Artist Bio
Influences: 阴阳
Short version :
I'm a soundscapist and a fantasy writer. Music is my main world-building tool.
Long version :
I'm writing a fantasy novel taking place in a paracosm. It took me nearly six years to complete the first book, and I'm now starting to lay the ground for the second book.
The world is fairly fleshed out now : I've established cultural, historical and geographical fundamentals, the bases for the main language, and a solid background for the many characters who play an essential role in the story.
From the start, I've used songwriting as a world-building tool.
How does that work? I let music take over and possess me. In the process, I see landscapes, I hear my heroes' thoughts ; I become aware of sub-plots, sometimes of new characters. It feels like exploring and observing more than like creating, which I enjoy very much.
About the vocals in my stuff :
This is real voice (my voice, layered to get a choir effect). I'm pointing this out because people often ask what library I use.
Songs (20)
| #1 | Fielding |
27 Feb 2020 |
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| #2 | Dohanda |
18 Feb 2020 |
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| #3 | Burdens |
23 Feb 2020 |
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| #4 | Engines Getting Slow @alphanerg |
19 Feb 2020 |
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| #5 | Growing Up |
12 Feb 8 |
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| #6 | Failing @#*$&%! (Failing Ship)  @alphanerg
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18 Feb 10 |
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| #7 | Celestial Love @phoenixash |
22 Feb 11 |
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| #8 | Hondshandeen |
13 Feb 13 |
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| #9 | The Tempest @sirius |
15 Feb 13 |
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| #10 | Indomitable |
13 Feb 16 |
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| #11 | Winged Paws @sirius |
10 Feb 19 |
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| #12 | Vortex @alphanerg |
9 Feb 19 |
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| #13 | When The Water Runs Out @brandondale72 |
12 Feb 20 |
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| #14 | Through A Hole In The Clouds @kenficara |
13 Feb 21 |
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| #15 | Darkness Spreads |
13 Feb 23 |
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| #16 | The Lynx @sirius |
11 Feb 24 |
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| #17 | Doorway To Wholeness @zecoop |
20 Feb 26 |
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| #18 | Sunspots @alphanerg |
9 Feb 27 |
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| #19 | 3001 : A Feline Space Odyssey @sirius |
16 Feb 28 |
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| #20 | The Living Drum @phoenixash |
7 Feb 28 |
Soundboard
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@howthenightcame Mar 9
(sorry, my message got split and is now in reverse order!!)
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@howthenightcame Mar 9
It's looking like my next project will be Milton's Paradise Lost. I'm currently torn between writing one song for each of the twelve books, writing one song for my favourite quotes, or just writing music charting Satan's progress. I'm gravitating towards the latter, because it feels like a natural extension of my Beowulf work. (i.e. letting the outsider speak - gods and heroes already have more than enough platforms!!)
Thank you again for being such a careful and intelligent listener -with a few choice words you really did cut to the heart of what I was trying to do.
Good luck with your world building project. Hopefully our paths will cross again next year!!
Best wishes, as always, htnc -
@howthenightcame Mar 9
Dear caterwauler, thank you for such a lovely post-FAWM comment!!
I base almost all of my music on literature, so in one sense the structure is already there. I spent December and January reading the Beowulf poem and the Grendel novel, and also listened to a half dozen podcasts and lectures.
I'd already decided to do alternating ambient / noise sections, and to have a specific length for each track. Things like that really keep me focused.
Other than that, the actual music itself was worked up during February. The noise sections started as improvised guitar blasts which I then recorded on the 4th or 5th take. Then began the laborious task of working up the drums. Also, I buried the drone tape in December, and was pretty sure I'd dig it up for FAWM.
It's looking like my next project will be Milton's Paradise Lost. I'm currently torn between writing one song for each of the twelve books, writing one song for my favourite quotes, or just writing music charting Satan's progress. I'm gr -
@heliosonorous Mar 1
Thank you for all the listens and detailed comments! I appreciate your amazing sound worlds and the creative way you weave your story into the sound. I ran out of time for any collabs, but would be interested in doing so next time!
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@brandondale72 Feb 29
Congrats on a wonderful performance this FAWM! Would love to collab in the off-season if you're up for it and can find the time. 😀
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@iwilleatyou Feb 24
Just watched Grotte Des Sarrasins. Sirius is adorable. Hats off to both of you for accommodating Sirius's curiosity 😀
The soundtrack fits it nicely of course. Thank you for sharing this! -
@candle Feb 24
Félicitations pour la victoire!
On Ce Vera Dans Les Ombres… -
@brandondale72 Feb 22
So many kind comments on my music ahhhh! Thank you for taking time to listen to some of my latest offerings.
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@candle Feb 22
Merci pour vos commentaires! And congrats on the FAWM Win with still a week to go! I gotta get back to Slack & catch-up with you & the others.
On Ce Vera Dans Les Ombres… -
@teapot Feb 22
Thanks for your comment!!! So lovely!!!
