This is a remix of a track by Hermitude (feat. The Jungle Giants) - another challenge on MetaPop. I thought i'd try something different.

When You Feel Like This by Hermitude: Remixed by Maurus McNL

As the mist gently rises from the saltmarshes, silver moonlight chills through to the bone. Senses alert he moves swiftly between the dune growth, silently, steps out of time with his heartbeat. He is closing in. The killer is before him, hands raised to the moon. Knife balanced in his palm, light reflecting in his eyes, but only for a moment before it is swallowed into his darkened depths. They won't catch him, not yet. He hears the footfall across the sand, he feels the detective's sweat and rasping breaths; he isn't as fit as he used to be. A grin, a slash, an elation beyond reason. A breath of his own, before jogging to the waiting boat. A few wet strides and then the throb of the engine; they were too late. He is gone into the rising mist and into the darkness. The engine throbbing, his own heartbeat, both in time with the rhythm if the night.

Rhythm Of The Night

This a track entered into a Metapop challenge using some stem provided by the great Lex Luger.

LLuger Sketched - remix

for tonight's meal I offer my blended fusion offering. A hint of Indian morsing adding a spicy tint on a techno atomic pleasure kick lattice base; with a just touch of animosity (stolen from a Trap pot when no one was looking). The main course is a Techno montage of Electrotechnika-Clap, percussive techno frostseeker with a liberal sprinkling of Permaheat and soupçon of Noises structural topped with Traditional Indian bells. The final flourish was a re-pitched loop, chopped and diced More gain - electric sunburst guitar (I just had to use that, even though I 'borrowed it from the neighbours kitchen). The dessert comprises a couple of arpeggiated synths a la Pigments with a full dose of Massive-X lead synth.

I hope you enjoy your meal

Indian - Techno; A La Carte Menu

Thanks to il:lo + Fractures and MetaPop for a chance to give my spin to another great track - Shifted.

il:lo X Fractures - Shifted (MMcNL Remix)

I've been working more with the EmVoice PlugIn; trying to make the vocals sounds more human. I'm getting happier, but more to learn on this journey I suspect. What a great tool for a songwriter who can't sing well.

I wrote this song over the past few days and tried to avoid using synths and to keep the arrangement simple. I haven't quite got the bass where I want it (too complex I think).

as always, I'm happy for feedback, general hellos and critique.

Happy New Year everyone. Here's hoping for less political madness and more peaceful activities.

A Whisky And A Memory

Okay, I admit it; I'm addicted to the EmVoice plugin. Their singers never complain or need time out to find their inner self or cocktails. Actually I should state I never actually worked with a human singer demanding either of those things, but you get the idea.

To Myself

The relentless cycle of everyday life, pounding inside your head. 
Each step, a step towards redemption 
or the first step of the same, next staircase. 
Onward, cycling chasing your own tail for eternity.
Placing the notes on the stave.
Smiles from each tonic saved.
Medicine for a relentless trap.
Swallow the beat, close your eyes.
No goodbyes, no goodbyes
Each step, each step is mine

Equinox III

There's something about pentatonic minor keys that makes the music feel like there's a story within:
Imagine a walk through Amsterdam
It's a good day
The sun is shining, despite the chill
You hold on to hope
It's all you have left
It's all you need
to make your next step

Drifting - C# Minor Pentatonic

I re-mixed and mastered this. I wasn't happy with the first pass.

Purple Flight

This is another track inspired by a challenge set by Metapop. Getting a chance to work the fabulous vocals of Jem Cooke has been a pleasure. I've added a backing track using Keela from EmVoice and had fun writing piano, synth, bass and drum parts.

I hope you enjoy

Lay It All On Me - Maurus Remix

I found myself living in a minor key
Surrounded by blue as far as I could see
I was stuck in a whirlpool of mournful notes
The medicine, so say I, is for upbeat rhythms and rising arps
Three guitars, a bit of bass, piano and FX
I lift my head and raise my arms with fingers flexed
i nod with the beats, here's my tune 
To cheer myself up with a set of major chords
Just music, currently no words

I hope it brings someone else a cheer - have a good week all

Tonight, Tonight

Worlds apart
Worlds within
There's a deeper question
Lying beneath your skin
  
A distant breath
The wind's gentle touch
A sigh, to lie, to look, to see
A world within worlds
Within reach, within me

A distant breath
The wind's gentle touch
A sigh, to lie, to look, to see
A world within worlds
Within reach, within me

A blink of an eye
A capture in rye
A mystery told 
With a smile behind

A distant breath
The wind's gentle touch
A sigh, to lie, to look, to see
A world within worlds
Within reach, within me
 
A distant breath
The wind's gentle touch
A secret, a blanket, a teardrop
A passion of conscience
Within reach, within me

Worlds Apart (worlds within)

I had this dilema - which drum kit to use in my latest composition?! The answer was obvious - ALL OF THEM. Well almost. there are 4 drum kits and a troop of Taiko drummers who were passing. 

