Kaleidoscope of Colours Interview on Nagamag.com

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Kaleidoscope of Colours
Interview


Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Kaleidoscope of Colours:
classical crossover, percussive piano, contemporary piano, post minimal, ambient


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Kaleidoscope of Colours:
I`m a synesthete, which means, when I listen to music or play my piano I immediately perceive colours, that are evoked in my brain. A lot artists have it - Pharrell Williams, Lady Gaga. But because I had difficulties with traditional note reading, I startet my own way to compose - entirely on base of colors. I have always been able to memorize tones and sounds from a very early age, but it was many years later that I really understood that I associate music with colours and that the colors are the reason for my good orientation. Today synesthesia affects my work as a musician in any way. I’m able to approach music from a very new perspective by writing songs neither on a note level nor entirely based on improvisation, but on base of the colours that are triggered in my brain while listening to sounds. Each of my songs get the name of the scale and aura they have been perceived on. People ask me, how I see music, but I hardly find words for the colors and even shapes. But scientist can measure activity in a synesthetes brain, its not just an illusion ;)


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Kaleidoscope of Colours:
I grew up in Eastern Germany. When I was about 8 years old, I discovered my parents' guitar, and when I was 14, I got a keyboard as a present, with which I started playing my favorite songs from the radio by ear. I am entirely self-taught. I felt happy, when I could dive into my very own little world of imitating my musicals idols, trying to catch famous film melodies and secretly play them by ear on an old grand piano in my school. Until today, creating, writing music is something where I can pursue and live a lot of my personality traits, being curious and observing, to listen and speak out at the same time, to feel and connect. I always had difficulties with expressing myself when I was younger. Music helps me to calm down and express.


Nagamag:
Do you have any new music coming out?

Kaleidoscope of Colours:
My EP The Birth of Coulours just released on May, 8th 2020. Its a selection of piano based pieces that represent the second cycle of pieces and have been written and perceived on my personal colour scales.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Kaleidoscope of Colours:
Mogli "Alaska"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Kaleidoscope of Colours:
Yann Tiersen "Tempelhof"

Discover & Listen to Kaleidoscope of Colours

Kaleidoscope of Colours on Spotify

Kaleidoscope of Colours' Signature Track

Kaleidoscope of Colours on Social Media

Kaleidoscope of Colours' Website

Thomas Hewitt Jones Interview on Nagamag.com

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Thomas Hewitt Jones
Interview


Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Thomas Hewitt Jones:
Cinematic, Contemporary Classical


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Thomas Hewitt Jones:
I was born into a musical family and played, performed and wrote music from a young age. I studied music classically and won the BBC Young Composer Competition in my teens, which led to many commissions and published works. I now work as a composer of commercial and concert music, and have had music played widely on TV, radio and in the cinema. I also write choral music and next month am due to start writing 3 new albums for EMI.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Thomas Hewitt Jones:
I have always loved music's unique ability to express things which words cannot. Within its profoundly emotional universal language one can express aspects of the human experience and I find composing the most fulfilling thing. As a child I always loved attending concerts, and it was regular trips to the cinema which piqued my interest in music serving a narrative. I have been composing since I was about 5 years old!


Nagamag:
What's the coolest commission you've completed?

Thomas Hewitt Jones:
Last year I wrote my first three albums for Juice EMI which was pretty fun. My first job back in London (after assisting eminent film composer David Buckley in LA after university) was writing music for the London 2012 Olympic Mascots films, which played in UK cinemas leading up to the London Olympics. It was a wonderful opportunity, and I was forever grateful at the time to Barnaby Spurrier, Producer at Tomboy Films, for bringing me on to the project at the time.


Nagamag:
How are you enjoying Coronavirus lockdown?

Thomas Hewitt Jones:
Yes it is a strange time at the moment, isn't it. What a worrying time for the world. Although many music commissions have been postponed, my wife is expecting our first child very shortly, so hopefully that will add a new flavour to our lockdown! Musically, there are several new works that were recorded last year and were set for release throughout this spring and summer. I feel that music of all types is much needed at the moment, providing consolation and hope in times such as these.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Thomas Hewitt Jones:
Johann Sebastian Bach "Goldberg Variations"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Thomas Hewitt Jones:
Carducci String Quartet Shostakovich "String Quartet no. 2 in A major op.68"

