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AmbiEntrance: Do you have an interest in sci-fi and space, as one might assume from your track titles, covers, etc.? When did this begin?
Santé: As a matter of fact, I do like sci-fi and space. My father was a Chemical
Engineer and worked in the NASA program for some time. The evening chats
around the dinner table quite frequently centered around space missions and
such. At a young age I began reading all the classic sci-fi novels: The Dune
trilogy, Robert Silverberg, Ursula LeGuin and other fine authors stimulated
my formative years. I also began exploring fine arts at the time as further
exploration of that media within a Space Surrealism motif. I was completely
engrossed by the technique of such giants as Salvador Dali and Picasso. At a
young age my primary vehicle of expression was fine art. I would spend hours
in my room on weekends painting and listening to music while other kids were
outside playing. I was a very creative individual at a very young age and
sci-fi novels where a perfect vehicle to escape into and explore my inner
worlds.
AmbiEntrance: At what point did those interests and music merge?
Santé: At about the age of 15, I began to gain a casual interest in guitar. I still
remember my father presenting me with my first guitar on my birthday. It was
a sunburst Kay acoustic flattop. It was about that time I began to divide my
passion between fine arts and music. Even so, I was content to pursue fine
arts as my vocation and music for relaxation.
There came a point in my
development, as I became more adept at guitar, that I began to feel music
would be more fulfilling to me. I felt (and still feel that way today) that
music as a means of expression would allow me to express my intent in a
richer, deeper and broader scope. This was the major break-through that
ultimately led to my career pursuits in music.
Still, I have retained my
personal love for fine arts that continues to be realized in the CD layouts
which I produce for my projects using various digital software media. Given
enough time to explore 3D modeling and animation, I would love to produce a
project where the music is tightly synced to a complete animation storyboard
of my own design. This has always been a dream of mine and someday may be
realized. To some degree this was down in the popular Beyond the Mind's
Eye video series. I have some conceptual ideas of my own that I would love
to explore and given time and energy it could possibly bear fruit.
AmbiEntrance: What exactly is a "midi guitar" and how did that become your instrument of choice?
Santé: A "midi guitar" is usually an electric guitar fitted with a special pickup
which converts pitch into digital information. This information meets the
midi specification which is a communication protocol. This protocol referred
to as the midi standard allows various instruments to communicate to each
other. In other words, a guitar which is fitted with a midi pickup can
trigger events on a keyboard or rack mount synthesizer or sampler. In this
way I am able to leverage my guitar technique while having the full palette
and range of expression commonly available to keyboard synthesizers. I
discovered keyboard synthesizers many years ago and was blown-away by the
range of expression and the vision of sonic worlds I imagined one could
create. The main issue was that piano was not my primary instrument. With
the advent of midi guitar technology I was able to begin leveraging the
guitar skills I had worked many years to develop.
AmbiEntrance: Do we ever hear just plain old "guitar" sounds in your works or all they all midified? (I ask because of what appears to be slide guitar in "Inner Dialogue")
Santé: I guess this really depends on your definition of plain old "guitar" sounds.
For instance in previous works I have played "guitar" samples by triggering
them from the midi'ed guitar controller. That is very authentic though not
truly the native instrument.
On "Inner Dialogue" I wanted to create a
certain guitarish feeling and emotion. What I did was modify several synth
sounds in order to find that bluesy/spacey liquid feel I was looking for
which would respond well to the guitar technique I wanted to use on my
Steinberg midi'ed guitar. The slide part of the sound is my use of the
whammy bar on the Steinberg which allows me to raise or lower the pitch in
smooth increments. The effect worked very well and I was surprised at how
convincing it is. I do plan to employ plain old "guitar" sounds in my next
release.
AmbiEntrance: What about the sweeping "cymbals" I sometimes think I hear... midi
guitar?
Santé: That's a great question. "Inner Beauty is about 98% midi guitar and 2%
keyboard work. The sweeping "cymbal" sounds you hear are sound programs I
have developed on my Korg Triton. These particular programs use a "rom"
sample of say a gong or cymbal combined with some other type of "rom"
sample" like a pulse wave. Typically I will apply long gentle sweeping
envelopes which allow the character of the "rom" samples to slowly
articulate over time. By using many other synth parameters like effects and
filters I can bring out other characteristics which enhance the soundspace.
Of course these sounds were all played on midi guitar and when utilized in
large intervalic chords the ambient/space tones blossom very nicely.
Depending on how you use the sustain pedal and chord layers you can create
alot of tonality and movement which is characteristic of more dynamic
instrumentation.
AmbiEntrance: How do you typically create a piece of music... do you start with an idea, or just noodle around and let it develop on its own, or what?
Santé: I generally start with an idea or concept. The concept is usually universal
to the entire project as a theme. The ideas or progression is revealed in
the track names or track sequences. I then begin to develop the basic sonic
palette. This usually involves a certain amount of noodling around or sound
programming before I lock into a particular palette of sounds which I feel
impart the basic environmental feeling I want to invoke. From that point on,
I lay down the basic melodic and chordal structures. These are developed
early on and are built in progressive layers. The fabrication of the layers
and finding the "Zone or Heart" of a piece is fundamental to my approach,
allowing me the freedom to ebb and flow. I rarely enjoy locking myself into
a tightly controlled box.
