showcases a fraction of this particular world, but it's a very tight circle of like-minded friends, and together we hope to broaden everyone's horizons through music. What are your thoughts on the role of artists in times of social trouble and natural disasters? - I've been involved in music for many years now in various incarnations and forms. At the end, I've learned a very basic lesson: artists are people too. No matter how "big" a particular name may be, behind the alias is another being, full of emotion, ideas, a bit of ego, and all those other funny human things. Everyone wants to feel their importance, and everyone wants to cheat death. It's morbid, but it's true. We haven't found a way to do that yet, so the only way to deal with mortality is to leave something behind. Artists create art. Musicians create music. All in hopes that they'll connect with someone on the other side, and hopefully be remembered in the process. If there is an opportunity to make a difference, every single person will step up. It's nice to know that some of us can help through music. So in short, we are all honored to be able to contribute, especially when our work benefits social trouble.
towards this humanitarian cause. I was incredibly impressed, humbled, and honored by the response I have received. More than anything, I was also proud of how well everything came together - I've had every single submission by the deadline in my mailbox, giving me plenty of time to work out the kinks. I was hoping to split up the compilation into multiple parts, but I chose the simpler route, making it easy for a potential buyer to make the decision. I could have easily gone to a hundred, but I finally had to draw the line.
arrangement) that deals with loss, grief, and finally acceptance. At the same time it touches on resurrection and rebuilding of the life we've known. This is something to do with a circle of life, as we all live through these cycles. I don't think that the work is particularly sad, but rather meditative, contemplating and calm.
Listening to the work front to back, what is your own emotional response to the work in question? - The 6+ hour journey is meant to trace the feelings of the You have a huge amount of folks devastating events by those who’ve experienced it, and those in the artist roster, is there any who’ve reacted to it from afar. All specific artist(s) whom you find especially pleasing to include on of the pieces are emotionally charged and are meant to evoke a the album in question? particular feeling as - There are a few of my personal idols that I'm honored to have had communicated by the artist on the other side. I tend to connect contributed. Clint Mansell is definitely one of them, as are Max with each track on a different level. And if a particular piece Richter, Jóhann Jóhannsson, Nils makes me feel… if it makes me Frahm, Hauschka, Dustin feel _anything_ at all… then the O'Halloran, Ólafur Arnalds and goal has been accomplished. many, many others. As you can see (and hopefully hear), I really enjoy cinematic orchestral music The benefits will go to Doctors without borders and The Humane with a piano at the center stage. I've been a fan of all of the above Society. Why did you choose these specific organizations in artists for years, and own every single one of their releases, so it is question? - I’ve spent some time researching a true honor to see Headphone the charitable organizations that Commute (as a label) be part of would properly use the funds their catalog. across the globe. In particular, I And darkness came spans a didn’t want this to be just about The spirit of the work goes monumental amount of 87 New York or United States. against the grain of an explicit tracks, did you conceive the Hurricane Sandy has devastated interest and response you would positiveness associated with portions of the Caribbean, Midbenefit-albums. What are your receive from producers and thoughts on the emotive aspects Atlantic and, of course, the US. musicians when you began But I would hate for the world to of the album? planning for this work? - No. I'll be honest; I had no idea if - The entire compilation follows a think, “oh, we’ve had natural disasters and no one cared, but particular trajectory of a natural I would even receive ten now that it’s America, everyone is responses. I have literally emailed disaster. Although not explicitly paying attention!” That part may some of my friends in the industry positive, there is a narrative be true – but why not take that throughout the tracks (and their in hopes that they'll contribute 13