Being in a band is great, but sometimes it can be quite limiting. Even though I was the main songwriter in Crush I often liked to experiment with different styles, or simply produce something that is all my own work. Of course, this means more freedom but has the disadvantage that you can't blame anyone else if it sounds bloody awful :)
One of the
great things about the advent of high-speed home computers has been
that it's possible to have your own virtual studio just on your PC.
Hard-disk recording means you can now compose, mix and master your
tracks entirely in the digital medium, allowing you to produce
tracks of near CD quality in your own home. Sequencers like Steinberg's Cubase along with virtual
synths like Propellerhead's Reason are often
all you need to make amazing tracks (as long as you have the
imagination and skill!).
Using these tools gave me the freedom
to create anything from abstract electronic music to jazz. There
really are no longer any boundaries to what you can make, as it's
easy to mix traditional instruments in with samples, virtual
analogue synths and loops.
If you like the sound of it, then you can listen to some of my solo tracks here.