AmbiEntrance: Does this exploratory process apply to other aspects of your life, would you say?
Santé: Most definitely. It seems like I have always been an adventurer. I like to
dream and explore things. The exploratory process allows one to discover the
undiscovered or build upon that which has come before. Its the same in any
system or methodology. One can lay down or follow any system or approach.
However being flexible and thinking "outside the box" allows one to take
fine tune or radically shift an approach or paradigm to fit the needs of the
moment. I think remaining flexible and fluid in life is one of the keys to
inner fulfillment. Great question...
AmbiEntrance: How was Inner Beauty born?
Santé: Inner Beauty is a statement which is mirrored within my own personal life
path. I decided I wanted to complete a project that in some way was a
representation of my journey and my thoughts regarding the process of inner
evolution. I wanted to portray the concept of Inner Beauty as manifest by
the culmination of life's experiences within the individual. These unique
experiences in all their scope impart and create the core of our being which
becomes that uniquely beautiful expression so many refer to as inner spirit.
That is the real beauty I am referring to.
AmbiEntrance: I notice a bit more chaos/darkness in the (otherwise quite
tranquil/spacy) mix... is that intentional?
Santé: Interesting question...I am not sure it was intentional, however, being that
the subject matter is Inner Beauty it does seems appropriate. Inner
Beauty is very much a journey from a point to another point. That point
does not actually have to reference a timeline although that could come into
play. It references an emotion/intellectual span of life experience which is
superimposed upon the illusion of time. The journey contains a great deal of
experiences ranging the full spectrum. When viewed from a retrospective
viewpoint we can intellectualize the whole thing all we want, but the
emotional impact is still there. While I am not one to wallow in one
particular place too long I feel it's appropriate to allow the mix of
emotional content to come through. Life's journey contains perceived
chaos/darkness as it does tranquility/space. The complexity of all this
creates a kind of emotional soup which is very rich in its fabric.
AmbiEntrance: Why do I keep thinking I hear the doorbell ringing in the second track, "Interstellar Beacon"?
Santé: I really don't know. This track does not contain any doorbell samples...
Only you can answer that question!
AmbiEntrance: How would you say this new disc differs from Into Light and/or Immaculate Conceptions?
Santé: Stylistically I would say that "Inner Beauty" tightly tracks within the
ambient and space genre. Overall the tracks are longer and develop a sense
of depth and anticipation over a prolonged period of time. "Inner Beauty"
employs a tight theme of imagery and choreography. "Into Light" and
"Immaculate Conceptions" were a fusion of many genres including
neo-classical and classic new age. From a conceptual or thematic perception "Into Light" and "Immaculate Conceptions" dealt with new age concepts, geographical historical
references, natural earth phenomena, and space nebula.
AmbiEntrance: Tell us about moving from mp3.com's D.A.M. CDs to releasing on your own Santé Music.
Santé: In the beginning, Santé Music released "Into Light" as a Santé Music
release. Due to the rising popularity of mp3.com's D.A.M. CDs we decided to
try releasing "Immaculate Conceptions" as a D.A.M. release first. What we
quickly learned was that the traditional redbook release was greatly
preferred regardless of the price difference. As soon as this became evident
we immediately proceeded with the full redbook manufacturing of "Immaculate
Conceptions" and essentially began a second campaign to roll that re-release
out. The traditional redbook release of "Immaculate Conceptions" is the
release we currently offer in all our retail distribution markets. However,
we do recognize the mp3.com market to be a viable market in its own right.
As a result we typically offer D.A.M. versions of our traditional releases at
mp3.com at a reduced price for those who are primarily interested in that
technology. All future releases will be traditional redbook Santé Music
releases first and foremost.
AmbiEntrance: You say "we" in reference to Santé Music; who else is involved and in what capacities?
Santé: Ah yes. Santé Music is a collective of two individuals. Myself and Anne
McGlochlin. Without Anne's efforts and support I doubt we would have the
label. Anne runs the complete day-to-day operations of the business
that includes: correspondence, mailings, distribution, shipping and
packaging, inventory, etc.
In addition to running the business end of Santé Music, Anne is the
co-producer of my music. Anne is a very deep music listener and has a very
good sense of sound space. After I compose and lay down the music tracks
Anne runs the Mix and Mastering Session. I run the controls of the DAW
(Digital Audio Workstation) and she sits in the listening zone and conducts
the whole affair. Its pretty much Anne's show and I have learned to trust
her instincts completely. Of course I do disagree from time to time but
often times I am too close to the music or too involved in a particular mood,
sound, or space to be objective enough.
AmbiEntrance: As far as your artistic endeavors, do you feel there are any particular "pros" or "cons" to your being a woman?