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@zecoop Feb 21
So the mystery Tascam you saw is my 488mkII 8-track cassette player. That is also what I used for the 'Truth' song, after Steven recorded a bunch of stuff on his 4-track. I've done a TON of songs on the 8-track now, many of which you have heard (THANK YOU) and it runs at 2x speed with Dolby NR so it sounds great. 😀
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@zecoop Feb 21
No you certainly have not turned me down... I'm been terrified to ask, to be honest. I'm wayyyyyy behind in my listening and commenting for the obvious reasons listed on my profile. It's been a tougher FAWM than normal, but ultimately very rewarding and healing. I seem to be in a groove right now. 😀
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@nictesla Feb 21
Wow, lots of great work this year, Joanna. I have much catching up to do on your music. I hope to listen more this weekend. I should not have tried to load up 3 different fawm accounts with songs this year... its daunting and slowing me down.
Thank goodness I have your great music to inspire me! -
@nictesla Feb 21
Wow, lots of great work this year, Joanna. I have much catching up to do on your music. I hope to listen more this weekend. I should not have tried to load up 3 different fawm accounts with songs this year... its daunting and slowing me down.
Thank goodness I have your great music to inspire me! -
@anonymouse Feb 21
Same reasons as usual. But I have been spending time painting 😀. I plan to set aside some time in a few days and try get a song.
On the plus side, I just watched Dark Crystal (finally!) -
@heliosonorous Feb 21
Thank you for all the comments and listens thus far! I enjoy your sonic creations and the images and themes they evoke.
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@iwilleatyou Feb 20
That's Sirius?? Didn't sound like a cat to me. Ok cool thanks!
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@emplate Feb 18
Thank you for your comment on "Käärme", I'm glad you enjoyed it! : )
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@judypie Feb 18
Hahahahaha, that’s the best pic ever 😍 He’s just a long piece of fluff!! 😂
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@judypie Feb 18
They’re just so darn FLUFFY AND BEAUTIFUL, they can play us for fools!
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@judypie Feb 18
She says HIIIIII Sirius! 😁 She totally thinks she’s a rockstar now and has started demanding prawns with ever meal. Such a diva-puss!
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@candle Feb 17
You're really on a roll this year! Great job so far. I can't wait to hear more. Et merci pour vos commentaires. As you know, I always look forward to your thoughts & reactions to my music. Merci beaucoup.
On Ce Vera Dans Les Ombres… -
@geronimodeleon Feb 15
You're welcome! I'm always moved by the beauty of your work, Jo.
I look forward to listening to more of your work on my days off.
I do plan to participate this year. I already have one track that I may post, and have numerous ideas for additional work. I have two small windows to get it done. I'll see what I'm capable of doing within them. -
@howthenightcame Feb 14
Hello, just wanted to check in to say thanks for listening and commenting so much these last two weeks!!
I've been really enjoying your sonic world building, so thank you for sharing your music, too
Also, I cannot believe you used the word "insolent" to describe my guitar playing!! It made me very very very happy. With Beowulf, I'm taking great pleasure in creating music that has zero commercial appeal. A lot of the angularity in my playing is a rejection of certain kinds of 'designed by committee' pop music that seems to be controlling people now. You basically made my whole FAWM worthwhile with your comment!! -
@calumcarlyle Feb 14
I'm sorry to hear that.
Amazing that Sirius is carrying on the tradition though.
The cats in our house are the silent type, usually. -
@howthenightcame Feb 13
Just wanted to say a quick "thank you" for spending time listening to and commenting on my songs. You help to make FAWM a welcoming and supportive space!!
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@anonymouse Feb 12
所以，我现在在北京：）
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@anonymouse Feb 12
hey
I arrived back in Beijing today and was immediately impounded in a hotel...
well, not quite immediately. It took a while for the paper work to get done (still ongoing).
I'll be here for 2 weeks - no leaving the room allowed. The good news is I grabbed my Ukulele 😀 -
@rshakesp Feb 11
Thanks for visiting and your kind comments 👍
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@judypie Feb 11
Hi from Ichabod!
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@brandondale72 Feb 11
Thanks for listening to a couple of my new ones. I was doing some volume knob tremolo effects on "Frozen Lake". Glad you enjoyed a couple of my latest instrumental pieces.
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@judypie Feb 11
Omg I just saw your cat exploring a cave vid, amazing! Can’t believe you got her to leave! If I took my cat there we’d be in there for days while she sniffed every single crevice and leaf 😂
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@chriddof Feb 10
Thanks for all the recent comments 😀
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@iwilleatyou Feb 9
Ah yes! Throat singing. Whenever I meet someone for the first time, I introduce myself with throat singing. It makes them run away which is a good thing. Fekking humans. As for the lyrics, I write when I'm drink....I mean drunk when I right...or left. Or something.
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@judypie Feb 9
Ummmm.. the lyrics pertain to.... it’s like an allegory of.. no, a metaphor, a metaphor for.. the afterlife? I *think* that’s what Pete said it was about!
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@iwilleatyou Feb 9
No I have never seen a cat explore a cave but that sounds very cool. I'll do all my video watching later for sure (have a few to watch). On to reciprocating.
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@iwilleatyou Feb 8
That pic of Sirius is too fucking cute. It's a yawn right? Talk about a Kodak moment. Thanks! Keep 'em coming!
