So officially, the next phase of the album has begun: post production. Phase 1 of post production – where I go back to the songs I’ve composed so far and make little production tweaks (length, sound, tonal balance, and final unmasetered mix of each song). After that will be phase 2 which consists of the final songs selection for the album (I have many to choose from, but some will not make it to the album – bonus tracks anyone?). Phase 3 is the mastering process of each song and after that is the administrative work (1. Copyright, 2. Distribution 3. Album Release).

For now, welcome to Phase 2!

-Movestro

The last 3 weeks have been about getting settled in and rebuilding my composing computer. All in all, 9 months since I’ve composed. That’s enough time for a human life to be conceived and brought into this world. A new beginning, if you will. Believe me when I tell you, the last 9 months have been filled with new beginnings for me as well. Where was I? Oh yeah, it’s been 9 months since I last composed–up until yesterday, that is. Originally this song was supposed to be a sound check just to make sure everything was working, but it took a life and meaning of it’s own.

This is the first song I composed since May of 2014. I’m in a new state, a new house, a new studio, and a new job. So many changes have happened, so many things I am grateful for. This song represents all the #NewBeginnings of my life. Enjoy!

“turns out not where but who you’re with that really matters”

– Dave Matthews                                                                                                              

That quote just about sums it up. We’re staying with my wife’s parents (my in-laws), and Sundae (my dog) is doing great. Plus, I got a new job and that is helping the wife (who also has a new job) and I to get back on our feet so we can find our own place out here. Arizona isn’t quite California, but at least we have Dunkin’ Donuts! In fact I’ve found that being out here is actually better than California. Now, it certainly is no New York. As expected, with the holidays drawing near I am getting a little homesick because there is nothing like New York around the holidays, nothing. I can’t even get an Entenmann’s Pumpkin Pie out here (because Entenmann’s does not ship cakes and pies west of the Mississippi). I digress. Anyways, it just goes to show that sometimes you can make all the plans in the world but sometimes you end up where you need to be instead of where you expected. Which reminds me of one more quote:

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be.”

– Douglas Adams

So now about the music, I have not been able to touch it since May as my computer was being moved around the country. I have not had a creative outlet in months, in fact I feel creatively “backed-up” for lack of a better term. The album is still going to happen, in fact, last I left it I was about 90% done with it. The remaining 10% being the final song selections and the mastering process. So, yes Fair Gemstone will indeed happen but not until after my wife and I get into our new place so trust me, I’ll keep you posted!

This doesn’t mean that I have too much music for the album, it just means I’ll have more of a selection to choose from when I make the final track list (who knows, maybe it’ll be a double album? lol).

Talk soon,

Movestro

I’ve always liked world music / music from other cultures especially when incorporated into electronic and chill genres. For example, these artists have been on my playlist since the mid 90’s: Enigma, Deep Forest, Enya, Cusco, Massive Attack, Dead Can Dance, Cafe Del Mar and Adiemus just to list a few.

I was never able to pull off this kind of music as accurately as I would have wanted. Now in this day of technology, this has become much easier for me to accomplish. This is still a lot of work, but not as much of a burden (financially and physically) as it would have been back in the early 90’s when I was a budding composer. For example, I don’t have to fly all over the world with recording gear–we have the internet now.

The next album (still unnamed at this time) is going to be an ethereal journey of cultures, rhythms and voices in concert with tribal, ethnic and gregorian chants that will transcend a range of moods from chill out to invigoration. Release date: March-ish 2014

UPDATE: The album will be called “Fair Gemstone” and will have a TBA release date.

-Michael

I started work on the track in NanoStudio (for iphone) and exported out the audio and Midi data into Cubase where I am adding a bit of orchestra to the mix. This will be an orchestral/electronic hybrid.

I’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, here’s the Christmas corner of my studio desk @ home: