Feb 2022 creative-writing sci-fi space-opera-literary-genre space-rock middle-eastern-scales live-to-tape jes
For a number of years I've been wrting a series of stories (including one novel) in a created Sci-Fi universe. My song Apex from last FAWM featured one of the characters from that series of stories (& actually led to a short story that I developed afterwards). The universe is sort of a mash up of influences from Star Wars, Star Trek, Warhammer 40,000 & a lot of Cyberpunk. The main galactic state in the series is called the Theodoric Star Empire & its main military force are the famous Argentroopers, famous for their shinning silver armour. This song is a bit of an homage to them.
Musically speaking, I fell back onto that old Middle Eastern scale I often jam around on & just built this up from the main riff. A lot of it is improvised & this was done in true Candle fashion: Live-To-Tape with no overdubs in post production. I'm quite pleased with the end result.
I guess my Muse still wants to Musickate after all LOL
See You In The Shadows…
Gear
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Fender Deluxe Stratocaster
Blue Jim Dunlop 1.0mm Tortex Plectum
Peavey PVM-22 Microphone
Behringer U-Phoria UMC404HD Audio Interface
Behringer FCB1010 MIDI Foot Controller
Candle's "Live" Jeskola Buzz Setup
Song Of The Argentroopers
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Target acquired
Release the suspect
There's an iminent threat
To the security
Of the Empire
Dispatch Destroyer
And deploy the Argentroopers
There's orders coming in
From Imperial
High Command
Sing for the silvermen
As they march off to war
They battle for the glory
Of his Imperial Majesty's sword
@captainvulpine Mar 2022
Gotta echo @looprication here and get you a room in that warehouse. It would be excellent. And having read everything of yours I could get my hands on, I mean, the only thing between the world and the Candleverse is a proper agent :P
@angelinapowersuit Mar 2022
Yeah really like the calm instrumental in relation to your expressive vocals. Nice build into a stark section which gives it a totally different tone, really nice dynamics throughout and music sets an awesome stage for your story.
@seanbrennan Mar 2022
In addition to the scale choice, is it coincidence or by design that the percussive cycle (and even the timbre to an extent) is reminiscent of any number of ensembles from Southeast Asia, like Thai piphat?
I enjoy how well everything is connected, even as the subdivisions pick up pace and relax again. The structure is well defined to set that up.
That jam/solo six minutes in achieves what I love my sci-fi/concept/rock opera/etc. music to do: I got lost and immersed for a moment. I just zoned out and had a picture in my head. Thank you for all the work you put into this one, in my opinion it paid off!
@dzdandcunfsd Mar 2022
That build around the 1 1/2 minute mark gave me chills! This is just really fabulous, can't say enough how much this is checking all my boxes. One of my favorites from you for sure! I don't remember the bands name in that one novella I read in your Argentrooper Chronicle, but for sure something they would of played :D
Perfect length too! I was hoping this was going to be epic, and it exceeded my expectations. This had quite the evolution, but is only noticeable when you push play after it wraps up it all flows so nicely.
@kenficara Mar 2022
This is epic science fiction but it also feels like news reporting. A lot of the best SF is like that; I think it was JG Ballard who once said that speculative fiction writers were the only one writing accurately about the modern world.
The guitars are great; there’s a real European Son Velvets thing going on. And the vocal distortion ring-modulator thing is terrific.
@looprication Feb 2022
I'm always amazed the way you can just tell a story with just your guitar. Love the use of the non-western scale... ooh this break at 2:40 is nice. Sparse and psychedelic. Like an aural opium den.
When my wife and I talk about our bucket list, one big thing on there is is to create this immersive art and music experience in a very, very large warehouse (or perhaps a series of buildings - if it were in San Diego would be likely all outside and basically impossible), different sections with different experiences... kind of a maze with different music artists and visual artists of all mediums. It wouldn't be complete without a room inspired and sponsored by you, my friend.
p.s. I would totally read your novel! I always say I'm "not that into sci-fi" but two of my favorites are Snow Crash and Cryptonomicon soooooo :)
@heliosonorous Feb 2022
Awesome track! All kinds of epic sci-fi feels in here, the tension builds, the vocal effects are well used, your solo has a lot of passion for what is transpiring in this story.
@beat Feb 2022
Nice and dark in this shadow down here.
Luv the scale you jam in.
Thx for the music.
@pvk2020 Feb 2022
Sounds like our process is similar. Interesting break and sounds like someone walking. Almost a talking drum sound. Then into another realm.