tag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:/blogs/peyton-spencer-s-blog?p=4Peyton's Blog2021-09-08T15:07:32-05:00Future Treesfalsetag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/66159952021-04-29T22:38:06-05:002021-05-16T09:25:28-05:00Starflower🌸: Listen NOW or Pre-save‼<p>If there's something I love even more than trees, it's flowers. Luxurious smells, vibrant colors that surprise me at how nature can paint better than any human. Light breezes pull flowers to dance. They have no need for muscles when the wind helps them move.</p>
<p>I give sound to the flowers in my new single <strong>Starflower</strong>. You can <a contents="Pre-Save" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/futuretrees/starflower" target="_blank">Pre-Save</a>, or <a contents="Listen NOW by subscribing to Roots" data-link-label="Roots" data-link-type="page" href="/roots" target="_blank">Listen NOW by subscribing to Roots</a>. Starflower is about striving for a more perfect love. You begin by lamenting, "Trapped inside my mind, colorful imagination. Ignoring you, this time. Absorbed in the entertainment." These words resonate with my modern experience, where so much competes for my time. The ones you love, they should win your time.</p>
<p>“Don’t want to hurt you, but I love you too much” is my favorite line. You can interpret it from both a human and Godly perspective. Sometimes you have to hurt someone because you love them. And I believe with God it’s the same way.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/b7b6195ea6ad850b6e9c375a055238de42fb8ed9/original/img-20200414-161001.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p><a contents="I recently interviewed with Chuck W" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://chuckw.com/blog/interview-with-future-trees/" style="" target="_blank">I interviewed with Chuck W</a>, who called Starflower my weirdest track yet! Wow, weirder than 2020 SOUP? Well, Starflower definitely belongs on Adult Swim- Off the Air specifically. I pulled influence from Beck and Bowie. Some vocal flourishes are from Matty Healy of The 1975. A slight Jacob Collier vocal layering.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/ea272c963ab6a07508734a1a83460c88d784c7f9/original/img-6656.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Recently I had some great ideas to top this song off, like adding synth flourishes that compliment my lyrics. This track started off with just 5 layers (<a contents="made for the netvio 5-layers-only August challenge" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDMn-cbF5Iw/" target="_blank">made for the netvio 5-layers-only August challenge</a>). And I wanted to take it further, and lately I had the courage to “refactor” the drums and some bass. </p>
<p>I have a tendency to not wanna change what’s written into the DAW (especially when my songwriting happens in the DAW) but I’m so glad I changed the drums up! All those synth and vocal layers are making this track BIG. I applied advice from audio engineer <a contents="Dan Fur" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.danfurproductions.com/" target="_blank">Dan Fur</a> to fine tune Starflower. My music professor Dr. Lee Johnson also helped me get my vocals right for good. I learned my voice needs a pretty hefty low-cut and I began using a channel strip emulator on every track. I play with different EQs for each layer and using the same plugins makes a consistent sound. I want to try less low-cut on my voice in a beat with plenty of space in the low-mids.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/177213312d15e77fff4ff0467e7c9e7884ba7b10/original/img-20210427-164823.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" /><br>Starflower came so far since its inception in July 2020. Looking back, I love the video I made for that first release, and vocals sound 100x better now. I believe I am making progress, I can really tell when I watch old Future Trees.</p>
<p>My beautiful reader, you pursue what you're after as well. And if you passions pulling you in opposite directions, I encourage you to hold on to each one even if it seems they take away from each other. Besides your intrinsic human value, The unique combination of everything you do gives you value. And the most valuable stuff today comes from crazy combinations of knowledge and skills that are not typically connected.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/876dc5ecb39ee735a8a571bb79fc8c413224403b/original/img-20210411-121137.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_none" alt="" />Thank you so much for being here. Enjoy the lyrics as a teaser before this sparkling song hits streaming 💚<br>Lyrics:</p>
<p>I was not here <br>I was not here </p>
<p>Trapped inside <br>My mind <br>Colorful imagination <br>Ignoring you <br>This time <br>Absorbed in the <br>Entertainment </p>
<p>I wish we had more time, I do <br>I wish we had more time, I do </p>
<p>You see I wanna be the good guy <br>But I fall short, every single time <br>Seeking pleasure <br>I need struggle <br>Repeat the lesson <br>For double trouble <br>You think I’d learn <br>But I am human <br>Slam it in my head till I’m dead </p>
<p>Yes, I am fully broken <br>And I need God to survive </p>
<p>Imagining you <br>Perfection that incinerates <br>Everything lesser <br>Well I want your presence so <br>I must get better </p>
<p>Be my baby <br>Be my baby <br>Be my baby <br>Be be, <br>But everytime I try <br>I hurt you <br>Everytime I try <br>I touch you </p>
<p>I still think of you that way <br>I can’t help myself <br>Dont want to hurt you <br>But I love you too much </p>
<p>I still think of you that way <br>I can’t help myself <br>Dont want to hurt you <br>But I love you too much </p>
<p>Everyone we love we hurt <br>Never mind what they deserve <br>They deserve better <br>I gotta do better </p>
