“Montana” is part of your “STIR: Soundscapes Evoking Realities Only Imagined” series. Could you elaborate on the inspiration behind this piece and how it fits within the broader context of the series?
My “STIR” series blends a range of stylistic and thematic ideas from the world of music. It also attempts to paint a picture of world cultures as affecting each other over time, and I use my interest and experience with these styles to kind of create an “analogy” of that idea in the form of sound. This model goes well together with my diverse musical interests and strong inclination towards combining different styles into new forms. I know that’s a wordy answer but it really is what I’m about.
The track has been described as capturing “the duality of American progress—its triumphs and its tragedies.” How does “Montana” convey this narrative?
Open spaces, wagon trains, and camp fires. I include two of those in my music video for “Montana” so the answer comes easily. The closest actual movie I can think of that matches the feeling and message of “Montana” is “Dances With Wolves”.
Can you walk us through your production and composition process for “Montana”? How did the piece evolve from concept to completion?
I had written the piano part years ago. I have always been extremely careful to save all my musical ideas, as they come in handy later. Even back then that piano part alone represented the Old West to me. I came up with the melody about three years ago, and later orchestrated it for this production. As I’ve mentioned many times, I play each part individually on keyboards, and here and there on drum pads, and edit the midi data afterwards to shape it into my final composition. I never use AI or any technology that creates music for me.
I develop a concept for a storyline very early in my compositional process. That way, I have a goal or endpoint in mind as I add more parts. The music is complete long before I ever start working on a video, but I create a mockup of the music to use as the soundtrack as I produce the video. Then I circle back and truly finish the music on its own so it’s ready for release. Things come together often from many different directions and quite spontaneously.
Your music often incorporates diverse influences. How did your background in various genres inform the creation of “Montana”?
Practically all the time I’ve been writing music, people have commented that it reminds them of something from a film or a tv show. The cinematic and immersive qualities that many music critics have pointed out in my work, have really cemented the fact that I have always been going in that direction. I just may not have known it. The merging of 19th century parlor music, cinematic orchestration, and Native American motifs is just one of many constructs I’ve put together. Each of my pieces has a group of influences that are linked to each other. This is what my own “style” is.
What challenges did you encounter during the production of “Montana,” and how did you overcome them?
Coming up with parts is easy for me. Making each part within each section flow well and feel truly musical is where the most careful work needs to be done. Most of my music isn’t arranged like popular music, which has a verse, chorus, bridge, etc, where chord changes are unique to each part, and are pretty predictable. All of my parts breathe their own life into the piece, and can start and stop almost anywhere, irrespective of the arrangement otherwise. It might seem random, but it most certainly is not. I hope that makes sense. You can’t really chop my music into sections and get the real picture.
So in answer to your question, I just keep working at it ’till I’ve accomplished that. There is no workaround or trick to getting it done.
Reflecting on your previous works, how does “Montana” compare in terms of thematic depth and musical complexity?
One of my mantras in creating the “STIR” series is: keep the melodies uncomplicated and accessible for everyone. I love complex music myself, but it’s not for everybody. I try to find a middle ground where the arrangements are where the real complexity is. The individual parts are usually hummable! I’ve gotten a lot of comments that “Montana” is very beautiful, moving and emotional. I am very happy to have moved people in that way. Hopefully it makes them think too.
Given your extensive experience in music production, how has your approach to composing evolved over the years, particularly with tracks like “Montana”?
When I worked as an independent producer, I learned to be efficient with time, and still creative for my clients. We often explored new musical territory together. That experience did alter how I approach things, but now that I’m releasing a huge body of work under my own name, I have relearned to take the time it takes to do this right. I’ve been at this since the technology was first invented so my growth feels like a straight line to me. Only the further development of music technology provides big advances for my process.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for future compositions? Will you continue to explore historical narratives in your music?
Yes! I am exploring horizons in many directions. Personal psychology, space exploration, historical events, and every day experiences are all in there. I can assure you I will find new topics.
How do you see your music evolving in the next few years, especially in terms of thematic exploration and musical experimentation?
Truly, I have mapped out what I’m likely to work on, and if I do things the way I’ve been doing them, with a release per month with its own music video, I can go until 2030. I have that many ideas in the pipeline. Thematic exploration and experimentation will be in all of them. AND I will never use AI to create music. I don’t need it and consider it a violation.
I have a Vevo channel on YouTube where you can watch my music videos as they are released. There may be over 15 there by this summer. Anyone can visit my website to keep up with my activities and I am on a few social media platforms as well. It’s EASY to find me. Just type in my name into a search engine (be sure to spell it right).
