Shortwave – Frozen Waves (Spotify)
Music composed for Frozen Lake Michigan & a companion to drone footage - peaceful piano, acoustic guitar, and a strings. The piano morphs into an atmospheric electronic tone that carries to the end.
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"
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"
Christoph Sebastian Pabst on Spotify
Christoph Sebastian Pabst on Social Media
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"
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"
William Ogmundson on Spotify
William Ogmundson on Social Media
William Ogmundson's Website
Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?
Kirsten Agresta Copely:
New Age, Ambient, Neoclassical
Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?
Kirsten Agresta Copely:
KIRSTEN AGRESTA COPELY is a harpist, composer, and arranger that has made music in four continents for heads of state, in blockbuster movie soundtracks, alongside Billboard 100 artists, on late night television, with the most recognized symphony orchestras in the world. Her first album as composer, Around the Sun, will be released in January 2020. Steeped in rigorous classical training, Copely’s performance career began at an early age: by fourteen, she performed a full solo tour of the British Isles, and continued to gain attention in the classical world by winning Bronze Medal in the 1st USA International Harp Competition, debuting as concerto soloist at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center soon after. While she maintains a heavy classical schedule—she serves as Principal Harpist with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra at Lincoln Center —Copely has also garnered a reputation as the pop industry’s go-to harpist, culminating with a performance alongside Beyoncé at the second official White House State Dinner for President Barack Obama. Other live engagements include appearances on Saturday Night Live, Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and the MET Gala; in studio, she has recorded with greats like Lionel Richie and has performed in numerous video game, television, and movie soundtracks.
Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?
Kirsten Agresta Copely:
Music has been an integral part of my life since I was a child; I began playing the harp when I was five years old. I have always made my living as a musician which is something I'm very proud of.
Nagamag:
How did you get started playing with so many iconic pop artists?
Kirsten Agresta Copely:
I was hand picked to play with Kanye West at Live 8 which led to many more performances with Jay Z, John Legend, Enya, Evanescence and more. Ultimately the performances grew increasingly illustrious, and culminated in a performance with Beyoncé at the second official White House State Dinner for President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Mexican President Felipe Calderón - a true "gig of life."
Nagamag:
'Around the Sun' is billed as an album of new age and ambient music. What was your inspiration for wanting to write and record music in this genre?
Kirsten Agresta Copely:
A lot of the compositions I was writing were naturally minimalistic in style and led easily into being more defined by ambient soundscapes. It was a perfect opportunity to collaborate with my husband, Marc, who has lots of experience playing ambient guitar on TV/film soundtracks. We both love the work of Brian Eno and Harold Budd (pioneers of the ambient genre) so he creatively designed the supporting complimentary layers. There isn’t a single keyboard effect on the album; just solo harp recorded in a classical style with sonic treatments.
Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?
Kirsten Agresta Copely:
Queen "Hammer to Fall"
Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?
Kirsten Agresta Copely:
Brian Eno & Harold Budd "Late October"
Kirsten Agresta Copely on Spotify
Kirsten Agresta Copely on Social Media
Kirsten Agresta Copely's Website
Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?
Gregory Paul Mineeff:
Ambient, Modern-classical, Electronic, Downtempo, Chillout, analog textures, analog and acoustic instruments, alternative.
Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?
Gregory Paul Mineeff:
I am a composer, multi-instrumentalist from Wollongong, Australia. I began my life as a musician beginning with piano but stopped to pursue the guitar and rock music. As a teenager I was obsessed with the electric guitar, fixated on the music of Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, ACDC and Pink Floyd. Jimi Hendrix's music and the way he constructed melodies and harmonies, as well as his improvising, has always fascinated me. Along the way I became interested in music for film and classical music and began collecting and playing as many acoustic instruments as I could. Piano became a fixture in my life and I began composing simple minimal piano pieces, collecting many over the years. No matter what instrument it is, my fascination with music is always around the act of creating something new, composing and constructing a new piece of wonder. I composed my album GRIND in response to the beautiful natural surroundings of my home in Wollongong and since releasing this album have enjoyed collaborating with many artists around the world. My second full length album After Today was released in January and I am looking forward to seeing how it goes about finding its place in the world.
Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?