<p>Everyone we love we hurt <br>Never mind what they deserve <br>They deserve better, yeah <br>I need to do better better</p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/65617132021-03-16T11:39:54-05:002021-03-16T11:48:27-05:00Service Report: Feb. 27 & March 13<h3>Joyful days! For the first time, friends I've never met helped me DeTrash!</h3>
<p>I give a warm thank you to Arianne from <a contents="Thread Mill&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/threadmillproject/" style="" target="_blank">Thread Mill </a>, the first artist to join the Future Trees Library! Your participation made all the difference on Saturday Feb. 27. Because as soon as two people are involved in something, that's starting to be a crowd. I deeply appreciate my early adopters; I consider every one of you an early adopter of Future Trees. It means so much that you listen and are inspired by me. I give thanks to God for being in this position. I neither understand nor deserve my place in life. All I can be is grateful and make the most of my privilege.</p>
<p>On March 13, just two weeks after, 5 online friends DeTrashed with me! Thank you Thank YOU 💚🌲 <a contents="Atlas Castle" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/atlascastledk/" target="_blank">Atlas Castle</a> provided two of the first tracks he ever created as Atlas. To have that kind of trust in Future Trees from Atlas is phenomenal. It makes me redouble my commitment to DeTrashing. This is a biweekly event; the next DeTrash day is March 27! <a contents="View the photos here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMaYsCyBdd7/" style="" target="_blank">View the photos</a> and <a contents="SUBMIT MUSIC" data-link-label="Take Action" data-link-type="page" href="/take-action" target="_blank">SUBMIT MUSIC</a> here!</p>
<p>That day, I gathered 3 bags plus filled a reusable bag with cans. That's called urban mining. Metals are really the only profitable material to recycle. I wish I found more metal but the majority of stuff was plastic. You should watch <a contents="this video" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXRtNwUju5g&list=PLVNfPl-SB-PG5_5kkKf1QpxFnQxRVM415&index=6&ab_channel=WendoverProductions" target="_blank">this video</a> to learn why plastic recycling is a huge lie and it's not sustainable (title is misleading: China propped up recycling industry for decades, then they stopped propping it up).</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="KXRtNwUju5g" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/KXRtNwUju5g/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KXRtNwUju5g?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Did you miss the service day? No worries, you can send your photo anytime and unlock the library! But remember, the password changes every two service days. So March 27 the password changes and you must earn the music again. Next month Omar Barazanji joins the libary!</p>
<p>This is only the beginning of Future Trees activism. We are treating the symptom of a huge lie: plastic can never be sustainable. We have to get off of single use plastic. Though I try to avoid it, I consume that shit every day. I believe we need to pressure our governments to adopt bold policies. There are alternatives to single use plastic already, it's just more expensive. I'm willing to pay more for sustainable. If you agree, then vote with your dollars. Tell governments and companies that you care about sustainability, that you will be generous and pay more for sustainable. Let's change our "inevitable" reality together 💚🌳🌄🏞️💚</p>
<p>If you really love this DeTrash community, then check out the <a contents="subreddit " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/DeTrashed/" target="_blank">subreddit </a>where I found the word "DeTrash!"</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/376d55ec8a97d6c2e83c1388e559e9fc27db9956/original/img-20210313-123519.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Filled the trash bags with single use plastic.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/6873392eddf65d44eda5d11d526fd7097311c3e2/original/img-20210313-123455.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Recyclable metals that I collected. Sadly, there was far more plastic.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/c27959e9bb03ac7623975153caf2f84d3c56dd35/original/cpektir-trashbag.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Thank you <a contents="Cpektir" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/cpektir/" style="" target="_blank">Cpektir</a>!!!! I'll serve with you next time!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/80d715fcc998a617812fb9abecf9cfa526915c3c/original/screenshot-20210313-221417.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Thank you <a contents="Olivia Mancuso!!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://linktr.ee/oliviamancusomusic" style="" target="_blank">Olivia Mancuso!!</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/c2c4275d57828278412d854b0571d37ee9ea8ccc/original/screenshot-20210313-200745.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Thanks Ari from <a contents="Thread Mill!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://linktr.ee/threadmill" target="_blank">Thread Mill!</a></p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/65613842021-03-01T09:55:36-06:002021-03-01T10:00:06-06:00Learn Odd Time Signatures Easily!<p>You are overthinking time signatures! Let me show you how simple it is to start practicing any time signature right now. With this practice, by subdividing measures, you will write your best rhythms.</p>
<p>I am obsessed with time signatures thanks to my friend Omar. He taught me how to subdivide measures the first time I met him, in 2019. He taught me how to count to the metronome, starting with 15/8. And learning that, we created the beat which became <a contents="When I Found You I" data-link-label="" data-link-type="album" href="/album/1870411/when-i-found-you-i">When I Found You I</a>. I was so happy to meet someone on my musical wavelength! He loves complexity like me, and we became friends for life.</p>
