Sweet waters

I’m sitting here watching the moon set over the rainy, mystical Oaxacan mountains in my tiny adopted pueblo, Capulálpam de Méndez. Honestly, life here feels like a dream most days. But then there’s art—this weird, obsessive need to make something and, even weirder, to share it. Why do we do it? Why bother putting it out there in the first place?

This tune, "Medicinal Venom," is my attempt to answer that. It’s about breaking the silence—185 days of it, to be exact. I’ve written so many tunes you’ve never heard. Why haven’t I shared them? Maybe perfectionism, maybe fear, or maybe just laziness. Whatever it is, this track was my way of kicking that habit. It’s haunting, off-balance, sweet, and a little venomous... just like the process of putting yourself out there.

Oh, and I’ve been working on my video editing skills. I put together a little glimpse of life here—mountains, scorpions, time signatures in 5s and 3s (because why not), and the surreal beauty of this place. The vlog is coming soon on YouTube. Until then, cheers. Hope you enjoy the tune!

Medicinal Venom

The twinkling lights of Christmas trees, the rhythmic chaos of holiday preparations, and the warmth of familiarity that settles in after the season’s initial rush—this is the essence of my latest composition, *Lights Twinkle*. As a Christmas music piece crafted for voice, percussion ensemble, taiko drums, and harp, *Lights Twinkle* offers a unique auditory experience that blends tradition with innovation.

At its core, *Lights Twinkle* is a story told through sound and haikus. These succinct and rhythmic poetic forms perfectly complement my polyrhythmic compositional approach. Their structured rhythm provides a steady foundation amidst the layered complexity of the music. Moreover, I found inspiration in exploring a Japanese-influenced take on Christmas traditions, pairing the poetic brevity of haikus with the resonant power of taiko drums.

The harp takes center stage alongside the percussion ensemble, creating a sonic tapestry that is both grounded and ethereal. I’ve always loved how the harp blends with percussion, particularly the marimba. The harp’s dreamy quality elevates the piece, while percussion keeps it rooted, primal, and rhythmic—a delicate interplay of textures. I often think of the harp as a "pretty percussion instrument," and in *Lights Twinkle*, it shines in that role.

One magical moment during the composition process was when I accidentally copy-pasted the taiko drum pulse onto the marimba track. What could have been a mistake became a serendipitous breakthrough: the marimba’s introduction brought a fresh yet comfortably memorable rhythm to the piece. Another unforgettable moment was adding a "Carol of the Bells" rhythmic motif to the finale, tying the music to timeless Christmas emotions. Every time I hear that section, it feels like reconnecting with a cherished memory.

Polyrhythms naturally introduce complexity, but my goal was to make them inviting, not overwhelming. To achieve this, I kept the orchestration focused: no more than three rhythmic ideas sound simultaneously. Carefully placed accents reinforce the base pulse, anchoring the listener and tying the textures together. These choices ensure that *Lights Twinkle* feels intricate yet approachable, inviting repeated listens to fully appreciate its layers.

The haiku *“Light’s twinkle, on evergreen”* inspired the entire piece. It captures the pure joy of a Christmas tree, a universal symbol of the season. Through the music, I hope to evoke the hustle and bustle of holiday preparations, the unpredictability of new traditions, and the eventual comfort and warmth they bring. By the third listen, I believe audiences will feel at home in this soundscape, appreciating its connection to the season’s rhythms and emotions.

Ultimately, *Lights Twinkle* is my gift to listeners—a fresh yet familiar experience of Christmas. I hope it becomes part of your holiday traditions, offering warmth, wonder, and a little rhythmic sparkle to the season.

