When The Sun Goes Down... - Behind the Shadows

          The concept album is a dying art, especially in this, the golden age of the short attention span. But, as this project evolved it was apparent that a theme was lurking in the shadows, not just figuratively, but quite literally. In the classic sense, the concept album begins with well, "The Concept". In this case, there was no initial desire, or even a germ of thought to craft a concept album. The songs had plans of their own though. Each piece, written quite independently from the others, presented its own unique shadow. The greatest challenge really, was to awaken the artist (me) to the realization that there was more at work beneath the surface of the music than met the ear. Once aware however, it was all too clear that this is where the album was destined to go. The "shadows" called out to be brought into the light, and so they were. After all, denying the shadow acknowledgement is only asking for trouble.

J.R. Baude - A Closer Look

          I find simply talking about "me" in a sort of resume style can be difficult. I know that sounds like trumped up humility, but my life, and the role of my music, has been somewhat non-linear to say the least. So a listing of what, when, and where would be unrepresentative of who I am in a musical context, and really quite unremarkable. The road to this record, and my musical self is highlighted more by intangibles and subtleties than actual step-by-step accomplishments.

        My music derives more from a philisophical frame of mind than from a specific practice or ritual. My natural state is intuitive. The inspirations that choose to find me come from the alchemic ether of everyday life. They don't like very much to be summoned or conjured. Patience has its rewards. When "fleshed" out, the inspiration eventually becomes the song. No big surprise there, but it is worth emphasizing. It's easy to forget that amidst all the technical histrionics. The arrangement, the production, the performance, everything exists only to serve as a means to present the song as it wants to exist.

        I see myself as the fortunate passenger in the journey from inspiration to song. Yes, I have to bring the idea through my filter, and hone and polish it. But, perhaps the true challenge is to know what NOT to do during this process as much as what TO do. My purpose, as I see it, in all this is to breath life, add flesh and blood to a mere thought. The origin of which I am not sure.