<p>Watch the video to learn my simple counting method!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="J-GdjzvWo00" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/J-GdjzvWo00/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J-GdjzvWo00?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>If this piques your interest, then please join my ODD MARCH challenge! Make a song using any odd time signature (1 minute minimum). The prize: a handmade Future Trees Pendant of your choice!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/1ac7e31b98319343a737b05bd45fce63703e124f/original/challenge2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/d46538df99407e694df18ab30a5258774117101e/original/153622377-867706750746050-7115886410473161843-n.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/b30e8d81dfaa173a76f444418626a3c113b27fa1/original/154069987-110950667600679-3271250479139923447-n.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/e6f42065ab0973aff2a9416ae172dd8ad5914184/original/judge.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">Prize: <a contents="Handmade Pendant" data-link-label="Store" data-link-type="page" href="/store" target="_blank">Handmade Pendant</a>- your choice!</h3>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/05ba66acb926e6abcd66f01b964969f6cfb2b9f6/original/img-20210228-135908.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Here's some fantastic Odd-time songs:</p>
<p><a contents="https://song.link/s/5zbkoIgrBO5VjrQIEChlre" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://song.link/s/5zbkoIgrBO5VjrQIEChlre" target="_blank">5/4 by Gorillaz</a><br><a contents="https://song.link/s/7j5tgZtSKLL9LoRikWvPG5" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://song.link/s/7j5tgZtSKLL9LoRikWvPG5" target="_blank">Bloods on Fire by Pinback</a><br><a contents="https://song.link/s/5JVLklFBxXYa6HKYKx3Beo" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://song.link/s/7j5tgZtSKLL9LoRikWvPG5" target="_blank">Entertain Me by Tigran Hamasyan</a></p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/65318872021-02-16T00:00:00-06:002021-02-16T13:03:39-06:00Glass Trees<p> </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="HIeUAZ2Ploo" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/HIeUAZ2Ploo/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HIeUAZ2Ploo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>Glass Trees </strong>was a continuous jam on my baby grand piano at home in Birmingham, Alabama. I set up my portable mic and played ~10 minutes, full improv. That is the way I practice- every time, I attempt to jam. And occasionally I record my practice. Sometimes I rehearse my best riffs, but more often I am just jamming on the keys. It's really helped my creativity, at the cost of some consistency.</p>
<p>How did I start this practice method? By allowing myself to make mistakes. Like a ton of them. Do not be afraid to sound bad when you improv. Your brain is gonna learn what sounds good the more mistakes you make. Give yourself time to continue this process. Months from now your improvs will improve, if you just focus those ears every practice. </p>
<p>My method has produced hours of recordings. Some solo piano, some jams with friends. It is overwhelming, because it is time-intensive to listen to these files, while deciding what should make the cut to Spotify. Luckily, Glass Trees made the cut! And now, I have a new, lower-pressure way of releasing music: the <a contents="Rewards " data-link-label="Rewards" data-link-type="page" href="/rewards" target="_blank">Rewards</a> page on my own website! Because you are my friend, a Future Tree. I will happily share my intimate jams with you!</p>
<p>Glass Trees felt like the right title because of the fragility of this sound. </p>
<p><a contents="Stream it here!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://album.link/0zg34Gb54m59F" target="_blank">Stream it here!</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/efe5796fd6103fa1338498c2a4f6647501013809/original/glass-trees-paint.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Photo taken with high exposure in Knoxville, TN. I was up there for undergraduate research. Whitewashed background and applied artsy filters in Photoshop.</p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/65467542021-02-11T06:00:00-06:002021-02-12T14:47:46-06:00Amplify interview: Future Trees!<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="8xfypeUSGns" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/8xfypeUSGns/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8xfypeUSGns?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I had the joy to interview with Erik on his unique podcast- Amplify! He creates a scrapbook video within the podcast - I was surprised to see him embed my logo into a tree, very cool effect. The coolest thing about his pod is he asks the guest to "Amplify" another person. It is fantastic for the guest to Amplify someone they love, and it helps the pod get bigger and bigger. So I amplified my best friend Omar Barazanji of <a contents="False Jasmine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://falsejasmine.com/" target="_blank">False Jasmine</a>!</p>
<p>At the time I was forming the idea of decentralized volunteering, with <a contents="secret music rewards." data-link-label="Rewards" data-link-type="page" href="/rewards">secret music rewards.</a> I found out Erik has also done some trash cleanup projects! I want everyone to feel the joy of community service. So I am encouraging people to volunteer alone or with a small group by offering exclusive music! And the library has expanded to include more than just my own songs. Also, I plan to expand Future Trees into more complex environmental remediation projects.</p>
