I’ve only gone and recorded a song in my home studio, mixed it and shot a music video (of sorts) for it!
It’s a (hopefully) relaxing, introspective dark electronica chill out track inspired by Brian Eno’s ambient music albums and other artists I’m currently hooked on such as Nils Frahm, David Bowie, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Global Communication, Vangelis, Air, Harold Budd, Cliff Martinez, Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, Philip Glass, Olafur Arnald, Hans Zimmer, Aphex Twin, Max Richter, Johann Johannsson and Ludovico Einaudi.
This is my first finished single – as in the first one I’ve properly recorded all the parts for, took to full length and mixed. So, it’s something of a milestone for me personally.
It was created in a few hours over Christmas 2017 on a home MIDI controller (AKAI APC-Key25 Mini) that I played all the synthesizer layers with and combined them with drum loops that I manipulated on GarageBand on a MacBook Air. As far as home recording studios for electronic music go it’s very basic indeed, but I’m gathering a collection of modular analogue synths to go with my existing arsenal of guitars and piano so I can do more adventurous future projects in the future.
The slow motion video was filmed in the winter while driving into Marsden, West Yorkshire which is at the top of the Peak District National Park. I love country roads and snow and if you do as well then you should like this!
The idea of slowing down to meditate on the beautiful, if somewhat treacherous, surroundings seemed like an appropriate visual to compliment the drone-like soundscape. I wanted to layer, interweave and repeat instrumental loops to a point whereby it was almost like breathing. Perhaps mentally preparing for something with the climax (when the last note rings out) being the tipping point of the action. It’s the quiet before the storm of the looming ultimatum. I’m probably reading too much into it but then again I did compose and perform it in isolation so your mind does begin to wander 🙂 Making original music is so satisfying in that respect. It was mine and now it’s yours if you want it.
Hopefully someone will find this music inspiring or relaxing or whatever else 🙂 Let me know what you think!
Also, my photography / music is on Instagram at Instagram.com/davelancastergram
And Twitter at Twitter.com/hitsthefanblog
Swing by anytime 🙂
