When I interned at Soundlounge sonic branding agency back in 2006, I studied James Bond themes and came to some conclusions about why these melodies and chord progressions invoke the mystery and suspense forever linked to the Bond brand.
In this video, ambient music wizard Brian Eno explains his creativity-provoking pack of cards, called Oblique Strategies.
I bet you think Jiminy Cricket's heart-melting melody is pure magic. I disagree. It's time for the cold, calculated, musical facts.
I had a minor epiphany while helping my girlfriend create a composition assignment for her music students. Why not create a composition from a single rhythmic line first, then add pitches later?
Nick and I got together again on Wednesday and recorded a trombone trio he composed for our RPM Challenge album. I wasn't totally convinced when he first played the idea for me on a MIDI keyboard. It sounded sort of interesting, but the harmonies seemed kind of random. As soon as we started recording Continue reading... 
After our first RPM jam session, Nick Syman and I went off on our own to do some songwriting. I came up with 3 half-songs. Here's one of them, filmed by Jeffrey Schwinghammer:
This is a totally different vocal style than anything I've done before. Where I'd normally sing phrases that have the Continue reading...