On December 1st, I’m dropping my most ambitious album yet: The Cinema Show. It’s a neoclassical-prog love letter to the magic of going to the movies, split loosely into “Light” and “Dark” sides. The music moves from quiet, minimalist tension to full orchestral explosions, giving me plenty of room to push my keyboard playing into new territory.
“You can’t have renewal without loss, triumph without pain—it’s fundamental to both cinema and life. This record really forced me to step out of my comfort zone, and honestly, it’s the absolute best thing I’ve ever made.”
To go along with the release, I built a brand-new companion app. Unlike my previous interactive projects, this isn’t a game—it’s an environmental immersion tool.
Ever since Inception: The App came out back in 2010, I’ve wanted to build an app that shifts based on the world around you and then overlay it on an album. It’s only 16 years later, but I’ve finally did it! This app listens through your phone’s microphone, takes ambient sounds from your immediate environment, and weaves them directly into the music, locked to the album’s BPM. No two listens will ever be the same.
I am a composer and synth geek based in Pittsburgh making music that sits on the edge between classical structure and electronic rebellion … all topped by a signature delayed-piano cherry. 😉
The lights are dimming, the curtain is rising…
…Close your eyes and join me for The Cinema Show!!
Get the album online through Amazon, Apple, or Bandcamp.
Track previews!
Track Listing
- Recessional | 3:01
- Road Show | 2:10
- Excitement and Elimination | 1:48
- Piano Fandango | 2:04
- Much Ado | 2:32
- Corpse Parade | 2:45
- Sleep Deprivation | 2:14
- Mutation and Madness | 1:57
- Krampus Wishes | 1:29
- Investigation Station | 1:54
- Expiation | 5:03
- Theme for New Beginnings | 2:39
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Total Run Time : 29:41
Videos
I made videos for many of these songs several years ago when trying to put the ideas into context … actually see how they work with images on screen. Each was very different, but one of my favorites was this one – “Alice’s Wonderland” – a very early Disney animation that I paired with Recessional.
View the entire playlist on YouTube!
the Cinema Show app
Regular followers know that I am also a hobbyist game designer and love making small games for each record including a COVID blaster and a Seattle-themed gems game, a cross between ‘Space Invaders’ and ‘Centipede’ to go with ‘the Beetle Horde’ and a Christmas present adventure for Lofi Snowfly.
This time, it’s not a game as such – but rather a companion app that uses your phone’s microphone to transport YOU into the soundscape! Inspired by the fantastic Inception: the App movie partner app, The Cinema Show app uses your phone’s microphone to listen to your surroundings and incorporate your environment into the music and sync’d to the bpm automatically – making every listen unique.
Update 8/29: Here’s one from the holy smokes pile… With some (rather amazing if you ask me) help from Manus and a bit of luck, I am excited to say that the app is ready to go. I’ve thought about this regularly for 15 years and have actually made it happen!!! And the result is far better than I expected really and it – for me at least – expands on the original concept into interactive ephemeral art.
(Links coming as soon as everything gets approved!!) For those that prefer a more meditative experience, I have also created a similar partner app for Meditations on a Taxi!