The machine will grind away until it slows to a halt - abandoned, decayed.  Dispensable, disposable, and ready to be discarded if the $’s don’t go up and to the right.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_hanohiki'>hanohiki</a>

Lament Of The Ghost In The Machine

Part II - The Fallen Angel's final attempt at redemption finds the gate shut and locked
Korg Kronos 88
Korg X50
Korg Micro
Korg K61P
E-mu Proteus/1
E-mu Proteus/2
E-mu Proteus 2000
Sonar X1


Fallen Angel - The Locked Gates of Redemption

This one has a bit of history that goes back to my collaborations with Nick ♤ https://soundcloud.com/nickrdavies

Poor Nick.  I tortured him so during these collaborations. I threw electronic nightmares from Electronica to Psy Trance at him.  He not only rose to the challenge; he turned these songs into something new and different. His songs that I had the pleasure of adding keyboards to, brought me to musical areas that, otherwise, I never would have ventured into.

Which brings us to this “Jazz-Like-Beast-Thing.” I’m not sure which one of came up with that expression, but it proved to be accurate.  It was supposed to be a follow up piece to our second collaboration “The Skeleton Improvement Conversation.” But seemingly random key and tempo changes were a bit much. I almost titled it “Have you got it yet?” after the legendary last attempt for early Pink Floyd to work with Syd Barrett. He would change the song every time they started to play. I imagine it felt a bit like that.  

So, the piece fell dormant for a few years. With Nick’s permission, I recently decided to give it a go on my own. Then I understood… it was nearly impossible to play along with. I fiddled, fettled, and eventually came up with something that would pass for guitar added to electric piano. It left me electrifried.

Nick, this is an homage to you. In no way is the “guitar” playing anything close to your skills, but I tried to channel you from across the miles. I look forward to the time when we can work together again. Until then, here’s that Jazz-Like Beast Thing… the stuff of your nightmares  :)

Image: Cameronc Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_Cameronc'>Cameronc</a>

Electrifried

Adrift

“People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but *actually* from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint - it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly... time-y wimey... stuff.” – Dr. Who “Blink”

Image: Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_peterzayda'>peterzayda</a>

Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey

Northern winters are full of delicate beauty. There is an almost spiritual quality to the sun rising over a winter sea, hearing the waves gently roll over a rocky beach, or the rare opportunity to witness the spectacle of Northern Lights. Even winter storms are filled with their own special beauty. People often ask how I could tolerate the cold, harsh conditions. Easily. You will never experience the freedom of solitude as you will by a northern seaside in winter.

Bring me back.


Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_sdimitrov'>sdimitrov</a>

Harsh The Delicate Winter (At The Water's Edge)

A remake of "Looking Back" from December 2017.  I was never satisfied with the piece. It came close to the effect I was looking for but not quite… so, a remake.  Less Disco-y, more Space-y.

Part of the Infinite Monkey Theorem (still incomplete) album, this is one step closer to a finished product that I can be happy with. This will replace Looking Back in the Infinite Monkey Theorem Playlist.

Instead of looking back, we are looking forward to new adventures.  This one ends with a segue into "Event Horizon," so not all journeys are risk free.  But we must take the risk to achieve our goal.  Enough philosophy – enjoy!

Leaving Home

mind·ful·ness
/ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/
Noun

1. the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
"their mindfulness of the wider musical tradition"
2. a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
3. trying to keep your shit together when the world around you has gone raving mad by looking inward and finding a spark of sanity within.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_rolffimages'>rolffimages</a>

Electronica,  Electronic,  Inner Spaces,  Meditation,  World Gone Mad,  Sanity

Mindfulness

I live in a place where there is no winter. I moved here from a small coastal Maine town and I have very warm memories of the snow covered seaside. The picture was taken during a morning stroll at sunrise, just a short walk from my home.

Memories of Winter

This is a continuation from the song “Mindfulness” in both concept and musical motive.  