Gregory Paul Mineeff:
I have always loved music and it has always been something that just felt right to me. From the first time experiencing music from my grandmother's organ to the music classroom at school I knew it was for me. I was always into music of the 60's, 70's, 80's and early 90's with it playing constantly in my home whether it be Pink Floyd or Dire Straits. The music that really connected with me at that time was Nirvana. I loved the rawness of the music, the edginess to it, the minimalistic and simple nature of each song really resonated with me. The minimal aesthetic of those compositions influences me to this day. Music was the way I identified my place in the world as a teenager and the place I sought refuge. I made many cassette tape recordings of instrumental guitar pieces and experiments throughout this time. Following from this I loved the improvisation style of Jimi Hendrix, particularly pieces like Little Wing. His edginess and always being on the edge makes his style particularly appealing. I love the work of Nick Cave, the simplicity of the compositions and the rawness are always an inspiration. As time went on I became interested in music for film, particularly the work of Danny Elfman, and I absolutely adore Neil Young's score for the Jim Jarmusch film Dead man. I was always seeking out rawness in music and artists I felt were risking a little, pushing boundaries, which led me to the work of Bjork. Her music is always a beautiful departure from the ordinary. It also connected me to the world of electronic music and the infinite possibilities available for modern composers and musicians. Another artist I respect enormously is Radiohead and the solo work of Thom Yorke. I am endlessly fascinated by their boundless creativeness and the unique music and place they have created. Boards of Canada and the world they have created for themselves to exist is an endless source of inspiration as are the minimal piano compositions of Philip Glass. All of these artists have influenced my current music in various ways. The artist who has perhaps inspired me the most though, is Yann Tiersen. I adore his solo piano work and everything he has done, the album Skyline being my favourite with the track The Gutter a particular favourite. Ultimately, my love of music is in the act of creation and the immediacy of this construction. I absolutely love and am influenced by literature, art and music and my response to this and my own creation of art is an integral part of the process.
Nagamag:
What Are you working on at the moment (Jan. 2020)?
Gregory Paul Mineeff:
I am fascinated by vintage analog instruments, analog synthesisers, electric pianos, tape effects and acoustic pianos. and I am working on composing more solo piano pieces. My goal is to be as simple as can be while conveying a sense of melody. I am also working on performing my new album After Today live with film projection and look forward to developing this project. I always look forward to more collaborative projects too.
Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?
Gregory Paul Mineeff:
Foo Fighters "Exhausted"
Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?
Gregory Paul Mineeff:
Yann Tiersen "Penn ar Lann"
Gregory Paul Mineeff on Spotify
Gregory Paul Mineeff on Social Media
Gregory Paul Mineeff's Website
Aatraus – Haven (Spotify)
This orchestral instrumental is inspired by loss and acceptance. In the story arc of an expedition-inspired album it will come to inhabit, Haven is one of the last songs, stopping us to dwell in a gloomy sense of acceptance of loss before we head towards Transcendence, its natural follower in the album.
Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?
Thomas Lemmer:
Electronic, Ambient, Downtempo, Chillout, Trip Hop, Deep House
Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?
Thomas Lemmer:
Thomas Lemmer is known as an Electronic/Ambient music producer. With 9 albums, 7 EPs and 17 singles and multiple appearances on top-class Chillout/Electronic compilations, Thomas Lemmer is considered one of the most active and established artists of his genre. His two albums STILL and ZERO GRAVITY reached the iTunes Electronic Top 10 in Germany. His album PURE reached the Top 10 of the iTunes Electronic Charts in Switzerland and #2 of the Album Top 10 in the official German Chill Out Charts (Deutsche Chill Out Charts). His album AMBITRONIC was a considerable success and held a position in the official German Chill Out Charts – Album Top 10 for 36 weeks. His music is played worldwide on established radio stations focusing on Chillout, Ambient and Electronic music. Thomas Lemmer loves collaborations. Together with Christoph Sebastian Pabst, he produced the album MEERBLICK (sea view). A concept album with a focus on the sea. The album was a great success for both of them and they are already working on a follow-up. With Andreas Bach, he produced the album NIGHT TRAVELLERS. A very organic instrumental album that is highly regarded in the scene. Currently, Thomas Lemmer has focused on the piano. He fulfilled a long heart wish with the EP “In Silence”. Ambient piano music at the highest level.
Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?
