mmd

Download mp3: Growing Old

First composed during 1999, using the old music-software Fast Tracker II. Due to a lingering fascination with the song, and some demand to re-release it (along with other old songs like Student X) I have remixed and remastered this for release. Renoise 1.9’s ‘no interpolation’ sample feature has allowed for a restoration that is as sonically lo-fi as the original, which was previously difficult to execute. Additionally, the modern software allows the opportunity to polish the mix so it doesn’t destroy your bass speakers as it previously did. Still, compared to my latest work, ‘Growing Old remastered’ is a harsh and minimal listen.

For me the song is linked to a sadness of witnessing close loved ones grow old and the fear or uncertainty associated with that witnessing. To emphasize that heavy feeling I’ve kept the pace slow and each new ‘pattern’ (4 bars or so) I’ve activated a small speed change. Each one of these changes sees the bpm lowered by one. This usually isn’t immediately noticeable, but over time the track sinks into a plod lacking the energy to deal with the issue it sets out to address. It grows old.

http://markdollin.deviantart.com/

One of my frustrations with networking within the music community, in particular the Renoise community, is that your audience is restricted to a picky bunch of sometimes jaded composers who are still getting a grip on their craft. I sometimes forget that people outside of this world actually are deep music fans, but don’t have an inkling at all to composition. In fact, composers are a distinct minority, and the vast music appreciating population on earth often listens to music with less cynicism. Upon realising this I though I needed to move my work outside of the composer clique, out to rest of the world.

One step in this new direction is to make proper use of my Deviant Art Page. dA is one of the better set out social network systems, focused on visual arts. I though I’d try my hand at bucking the system and releasing my mp3s over there. The method is simple: present an associated image, short composition description and a link to the mp3. This presents amazing new networking opportunities and a chance to share some music with fresh ears. The releases so far have earned warm reception and modest attention. It will be interesting to watch to see how successful this will be over time, as well as what I can do with it as a medium.