As we start to gaze within, layer after layer appears. We may show some of it to some people, but it is not the face we show to the world around us. While the music may sound like it is changing in odd ways, it represents the parts of me that only I know. Sometimes, this process of discovery reveals that we can be a stranger even to to ourselves.

Image Copyright: ©jackf/123RF.COM</a>

Below The Surface

Continuing my journey below the surface, peeling back the layers, and finding more surprises.

This time, I dug so deep that I hit 1975.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_fedcophoto'>fedcophoto</a>

The Deep

I can’t believe that it has been seven years since I last did a Christmas song. This one is a bit different. Instead of an (interesting?) arrangement of a Christmas or Holiday song, this has several bits of familiar songs popping in and out of an otherwise original piece.

For me, a big part of the Holiday season has been about happy memories. 

Here’s to new happy memories and a better year ahead.

Happy Holidays to all!

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_sinenkiy'>sinenkiy</a>

Making Christmas Memories

Once again, what I cannot properly express with word, I try to express with music.  

I have lost four friends in four months. Death is an inevitable part of life, but too often, those close to us are gone far too soon. I could not be there for any of you; the miles that separated us are too distant and your departure was too sudden.

This is for you, John, Scott, Richard, and Kathy. Go gentle into that good night.

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_grzegorzz'>grzegorzz</a>

Elegy

"Time is our only enemy"... I have seen these words on the SoundCloud page of my good friend and partner in crime (of the musical type), Nick.  I was never quite sure why he has this on his page. Recent events have made me come to understand these word… very clearly.

Cherish every moment. Laugh hard, play hard, hold each other tightly, because time is our only enemy.

Thank you, Nick. You are a gentleman, a man of many talents, and a true friend.

Be sure to check out <a href="/nickrdavies" class="g-link-user">Nicholas Ridiculous</a>

Image Copyright by Ukrainian Artist: 
<a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_olegtroino'>olegtroino</a>

Time Is Our Only Enemy

Descent

Time for the annual Christmas song!   This one evolved over a three year period. The first minute was done by hand – no programming, all percussion was played on a drum pad through a synth.  Year two – the addition of a new synth and a great Latin percussion sound.  This year, the mighty Kronos was brought in to add the tribal beat that continues through the end of the song – each part building and layering what had been done earlier.  I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed making this… Happy Holidays! 
~Thom


Do you Hear What I Hear?

A return to my roots in early Electronica of the 70’s and 80’s.  I did not set out to do a song in this style, but as often happens, the creative process takes interesting turns.  The influences in this piece are clear and in my small way, I say “thank you” for years of enjoyable listening to the greats of this genre.

Korg Kronos 88, X50, Micro

Image Copyright: Markus Gann


Jorney Cosmique

However often I lose my way, however far I wander off course, music always brings me back.  From the depths of Inner Space to the far reaches of Outer Space, my musical playground is a sanctuary and a homing beacon.  Many thanks to all in this wonderful music community for listening, sharing, and being a part of the universal language of music.  ~Thom
 
Korg Kronos 88, X50, M50, Micro

Image Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_corund'> / 123RF Stock Photo</a>


Finding My Way Back

For all of you Whovians out there and for those who just like loud banging and clanging, the likes of which have not been heard since I tried to Build a Better Beelzebub :)  Sometimes I have to step aside from the Ambient and make some noise.  

When I started this, it sounded like Cybermen marching… and so a theme piece is born.  If you live near Cardiff or London, please drive by the good people at BBC and play this LOUD.  You never know… thank you for your assistance.

Korg Kronos 88, X50, M50, Micro





March Of The Cybermen

A season of beauty and anticipation.  The hint of colder days to come, traces of color that will soon explode with beauty, and a promise of life returning from the blanket of fallen leaves. 

In whispers from afar, I hear the call and look to the north.

Korg Kronos 88, M50, X50, Prophecy

Photo Copyright - Ying Feng Johansson 
<a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_pinkbadger'>pinkbadger / 123RF Stock Photo</a>


Autumn's Promise

You may recognize this from my song “Noche de Pasión.”  As much as I like to steal from myself, this song actually started out as an attempt to do a flamenco version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  When I realized I didn’t have the playing skills to pull it off, it was shelved.  A year later and after much practicing I was satisfied with the version that became “Noche de Pasión.”  Three years later, I decided to give it a go again.  Much of the original material is the same or similar, but there is additional percussion and I had fun with more intricate guitar harmonies.  