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@chriddof Feb 7
Hello there - hope you're okay. I haven't spoken to you for a long time! Was it you who had that problem with your ears (loud sounds causing actual physical pain)? If so, and you still suffer from that, be VERY careful listening to my stuff this year as it's all extremely harsh so far. (Sorry!)
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@rayboneor Feb 6
Thanks for listening, as always. I must warn you that you took in more than the recommended daily dose of Fresh Spotless Youth
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@candle Feb 6
Merci pour toutes vos commentaires descriptif. I'm going to make time today to catch up on your newest soundscapes.
On Ce Vera Dans Les Ombres… -
@brandondale72 Feb 5
Well, thank you thank you for all your gracious feedback and taking the time to listen to what I'm putting out there. I know you're rocking out on your own fantasy trip, but if you need a break and want to collab I'd be totally down. Maybe if you have something you want guitar on or anything else... I'm open to ideas.
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@iwilleatyou Feb 5
Hey! Getting ready to leave here. I'll be back to listen to your new tunes but just checking in to say Hi and Bye and I don't give a fuck if Sirius doesn't give a fuck.
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@judypie Feb 5
Thank you, it IS a stupid title isn’t it?! Also, when you say ‘you’re hilarious’ I just want to check you mean me and not @iwilleatyou 😛 Thank you for listening, I am looking forward to reciprocating!
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@fuzzy Feb 2020
Hey, thanx for your comment on "Salvation". You got exactly what I was going for.
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@brandondale72 Feb 2020
Reading mostly non-fiction I haven't noticed any musical sequences to conjoin the books I've been reading. haha. So out of interest, I did some investigating...
https://www.theatlantic.com/entertain...
Apparently, you've locked into the future of reading! -
@brandondale72 Feb 2020
ahh thanks so much for leaving such wonderfully kind comments on "A Song for Sam". That was a tough one to make, appreciate you saying it was a good farewell.
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@anonymouse Feb 2020
Ha! Amazing Chinese! 春节快乐你！
I have the potential for some songs (when I return to my ukulele in 北京) but at the moment I'm confined to my hotel roo... I mean... I'm traveling 😁
谢谢你：） -
@engebretsen Feb 2020
Thx for comments on Guilty pleasure. Much appreciated. I agree in what you say! A lot!
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@karlsburg25 Feb 2020
Well massive fawm creativity happiness to you. I feel i am behind already but can't wait to hear what creative magic you produce this year
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@headfirstonly Feb 2020
FIFTY layers!!!??!!!!
(Thinks: I wonder what fifty guitar tracks would sound like? 😁 ) -
@pinky Feb 2020
Can't wait to inhabit the worlds you create! Happy FAWMing!
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@mikedebenham Feb 2020
Thanks, J. I really hope so too.
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@roy Feb 2020
Looking forward to your beautiful creations this year!
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@mikedebenham Jan 2020
Yes, scary indeed. We've been pretty safe from the fires here, but all those animals and forests gone - it's just tragic.
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@iwilleatyou Jan 2020
Oooh Chinese! Mandarin or Cantonese? Challenging language! For the cedilla and accent grave etc my Mac has the option to switch the keyboard to accommodate but on these library PCs.... I have no idea how that works.
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@apertome Jan 2020
Welcome back! Have some kind of concept for this year?
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@mikedebenham Jan 2020
Welcome back, Joanne. Hope you have a wonderful FAWM.
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@iwilleatyou Jan 2020
What's with the Asian fonts??? I have difficulties enough with the accent grave and the cedilla!
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@rayboneor Jan 2020
I trust that you'll be bringing your particular brand of body-enveloping soundscapes again this year 😀
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@iwilleatyou Jan 2020
Oof! C'est beaucoup de "f--ks"! Dis à sirius...SHADDAP!
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@candle Jan 2020
Yes, I got the invite. Logged on a couple of times but didn't post much. Will be hanging out in Slack more probably next week (I'm off Winter Camping with the Scouts this weekend so I won't be around).
On Ce Vera Dans Les Ombres… -
@nancyrost Jan 2020
Looking forward to hearing what you make this February.
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@iwilleatyou Jan 2020
I don't give a f--k that Sirius doesn't give a f--k. 😀
So glad you are FAWMing this year-
J'attends aussi avec impatience votre musique apaisante et curative! Did I say that right? Sigh, i still suck with my French.
-Mr. Reznor. -
@sapient Jan 2020
You ready for this? I know I am! 😃
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@heliosonorous Jan 2020
I found all of your music to be quite incredible last year and I am excited to hear what sound worlds you create!
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@zecoop Jan 2020
As always I am looking forward to more gorgeous sonic joy from you. You are inspiring - Happy FAWM!!
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@candle Jan 2020
You know, it gets to be January & I suddenly realize I've lost touch again. But I will be on Slack again this year. I sort of miss that crazy bot's antics & all the great convos our little group had. But I most look forward to the music. C'est pourquoi je revien chaque anné. Joyeux FAWM Joanne!
On Ce Vera Dans Le Ombres… -
@adforperu Jan 2020
Heeey, give us some sounds!