The Frontier
Released 29/10/2017

This is this years' EP - hope you enjoy it!

For reference, I didn't have any specific influences going in - unless I have a specific frame of reference (like I did with Fledgling, courtesy of Austin Wintory's Journey soundtrack), I basically braindump all over Cubase.

However, as I got going, the resulting themes made me think of a weird mashup of Don Bluth films (not musically, but visually), westerns (catching Rango on TV might have been a contributory factor) and that kind of thing. So, that was the weird mental context that I ended up writing to. 

Mostly, it was just a lot of fun, so I wasn't particularly disciplined with the arrangement. Doesn't help that I also can't really mix for toffee, and the dynamics got lost in the reverb, so sorry for that.

Kevin Chow

The Frontier

The Frontier
4 - The Journey Onwards
Released 29/10/2017

This whole EP started as a rework of a "stub"/WIP that went nowhere.  However, something clicked during the rewrite and I ran with it, and had a heck of a lot of fun doing it.

I actually ended up writing this track first, and the result had a lot of ideas that I thought it would a good opportunity to practice expanding in out. So, this track is the start of my little adventure into this series, but the "end credits" track to the EP, which works out kinda well because it has most of the important themes in some way shape or form in the EP. Apart from adding to my cumulating tinnitus, it was a heck of a lot of fun. Kinda like Roquefort & Spam, but a bit more seriously.

Unlike with the Fledgling EP, I wasn't trying to be particular elegant with the arrangement, so for better or worse, I've written it in my usual over-orchestration matter.

Tools:
Cubase 8.5, VSL Woodwinds I (Clarinet, Flute and Bassoon), 8Dio Adagio & Agitato Violins, Cellos, and Allegretto Violas; EWQL SO-PP (various), Spitfire BML Bones, Horns and Trumpets; Komplete's  "The Gentleman".
Wavelab 6.

The Frontier - 4 The Journey Onwards (Into the Sunset)

The Frontier
3 - By The Campfire
Released 29/10/2017

This whole EP started as a rework of a "stub"/WIP that went nowhere.  However, something clicked during the rewrite and I ran with it, and had a heck of a lot of fun doing it.
I actually ended up writing the last track first, and the result had a lot of ideas that I thought it would a good opportunity to practice expanding in out. 

In order of writing, this was the last one. For some reason I seem to be writing a lot more piano these days, although I'm pretty much constrained by my lack of ability, so the actual technical complexity is quite low. Still, this track helps to reset the pace, and serves to join the first two tracks to the end, which is essentially the denouement.

Unlike with the Fledgling EP, I wasn't trying to be particular elegant with the arrangement, so for better or worse, I've written it in my usual over-orchestration matter.

Tools:
Cubase 8.5, VSL Woodwinds I (Clarinet, Flute and Bassoon), 8Dio Adagio & Agitato Violins, Cellos, and Allegretto Violas; EWQL SO-PP (various), Spitfire BML Bones, Horns and Trumpets; Komplete's  "The Gentleman".
Wavelab 6.

The Frontier - 3 By The Campfire

The Frontier
2 - Apprehension and Deliverance
Released 29/10/2017

This whole EP started as a rework of a "stub"/WIP that went nowhere.  However, something clicked during the rewrite and I ran with it, and had a heck of a lot of fun doing it.

I actually ended up writing the last track first, and the result had a lot of ideas that I thought it would a good opportunity to practice expanding in out. 
This was the third track in order of writing, and introduces the element of tension, as well as some of the main thematics that I retconned into this track.

Unlike with the Fledgling EP, I wasn't trying to be particular elegant with the arrangement, so for better or worse, I've written it in my usual over-orchestration matter.

Tools:
Cubase 8.5, VSL Woodwinds I (Clarinet, Flute and Bassoon), 8Dio Adagio & Agitato Violins, Cellos, and Allegretto Violas; EWQL SO-PP (various), Spitfire BML Bones, Horns and Trumpets; Komplete's  "The Gentleman".
Wavelab 6.

The Frontier - 2 Apprehension And Deliverance

The Frontier
1 - From Humble Beginnings
Released 29/10/2017

This whole EP started as a rework of a "stub"/WIP that went nowhere.  However, something clicked during the rewrite and I ran with it, and had a heck of a lot of fun doing it.
I actually ended up writing the last track first, and the result had a lot of ideas that I thought it would a good opportunity to practice expanding in out. So, this track is actually the second in order of writing, and serves as an introduction to the little adventure.
Unlike with the Fledgling EP, I wasn't trying to be particular elegant with the arrangement, so for better or worse, I've written it in my usual over-orchestration matter.

Tools:
Cubase 8.5, VSL Woodwinds I (Clarinet, Flute and Bassoon), 8Dio Adagio & Agitato Violins, Cellos, and Allegretto Violas; EWQL SO-PP (various), Spitfire BML Bones, Horns and Trumpets; Komplete's  "The Gentleman".
Wavelab 6.

The Frontier

De_Gopher