Merry Christmas and ¡Ole!

Image Copyright : vician


God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Nick and I started working on this last year, then all hell broke loose in my life and it was put on hold.  When it was finally resurrected, I was amazed at how perfect every stem that Nick sent was.  He made my job at playing producer on this one (that will teach him) very easy.  There was little more I had to do other than an intro, outro, and proper mix.  

What I do to Nick is really unfair.  I handed him a piece of psytrance and said “here you go.”  The joke was on me.  His guitar work is blindingly brilliant and has, once again, transformed a song into something that defies genre labeling.  I was more out of my comfort zone with attempting Eastern music – Nick came up with rhythms and leads that meld so beautifully that at times I cannot distinguish between the synths and the guitar.

Please enjoy at high volume.

Nick R. Davies – Guitars and great generosity
Thom Palumbo – Keyboards, production, and procrastination

Be sure to check out <a href="/nickrdavies" class="g-link-user">Nick R Davies</a>


Facing East - eSyrup and Nick R. Davies

“No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main…
… Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.”

	John Donne from Meditation XVII

What I cannot express in words, I have tried to express in music.  All of the sadness, grief, anger, and sense of loss… ~Thom

A Requiem for those lost at Pulse, Orlando, June 12, 2016:

Stanley Almodovar III, 23 years old
Amanda Alvear, 25 years old
Oscar A Aracena-Montero, 26 years old
Rodolfo Ayala-Ayala, 33 years old
Antonio Davon Brown, 29 years old
Darryl Roman Burt II, 29 years old
Angel L. Candelario-Padro, 28 years old
Juan Chevez-Martinez, 25 years old
Luis Daniel Conde, 39 years old
Cory James Connell, 21 years old
Tevin Eugene Crosby, 25 years old
Deonka Deidra Drayton, 32 years old
Simon Adrian Carrillo Fernandez, 31 years old
Leroy Valentin Fernandez, 25 years old
Mercedez Marisol Flores, 26 years old
Peter O. Gonzalez-Cruz, 22 years old
Juan Ramon Guerrero, 22 years old
Paul Terrell Henry, 41 years old
Frank Hernandez, 27 years old
Miguel Angel Honorato, 30 years old
Javier Jorge-Reyes, 40 years old
Jason Benjamin Josaphat, 19 years old
Eddie Jamoldroy Justice, 30 years old
Anthony Luis Laureanodisla, 25 years old
Christopher Andrew Leinonen, 32 years old
Alejandro Barrios Martinez, 21 years old
Brenda Lee Marquez McCool, 49 years old
Gilberto Ramon Silva Menendez, 25 years old
Kimberly Morris, 37 years old
Akyra Monet Murray, 18 years old
Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo, 20 years old
Geraldo A. Ortiz-Jimenez, 25 years old
Eric Ivan Ortiz-Rivera, 36 years old
Joel Rayon Paniagua, 32 years old
Jean Carlos Mendez Perez, 35 years old
Enrique L. Rios, Jr., 25 years old
Jean C. Nives Rodriguez, 27 years old
Xavier Emmanuel Serrano Rosado, 35 years old
Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz, 24 years old
Yilmary Rodriguez Solivan, 24 years old
Edward Sotomayor Jr., 34 years old
Shane Evan Tomlinson, 33 years old
Martin Benitez Torres, 33 years old
Jonathan Antonio Camuy Vega, 24 years old
Juan P. Rivera Velazquez, 37 years old
Luis S. Vielma, 22 years old
Franky Jimmy Dejesus Velazquez, 50 years old
Luis Daniel Wilson-Leon, 37 years old
Jerald Arthur Wright, 31 years old

For Whom The Bell Tolls

This time around, I suggested to Nick that we try something different.  I wanted to take my song “The Illusion of Vision” and deconstruct it; keeping only the rock/blues bits and remove the orchestration.  Nick, as always, was agreeable and looked forward to what I would come up with.  Sounded simple enough… until I realized that process left about 1 min., 10 sec. of music.  Undeterred, we set out doing our usual back and forth of ideas and I promised a simple, tasteful piece of music that is not overproduced, as I am want to do.