Did I enjoy myself - YES. 

I hope you like it.

The Beat Of A Different Drum

I noticed that Spitfire Audio had a Pipes freebie, perfect timing after Native Instruments Harp freebie. After playing a gig on Friday I was chatting with a girl from Galway, and it reminded me of my time working in Northern Ireland. I've had a tune in my head ever since - so here it is.
I hope you enjoy it.

Sing My Soul

I wanted to make a theme tune or soundtrack to inspire a story I'm writing.

Prime Indication

In The Night

Beaghmore Stones

Making Shadows (the Sun Shines)

I'm trying to programme drums to mirror what I'd play for real. On the way I built a track around it, experimenting with layers and using EmVoice's Keela virtual singer to sing my lyrics.

Boundary, Space, Evermore

A pop ballad using drums, percussion and other stems from the Cymatics competition sound pack. I used EmVoice to sing my lyrics.

Maurus McNL – PHOENIX KISS (PHOENIX Song Contest)

Tip Of The Wing And The Summer's End

Borealis

Let's try to find a place for peace this Christmas
A season of goodwill and hope for all

Verse 1
Darkened nights, filled with darkened souls
Seeking answers to the question's call
Why is the world in peril's reign 
The temperatures drop it all stays the same
 
Chorus
Let's try to find a place for peace this Christmas
A season of goodwill and hope for all
If we all join hands and -  try to sing together
Maybe we can step into a better world

Verse 2
Seasons pass, the lights shine anew
Peace is on earth for a chosen few
Why is the world in perils thrall
Our defences drop and the poor will fall

Verse 3
Darkened nights lead to brighter days
There's hope for peace in so many ways
Lets smile together, push rage away
Remember each other lets respect today

A Place For Peace (this Christmas)

I've always enjoyed using traditional folk instruments in a more modern hybrid genre way - I've used one of my favourite instruments here; an Irish bouzouki, with a fiddle and some hybrid strings and a Substance bass; and of course some drums. I hope you like it.

From times of darkness
come times of grey
New shoots against the sky
a glimmer of hope to come
Silhouettes of my life 
cast shadows with a silver edge
reach out for life, reach for the sun
reach out for the life, it's just begun

From times of sadness
Come times I'd like to say
Come hold me close today
Underneath the setting sun
Silhouettes of my life 
cast shadows with a silver edge
reach out for life, reach for the moon
reach out for the life, it's not too soon

Grey (Life's Just Begun)

I've always loved Irish music, since I can remember. Having recently bought some Irish virtual instruments I've been working on this combination of two tunes I enjoyed playing with the Irish-music community in America when I worked there.
I also chose these two tunes as they seem very pertinent in their titles - I believe strongly that women should have more rights, better equality and be able to follow their dreams without judgement - or at least with an equal judgement that a man would receive.

Rights Without Misfortune

I wrote the music to Nordic in 2019, for 'my' band Pelerin blue. It was performed once just before the pandemic hit. It was the first, and only time so far, that I've played my bouzouki in front of an audience. I'm hoping that we can resurrect at least the core of the band soon. In anticipation I've made this instrumental version of the track. I hope to be able to be able to record a live instruments with Tim Mahonney and myself, and entice the fantastic singer, Isabelle Hautefort to sing her lyrics for the song.

Nordic (McNL remake)

Sequence #436 - Breakable

Verse 1
If I walked from here to eternity
My infinity shoes will find the way
Watching stars, watching the world go by
No guide can show, words to shape my soul
Close my eyes, fall into darkness I'll never know
Take my hand, show me the way

Chorus
Sharing whisky, watching the moon
Listen to your breathing
Sharing secrets, Hide from their eyes
Listen to your heartbeat
Another day is ending
Another dream has gone
Another day is ending
Too soon. Too soon

Verse 2
If I reach from here to infinity
My eternity boots will mark the way
Hearing calls, hearing the world call out
No one can find words to shape your soul
Hide my fears, run into darkness I'll never show
Take my hand, free me today

Too Soon

Do You Know

Looking from the shadows, a blink and then it's gone
A life passing by, is there hope in the wind?
Open your hand, catch it if you can...

looking from the dark side

I'm a Metapop orphan, who by day works in the world of biological sciences . By night though, I like to create. I'm a drummer/percussionist with a lot of years of gigs under my belt, but I also like to write songs, music and stories and poetry. I a master of none, but I get a lot of satisfaction experimenting and making words and music.

For my own creations I'm not tied to any particular genre, nor in my listening and nor am I particularly good at recognising particular genres.

I'm open to feedback, comment, critique and generally saying hi.

'my' band Pelerin blue has released a back catalogue as a omnibus album (To Fly Again) and can be found on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and many other places 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5j8TUM8qcCTHEiMyMVEPSe?si=eyH_FfubQq2xJYm__NTaKg

MaurusMcNL

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