Interview with the Bastard: A Musician with a Keyboard

I'm glad I'm a writer. I write stuff all the time but most of it's fictional though. However, this era of self publishing allows for things like this lil blog o mine to be very gratifying. Nothing quite makes you feel like a writer like having people read what you are writing. I know, the elegence of my style steals the breath, no?

That said, I'm glad my outlet wasn't in something like music. I mean, I'm glad all you musicians exist but I would never want to be one. I have kids so there's only so much drinking I squeeze into a day. But, I imagine nothing makes you feel like a musician like having people hear your stuff and respond--love it or hate at least you got a reaction, right?

So it is with much respect I imagine I am itroducing you guys to an independent artist named Brandon via an interview. He did everything it takes to get a record length project together. His label, Webbed Hand Records www.webbedhandrecords.com electronicly publishes and distributes the albums, as well as the projects of many other indepentents. And, much like this blog, it's all free and done in the hopes of bigger things.


Brandon has made three albums to date. His current work is described as electronic music and I would say appeals to people who don't mind listening to something that is more suggestive of a mood as opposed to something you're going to be banging your fist to.

INTERVIEW

Where do you find your inspiration for your music? Who
would you say has influenced your own sound and style?


As far as inspiration goes, so far I have found it in women. I know, sounds cliche, but its true. Both of TNOL's official albums were inspired by two different women.

In regards to influence, I cannot really pin any specific artist for that. I mean, when I play guitar, it's metal...chugge chugga shit. When I sit down with a keyboard in front of me, well...this is the result.

My style, however, is one that I think is not as common. I tend to create audio with a feeling in mind, so it is something that feels alive, with purpose.

How hard is it to describe your style of music to
people? You use the word “Ambient” to describe most of
your work. Do you feel your music is more accessible to
people who are in a certain mood, or more for people
seeking to share the mood you, the artist, is setting?

Well, I tend to use the word "Ambient" as this will put the listener in a certain frame of mind, they will know what to expect. I am uncertain how my music affects people at this point, as I am still new to the whole electronic scene.

I think people that listen will identify with what is happening at that moment. A response I often hear, is when people have listened to the whole album, how they cannot believe 45 minutes or close to an hour has gone by.

Apparently I have done a good job at taking the listener with me on which ever journey they choose to hear.


Could you explain the process of self publishing a
record? Where did you find your label?

Well, initially I wanted to do it on my own. As any artist would love to have as much control as possible. Though, in my situation, I was not known at all. As I said, this was the first project and first attempt at releasing an album.

I scoured the Internet for a net label (which typically will allow free download of their music) that had the same idea/vision as me musically. Just with a real record label, net labels try to stick to a pre-determined genre. I found an ambient net label called: Webbed Hand Records (www.webbedhandrecords.com), their catalog was pretty extensive.

My first album was the 88th release. My last release was 99, and that was done in about 3 months. So the label is growing pretty quickly. As far as the process, it was so easy with WHR, I emailed the owner, shopped my album and I got approval that the label was interested in releasing it.

There was no smoke and mirrors, I just submitted it and it was approved.


How much time does it take you to to piece your record
together? Is there much excess material when you are
done? If so, what do you do with it?


Hah, If I told you, would you even believe me? Ok, here are the secrets. The first album, Lullaby was done in two working days. Now, as jaws drop, let me explain. The music flows...it is ambient, so a lot of pads and synths are used.

I play freehand, not writing the material...but recording it as I go. This makes the process pretty quick. Once I record a section, I go back and will edit note length or a flawed note. The mixdown of those two days however, the music mumbo jumbo, such as effects and EQ took about three weeks.

Then I mastered it, which took another couple of weeks...so, the actuall composition was the shortest part...to get it to SOUND the way it does took about a month and a half. The second album Shores took about 5-6 days to compose, as I was being a little harder on myself. The mix and mastering process took even longer, again, because it was the follow up album.

As far as excess material, no...in these two albums, there is none. Each album...the music was composed as one track and THEN it is cut up, post. So, the first album was released as 11 tracks, but when recorded, it was one 52 minute track. I do have material that is created as experiments or of a genre that is not ambient, I have plans to release a B-sides album shortly.


What are some of the difficulties you face when
recording a record all by yourself? Have you ever
found yourself unable to shape your sounds just how
you want them?

The difficulty is there, no doubt. For instance, anyone who has ever jammed with musicians will know that you only have one job...your instrument. When composing solo, it is just that: Composing. I have to attempt to hear multiple melodies, rhythm, and texture (as it IS ambient).

As far as me being unable to create something...no, I haven't run into that issue yet. I am pretty capable at getting what I want...again, thus far, haha.

After all of your solo projects, do you have any
interests with working with other musicians?

You know, I do miss the "band" element. Those are my roots you know...being in many bands growing up, playing shows and such.

However, at the moment, I really enjoy the musical freedom by doing what *I* want to do. I have had offers for E-bands (music projects that send files over the net), but turned them all down so far.

What are you working on now?

Well, I am involved in a number of projects. At the moment, I am focusing on a project called: We Destroy Forcefields. It takes a unique spin on sonic creation. All of the audio will be created soley with guitar and bass.

Now, when hearing that...people tend to assume it will be multiple guitar harmonies, but remember...I am working with electronics now :) The result is an experimental fusion of guitar and what sounds like synths, pads, choir elements and rhythmic elements, but all with the guitar.


How do you know when you have a finished record? Are
you looking to satisfy a number of tracks, or an album
length or . . . ?

This is actually the hardest thing a musician faces I think...when to say enough is enough. Most work, I prefer to be a tad long, only so the listener doesn't feel jipped, but if a piece were short, then it just would be.

You cant repeat the same thing over and over you know. With the WDF project, I am looking to satisfy a track amount, as it started as an experiment...turned out nice, but will most likely only have one release. The ambient works have been geared towards length.

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Current Projects for You to Enjoy:

MySpaces:

The Nature of Light
Alceste
We Destroy Forcefields

Webbed Hand Records:

The Nature of Light: Shores of Jupiter
The Nature of Light: Lullaby for Madisen
Aleste: For

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Any questions you have for Brandon can be emailed to me at bastardsmouth@gmail.com or directly to him as soon as he ok's publishing his email. Also, if you have something you want reviewed or interviewed, same deal.