Thomas Lemmer:
I grew up in a very musical family. My parents bought me a piano when I was 5 years old. I remember smaller audition afternoons as a child and I was always allowed to attend the rehearsals of my father's band. That really affected me. Then, fast forward, I think I started composing at the age of 16. At that time, I had a pop duo and we started writing our own songs. So my first writing experience was together with a singer. As we now had our own songs, I played them for my piano teacher at that time. He then asked me when I would like to record these songs in a studio as he was a producer as well. So that was my first experience with producing music. After that, I started with two cassette players to record my own demos at home. Musically I was influenced mainly by pop music at that time. I loved and still love for instance Phil Collins, Genesis, The Beatles or Michael Jackson. That was the music I listened to. I still remember listening with the headphones to all the musical details a Michael Jackson production has or how Phil Collins's "In the air tonight" fascinated me. But I was also influenced by playing a lot of classical music on the piano which helps me a lot today when writing music. I think what really drew me to music production was that I was simply fascinated by music production. I bought so many records at that time and listened to every little detail of each production and dreamt of doing that myself.
Nagamag:
You seem to love collaborations. Tell us about it.
Thomas Lemmer:
Absolutely! I love collaborations and enjoy working, writing and producing with other artists. I have worked with various singers on my albums and recently released two full-length instrumental albums. With Andreas Bach, I worked on Night Travellers. With Christoph Sebastian Pabst, I worked on Meerblick which is German and means "sea view".
Nagamag:
What are you working on at the moment (Jan. 2020)?
Thomas Lemmer:
Since I have just released a Neo Classical / Ambient EP called "In Silence", I wanted to focus a little more on the piano. So I decided to work on my own interpretation of Erik Satie's Gymnopédies.
Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?
Thomas Lemmer:
Phil Collins "In the air tonight"
Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?
Thomas Lemmer:
Boards of Canada "Reach for the dead"
Thomas Lemmer on Spotify
Thomas Lemmer on Social Media
Thomas Lemmer's Website
Nagamag:
What are the genres that describe better your music style?
Dario Forzato:
Evocative organic music, a blend of acoustic and modern instrumentation with ambient atmospheres and a cinematic feel.
Nagamag:
Few words about your musical background and career?
Dario Forzato:
I am an Italian-born composer and music producer based in Los Angeles. Having toured with RapScallions and singer-songwriter Kathryn Dean, I started writing music for visual media. My work has ranged from writing and performing the theme for Ubisoft’s best selling videogame ‘Rocksmith’, to scoring a variety of television shows, independent films, and documentaries. My ever-evolving music can be heard across a variety of entertainment media outlets worldwide.
Nagamag:
Do you remember your first connection of love to music that was the right impact to be a music artist now?
Dario Forzato:
I certainly do. It was the first time I realized music has an impact on me: I was about 6 years old and I was on vacation with my parents in Camargue, France. In that period I used to suffer some pretty bad stomach pains and that has been going on for the whole trip until one day I heard a fantastic guitarist playing flamenco guitar in the street and the pain "went away" (it didn't completely go away, but at least became bearable). And that happened multiple times during that trip. Don't know if it was just the music distracting me from the pain or something on a deeper level happened, but I know that after that I decided I wanted to start learning music and guitar. I have always associated music with traveling, since I would listen to a LOT of music in the car with my parents during our road trips and my mind would start going free with the notes. I definitely see those 2 factors playing an important role in how I write and create music.
Nagamag:
Which artists influence your music?
Dario Forzato:
I grew up listening to rock music, from Led Zeppelin to Sting and The Police, to Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers, but I have always had a sweet spot for film music but never pursued that career path until I listened to composers like Gustavo Santaolalla, Hans Zimmer, John Powell, and Ennio Morricone. In this very moment I am a big fan of Nicholas Brittell, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Ramin Djawadi, Billie Eilish and all sorts of independent artists.
Nagamag:
Most artists have a favorite song from a different music genre than the one they are producing music for... Which is yours?
Dario Forzato:
Billie EILISH "Bad Guy"
Nagamag:
Of Course Nagamag would love to listen also which track from a similar artist you admire?
Dario Forzato:
Gustavo Santaolalla "Iguazu"
Dario Forzato on Spotify
Dario Forzato on Social Media
Dario Forzato's Website