<p>Erik is a a thoughtful interviewer with a lovely, genuine smile 😁 He seeks to understand his guests. He encouraged me to stay "outside the box" - we both love to experiment. Why restrain ourselves when musicians are telling us to stay in one lane to please the algorithm? Erik, you have an innovative take on the interview podcast. I love the scrolling graphics and video clips. He makes a graphic for anything relevant! And I love the Ukrainian subtitles- it helps me learn Russian! </p>
<p><a contents="Agent Johnny Red" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/agentjohnnyred/" target="_blank">Agent Johnny Red</a>, thank you for your amplification! I feel your love from across the country, and I absolutely seek to live up to the potential you believe I have.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/dc830f38ce5af277eb689af14a225ec45f6d0c7e/original/tree-silly-2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/65358782021-02-09T02:00:00-06:002021-02-09T14:12:45-06:00Jamuary 2021: reflection<p>Jamuary was a giant exercise of creativity. <a contents="Netvio's " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.instagram.com/netvio/" target="_blank">Netvio's </a> #jamuary prompts opened the door to explore musical styles. I am grateful for Netvio. I met this group in 2020, and it made the year way less lonely. It is a musician support group that resides in Discord. Their monthly music challenges really spur on bonus creativity. It is positive, loving peer pressure! If you want to join, just start using #netvio on Instagram or Tik Tok.</p>
<p>In my very first Jamuary, I created a ton of different vibes- from a moody David Bowie jam to the comical Melody Cleanse (only drums please). I made over 20 minutes of music! My favorite jam was my Odd Time remix of <a contents="No Resolve" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://song.link/s/2doCln2mO5LsMec7zOuajF" target="_blank">No Resolve</a>. The original track (from my album <a contents="Worlds Within" data-link-label="Worlds Within" data-link-type="page" href="/worlds-within" target="_blank">Worlds Within</a>) was made in Maschine. All the drums, guitar samples and instruments were ready for me to play. So my remix was instantly slappin'.</p>
<p>Though I did jam every day, I failed to release a jam video every day and that is okay! I decided from day one that IG challenges should serve ME, not the other way around. They should be about realistically bettering myself, not stressing because I can't complete jamuary . And I kept that mindset mostly but I did falter and start comparing myself. So I want to remind you and me that there is no use comparing, each of our obligations are wildly different and all that matters is, are you really giving your best effort to what YOU DO? Only YOU can answer that. Decide what is important and mute the rest. </p>
<p>For me that is developing Future Trees as a volunteer-music project. Inspiring you to get involved with me and reminding everyone that humans want to do good. Visit <a contents="Take Action " data-link-label="Take Action" data-link-type="page" href="/take-action" target="_blank">Take Action </a>to learn what the heck I'm talking about...</p>
<p>Enjoy my JAMUARY COMPILATION below 💚</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="VBPXXOA24-Y" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/VBPXXOA24-Y/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VBPXXOA24-Y?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/65363342021-02-01T11:57:58-06:002021-02-01T12:03:14-06:00Modern Life 1 year anniversary!<p><br><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="7YLYiz3gMnU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/7YLYiz3gMnU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7YLYiz3gMnU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I made this song with a "because I can" attitude. I was taking music composition with Dr. Lee Johnson (<a contents="(check out his compositions!)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.leejohnsonmusic.com/" target="_blank">check out his compositions!</a>) and I desired to make something ... gross. I had never really composed before - I call what I do "jamming" or "instant composition." Typically I listen to my presets, and try to let the song compose itself. I arrange my loops spontaneously and add several "top it off" layers to make the song flow.</p>
<p>Dr. Johnson told us to write a song structure BEFORE entering the DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Which flipped my typical workflow on its head. I was a little upset, but decided to accept the challenge. We were forced to visit the library to study compositions. I didn't even know the library had sheet music! There I found <em>Chamber Symphony</em> by <a contents="John Adams.&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.earbox.com/" target="_blank">John Adams.</a> Oh my, this sheet music looked like a tornado ripped through and jumbled up all the notes! As soon as I played the album I was hooked on his cartoony sound.</p>
