Posted on 2 Comments

Adieu…. On to new horizons.

Okej….
So, the mathematics;
a bit over 3 months ago, I began logging an average of 20 hours a day learning EVERTYHING necessary to truly “level up” as a legit audio engineer, heavy metal producer, mix engineer, and mastering engineer. (as well as a progressive metal band multi-instrumentalist; bass, guitar, drums, singer/lyricist, etc.)
90 days times 20 hours = 1800 hours. At least!

*(interesting note… I looked up how many hours required to get a bachelor’s degree from “Berklee”, and or “Full Sail” and it looks like I’ve surpassed their requirements. Purely autodidactically.
Just to give an idea of what type of time I am on as an artist.
I take my work, progress, and output very seriously).

I’ve fallen down a bottomless pit of creative obsession like never before. By the time this, my masterwork is completed, I will have put more time, blood, sweat tears, and pure soul into it than almost every other project I’ve ever completed, combined.

At the completion of what is most likely the last House/Techno EP I will ever create, the “No Gimmicks EP,” I came to the realization that I have now fully mastered the crafts of creating and DJing the specific niche/sub-genre(s) of club music I fell in love with over 30 years ago.
Thus, it no longer offers me the challenge I need to continue to remain as motivated as I need to be in order to create on the level I need to so that I can be satisfied that I am constantly progressing as an artist. Not to mention the club-scene lameness aspect I plan to address in more detail later in this blog.

Long story short, to fulfill my potential as a God-gifted musical genius, I need many conditions, people, places, things, and stimuli I simply do not, and or cannot receive by treading the worn and tired path of a creative “sunk cost fallacy.”
NOPE!
I’m out.
On to new horizons. Higher heights and deeper depths of creativity. I will take with me all the hard lessons learned with regard to what should not be done in the era of the internet clout-chase/rat-race.

Anonymous. The music will speak for itself. Hidden identity.
Because “cult of personality” simply does not matter.
The aim is to supersede my level of accomplishment, critical acclaim, and underground cult-hero status in a completely new genre.
Seems implausibly impossible. And thus supremely attractive for a true iconoclastic rebel who has ZERO desire to ever go-along to get along.
LOL! I can reveal my identity here, because 99%+++ of the people here on the book will never check for the work I would most like them to hear. Which is fine. Because this means that less than 1% of my new fans will actually have any idea as to who the members of “Gain of Function” are.
*(this began as a fakebook post, but then I remembered I don’t do that anymore. So it became a blog post to be shared on the book/timeline, etc).

So in closing….
I’ve swapped out the old files for the fixed and final versions of the album instrumentals. I also re-wrote over 50% of the album.
2 fully new tracks, and several sections are completely different now. Those truly interested can really check out where my “sonic heart” is. And the true followers of my work can marvel at just how sonically pleasing the mix-downs now are..
As opposed to the harsh, hissy, and abrasive sonic textures the music had before I dove head-first into the deep end of truly leveling up my game as a bona-fide “recording artist.”

Blog will come one day. Perhaps after the lyrics are fully written and recorded. As my album is much more of a priority than anything club-scene related.
But until then….
Enjoy the sounds, emotions, and the pleasant tactile feeling of some sweet saturated distortion.

Don’t sleep if you’re in the least bit interested. Because these tracks will go “private” without warning in a few. 😶

Posted on Leave a comment

Rebel Music (version one)!

Continuing the “banned worldwide” series, the next installment is from my Vanguard Sound! solo debut,
The infamous “Idiot Savant Masterpieces” (more on how that title came about in a future post).
This one was actually the first to be banned. Actually right after I uploaded it. As a result, most have never seen it.
The imagery is all metaphor. I imagined myself as the “monster”. Especially as I was struggling to “break out” and was feeling unrecognized and underappreciated. This video provided catharsis.
The “hero” searched for love, but was rejected by his own. Heartbroken and spurned, he self-destructively takes out everything and everyone. As to exist without his love is no existence at all. This was reflected by my do or die/breakout by 40 years old or cease living mentality. Good thing I accomplished my goals, or perhaps I might not be here now.
I love life, living, and people, so it turned out well for me. It is what it is. Sometimes artists do crazy things……
In this case, the phrase “Do or Die” was quite literal.
Fortunately, I seek validation internally now. I have already proven to myself everything I needed to prove. Now it’s all about lightness and fun. Not heaviness and pressure. Been there, done that. Hit records, or zero sales, I know who I am and what I am capable of accomplishing.
Self discovery is what it’s all about as an artist.
The saga continues……

Online Video

Posted on Leave a comment

The return of “Sonic Weaponry!”

Created and published over 5 years ago, this particular video remains the most watched/popular despite having been banned worldwide for almost 4 of the 5 years.
Perhaps it’s the track, or maybe it’s the imagery that draws people in. Perhaps it was the time and place?
Regardless, I am ever grateful to have struck a chord with so many people.
Over the years I have pondered appealing the worldwide ban, but decided not to go up against the mighty BBC who made the copyright strike. I considered making a DVD with all the videos and alternate versions (and perhaps I still will someday) but, for now I shall place it here. Nestled safe in the belly of Vanguard Sound! headquarters.
To old fans of this particular work, thank you for waiting patiently. Your old friend is back.
To those of you who have never seen it…….
You’re in for a treat. 100% pure raw and militant Vanguard Sound!

It is my plan to do a fresh mixdown so that this track can be re-mastered and repressed with much better sound quality than I was able to achieve back in 2011.
Bless up! and enjoy.
//AAxx

play-sharp-fill