I’m sitting at my desk surrounded by the final hours of sunlight as crickets serenade me into an evening of cold air and creepy contemplation. Here in New England, the seasons can shift at a snails pace, or they can happen within the blink of an eye. This years transition into Fall happened so abruptly, I barely had time to pack away my bathing suit from all the Summer shenanigans. Needless to say, it is without question a most welcomed change of scenery, and one that will provide enough creative sustenance for me to dip my toes into yet another creative coma.
The latest album “Grimoire of Oak & Shadow” had its time to marinate, and with that comes the abrupt decision to either start writing more music, or head into a different direction. Why not both? I have been meaning for quite a while to start offering my creative services out to musicians once again, but now it feels like a perfect moment to launch such an effort into production. Mixing and mastering services are a dime a dozen, but what makes this creative space so enthused is the diversity within each individual behind the controls. What one person can offer is going to differ creatively from what another will offer in the same genre, which makes for less competition, and more choice for artists looking to broaden their sonic landscape.
Working with other musicians is always a treat, and helping them craft their sound is something that not only brings me so much joy, but allows me to sharpen my skills throughout a broad range of ever expanding musical horizons. I will be making a much more formal announcement soon, with additions to the website that will allow artists to connect if they are interested in working together.
Aside from getting the production wheels turning again , I have started loosely exploring ideas for the next Autumns Eyes album. I purchased a new guitar that I have had my eye on for years now, but always hesitated to pull the trigger for one reason or another. Finally, the planets aligned, and I was able to score one in the exact color and spec I have been seeking all these long days. The guitar is a beauty to play, and its extended range allows me to venture back into a lower tuning register which I always love to explore. Every day since I purchased this new toy, I have been running into the studio fueled by a newfound excitement that has allowed me to write with such a natural flow that I haven’t experienced since my early days recording with Autumns Eyes.
Musical direction is always a mystery at this stage of the writing process. It’s more or less pouring out the ideas in front of you, then deciding where they fit together. Everything from intense black metal to atmospheric synth driven goth rock have been formulating into such crazy concoctions. Making such a decision will not be easy by any means, but once those wheels are in motion, I plan on having the process go much quicker than past releases. Getting stuck in the bowels of procrastination has always been my achilles heel in regards to completing an album, but I have learned a great deal with the last two releases. The next one will be a true test to put those lessons into practice, and hope it works out for the better.
So where does Halloween fit into the equation? Surely we cannot ignore the climax of such an abundant season, and while I do have some rather macabre plans for the hallowed holiday, I would look closer to the start of October for something new from Autumns Eyes. Rather, something old, that has been reborn into something new? Possibly a garment of some sort? Time will tell whats lurking behind that corner, but I can promise it includes an abundance of black and orange. With all of the hype surrounding the season, I can promise to do my best to contribute to all those spooky vibes we love so much. So make sure to stay in touch, and don’t be a stranger! Enjoy this beautiful time of year, and take time to share your own experience so we can have more unique stories, and less phony posts about pumpkin spice lattes.
Having said that, Im off to write some new music and sip on a pumpk…I mean water…Im just going to drink water.
Happy Halloween!