<p>So, I decided to model my composition after <em>Chamber Symphony. </em>I wanted frenetic, unexpected, anxious. My original title was "Fight Dread." I was hearing piano running, terrified, chased by big percussion and brass. Piano would come face-to-face with the evil instruments. Then an acoustic guitar friend enters to assist. Piano and guitar play in unison, working together as screaming synths rise. The drums start losing rhythm, falling apart, and they fall out. The evil instruments are vanquished and piano, synth, and guitar friends frolic together to finish the song. See my song structure sketch below!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/febcc8f7b0906db8dc66e65b9bd0a0cbdd578d5a/original/modlife-outline.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Now an outline is made to be broken and wandered around, right? The actual song became vastly different, but retained some of the energy structure! I wrote a meandering ePiano part in the 7/4 odd time signature. It's a slow count like: 1 2 3 4 1 2 3. First minute is straight confusion. Jay Belmont recorded brass and I made it sound silly. I kicked a trash can, and recorded that sound for the first transition! And the song becomes very peaceful. I was trying to capture the feeling of being outdoors. I love nature yet there is melancholy because I am not sure nature will survive in my lifetime. And then, the chaos of life returns to my brain. I recorded dozens of samples in my kitchen for the end. And in complete randomness, I replayed those samples using my MIDI keyboard to create an overwhelming soundscape. As the song was nearing completion, I decided to call it "Modern Life" because this composition encapsulates my feelings of living in the 21st century. There is peace, there is strife, every single day.</p>
<p>Months later, my sister helped me create a video just as insane as the song. I sent her tons of random videos and she made beautiful sample art. I think this sums it up nicely:<br>You live in the 21st century. You feel that something is off, then CRASH. Suddenly it is peaceful. You are outdoors, birds and a slight breeze. Alas, you're hungry. The indoors are calling you once again. You're not even moving but you feel like you're running. It is chaos in your mind. Sleep is the only sanctuary. You can't wait to be outdoors again.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="7YLYiz3gMnU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/7YLYiz3gMnU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7YLYiz3gMnU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/64149982021-01-24T20:59:45-06:002021-01-24T21:00:10-06:00"Change your Reality" - Seed Poem 3<p>summertime 2018, to myself:<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/71fb14c6d1a8fbc391e624497b7f811fbeb53a3e/original/change-your-reality1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm here to say you can change your reality</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">but first you have to find yourself.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Who else could be responsible for your health?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">For earning your wealth? You've been blind.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Blinded by societal expectations</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">You can't see your own ideas, </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">because people put their ideas in your head.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And I mean no disrespect but you're lazy.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">easy to keep your brain hazy, cruise control,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/2dc21240262e7979ae221badd9c5fa60beb44d9c/original/change-your-reality2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">let the movie just roll.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Let the years roll by.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And how many dreams have you yet to reach?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">And how many stories have you yet to preach?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I beseech you to listen! Pray to a God</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and I promise He will listen!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Cleanse yourself of your fears,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">your self-pity and wipe away the tears.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Leave your phone behind, and just talk to yourself.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Go on a nice long walk.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and slowly, you will discover what you want from this life.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Apply yourself, try new things, and I promise</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">you'll find talents you never dreamed of.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/3e11357131b0d640867911f3b0151a16ecd6094a/original/change-your-reality3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I never said it would be easy.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But you wouldn't get satisfaction if it was simple.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">What's the point of life if it's not difficult?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">How could you find success without struggle?</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you'll need cuddles,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and I'll be here in this song.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Telling you to go on.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Telling you if there's pain in your life,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">you can only move on.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I love you.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p> </p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/64149942020-08-22T20:36:29-05:002021-01-24T21:07:28-06:00"Framework" - Seed Poem 2<p>2018, a self-analysis: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/1f41a7dee7bebe5eaaac3fdfb50928e74454a3b2/original/framework.