This track seems to be taking shape rather well! It's going to be a monster to tackle, though.. something I really want to challenge myself with. For this particular one, I'm working on expanding it to about 6 - 7 minutes in length. Wish me luck!
Work In Progress
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
I haven't quite been as productive on this blog as first intended, no? It's easy to get wrapped up in the daily routine and working on music that I always forget to update this. Luckily, with a nudge from my pal Sabrina, I've decided to become more dedicated to updating this regularly.
Currently, I'm in the process of writing music not related to video games. As much as I love composing for games, I find this a nice refresher. It allows me to approach a blank canvas in a completely different mindset. What I've been writing has had A LOT of influences from industrial metal and 80's synth pop. It's been a nice experiment, and I'm interested to see what thoughts are once I've gotten around to releasing some of them. Personally, I feel that these tracks are stepping up the game so to speak. When it comes to writing music for games or other media, I often find myself thinking too much and not letting everything flow NATURALLY. I often compare myself to those who have had extensive training in music theory, and this can be a bit demoralizing since I've had NONE.
This brings me to another point for any artists who may be following this - Play on your STRENGTHS. While I continue to practice, practice, and practice in making my compositions more intricate, I focus on letting what I do well drive my compositions. For instance, I know I do decent for now in electronic compositions and atmosphere. I let those things drive my music forward when going about a project. Annnnnddd, this just prompted me to start a small rant OH SH-
I know many artists in all aspects, and I've known many aspiring musicians/composers who have reached out to me about creating music. I'd say about 90% of these individuals have given up and quit because of hitting a plateau or feeling discouraged. For any aspiring musician or composer who MIGHT be following this blog - First off, I'm right there with you. By no means do I feel like a professional or that I've hit a point where I'm comfortable. I aspire just as you do. One thing I can say (and this goes with ANY pursuit in life), is that you WILL feel discouraged at SOME point or hit a wall. If you've set your mind to this, do NOT let that stop you. It's natural, and it helps fuel the desire to become better. Again, in any aspect in life, if you give up when you hit a plateau, you will NEVER reach where you want to be. Anything worth doing is never easy, and it takes time and dedication.
I've always felt strongly about my pursuit in music, but one evening I knew that I was going to happily commit myself 100% in this pursuit. I was having dinner with a friend, and we were discussing our aspirations and methods of achieving what we wanted. She asked me, "What makes you happy?". Without a second thought, I said "Creating music". It felt good to say that. I felt reassured. I knew at that point that I needed to fully devote myself in order to make it work. Regardless of if it's music, school, painting.. whatever.. If you can truly ask yourself what makes you happy and something comes to mind - PURSUE IT. Pursue it and stay disciplined enough to fully dedicate yourself each day to reaching that particular goal. It doesn't matter what anyone else may say, you've decided on what makes YOU happy. Afterall, what's the point of living a life to please others and sacrificing your own happiness in the process?
What I'm trying to say is.. nothing out there is impossible. FUCK barriers. There are NO barriers. If you really want to do something, go after it! End of story - no excuses.
Anywho.. I think that's enough of my random babbling for now.
Currently, I'm in the process of writing music not related to video games. As much as I love composing for games, I find this a nice refresher. It allows me to approach a blank canvas in a completely different mindset. What I've been writing has had A LOT of influences from industrial metal and 80's synth pop. It's been a nice experiment, and I'm interested to see what thoughts are once I've gotten around to releasing some of them. Personally, I feel that these tracks are stepping up the game so to speak. When it comes to writing music for games or other media, I often find myself thinking too much and not letting everything flow NATURALLY. I often compare myself to those who have had extensive training in music theory, and this can be a bit demoralizing since I've had NONE.
This brings me to another point for any artists who may be following this - Play on your STRENGTHS. While I continue to practice, practice, and practice in making my compositions more intricate, I focus on letting what I do well drive my compositions. For instance, I know I do decent for now in electronic compositions and atmosphere. I let those things drive my music forward when going about a project. Annnnnddd, this just prompted me to start a small rant OH SH-
I know many artists in all aspects, and I've known many aspiring musicians/composers who have reached out to me about creating music. I'd say about 90% of these individuals have given up and quit because of hitting a plateau or feeling discouraged. For any aspiring musician or composer who MIGHT be following this blog - First off, I'm right there with you. By no means do I feel like a professional or that I've hit a point where I'm comfortable. I aspire just as you do. One thing I can say (and this goes with ANY pursuit in life), is that you WILL feel discouraged at SOME point or hit a wall. If you've set your mind to this, do NOT let that stop you. It's natural, and it helps fuel the desire to become better. Again, in any aspect in life, if you give up when you hit a plateau, you will NEVER reach where you want to be. Anything worth doing is never easy, and it takes time and dedication.
I've always felt strongly about my pursuit in music, but one evening I knew that I was going to happily commit myself 100% in this pursuit. I was having dinner with a friend, and we were discussing our aspirations and methods of achieving what we wanted. She asked me, "What makes you happy?". Without a second thought, I said "Creating music". It felt good to say that. I felt reassured. I knew at that point that I needed to fully devote myself in order to make it work. Regardless of if it's music, school, painting.. whatever.. If you can truly ask yourself what makes you happy and something comes to mind - PURSUE IT. Pursue it and stay disciplined enough to fully dedicate yourself each day to reaching that particular goal. It doesn't matter what anyone else may say, you've decided on what makes YOU happy. Afterall, what's the point of living a life to please others and sacrificing your own happiness in the process?
What I'm trying to say is.. nothing out there is impossible. FUCK barriers. There are NO barriers. If you really want to do something, go after it! End of story - no excuses.
Anywho.. I think that's enough of my random babbling for now.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
A new tune
A new tune I've finished up and had fun with! A good blend of old school anime, Atlus, and cyberpunk here. Quite often I search for other cyberpunk inspired tunes and come across some really aggressive and distorted works. Nothing against those at all, but it's not quite what comes to mind when I think of cyberpunk.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Greetings
Hello there! I've created this blog in an attempt to keep subscribers/followers of my music up to date on my projects. This is also to show a more personal side of me that can't be done through simply replying to messages and comments. Lifting the veil so to speak.
As an indie video game and animation composer, this will most certainly help me to keep track of my progress and provide a boost of morale when needed. I've had no formal training in music whatsoever, so it's taken an enormous amount of dedication and hard work to make it thus far with many moments of doubt and discouragement. What keeps me going is knowing that in time I'll be combining two things I cherish - music and video games- to create a full time living from. And in my opinion, what's the point of doing something you don't love?
Some people ask me why I'm so interested in composing music for video games. I generally give a half hearted answer and pay no mind. If someone has to ask that question, they wouldn't understand the answer now would they? I know there are many of you, just like myself out there, who as a child spent countless hours, controller in hand, exploring vast worlds under the guise of various heroes.
How does music tie into this? I remember the magic I felt hearing Zelda's Lullaby for the first time, the intensity of Neo Kobe Steel Factory from Contra III, the dreamlike atmosphere of This Is Your Story from FFX, and hell - Secret of the Forest in ANY context. Ultimately, it's this kind of magic that I hope my music can one day provide to others.
So what kind of music do I write? Depends on my mood or what the particular project calls for. I'd like to think of my music as being a blend of influences from various anime, classic video games, and the 80's. Have a listen!
My Soundcloud
I plan to keep this regularly updated, for those of you that follow and for myself.
Cheers!
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