Discover & Listen to Thomas Hewitt Jones

Thomas Hewitt Jones on Spotify

Thomas Hewitt Jones' Signature Track

Thomas Hewitt Jones on Social Media

Thomas Hewitt Jones' Website

Marika Takeuchi Interview on Nagamag.com

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Marika Takeuchi
Interview


Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Marika Takeuchi:
Modern classical music, ambient music, idm, classical crossover music, alternative music, contemporary piano music


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Marika Takeuchi:
I started playing piano at the age of three, and also played violin and french horn for several years as growing up. I then studied composition in Tokyo and film scoring at Berklee College of Music in Boston. My very first gig as a composer was songwriting for Universal Music Japan, and after I moved to the U.S, I've released my modern classical music as a recording artist, as well as writing music for films, advertisements, video games, and music libraries.


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Marika Takeuchi:
Growing up, I always had a big passion for music. My first love was piano, and I loved singing, playing violin, and I also joined a school orchestra to play french horn. I played Japanese taiko drum as well, and I once even wanted to be a DJ. I just loved music in so many ways, and eventually realized that I wanted to write and produce music, so I can use all of my favorite instruments and sounds. But the biggest moment was when I suffered from severe depression for years and writing music helped me get through it. I realized that I could turn even negative feelings into something inspiring in my music, and that was the best therapy for me. And the whole experience had the biggest impact on who I am as an artist today.


Nagamag:
Do you have any new music coming out?

Marika Takeuchi:
My latest EP "Missing Piece" is out on May 5th, with the title track Missing Piece being released as a single on April 24th.


Nagamag:
What does music mean to you, and what inspires you to write music?

Marika Takeuchi:
Music is my best friend for life, and everything that happens in life, including both beautiful and difficult moments, inspires me to write new music.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Marika Takeuchi:
Moderat "Therapy"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Marika Takeuchi:
Jon Hopkins "The Low Places"

Discover & Listen to Marika Takeuchi

Marika Takeuchi on Spotify

Marika Takeuchi's Signature Track

Marika Takeuchi on Social Media

Marika Takeuchi's Website

Charley van Veldhoven interview on Nagamag

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Charley van Veldhoven
Interview


Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Charley van Veldhoven:
A hybrid between impressionistic and romantic classical music and jazz. Influenced by artist such as Debussy, Hiromi, Chick Corea and Nina Simone.


Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Charley van Veldhoven:
When I was around 6 years old I started playing the piano and I almost immediately started composing my own music. I absolutely loved improvising and doing my own thing! I used to enter competitions from the age of 8 till 14 and win several prizes! At the age of 20 I decided mechanical engineering was not quite what I wanted to do. I took two gab years and moved to London. I wrote my first album for solo piano here and started teaching at my own piano music school. Because this showed me I could live my life just doing music I got inspired to truly follow my dreams and become a composer for film and other media. I moved back to the Netherlands and started my course at Music and Technology at the HKU in the Netherlands because I love making music and I love technology! Now I have made music for several games under which the award winning game Reducept that helps people with chronic pain. I also write music for movies from LA/Netherlands and recently won the 100% her competition with Universal Production Music. Next to producing and composing for Media I still just love to improvise and do my own thing on the piano. I am super excited that the first track of my solo piano album is finally out! And there is much more of this coming this year!


Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Charley van Veldhoven:
When I was around 8 years old I always loved listening to classical music CD's when playing with my toys. Then later I started finishing my solo piano compositions when I was living in London. There were many jamsessions I went to and I listened to albums of Nina Simone and Chick Corea. Living there and seeing all the amazing musicians there got me inspired to take action and start writing my album.


Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Charley van Veldhoven:
Cashmere Cat "Moo"


Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Charley van Veldhoven:
Hiromi "Old Castle, by the river, in the middle of a forest"

Discover & Listen to Charley van Veldhoven

Charley van Veldhoven on Spotify

Charley van Veldhoven's Signature Track

Charley van Veldhoven on Social Media

Christoph Sebastian Pabst Interview on Nagamag.com

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Christoph Sebastian Pabst
Interview

Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Christoph Sebastian Pabst:
Chillout, Ambient, Electronic, Deephouse

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Christoph Sebastian Pabst:
I started in 1992 with an Amiga 500, the 4-track music program Octamed and an 8-bit sequencer! Bit by bit new elements were added, a Korg 01w / FD, an Atari computer was needed for the first Cubase, later a PC, in 1998 I had a real studio with many analog synthesizers, one of the first digital mixing consoles, Akai samplers and so on. Back then, I had done a lot of music with a friend and later a DJ from Bremen, house and techno. When I first moved to Heidelberg 2001, I no longer had the space for a studio and gradually sold everything and only had a PC, a master keyboard and speakers. Because of my medical studies I had less and less time for music, that was in Marburg, where I also met my current colleague Thomas Lemmer. Many years later I sent him a few tracks and our first song Pastelstrand was released on his album pure! After that we released our first EPs and album together. We also got great remixes for the EPs. We are currently working on our second album and I am really looking forward to the next release! stay tuned, it's worth it!

