World Context
"The power of nature is what all art strives to be, the more we can get in tune with the harmony of the planet, the more our art can benefit from that relationship." - Rick Rubin, Music Producer
The quote above by Rick Rubin, a music producing dynamo whom has produced literally hundreds of records with some of the worlds most popular artists (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, Lana Del Rey, Kanye West, AC/DC, The Mars Volta, and so many others), emulates the power of nature and its relationship to music, which can ultimately act as a positive force both for the artist as well as the rest of the world when that music is in tune with the planet itself. This is definitely my goal as an artist, to be a vessel of universal energy and love, to flow through me and out into the world as an empowering, ecstatic, and ultimately healing force for myself, others, and the planet as a whole. In this way, my music with its focus of love, transformation, ecstatic expression, unity, regeneration, empowerment, archetypal metaphor, and self-inquiry, I feel that my music can help people to access that space of power, beauty, innocence, and love which resides within them. Through this, I hope to encourage others to express themselves to their heart's fulfillment, creating a a larger community of artists all across the world, encouraging and inspiring one another to help make this a more just, sustainable, and fulfilling world for all.
Conclusion
Making this album has been an incredibly enriching experience. On a practical level, I learn how to efficiently record my my own music as well as others', while simultaneously influencing my professional growth and development through the refining of my skills for the benefit of myself and others whom I work with in the future. Although the recording process for this album took around 9 months to complete, the bulk of actual time in the studio was probably only around three weeks to a month of consistent work. I learned so much about myself as an artist, producer, and human throughout the process and feel like Im beginning to develop my signature sound to offer the world. I can see through the tracking of my progress and pathway unfoldment with Gaia U, that my life is focused on the themes of music, community, and self-transformation. I am grateful for my work with Gaia to have been a motivational force in the initiation and implantation of my skills and abilities while at the same time helping me to track my process in an organized way.
Outcomes - Persoanl & Professional
Though the physical element of the album in CD,Vinyl, and digital format are still in the process of manifestation, the personal and professional outcomes from my training and the process of album creation are as follows:
Personal
- I feel empowered to produce and record music for myself and others that I am happy with, both in the celebration of my own abilities as well as in the reward of being able to capture and enhance a given performance, allowing for the essence and energetic transmission of the artist and message to be felt and heard.
- I feel proficient enough in my abilities with recording technology to teach others about my process as well as to continue the refinement of my own.
- The emotional gratification of completing an album which can be shared with the world, make someone smile, dance, or just feel something beneficial to them in the moment, is incredibly fulfilling.
Profesional
- The artists with whom I have helped produce now have sharable music which they can add to their portfolio, promote, and build upon as they choose.
- First hand experience along with my training with Augustin and Paul has equipped me with the skills to progress further on my path of becoming a professional music producer.
- I now have the tools to offer my skills of music production and engineering as a regenerative enterprise, creating income and the ability to become independent, create and pay for my own life, while sharing the fruits of my labors with others.
Benefits To The Field
Through my work of self-production and album creation, I would say the overall benefits to the field are as follows:
- My music could help to inspire other artists, thus influencing more art to be generated in the world.
- My process of self-production and engineering could give encouragement and/or motivation to other artists wanting to do something similar but haven't found the confidence to commit to the process yet.
- I am helping to expand, build upon, and nourish the growth of the now forming niche/genre of music which focuses on themes such as honesty, depth, human and planetary empowerment, regeneration, acceptance, and alignment with life so that the individual is directed by the heart to fulfill their own destiny.
As for this OP, it can act as a reference and possible guide tool for anyone interested in undergoing their own process of self-recording their own or someone else's album. It also adds something unique to the Gaia U community as no one else is designing output packets based on recording or musicianship in general, possibly encouraging potential associates who may be looking to join the university and want to pursue similar goals.
Next Steps & Future Goals
My next steps for the album are
- Complete the mastering process - Finish task list sent to me from Scott (the mastering engineer) which includes making minor adjustments to the mixes and adding key samples before he finishes the final masters for the entire record.
- Approach record labels & build network connections - Meet with friends and associates whom have connections with the music industry to find make professional connections, share the album, and find a fitting record label that will promote my music and help further my career as a professional musician.
My next steps for my musical career, Gaia U, and life in general are
- Continue to promote Ecstatic Union through live performances, tours, recording, album releases, band merchandise, music video production, publishing, and networking.
- Continue my career as a recording engineer through producing my own albums as well as others'. I am recording my girlfriend Kasie's album (Coyote Run) in June of this year, my first production project where I will actually be financially compensated for my work. I intend to record my new songs this summer during the free time I have between production work, busking, and live shows.
- Prepare to move into the Los Angeles area come fall of 2016, hopefully to Topanga Canyon, where I can feel immersed in nature but still close to the entertainment mecca of LA. Living in closer proximity to my fellow sonic comrades will help us to become more integrated as a band, as half of us living on an Island at present makes it difficult for consistent rehearsals and shows to commence.
- Create my OP4 this month (May) so that I can be free to devote my energies to the upcoming recording process I'll be engaged with in June, leaving me with the completion of my OP5 learning review and final presentation. I anticipate these last two projects to be complete by November of this year, hopefully celebrating my graduation ceremony with Gaia Associates at a gather-in either in the fall of 2016 or winter of 2017.