Have you ever composed any music?
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Two days ago, I officially released my first single.
I started composing songs more or less seriously about a year ago. So, I’m not sure if I should release my own music. Some of my friends (including musicians) recommended that I start releasing my own music.
I thought about it for a long time and decided to take the risk…
If anyone’s interested:
First of all, congratulations on the single, Ruslan! John Dyksta, is that your artist name (I immediately think of the special effects guru John Dykstra)?
It’s a lovely piece — a little bit of David Lynch vibe going on, a little bit of dreamy Johnny Jewel. But with that unmistakable, sensual 80s synth sound á la Jonathan Elias’ TWO MOON JUNCTION or VAMP.
A lot of interesting details going on at the same time — the piano ostinato, the perc, the wide-open chords and then the melodic bit on top. It all meshes well, even touching on small moments of dissonance here and there. I would perhaps have loved it to “breathe” more — i.e. create bridges or transitions where you lose some of the elements, or modulate more clearly, to make it more varied. Like you do towards the end there. But a fine piece indeed.
Will we be getting more? Is there an album on the horizon? 🙂
Congrats from my as well! I have to re-listen as I just did sideways yesterday evening but it was a quite pleasant listening.
I am getting ART OF NOISE vibes from this. Or JAN HAMMER? Anyway, somehow late 80s. Sounds nostalgic and professional.
I was just always waiting for someone to start singing as you promised us a song, Ruslan. 😉
I was just always waiting for someone to start singing as you promised us a song, Ruslan. 😉
Maybe that just clever PR to catch all as everyone except “us” commonly uses “song” for music with or without singing 😉
@Thor, Thank you so much!
I always really enjoy your music reviews and how attentive you are to detail. I really appreciate your comment on the song “Lost Love.” I’ll definitely take all your feedback into account, because I want to grow as a musician. I still have a ton of ideas that I hope to bring to life.
As for my stage name, there’s a funny story behind it… For a long time, I couldn’t come up with anything—all the options I liked were already taken. Then one morning, I had a dream in which I heard the name John Dykstra (I’d never heard that name before). So I decided to use it. It wasn’t until later that I found out there’s a special effects artist named John Dykstra.
Right now, I have a pretty simple strategy: to release a few singles over the next few months.
I’ve been working on an album for a year now, which I hope to finish by the end of the year. The music will be based on a fictional story set in California in 1987. Essentially, it’s a soundtrack to a fictional movie.@Malte, Thanks!
@Gerate, that’s really nice and meaningful to hear! Thank you!
I figured someone had to take the first step…. 😉Nice.
One question that came to my mind is, why you are using that synthetic drum kit. This is probably the main reason for that nostalgic 80s flair. I am not an expert. But as far as I can see, since the 90s you either use real drums like Depeche Mode on “Songs of Faith and Devotion” if you want an actual drum sound or you can use any other synthetic sounds you like for percussion. But using a synthetic drum kit is very old school, isn’t it?@Malte, thank you!
@Gerate, thanks for the kind review!
You heard me right – it’s precisely because of the nostalgic flair. I’m a huge 80s fan, and it inevitably influences the music I compose.
I’m one of those grumpy people who thinks “things were better back then.” 😉But using a synthetic drum kit is very old school, isn’t it?
Modern pop music respectively certain types are of course full of 80s synthetic drum sounds. The early 80s Roland 808 (I think that’s it) is still or again used all over the place.
@Malte, obviously…
There is currently a certain amount of interest in vintage music from the ’80s, and like Sunglades Kid are doing a great job of popularizing this genre.
There is currently a certain amount of interest in vintage music from the ’80s, and like Sunglades Kid are doing a great job of popularizing this genre.
Yes, in “synthwave” naturally but also in lots of other pop music genres.
Ah, you see. I am no expert here. Anyway, I think, I like that nostalgic touch. Even though I have a difficult relation to electronic music. What I appreciate in your two pieces, Ruslan, they have that required organic touch, that it needs to be somewhat vital. Don’t know how else to put it.
@Gerate, I understand exactly what you’re talking about! 🙂
Personally, I enjoy using orchestral/acoustic elements. I also love fully orchestral music (there are even compositions where I’ve used strings/wind instruments, for example (I might release them someday)).
For me personally, it’s important and pleasant to hear such things about my music…. Thank you!!
I’m just starting out on my musical journey, and I still have a lot to learn.
I’m trying to develop my own style and signature, but I’m not fixated on a single genre or style.What do you mean by “difficult relationship”? Do you hate electronics? 😉
Nice second track. Lots of BLADE RUNNER going on, especially that broad Yamaha CS-80 thing in the beginning. Again, I would perhaps suggest a bit of “breathing”, meaning you can have some stretches without the drum backbeat and just let it “float” with fewer elements. Harmonically, it’s very nice. Layered and sophisticated — sometimes hitting on bits of almost jazzy dissonance.
Thanks, Thor, for the great review and interesting comments!
I think I understand exactly what you mean. Perhaps it’s my habit as a composer — when I find a beautiful pattern or layer, I want to keep it going because it sounds good. And gradually, several good parts end up playing simultaneously for too long.
So I think this is primarily a matter of arrangement and the dynamics of the form. I’ll definitely try to work more on this in my future compositions.
Thanks again!!🤝@Jon, Well, I was wrong. Who hasn’t?😅
I think I understand exactly what you mean. Perhaps it’s my habit as a composer — when I find a beautiful pattern or layer, I want to keep it going because it sounds good. And gradually, several good parts end up playing simultaneously for too long.
I can totally understand that. I think it’s something every composer runs into. You either have to “kill some of your darlings” in the process because it may serve the whole piece better, or you have to curate them and put them in strategic places that make them feel “earned” after development elsewhere in the piece. Mind you, I’ve never really composed anything noteworthy myself, certainly not on the complex level you have, so it’s just something I notice as a listener (a veteran listener, but still just a listener).
From what I’ve heard in these two pieces of yours, you seem to have every tool you need in the toolbox to make both of these aspects work (both the patterns and sounds you fall in love with, and an organic total piece). Loads of great potential here, looking forward to your next single!
@Thor, It’s really nice and inspiring to know that you see potential in my work. I’m grateful to you for that!
I have enough material in my “archive” to release in the near future.
Some of the music is still in demo form, while some is already finished (though I’m still on the fence about whether to release it or not).
By the end of the month, I plan to polish up an old demo. It’ll be something more energetic, upbeat, and, of course, in the style of the ’80s!
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