Dream Destroyer – the found is feeling again

Here it is: the found piece is in release. Three versions of the same improvisation. Read on to understand the feeling behind it.

Feeling Memory

Once I found this bit of music, my memory of the feelings that inspired it surged inside of me. The emotions I had tried to squelch suddenly felt just as powerful as the first time I felt them. After all, the situation has only gotten worse in the last few months. How could I do anything else other than feeling them.

Add to this the sensations of winter. For example, it’s cold. Cold like the touch of someone who does not care about anyone but himself.

My primary feelings in this piece were anger, sadness, and fear. I knew the basic influences, so I didn’t spend much time pondering the “why”. Instead, I set to working on the recordings.

Destroyer of Dreams

First came the piano improvisation. Thanks to the technology mentioned previously, I was able to transfer the raw data to my studio. Once there, I forgot about it for a month.

With the notes captured, I manipulated them and turned the one track into three. For the technically inclined, this means that I used the MIDI data to create two additional tracks with very different interpretations and instrumentations. Essentially, this means I took the “notes” from what I had improvised and had different sounds play in place of the piano.

The first track, “Out”, required that I contract the notes to be shorter than the original improvisation. In some ways, this compressed and rhythmic character portrays the feelings best of all.

On the other hand, “Uto” expanded the notes to fill a longer track. Here, I tried to capture the sense of void and powerlessness. But we are not without power. Our feelings alone are sources of making stuff happen.

Build Your Dream Works Anyway

With the notes stretched, compacted, and played by the new instruments, I did all the other studio magic. Mixing, stripping away, and mastering until the 3-track EP made sense. At least to me.

The third track, “Tuo”, is the closest to the original piano improvisation. Even in this, I can feel the emotions as a potent undercurrent.

I’m releasing this as my alter-ego, Stanley G. This doesn’t seem like the kind of release I want to keep in my “Stan Stewart” portfolio. You’ll let me know what you think. And thanks for listening.