Santé: Now this is a loaded question. Of course everyone's experience is quite
different. During my Rock and Fusion period it was often difficult being
female guitarist. I broke ground here long before acts such as Jennifer
Batten. Female electric guitar players have not always been as widely
accepted as they are these days and acts like Jennifer Batten have done alot
to change all that by being accepted into acts such as Michael Jackson and
Jeff Beck. Even now there are very few female acts playing midi-guitar in
the ambient/space field. Since the time I compositionally moved my self out
of the rock/fusion into the ambient/space genre I have felt completely
accepted. I believe the audience and artists within this genre represent a
maturity and intellect which transcends some of the more commercial genres.
Why more women are not naturally drawn to this very deep and thoughtful form
of expression causes me to wonder on occasion.
AmbiEntrance: When you do wonder about this, at what conclusion(s) do you arrive?
Santé: I have have arrived at no conclusions.
AmbiEntrance: Are there any recordings from your rock/fusion days? Did you (do you?) play live often?
Santé: Sadly there are no recordings from my rock/fusion days. The bands I was in
were always busy pursuing the almighty "Record Deal". During that period I
played live every chance I had. Most of the bands I was in played all
"original" material which limited that amount of gigs vs. cover bands. I
would say we played out every week or two for years.
AmbiEntrance: Who are some of your favorite artists (in any genre) to listen to (and
> why, or give examples)?
Santé: Al Di Meola (All), Chick Corea (My Spanish Heart, Romantic Warrior), Weather
Report (Heavy Weather), Steve Khan (Blue Man), Bill Bruford (All), Caldera
(Time and Chance), Happy The Man (Crafty Hands), Kitty Hawk (Race to the
Oasis) and Pat Metheny (All) have to be some of my all time favorite listens
in the Jazz Fusion space. The combination of artistry, composition, and
fluid technique is simply wonderful. Often in more beautiful interlude
passages they explored textured em/ambient techniques.
Some of my favorite female artists are: Joni Mitchell (Don Juan's Reckless
Daughter), Jane Siberry (When I Was A Boy), Kate Bush (Hounds of Love),
Wendy Carlos (Beauty In The Beast, Digital Moonscapes).
Of course there are a great number of contemporary
ambient/space/em/world/newage artists I enjoy that are part of my personal
CD collection. I enjoy many styles and genres but I do lean toward more
eclectic and challenging works.
AmbiEntrance: Well, hey... we're all about ambient and experimentalism here... so can you give us some eclectic/challenging specifics?
Santé: Okay.. you've twisted my arm :-) .. Tip of ICEBURG...
Suspended Memories - Forgotten Gods,
Steve Roach, Robert Rich - Soma,
Raphael - Angels of the Deep,
Ashera - Cobalt 144,
Kevin Braheny & Tim Clark - Rain,
Jeff Pearce - To The Shores of Heaven,
Richard Bone - Tales From The Incantina,
Michael Stearns, Ron Sunsinger - Singing Stones,
Steve Roach - Light Fantastic,
Pilgrimage - 9 Songs of Ecstacy,
Mister Potts - Dreaming For Real,
Egberto Gismonti - Solo,
Bill Evans - The Paris Concert, Edition One,
Bill Evans - The Paris Concert, Edition Two...
AmbiEntrance: You also do your own art; what can you tell us about the visual side of your creative nature?
Santé: I do engage the visual side of my creative nature. However, there is only so
much time in a day and it takes a backseat to my music. I enjoy working in
digital media and employ various applications such as: Bryce, Photoshop and
TrueSpace 5.
AmbiEntrance: Did you design the Santé Music website as well? How important/helpful has the web been in getting the word out?
Santé: Yes I did. Although I have wanted to create a much more visually artistically
striking site, time has not permitted me to do that as yet. In the future I
may give it a facelift. I think the web is a very important medium for
getting the word out. Certainly its one of our most critical areas. Most of
our distribution is done via web sites like Backroads, Amazon, and
joerecords. Soon we will be at Wind and Wire as well. Backroads of course
has a mail order catalog and storefront but certainly maintain a huge web
presence.
An especially critical link is reaching the reviewers and radio
hosts who feature this genre of music. Their support and enthusiasm are
hugely important as is there presence on NG's (news groups). Thats part of
what makes this space so vibrant and alive.
AmbiEntrance: Any upcoming projects you can foreshadow for us?
Santé: Since I very recently finished composing, mixing and mastering Inner
Beauty there is really nothing currently on the burner. However, I do have
concepts percolating in my mind concerning my next project, and have begun
programming sounds to add to my personal library. But that's a secret for
now.
AmbiEntrance: Oh, a hint, please!?
Santé: The next logical progression of Inner Beauty styling merged with layers of
Native Guitar processed through DI (direct inject) synthesis in live mode.
AmbiEntrance: Ahhhhhh.... Well, thanks for speaking with us and best wishes for Inner Beauty; is there anything you'd like to add?
Santé: Its been a real pleasure being interviewed for AmbiEntrance. Thanks so very
much for this wonderful opportunity. My best to you and your readers.
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