Sapphire: A Collection
I have always had an eclectic appreciation for music. I earned my undergraduate degree in Music Education and a master's degree in Electronic Composition. My diverse appreciation for all types of music has remained constant. I strive to understand music as a way to stay curious about the world around me, to constantly rediscover myself, and to learn more about who I am in this moment.
WARNING - NERDING OUT! When I was in grade school, I collected rocks, minerals, and gems (I could do a whole blog post on just this). It was a fun activity I could do with my grandmother, who spent so much time nurturing my curiosity about the world at a young age. I often think about those collections when approaching a creative project.
I view Sapphire as a collection—musical experiments and sonic gems that I have gathered together. Each track has its own distinct personality, but they all share a common spirit of exploration. Much like the collections I had in childhood, this project is not yet complete. I already plan to release more music in this style in the future, between my other projects, whenever time and resources allow. Each album will be named after a different gem or mineral. This approach adds a fun element and helps to maintain a sense of curiosity.
Here's a deeper dive into the tracks, what inspired them, and how they took shape.
Album art by Megan Grindle
YEAH
This one feels like an ode to the classic arcade music that defined so much of my childhood. The sound palette is inspired by the kind of sounds you'd hear from a retro console but tweaked further with timbral nuance and intentional synth design. The beat is simple and repetitive, but that's the point—it lets the listener settle into the groove while the other elements subtly shift and evolve. This track is about playing with contrast: combining something familiar, even nostalgic, with techniques that keep you slightly off-balance. It's where studied composition, technology, and popular music inspiration meet and (hopefully) simultaneously make you feel at home and surprised.
Meditative Delay
This track started as a technical experiment. I was playing with delay and spectral manipulation, building a rich, evolving texture over a harmonically simple backing track. That part came together quickly, and then it felt incomplete. Is there anything else this needs? Enter the flute solo—one of the most last-minute additions to the project. I texted Cassandra Eisenreich less than a month before recording, saying, "I have this crazy part for you." I am grateful she agreed to record and made it sound easy, as always. The solo ties the whole track together, exploring the concept of time: how rhythm and phrasing can bend and stretch in subtle and profound ways. This is a piece I'm particularly proud of this piece. Cassandra is always a joy to work with.
Sapphire
The title track is all about genre fusion and the idea that genre itself is often in the ear of the listener. This piece shifts between sections that remind you of progressive metal, funk, or even potentially something else, depending on what you bring to it. The collaborative moments stand out in this one: a short interlude by my brother Dave and a killer guitar solo by Jake Zang. Jake and I connected while he was a student at Duquesne, and his growth has blown me away as a performer and producer. This track is a sonic journey, where you might find yourself drawing connections to other music you've heard—or just letting it wash over you.
Bounce Back
Bounce Back was written specifically with Jason Kush in mind. Jason is one of those rare saxophonists who can play authentically in any style, and I wanted to create something that let him shine. The track itself is short and to the point—a playful, energetic piece that still demands high virtuosity. My brother Dave added some bass that anchored the groove. I wanted this one to feel like a conversation between the saxophone and the backing track, with opportunities for improvisation layered into the structure. For those interested, this will be available to purchase in multiple transpositions, complete with audio files and live session programming instructions. It's all about making this piece as fun to play as it is to listen to.
From the Rift
This track started as a visual idea: imagine a vast digital canyon with a holographic guitarist singing in the distance. That mental image drove the initial sound design, with processed synths and distorted timbres giving the piece a surreal, otherworldly vibe. In the middle of the piece, I wanted something that felt raw and human, so I grabbed my trombone (a logical choice for this type of music - LOL), ran it through a mess of distortion and overdrive, and recorded a solo. The result is this blend of synthetic and organic textures, where everything feels slightly off-kilter but still cohesive. The whole thing is built around a very simple musical idea, again expanded and explored through timbre.
Going to the Sun
It's the most ambient track on the EP. Sound design and sense of space are a part of my compositional process; this track is probably one that feels the most like a soundscape. It started with a piano sequence, played at a glacially slow tempo that stretches time almost beyond recognition. From there, I layered wavetable synths, string pads, and improvisatory vocals, each recorded separately and then crafted together. The goal was to create something organic, like it's growing and shifting naturally. This track feels like a journey—no clear destination, just an unfolding landscape you can live in.
For The One
Bethany challenged me to write something danceable; this track was my answer. While I do not believe I succeeded, it has a steady beat and a simple chord progression; I couldn't resist adding subtle layers of complexity and surprises along the way. Voice leading, harmonic suspensions, and follow-actions turned sound design to add to the beat, all working together to create something that feels dynamic and alive. It's straightforward but has enough depth to keep you guessing. For me, this track feels like an experiment between structure and playfulness—something you can move to but also get lost in.
Looking Ahead
Sapphire is a collection of experiments, a group of little sonic gems presented for you to experience. It reflects where I am right now: always engaged in learning. I see this as the beginning of a larger project, a musical collection I'll keep building over time (given the budget and time). Each release will be another gem, another branch in this creative journey.
For now, I hope you enjoy Sapphire. Dive in, explore, and tell me what stands out. Thanks for listening!
