Valentine Wolfe

We made it back from Dragon Con, with lighter wallets, more relaxed and stress free existences, a newfound love for the Sheraton, more resolve, more inspiration…well, more of everything good, I hope.

We will both need to work on nocturnal time clocks, as we both kept waking up around 9, no matter what time we went to bed. This meant we were exhausted for the Voltaire show. I (the bassist) was generally especially grumpy, and I do regret we didn’t stay at the time traveler’s ball longer…it seemed great fun!

Rather than give a blow-by-blow of everything we did, I’ll just give some highlights, general impressions, and some expressions of gratitude. First, we were humbled and honored by those of you that said kind words about our music and related how excited you are to hear more of it. We have a surprise in the works for this weekend, so check back Friday/Saturday. Second, I (the bassist) had a much better time than my demeanor suggested (no Dixie, I’m really not that dour), so I’ll need to keep rethinking this life thing. Third, we really were inspired and energized, and with a mischievous glint in our eyes, we smile, roll up our sleeves, and begin to begin.

This is worth the cost (monetary and otherwise) of the Con.

Some have wondered if Dragon Con is too big (online and otherwise). I’ll address this soon, because yes, I think it is, but with one exception, I don’t think this is a bad thing.

And if we regret anything, it was the sheer impossibility of spending all the time we wanted with all the people we wanted. Know we were happy to see you all, if only for a moment.

Now, the November countdown begins!

While we’re packing for DRAGON CON, there is something I just have to go off on. Video Game music-and more specifically, how stupid my “colleagues” act about it.

I’m currently listening to the Assassin’s Creed 2 soundtrack, and I’m finding it to be the some of the most compelling music I’ve heard in ages.  It should be no secret that I think one of the best, best, BEST things about Castlevania, aside from the succubi, is the music…especially when Michiru Yamane is the composer. Her music makes the series, in my opinion. Video Game music could be a gateway to people that don’t consider themselves fans of orchestral music to discovering and really loving some exceptional music that could pass them by.

Except for the schmucks in the orchestra, that say really stupid things about it, don’t really know anything about, and yet still exercise “their right  to an opinion”.

OK, here’s my rant: you have a right to an informed opinion, and an obligation to education. That is, if you can’t tell a 360 from a Wii, you don’t get to say anything about video game music. Why?

BECAUSE YOU DON’T  KNOW WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE!!!!

One would think this would be obvious, but…its kinda like wine. I know more or less what I like, know more or less what I don’t, and I keep my mouth shut on the subject, because I know next to nothing about it. I’m working very hard in my life to shut the hell up about things I don’t have all the facts on, learn what I can about things that interest me (this alone would take several lifetimes), and admit when I’m wrong when I am.

Conservative musicians: You are wrong about video game music. You were wrong about film scores, You were wrong about Stravinsky, you were wrong about Wagner, you were wrong about Berlioz, you were wrong about the late Beethoven Quartets, wrong about Bach, and the list could go on and on back to the dark ages. Obviously, not all video game music is the artistic equal of some of these masterworks, but then again, most music written during their respective eras wasn’t, either. Video Games are a way for the orchestra to stay relevant in the 21st century.

So, Jesper Kyd’s score to Assassin’s Creed 2 isn’t just recommended, it is essential.

End of rant.

Egad! Has it really been a week between posts? Well, I have a good excuse: I’m not sure how much I can/should say online, but I will say this. I don’t live in Jacksonville, you stupid gutless schmuck who used my name to get your cell phones. And should I ever find out who you are, I’m billing you for my time, and I don’t work cheap.

Ahem. Here in our lair, we’ve much to report: Programming, which is a vital and unbypassable (yeah, check that out) part of the songwriting and recording process for us is almost done…only one song (well, and a half) is left. The half song is a slow, more ambient track, which won’t require the usual drum and bass work.

At the end, the Crimson Masquerade looks like it will be exactly twice as long at Five Nocturnes…maybe a bit longer (I’m thinking 5n goes 23 minutes, but I could be wrong). We’re still planning on a 3 song teaser…FOR FREE, and for digital download only. But the recording for Sweet Oblivion, which I’m proud to say will be the first track on the CD will have to wait until after Dragon Con.

