This composition is the first song I ever finished. Written at the tender age of sixteen, this track was originally conceived on a student guitar which belonged to an ex-girlfriend. I haven't spoken to her in over a decade, but the song remains. The arrangement has changed drastically through the years, but the tune maintains its original spirit. 

_N_MN_S_S

Oddly enough, this song began as a paean to Beggar's Banquet. Over time the track got deconstructed and is now nothing of the sort. It's funny how inspiration works... This composition is the first I've released to feature guitar loops which I create live, and employ in order to allow myself moments to operate a sampler and keys.

B_C_L_C

This track was originally conceived on an acoustic guitar which I named after a TV personality. In its earliest incarnations it had lyrics about regret and missed opportunities, but that was before I decided to make this series of releases instrumentals. 

In lieu of lyrics I began to experiment with reverb in what I felt was a more melodic fashion, and this track features some of my nascent attempts, particularly in its second half.

R_ _F_L

I often raced home from school with the hopes of catching some cartoons. Most days, I was foiled by an older cousin, who insisted on watching Yo! MTV Raps. Over time, I got over my annoyance, and began to appreciate the sounds emanating from the television. This composition is inspired by sounds from "Both Coasts", but most of all, by Brooklyn.

There is a sound in the early part of this composition which fascinates me. It is similar to that of a human voice, and with the manipulation of delays, I morph it throughout the track to add a distinct menace to the proceedings. There is also an unmistakable Eastern tint to this song and although it was an unexpected source of inspiration, I embraced it, with only the slightest amount of trepidation.

S_J_ _RN

This composition began as numerous pieces of music which were floating around during the recording of my demo. Over time I began to string them together à la the Abbey Road medley, or more accurately like a megamix. As the fragments began to form I saw the makings of a longer piece, and I added elements when necessary. This track also bears the distinction of being my most high energy, and woozy recording thus far. I guess you can achieve that over 18 minutes... Stick with the song. It takes some interesting twists and turns. 

M_T_S

After being in a couple of bands, and dealing with the rigamarole involved in such unhealthy unions, I decided to do things on my own. I thought it was an absurd  and horrifying idea at first... but slowly... something began to come together. 

The very first of those things was the concept of using a looper pedal to record guitar parts and then layering those parts to both give the illusion of a bigger sound, and also free me up to do other things. Those "other things" eventually became samplers and keyboards, but I had no idea that's where I was going at the time.

This is the very first song I wrote on my looper, and the very first of this batch of compositions I've been releasing. It's been with me for a while, but not as long as others... This demo was going to feature a lot more guitar solos once, but I thought better of it.

_NT_C_D_NT

Like anyone else, it's difficult for me to break out of my comfort zone. Artistically speaking my inspiration tends to come from a rather maudlin place, but lately I've been trying my best to compose from a different headspace... Believe it or not, this song actually represents an attempt at joy and exaltation.

J_B_L_NT

I happen to be among the millions of fortunate people who live in New York city, and I firmly believe it's the greatest place in the world. This particular track however is about a city I cherish nearly as much as my own... Barcelona. 

If you've already been to the heart of Catalan culture then you're well aware of its charms. If you haven't visited yet, then please... make sure it's the very next thing you do with your life.  

When composing this song I tried my best to focus on and channel a particularly feeling which I know we've all experienced before... That nearly indefinable moment when adventure meets the night, and suddenly limitless possibilities become available. Such a sensation in Barcelona typically leads to meeting people from lands you've only ever heard of, winding down streets and alleys which are ancient by western reckoning, cultivating a buzz as sweet and soothing for the soul as the mediterranean breeze, and if you're truly lucky... listening to some great music as well.

I have had the pleasure of all of those particular pleasures numerous times... and many more as well... and for that... I will also adore... my beloved Barcelona.

B_RÇ_

My track naming process changes with practically every song. There are some cuts which have a title before the song is even fully fleshed out; while other tracks get their name from particular themes or moods derived from the composition itself. This particular example was named with a combination of both processes. I knew what I wanted this song to be called in a very roundabout fashion before I even settled on an arrangement, but the title didn’t get finalized until I added a particular reverb treatment towards the end of the track.

I’m often very conflicted when making production decisions for a track. There is a part of me which aims to achieve a definition and clarity which highlights the various notes and timbres present in each composition. That being said, there is also a part of me which strives for the murky, ambiguous qualities which shroud many of my favorite songs of all-time. I believe this track achieves a happy medium of  both ambitions without altering the track’s intent.  

_M_LS

A Brooklyn-based noisemaker seeking triumph over silence.

New music drops regularly.

All songs are unmastered demos.

Contact info: GaiusCastor@gmail.com

Gaius

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