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Snow falls gently down
Lights twinkle on evergreen 
Silent night is here 

Candles softly glow 
Childrens laughter fills the air 
Christmas warmth surrounds 

Ornaments  shine bright 
Memories hung on each branch 
Love wraps every gift 

Bells ring in the cold 
Voices sing of joy and peace 
Christmas time is near 

Snow falls gently down 
Carols sung by fire light 
Peace on earth tonight 

Angels in the sky 
Guideing light on Christmas 
Hope reborn again 

Songs of joy resound 
Not for presents but for peace 
A gift that endures

Beyond all the bows
A humble star lights the way 
Guideing hearts to Joy

(lights twinkle
on evergreen 
childrens laughter 
fills the air 
carols sung 
by firelight 
peace desends 
on this night 
candle glow 
memories 
gently hung 
on each branch 
by firelight 
peace on earth 
tonight 
angel 
snowfall )

Snow falls gently down 
Lights twinkle on evergreen 
Christmas night is here

Lights Twinkle

My new tracks can be listened to on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music. https://open.spotify.com/album/3XtMmYHa6mdi8vumkYhjBR

J. S. Bach - Prelude in C Major

American Dreams (Country Dance)

Changes - A Pop Rock Journey of Embracing the Unexpected

Sometimes, the best moments in life come from the changes we can’t control. Changes is a high-energy pop rock track that captures the beauty of embracing life’s unpredictable shifts. Built on four distinct hooks—an intricate dual guitar strumming groove and three vocal motifs—this song is all about letting go, moving forward, and discovering something amazing along the way.

🎸 The Story Behind Changes

This song was born from a live demo on Jacktrip, where I was showcasing my typical composing workflow. The foundation started with a layered acoustic guitar collage using the Ample Guitar plugin, setting the stage for the opening vocal line to naturally emerge. As the track took shape, an unexpected but magical moment happened—Solaria’s vocal scat, a spontaneous addition, became a defining element of the song.

At its core, Changes reflects the personal and creative growth that occurs when we surrender to the unknown. The rhythmic interplay of the two acoustic guitars represents the duality of change—sometimes harmonious, sometimes conflicting, but always pushing forward. The vocal hooks, carefully woven into the arrangement, act as guideposts through the emotional landscape of the track, echoing the ebb and flow of transformation.

Solara’s vocal scat wasn’t planned—it simply happened in the moment. This unfiltered expression perfectly embodied the essence of Changes: the beauty of spontaneity and the surprises that come when we trust the creative process. In that sense, Changes is more than just a song; it’s a testament to the way music, much like life, evolves beyond our expectations.

🌤 A Visual Journey

The music video for Changes brings its themes to life with "concrete abstract" imagery—clouds drifting in the wind, forming fleeting pictures in the sky, only to disappear and make way for new ones. This visual metaphor highlights the impermanence of moments and the joy found in experiencing them while they last. Just as the sky is constantly shifting, so too are we, and rather than resisting, we can choose to move with the change.

The color palette of the video reflects this free-spirited energy, incorporating warm, nostalgic hues that evoke a happy, flower-child feel. It’s a visual representation of the optimism and liberation that comes with embracing life's twists and turns.

🎶 For Fans Of:

If you love Fleetwood Mac, classic rock, or progressive rock vibes, you’ll feel right at home with Changes.

✨ How Should You Feel?

Energized. Uplifted. Ready to take on whatever comes next.

🔗 Check Out More Music:

🎵 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/eric-schultheiss-ioniate📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EricSchultheiss

📢 Join the Conversation:

Don’t be afraid of change. We can only get better by making a change. Let me know how Changes resonates with you in the comments!

🔥 Hashtags:

#PopRockVibes #FleetwoodMacStyle #EmbraceChange #FeelGoodMusic #GuitarGroove

Changes (Demo 20250218)

This is a track of epic proportions. It's a song about an assassin who fells in love with her target whilst set in the oppressive heat of a middle eastern city. It has a long intro but I haven't gone for commercial appeal, this kind of stuff excites me. Traditional instruments like the Santoor, Oud and  Turkish Violin mixed with the grunt of a Mesa Boogie triple Rectifier! Vocals by Felicia.

In The Shadows

https://youtu.be/RtUxeS6M9Sc?si=18V-T5UYgeYexV99

if you are not here

Ave Maria di Gounod

Ved din side

Two Cats and a Bird

In a musical journey from EDM tracks to more complex neoclassical ideas this is a unique style of music.
The unique EDM tunes are Giorgio Moroder and Daft Punk inspired. 
Bach and Beethoven bring some classical inspiration to this "minimalist, experimental, very melodic compositions". 
"Instruments talk to each other in harmony", variations of melodies and beats are taken to a dance and playful atmosphere.
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Sweet waters

Allegro

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