And finally, I’m also stoked about the first audio easter egg I’ve written in Valentine Wolfe. I’ll speak more on that soon, but it was part of tonight’s writing/programming session, and it was cool.

So Sunday Morning, after goth night in Asheville (which was awesome and very inspiring!), we loaded up the car and made the trek to Mom’s house for a day of relaxing. The trip was uneventful, other than the tendency for most Winder types to have three speeds: slower, stopped, and wrecked. Excitement….Adventure…a driver craves not these things.

Anyway…

Helly and Alan came down, as did Matt and the crew, and we got to spend a whole day eating tasty grilled treats (courtesy of Mom and Alan), seeing much missed loved ones, hearing brave tales of attacking gasoline hoses, and seeing Brooke vanquish the world with her cuteness. Sarah and I have determined to see Brookey morph into a perky goth, but I’m a bit fuzzy on the how of my cunning plan.

Sadly, we never got to spin the new Iron Maiden album, The Final Frontier. Shame really-here’s my take: I hope that we, like Maiden, make the most compelling music of our careers the later and later we go. Since Bruce and Adrian rejoined the band, they are 4 for 4 in my view. I’m very impressed with TFF. I don’t think it is a good Maiden album for newcomers though…I think Powerslave is the best overall introduction, but Hallowed Be Thy Name is a great single song summary of Maiden.

Maiden also is an example of how important the all elusive chemistry is: Frankly, the only bad albums they have made (I count 2 indisputably bad albums, 2 ones that could be called bad, and 2 that I just was never very fond of) have one unifying feature: Adrian Smith doesn’t play on them. Yeah, I like Somewhere in Time…just wish they would remix it. Jannick Gers is an amazing guitarist, and writes some great songs, so I’m not saying I don’t like him, but Adrian brings out the best in Maiden, it seems.

Sarah and I have been working on the chemistry thing in terms of cooking: we’re both fond of very different styles (or ingredients), and when done badly,you get an inedible gumbo of crap instead of an elegant fusion…

So, as we program, arrange, rehearse and put the final programming touches on The Crimson Masquerade, we’re already turning our thoughts to our next adventure. I’ll talk more about the ingredients tomorrow.

But I’d like to thank Mom, Helly, Alan, Matt, Tammy, Josh (who gets the smartest man of the day award-he stayed inside in the AC the whole time-and dude, find Fallout 3-you’ll love it!) and Brooke for making this one of the best days of my summer. We love you all.

Progress proceeds on The Crimson Masquerade: programing for most of the songs is finished, and we’ve started rehearsing some of the new songs. Some of the older material has received some fresh edits and mixes, and we should have a sampling of material up on the website soon. Our goal was to be finished writing and programming by Dragon Con, and we’ve pretty much made it.

My hope is to have a teaser digital EP up in time from Dragon Con…The plan is to spend September-October recording and revising. If we can get the thing off to the mastering studio by October, say 15th, we might even have it out in time for Halloween.

Either way, we will have some awesome new music to play at the Steampunk Extravaganza in November! What a year its turning out to be!

Otherwise known as a collection of links so amazing, they might just melt your face off.

First, an instance of amazing yet potentially universe ending musical awesomeness: Nick Cave’s Grinderman project will have a contribution from Robert Fripp. Now, all I need is for François Rabbarth to play bass on the album.

This might be the most amazing idea we wish we’d thought of of, but didn’t. Ah yes, NSFW, 18+, and if your a parental unit of unspeakable curiosity, well, we warned you.

We’re working on an updated biography and testimonial page. Ours is a bit…stale and mainstream.

Anything else? Ah yes… August has turned into a month of re-invention, re-birth, and the writing of several new songs. We have most of them in various stages of completion…our current aim is to get the new material into a working backing track form, rehearse them until we can play them blindfolded, and then play a preview of them for you lot, most likely in September, unless a surprise show pops up in he next two weeks…one never knows.