Desperate criminals break into a closed bank, aiming for the vault.

Working away at the vault, they're finding it harder than expected, getting more frustrated and nervous of discovery.

Suddenly, the Police arrive, and they make a break for it. Running, dodging, pushing through crowds, eventually they duck into a hiding space, and see the Police miss them.

They may've just gotten away. Carefully trying to get out of the area, there's a brief moment of concern they've been found, but it was a false alarm. They realise they're now as good as dead. They needed that money to repay debts from nasty individuals - without it,  their lives are over.

Wait... what was that?

The Police have found them! Frantic, they escape, breaking up and going their own ways, tripping up and scrambling on.

They manage to evade the police, and individually slowly come to the conclusion they're probably safer in prison. They decide to give themselves up - and are apprehended. Their lives as they know it are over regardless of what they do.

(The image is from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL5Hiio4G7A - which I'm not associated with in any way, and my track isn't related to this film at all. This was the best image I could find!)

The Chase

Unfortunately, near the start of April, my wonderful Mum passed away suddenly. It goes without saying, myself and my family are devastated.

This is not a tribute, nor is it *for* her, or to represent her. I could never do her justice. This is just how I felt one day, almost 3 weeks after it happened. My first released track she will never hear. I miss you, Mum.

Grief

This is the first track I've written using learnings from the Evenant "Cinematic Music" course: https://courses.evenant.com/p/cinematic-music-from-idea-to-finished-recording

I certainly don't intend to go Full Epic ("Never go Full Epic") similar to the style championed the course, but I have certainly learned some useful things I'll use in future tracks.

A Different Life

I'm not an EDM producer! (and I'm sure it shows) I normally write instrumental music, but I gave myself the challenge to write an EDM track - this is my first one!

EDM#1

Short soundtrack-style piece using only the free Spitfire LABS instruments found here: https://www.spitfireaudio.com/labs/

Distant Worlds

Fully orchestral dramatic piece, short but sweet, heavily inspired by a certain John Williams track. I also hid a videogame theme in there. I didn't set out to, but as it fit so nicely, I thought it'd make a nice little easter egg!

Watch the full orchestral score here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUs7AQtxnsg

Escaping Fate

A challenge piece, where only C's were allowed. Including percussion.

C-Scapes

Imagine a timelapse of a civilisation rising from nothing, becoming great, suffering power struggles, and collapsing in on itself.

Image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parthenon_from_south.jpg

Rise and Fall

A lighter, more atmospheric piece, with a sense of motion and a bit of drama. I felt it described the wonder and occasional power of celestial objects moving through space.

Interesting fact - this piece changes time signature 54 times, between 4 different signatures.

Image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NASA-JPL-Caltech_-_Double_the_Rubble_(PIA11375)_(pd)_-_cropped.jpg

Celestial Motion

Fairly bombastic orchestra track, with some more intimate moments.

I was thrilled to discover my brass library has "stopped horns" samples (an effect I love), so I'm rather happy where I used it here!

The image is a crop of a short film I was in, "Astroturf", by Busy Doctor Film Productions.

Last Chance

I'm a classically-trained musician, rekindling my love for music production after a hiatus of over a decade. 

Things have definitely moved on from my 127 general midi instrument days! It feels good to be back, such an exciting world of aural possibilities.

Mark Simkins

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