Right

Poor unsuspecting Nick had no idea of the snipping, splicing, and dicing I was doing to his beautiful guitar work because I changed my idea of how the song should sound. I may have been inspired, what with Halloween in the air or drunk on the taste of the first freedom from work in months… who is to say?  As always (again) ever gracious Nick liked the ”less than understated“ production that I promised and, well here we are. All I can say is that I am very grateful to have found and have the good fortune to be working with Nick and his Electric Spade. 

We present you with collaboration Number 8 – The Illusion

Nick R. Davies – Brilliant guitar work done in a single take
Thom Palumbo – Piano and all manner of strange and mysterious sounds

Check out the "Ace" of Spade ♤('s) Music @ <a href="/nickrdavies" class="g-link-user">Nick R Davies</a>

The Illusion - eSyrup and Spade ♤

“…We should change our way of thought
More if we do not, the way ahead
Is dangerously fraught
And if we did the things we all know to be right
Left would be the childish fears
Of danger in the night.

We, each of us are fine
For we have all heard the word
But grouped together
Babel's triumph stampedes
The thoughtless herd
Nothing changes.

Nothing changes
And nothing stays the same…”
-	Graeme Edge

Kronos 88 – Floyd/Emerson Leads, Bass, Drums
X50 – Modulated Wind, Strings
M50 – Jarre Sequencing
Micro – Phased Rezzy Lead/Sequence

Photo:  James Steidl 
Copyright: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_jgroup'>jgroup / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Everything Changes - Nothing Changes

The world may be in chaos, events may unfold that defy logic and reason, your personal iElectronics may conspire against you, you may be blasted with words and images that are too overwhelming to process… but true dystopia comes from within.  It was Anne Frank who said, “I keep my ideals, because in spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”  I have a lot to learn.  I use music to exorcise the demons within and to sublimate my rage and outrage. A glimpse into my personal dystopia.

I have used sounds and passages from each song in the iDystopia collection, however brief or long, to assemble this musical collage into something (I hope) is familiar yet new.  As always, thank you for listening.

Korg Kronos 88, X50, M50, Prophecy, Micro
Moog Little Phatty
Proteus 1, 2, 2000

Image: Bruce Rolff
Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_rolffimages'>rolffimages / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

03/09/2017

iDystopia - An Overture

The infinite monkey theorem states “A monkey hitting keys at random on a typewriter keyboard for an infinite amount of time will almost surely type a given text, such as the complete works of William Shakespeare…. In 2003, lecturers and students from the University of Plymouth MediaLab Arts course used a £2,000 grant from the Arts Council to study the literary output of real monkeys. They left a computer keyboard in the enclosure of six Celebes crested macaques in Paignton Zoo… Not only did the monkeys produce nothing but five total pages largely consisting of the letter S, the lead male began by bashing the keyboard with a stone, and the monkeys continued by urinating and defecating on it.”

I understand they are trying to reproduce the experiment using smartphones. Look around… I think the experiment has expanded 

Kronos 88 – Drums, High Bass, Sequencer, Typewriter
Korg X50 – Lead synth 1
Korg M50 – Voices, Lead synth 2
Korg Micro – Deep Bass
Thom – Lead Monkey

Image Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_fffranz'>fffranz / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Infinite Monkey Theorem

This is a remake of a song I did five years ago – “The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory.” I posted the Dali painting of the same name (well, he was actually first) and a wonderful Dali Quote: "The difference between false memories and true ones is the same as for jewels: it is always the false ones that look the most real, the most brilliant."

