I grew up in the west part of Omaha in the 80's with my
parents and 2 older brothers. My oldest brother, Todd, was into music composition
using the keyboard and the computer (Commadore 64). Watching him play the keyboard
inspired me to practice piano for 5 years and eventually a keyboard for myself.
My first keyboard that I bought (and still use) was a Ensoniq SQ1+, and I love
the interface and how I can compose with ease. I started writing my own music
in my freshman year in High School (1996) and I also took composition classes
from the band teacher. I never played in band because I only wanted to play my
own compositions rather than somebody elses. I had no real way to record my music.
I just used my tape player for the recording by using the [LINE-IN] on the stereo.
Pretty primative, I know, but it helped me keep track of what my music sounded
like without having to worry too much about deleting my music off the keyboard
(it only has 3 Mb of storage). Within the past 8 years, I figured out how to do
a SYSX dump through MIDI onto my computer. Now I am limited only by the size of
my hard-drive.
The songs I write are not usually in my mind
when I am writing them. Meaning, I don't know how my songs are going to end
when I start writing them. I only know the feeling and emotion that I want to
unveil to the listener. I feel that songs without lyrics give the listener more
options as to what emotions they are to feel. I feel that if you add lyrics
to a song, you will confine the listener to the topic being said in the lyrics.
This isn't a bad thing to do, I just would rather leave it up the listener as
to how they feel. Here is a list of some of my songs and what inspired
me while writing them:
"To Be Freed Within" - This song was writing
intentionally for one of my friends' wedding. He wanted me to perform it for
the ceremony and I felt honored doing so. I felt the name gave a description
one would feel if they were to be in love with the person who just proclaimed
their promising love in return.
"A World Left Behind" - I wrote
this song early in the morning when I couldn't sleep. This song protrays the
feelings of a new journey in life that gives inner strength to an individual.
There are now only the thoughts of the world you once lived in and the excitement
of the new life awaiting you.
"Summer Nights" - When I was growing up,
I remember summer nights the most. Looking up at the stars, not knowing that
you will one day have responsibilty. I remember wanting to hang out with my
older brothers all of the time. I remember playing zelda. I remember walking
around the neighborhood with my friends. I will miss those times for te rest
of my life.
"Heart of the Champion" - I wrote this song
for my dad on his birthday. It was to capture the moments that when I would
win at a track meet or hit a home run, my parents would show their excitment
and how proud they were of me.
"Mountian Dance" - This song idea grew on
me when I wrote it the first time. What you listened to is my second draft.
I wanted to show the thrill of dancing with the one you love, and in the midst
of the dance, your emotions are lifted to the tops of mountians.
"Journey" - My first year at college was
the best. I met great friends, learned things about life that I now value greatly,
and used my talent as a stepping stone for building who I am today.
"Starlight Dreams" - This is one of my oldest
songs that I composed and I still love listening to it today. I gave it that
name cause it suited the emotions that were given very well.
"Dark Rain" - I was really trying to write
an idea for later revising and submitting it to the Omaha Symphony's new musicians
guild for their composing competition. However, that was the only year that they
had that competition and I was under 25 at the time. This was 4 years ago...guess my age.
"End Song" - I wanted to give the listener
the emotions that would be prevelent when a movie would end. This song was actually
used for a commercial here in town.
"Orchestral Chase" - Using an orchestral
CD with Acid, I compiled this song. That's it!
"Motivator" - When competeing in Unreal Tournament
2003 I wanted a song that would help pump me up.
"MarioLand" - This song was originally composed
by Hiro
Tanaka and I would beat this gameboy game just to hear the end song. I actually
used a gameboy and beat the game then sampled the song on the computer, then
used Acid to work with my keyboards and loops.
"Nameless flower" - The story behind this
song is about a flower in the forest that grew away from the other flowers.
These other flowers were closer to eachother than the lone flower which this
song revolves around. The lone flower grew alone and sad, until a little girl
finds the flower and takes it home to care for it. This made the flower much
happier and made it the envy of the other flowers.
"Channel Surf" - I used MTV music generator
for the creation of this song. No real inspiration was involved.
"Blue Horizon" - One of my friends was throwing
around a movie idea and he wanted me to write a soundtrack song for it. |