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm just the framework of a person I'm trying to build</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">and all I have to be afraid of is hard work</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It all starts here. If I don't love myself</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I can't love others;</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I think I can but am really seeking their approval,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">doing anything to confirm I'm likeable because</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I can't get internal love</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Two years have passed. I created Future Trees, and made music I never imagined possible. My purpose is more cemented and I have more self-love. I also believe all my success is thanks to my creator, who has laid out a story for me to live. Some moments in life are so coincidental that I feel the Universe is steering me in the right direction. I feel loved by God, I feel cared for. Gratitude is the start of these positive feelings. The more I think, the more I am truly grateful for every good and bad event in my life. Food, weed, music, technology, nature. Friends and family fill my life with love. Thank you for reading and being in my life 💚</p>
<p> </p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/63856802020-07-28T14:02:46-05:002021-01-24T21:07:43-06:00"Ripples" - Seed Poem 1<p>A poem from 2018, the first one I'm proud of, written while frustrated at work. After that summer I started making beats.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/a1bfae82267044a26a8ea1765e7667ae8361233f/original/ripples1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Ripples of wind are flowing through the grass</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I know I want to win, I don't want to come in last place</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">but this is my first and last race.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Only have one take in this life, no replays.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm afraid of wasting time.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But I waste time thinking about how much time I'm wasting-</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/377535/857d2d7a2fdcff7c83bfa7c0f9765fbe04c0f0c5/original/ripples2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'm trying to be faithful.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">But sometimes the smallest things are painful like pinpricks turned to razors.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">It just means I need to slow down.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Walk with my ideas instead of running them aground and maybe,</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I'll come to a greater understanding.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">At least I hope that's where I'm landing</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">through these Lucy trips</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">make my brain do the splits</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Words come from the tip of my tongue to my lips.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Future Treestag:futuretreesmusic.com,2005:Post/62513452020-03-16T16:30:04-05:002020-10-08T12:07:35-05:00Why?<p>Why do I make music? Why do I share it with the world? Why am I starting a music business? Answering these why questions helps me stay motivated to see through my goals. When I have a clear purpose, it's harder to give up and easier to push through the difficult times.</p>
<p>I make music mainly because I value creativity. I have always wanted to be different. I don't like most mainstream music (because it gets stuck in my head against my will), I don't watch sports, and I rarely go to bars. Musicians are my heroes, with me in the worst and best of life. I want to be original just like them! So I don't make anything remotely mainstream, and I will continue pushing boundaries. I never run out of ideas, and I want to dive into microtonal music, film scoring, and interactive songs!</p>
<p>I share music with you because it makes me more valuable. I could keep all my music to myself, like when I used to play Minecraft for hours building a world that I would show no one. It's great to listen to my own music, but how much more value when all the world can hear it? When I can get you through a tough moment in your life or be there when you celebrate? I can't begin to explain the impact music has on my life. Thousands of people are behind that beautiful music and now I can give back. And when I die, my music will live much longer than me. Of course, I like the praise that comes with creating too. We all have pride and ego but I try to transcend that pride by giving all credit to God, since he gave me all my talents and lucky coincidences.</p>
<p>I'm creating a music business because I can maximize my musical output. I'm starting with an electrical engineering job for stability, but one day Future Trees will grow to support me fully, and I'll have so much more time to create (and relax). I'll have a team helping me create artwork and content, and this whole project will be more consistent. Running a business forces me to level up creativity, and it gives me more time to create. And later I'll pivot Future Trees in many directions. I'll be an advocate for nature, leading clean up and conservation. I'll find ways to link my engineering with music, creating new instruments and futuristic tools for producing music. I never run out of ideas, and considering all these possibilities makes me excited about the future!</p>
<p>Thank you for being here! Now you know why I do what I do and some of my plans for the future. Hopefully I inspire you to consider some of your goals and think of the reasons you want to nail those goals. If we hold those reasons in our mind, and work toward goals a little every day, I'm sure we'll accomplish more than we can imagine!</p>
<p> </p>Future Trees