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Christoph Sebastian Pabst:
I first love to electronic music was like written bevor the Amiga 500! Before that I had no real music style and I mostly heard charts. It was great to experiment and to experience electronic music in every detail. Jean michel jarre was my role idol.

Nagamag:
Did you make money with music?

Christoph Sebastian Pabst:
Yes, of course, a fraction of a cent per stream. Last year I earned almost a few euros! :-) still nothing to live on. But music should primarily make people happy, when money is added it is nice but not important.

Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Christoph Sebastian Pabst:
Vangelis "Conquest of Paradise"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Christoph Sebastian Pabst:
Thomas Newman "Any other Name"

Discover & Listen to Christoph Sebastian Pabst

Christoph Sebastian Pabst on Spotify

Christoph Sebastian Pabst's Signature Track

Christoph Sebastian Pabst on Social Media

Pedro Meirelles Interview on Nagamag.com

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Pedro Meirelles
Interview

Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

Pedro Meirelles:
Contemporary Classical, Minimalist Classical, Brazilian Classical

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

Pedro Meirelles:
I’m a composer/producer from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I’ve loved classical music and rock my whole life, so, besides composing and producing my solo instrumental catalogue throughout the years as an independent artist, I’ve also worked at different projects with names from the rock world such as Andrew Scheps (Rick Rubin), Serj Tankian (System of a Down) and Gogol Bordello.

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

Pedro Meirelles:
Yes, getting in touch with the score of the movie “The Adventures of Chatran”, by Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, which I listened to for the first time when I was around 4. At the time, I got so obsessed with the film because of its beautiful and hypnotic synth music that I wanted to go watch it over and over again at the theater.

Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

Pedro Meirelles:
Nirvana "Lithium"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

Pedro Meirelles:
Philip Glass "Vanessa and the Changelings"

Discover & Listen to Pedro Meirelles

Pedro Meirelles on Spotify

Pedro Meirelles' Signature Track

Pedro Meirelles on Social Media

Pedro Meirelles' Website

William Ogmundson Interview on Nagamag.com

Categories: Features, Interviews, Neoclassical Features, Neoclassical Interviews, The Latest|Tags: , , , , , , , , , |

William Ogmundson
Interview

Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?

William Ogmundson:
I draw from so many styles...classical music has always been my primary influence, but I've worked quite a bit in musical theater, and also play ragtime, stride piano and early jazz. I take all of my influences and try to channel them into the neoclassical/solo piano genre.

Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?

William Ogmundson:
It was only a couple years ago that I started taking my career as a recording artist seriously. Before that, I was a working musician for about 20 years. I did accompanying, played piano and organ in churches, taught lessons, performed locally, and composed primarily for the theater. I never made it "big" but got to perform in some pretty neat places along the way, including Notre Dame and the Vatican. I was nominated for an EMMY for a children's TV show I composed for, and one of the musicals I composed for was published by Dramatic Publishing.

Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?

William Ogmundson:
My first experience was picking out an Icelandic folksong "A Sprengisandi" on the piano. I couldn't have been more than 3 or 4 years old at the time, but I had that sudden revelation that wow, I could really do this-I could make music. I could be one of those people.

Nagamag:
What is the strangest song you've every written?

William Ogmundson:
I had written a pretty little solo piano ballad, but couldn't think of a good title, so I shared it on facebook and asked people to help me come up with one. I got many predictable responses like "Lover's Last Kiss" or "Passion in the Rain", but none of them did anything for me. Then one wise guy suggested calling it "Squirrel's Last Crossing" and immediately the wheels started spinning! I sat down and wrote a new song to go with the title, and it's been a hit with audiences ever since.

Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?

William Ogmundson:
Eminem "Lose Yourself"

Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?

William Ogmundson:
Greg Maroney "Breathe"

Discover & Listen to William Ogmundson

William Ogmundson on Spotify

William Ogmundson's Signature Track

William Ogmundson on Social Media

William Ogmundson's Website

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