Exactly!!! Lovin' this, man! Play on... Sing On!

absolutely... Taking the Chance is what Changes everything!

totally Loving her Scatting... and then... Wow... your Harmonies together are oh so Sweet!

Wow! Really wonderful voice! Amazing song!!

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)

Eric Schultheiss stands at the vanguard of contemporary composition, forging a unique path that bridges the rhythmic drive of global percussion with the infinite possibilities of digital sound. As a composer, percussionist, and educator, Schultheiss is acclaimed for his hybrid electro-acoustic works—pieces that fuse the organic pulse of drums with orchestral richness and the sonic innovation of modern electronics.

Rooted in a Southern California upbringing steeped in progressive rock, classical discipline, and the improvisational freedom of jazz, Schultheiss draws on a vast tapestry of influences. His music channels the off-kilter accents of Stewart Copeland, the lyrical intensity of Neil Peart, the storytelling depth of Peter Gabriel and Sting, and the progressive artistry of Genesis, Dream Theater, and Spock’s Beard. This synthesis results in compositions that are as intellectually rigorous as they are emotionally evocative.

Currently, as Head of Percussion Studies and Electro-Acoustic Composition at the Middle Tennessee Conservatory of Music, Schultheiss is an outspoken advocate for the DAW as a true instrument. In his hands, digital workstations become canvases for sonic experimentation, allowing for real-time orchestration, microscopic precision, and the layering of polyrhythms and timbres that would be impossible with traditional notation alone. He champions technology not as a shortcut, but as an authentic extension of the composer’s voice.

Signature works such as Lights Twinkle—a Christmas percussion-ensemble piece blending Japanese Taiko, harp, and haiku-inspired vocal textures—showcase his ability to unite tradition with innovation. Airidea’s Journal explores the dialogue between structure and freedom through dance-driven percussion and atmospheric synths, while As You Sleep and Terminal Memory reveal Schultheiss’ penchant for ambient soundscapes, introspective melodies, and cross-media collaborations. His compositions have been commissioned for film, dance, and multimedia productions, performed by leading ensembles, and praised for their intricate interplay of rhythm and resonance.

As an educator, Schultheiss is dedicated to shaping musicians who are not only technically skilled but also creatively fluent in both acoustic and digital modalities. At the Middle Tennessee Conservatory, he mentors young composers in hybrid techniques, polyrhythmic structures, and DAW-based workflows, encouraging them to embrace technology as a creative partner. His influence extends beyond the classroom, as he helps students gain visibility in the digital era and equips them to thrive in an evolving musical landscape.

Through his relentless curiosity, innovative spirit, and commitment to artistic growth, Eric Schultheiss is redefining what it means to be a composer in the 21st century. His work is a testament to the power of bridging tradition and technology, and to the limitless frontiers that await those willing to explore them.

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