I didn’t say so at the time, but the song was a tribute to my mother who had recently died after years of decent into dementia and Alzheimer’s. I didn’t want a sad or disturbing piece of music. I wanted to do something that incorporated her love and joy while pieces of memory were getting confused and slowly falling away. I don’t know how successful I was, but I received many kind comments for which I was and continue to be very grateful.   

Listening to it recently, I thought it worthy of a remake since (I think) my piano and composition skills have evolved over the last five years. I kept much of the original but redid the piano, orchestration, new intro, added effects, and rearranged the composition.

Thank you for listening.

Image Copyright : lightwise

Disintegration

Eight months after “Falling Out Of Orbit - https://soundcloud.com/esyrup/falling-out-of-orbit

Slow dance with gravity -with only one conclusion. Gradually at first, the surface below appears distant… deceptively so… but it is getting larger.  A beautiful blue marble, M-class, inviting and beckoning to return home - and home you shall return.  The atmosphere blazes, the structure groans, alarms sound, then… you pass from this mortal coil to Beyond the Infinite.”

A new reality opens and the cycle of sentience repeats.  Maybe there is hope for we monkeys after all…

Kronos 88 – voices, arpeggiated bass, drums
Korg X50 – wind, rain, thunder, birds, echo effects, bass, drums
Korg Micro – modulated bass, arpeggiated synth 
Korg M50 – strings, Theremin sound
Image: Copyright: Pavel Parmenov

Beyond The Infinite

Family, community, home… I think we all feel the need to be connected to something. Music has been my refuge and is evident in the influences of this piece.  But there is still a need, a longing for a place that I can call home.  Even if it is in my head.

Image Copyright: Nadiia Forkosh https://www.123rf.com/profile_fonafona

A Sense Of Place

… begins with a single step.

I was challenged to add full orchestration to the song “Memory“ but I decided to do a new piece instead.  While I have always enjoyed this kind of music, I have a new found respect for those who compose orchestral pieces. It ain’t easy, folks – and this is not really full orchestration.  The greatest advantage I have is, like many of us here, I have no formal training – I don’t even read music. Since I don’t know the rules, I can’t break them.  That said, I really enjoyed the process and this serves as a stepping stone to the type of hybrid Orchestral/Synth music I would like to do next.  I mixed some very electronic sounding strings with the piano to satisfy my electronic sound predilections :)

Many thanks to Athanasios Koranis for the orchestral challenge and for his support and encouragement.  Please listen to his beautiful music: https://soundcloud.com/athanasioskoranis

Kronos 88 – Piano, Legato Strings
Proteus 2 (25-year-old synth rack!) – French Horns, Oboes, Cellos, Violins, Legato Strings, Staccato Strings, Tremulous Strings, Timpani
M50 – High Legato and Staccato strings

Image Copyright: https://www.123rf.com/profile_hkeita

The Journey Of A Thousand Miles

This was intended to be the opening piece of a new work that I started last fall. It may still be, it may change...

Fallen Angel - Fall From Grace

"Und wenn du lange in einen Abgrund blickst, blickt der Abgrund auch in dich hinein." 
"And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." 
- Friedrich Nietzsche

The Abyss Gazes Back

"The difference between false memories and true ones is the same as for jewels: it is always the false ones that look the most real, the most brilliant." - Salvador Dali

The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." 

“The hypnotized never lie” 

“I don't take responsibility at all.” 

January 6, 2021

Image: Copyright: <a href='https://www.123rf.com/profile_mrwed54'>Mikhail Reshetnikov</a>

The Haunting

Electronically produced music mixed with high viscosity ear candy using:

Korg:
Kronos 88
M50
X50
Micro
Prophecy

Moog:
Little Phatty
Subsequent 37

E-MU: 
Proteus 1
Proteus 2
Proteus 2000

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 Mk2
Kurzweil PC3K7
Alesis Strike MultiPad
And a few other toys not yet featured

Now on Bandcamp:
Fallen Angel: https://esyrup.bandcamp.com/album/fallen-angel
Finding My Way Back: https://esyrup.bandcamp.com/album/finding-my-way-back

eSyrup

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