than I thought it would be. It's an inspiration killer. I end up having lots of trouble writing simple progressions that I would normally make up on the fly. I get most of my ideas when I not working on anything and forget them by the time I start working. I need to make an effort to channel my inspiration and utilize it while it's still there. Also I'm discovering how difficult it is to implement a complicated patch. I'll have a cool sound that I spent a long time on but it's much too complicated and overwhelming to fit in with other sounds. I'm going to have to chill out with the patches I make. Stick to basic Acid Basslines and Pink Floyd Leads. Drums are another thing I'm having trouble with. I myself don't have a great sense of rhythm and am a very poor drummer. I'm using a drum machine (Volca Beats) to make basic loops and then I chop them up and add effects afterwards. I'm aiming for an Aphex Twin-Like chaotic drum sound (Aphex Twin - Vordhosbn) but the process of chopping up the drums and keeping it original is very tedius. Still, I'm making progress and I'm happy with that. One step after another.

Welcome

Welcome to this blog. I have a passion for music and on is blog I will be giving updates on the development of my first album. I don't really have any experience writing or developing my own music. But I definitely have experience playing, performing, and listening to music. I hope you enjoy experiencing this with me.