The Protector

Making an album has never been this much fun! Watch this page for updates on the progress of the album + special sneak peeks at what’s going on as it comes to life!

My plan is to release The Protector in several different formats alongside various different artwork that has been created as the album has been written and recorded. I love to create the visual side of the album before, during, and after the musical portion of the album. It helps keep a sense of direction and freshness while executing and experimenting with musical ideas. The artwork above is my current artwork for the project; however, I have no doubt that it will continue to morph and change bit by bit as I am recording the music.

I plan to start a kickstarter project for the album in January, and will create a “bespoke” version of the album that will be exclusive to those who contribute to the project. An exciting way to bring the music to life in a different medium. This bespoke edition will come with a special very special booklet of diagrams, charts, artwork, and a short story that accompany the album.

Becoming The Protector : Video Diary

I am keeping a video diary documenting the various different stages of finding inspiration for, writing, and recording this new album. I’ll play some sketches of new songs, shop for trinkets that will aid in creating the artwork, and even post some videos from the studio. You can watch all the current “entries” below.

Episode 3 : So Summer Ends

Episode 2 : Lazy Days

Episode 1 : Silhouette Songs

The Process

This page serves as an experimental “journey-journal” where I will post updates and announcements regarding projects that play a part in executing the new album.

The Protector is the second album in The Solstice War Trilogy, as well as my current project. The project stands as a study of fear, and the battle to conquer fear of many forms. 

The music of The Protector is currently completely written, and early stages of recording the album are beginning. While I would love to just go into a studio and drop a ton of money on recording an epic album, I will recording the music of The Protector through a series of projects - The first of which is a 12 hour studio day with a full mini-orchestra on November 19th. 

My dear friend, and extremely talented arranger Paul Dougherty, had proposed an idea to me last April to put together a motown vibed show of about 8 songs which we would perform this fall; however, over time the project shifted into a single 12 hour studio day we would prep music for, and then work with a rhythm section and mini-orchestra to record live motown styled versions of two of the songs from The Protector. Paul is calling the project the “Mietown Motown” and has put a website together for the project here. I plan to eventually release the two song session on an EP called “X_0_DUS 5_OS” sometime in 2012 - most likely as a free download. I would also like the EP to include an a couple rough sketches of other songs from the album.

Releasing this album in increments seems like a fun, unique, and educative way to really spend time experimenting and experiencing a body of work in all it’s different variable forms. I am very excited to hear how the sessions with Paul turn out, and from there decide how I like to record other songs from the record.

For this project, I am also keeping a video diary series called “Becoming The Protector” which serves a great way for me to document different moments of the creative process that go into creating an album.

I am very influenced and inspired by many different mediums such as literature, artwork, quotes, passages, and films. I’ll also be posting some of these things on this page as well.

The Songs

Below are some various existing forms of the songs. More versions will be added as the album is recorded, live shows are played, video diary entries are added, and new songs are released digitally!

1. LIVING IN FEAR:

Will premiere live on Dec. 30th  at An Evening of Fear

2. HELLO APOCALYPSE: