Travis Conrad

(noun)

1. Vigour, talent, or vivacity.

^

I really love that word. Originally Italian, it has that something that just gets me. I have this obsession with naming my compositions, I can’t fathom naming everything Prelude in C minor, Symphony in F, et cetera. For me, the perfect title conveys the emotion, visual, or thought that I dwelled upon while writing the piece. It has to be clever, with a sense of literary panache. Slightly poetic, slightly cryptic, slightly intriguing. I’ve stopped working on a piece because the title no longer matched what I was writing, and I couldn’t continue working on it until I devised a new name. I’ve never discussed this with anyone before, and now that I’ve typed it all out I can’t help but feel a little dysfunctional. Whatever, if that’s the least of my problems, I’m not worried.

One of my favourite examples of brilliant wordplay is Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little, from Company. If you don’t give the lyrics another thought, you’ll think it’s about a guy who wants to be married, but is majorly conflicted. Great little tune. If you DO think about the lyrics though, it’ll quickly dawn on you that he’s literally asking for a little bit of marriage… not all of it, just a small fraction, hence the title. Really clever stuff. Friggin love Sondheim. Friggin love Sondheim SO MUCH.

MOVING ON.

Song to share, entitled Guildhands & Brio. Consider that name. Or don’t. I’m a composer, not a cop, and you have free will.

If you do mull over those words, you might find logic to the title after listening to the piece. You might put together an understanding or develop a visual based on the instruments. You might think about the music not as something that just happens, but as something that has passion and process and creativity and the love of art put into it.

If you DON’T give the title a second thought, it’s still there… lurking in your subconsciousness. In the back of your brain, you might not realize it, but it will still impact how your ears perceive the music.

So… this is Guildhands & Brio.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

-Travis Conrad

I’m self diagnosing myself with the first stages of what I’ve dubbed “composer brain”. It’s like tennis elbow for us musical theory types.

Between teaching myself counterpoint,
trying to write a fugue,
composing an 8 minute minimalist wonderpiece,
learning to sing Fauré’s Nell for my university audition
and setting outrageously short deadlines for a short film I’m scoring,
THE NEURONS DON’T WANT TO KEEP FIRIN’, CAPTAIN.

Symptoms include acute laughing fits triggered in inappropriate situations, hearing a barking dog and thinking “these are basically staccato cello notes”, waking up at 3AM and notating your brilliant harp melody, trying to write a pop song in Phrygian mode, constantly making cups of tea and forgetting about them, eternal piles of laundry, and a little voice in the back of your head telling you to quit music and open up a speakeasy espresso bar.

SO IN ORDER TO COMBAT COMPOSER BRAIN, I’m going to take little creative jogs in other directions. Non-musical-theory-directions. Like a fifteen minute writing sprint, or a doodle break. Maybe paint a D&D mini that I bought 16 months ago. Otherwise Travis might go crazy crazier. Which brings us to Musicalts.

---

Musicalt: Space Rent

Take a musical; Change the setting. Musicalt. Simple concept eh? SUPER AMUSING TO DO. The idea just materialized in my head while I was hiking through the woods. “What if you took RENT and staged it all super formal. You know, gowns, suits, swag. And set it in the year 3000.” Boom. Space Rent and the musicalt thought experiment was born.

• Mark is a decommissioned surveillance android.

• Roger practices the ancient taboo art of guitar and has Space AIDS.

• Mimi is a high end space call-girl/dancer.
  Addicted to Space Crack. Has Space AIDS.

• Maureen is a rebel anarchist, originally from a mining
  colony on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.

• Joanne is a hideous gelatinous lifeform (unchanged).
  Works for the Solar Bureaucratic Initiative.

• A.N.G.E.L. is an android designed for grief counselling.
  Also has Space AIDS somehow.

• Colins remains unchanged except for Space AIDS.
  (Regular AIDS was cured long ago)

• Benny is 7′8 cyborg from Omicron Grey.

If nobody has staged this by 2020, I’m puttin’ my producing cap on, I swear to Sondheim (god).

Please send all fanfic drawings and videos to @travisconrad on Twitter.

Oh, and instead of instruments, all accompaniment will be provided by a 40 person choir (10 sopranos, 10 altos, 6 tenors, 7 baritones, 7 basses). obviously.

-Travis Conrad

MANTRA 2012

Be better;
Compose like your life depends on it
(because it does)

It’s pretty straight forward, but I’m gonna explain it anyway because hey, guess what, this is my blog, and I do what I want.

---

Be better

The first part applies to every aspect of my life. Be better at time management. Be better at my job. Be better at composing, singing, finishing the thousands of projects I start. Be a better friend. To me, “be better” is that haunting reminder that looms in the corner of my mind at all times, because I know I’m not meeting my potential, and that kills me. And I, always loving the ambiguity of language, chose “be better” because it can also mean “be better than everyone else” aka “be the best”. Let me be clear; I don’t mean that in a cocky way. I lack self confidence just as much as anyone else. But its striving to be the best that’s the goal. If I don’t aim for the top, I’ll never achieve anything past mediocre. Having high aspirations keeps you humble if you know you’re not there yet.

---

Compose like your life depends on it

Why am I not composing seriously? Why did 2011 wrap up, and I still haven’t finished a string quartet, or a multi-movement piano piece, or a legitimate orchestra piece? Again, I’m not living up to my potential. I’m letting myself down, and it’s the worst feeling in the world. I want to have my first orchestral piece fully composed by my birthday in May. I have too many dreams, too many goals, and they’re not getting accomplished. I’m 23, and yes, that’s still young, but there’s no reason for me to be making excuses for not achieving my dreams. There’s no reason for anyone to be making excuses for not achieving their dreams.

---

(because it does)

If I go through this life without accomplishing anything, never breaking the surface… what a waste. That’s perfectly fine for some people, there’s nothing wrong with the happy mundane. But I know I can push myself to reach new heights, and if I don’t…. like I said… what a waste.

-Travis Conrad

Hey blog / blog readers / spam bots,

If you’re wondering why nothing was posted for the week previous, it’s because I’m waiting ’til I have a recording with vocals. Last week’s song is amazing; it’s this beautiful, haunting, Christina Perri-esque, somuchinlove song for piano, acoustic guitar and bass. My heart was aching by the time it was finished, just beautiful.

But enough about that, let’s get to THIS WEEK’S SONG.

---

The Legend of Ababpeg
This is another song for full orchestra, and I tried to be as accurate as possible with the limitations of each instrument (especially the harp, timpani and strings). Lots of strings and lots of brass. I use to avoid the brass family, but they’re becoming my new bffs The idea here was another video game/film score style song. Personally, I was picturing something Zelda-esque. If you ever watch video game trailers you’ll know what I’m talking about.

It turned out a little less fluid than I was hoping for, but I’m very pleased with the orchestration side of it. These weekly compositions are meant to be more of an exercise than a test anyway. Fun fact: I wrote this while hopped up on so much cold & sinus medication. Just ridiculous. I spent about 9 hours on it yesterday, and by the end of it I was just a music writing zombie; Not thinking, just doing. Now I’m not sure if that was due to the meds or because I’m finally starting to grasp music theory, but either way it was kinda neat.

So yeah, The Legend of Ababpeg. Picture a young, brave heroine, heading out into a world of danger and adventure. Dark forests and unexplored caves. Majestic cities and travelling bazaars. And finally, the epic boss fight, good triumphing over evil, and the land rejoices.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

-Travis Conrad

In my theory lessons I’ve been learning about V of V chords, dominant sevenths built on other notes than the fifth, and temporary modulation; Naturally I had to see what I could do with these new tools. When I learn a new composition technique or theory, it becomes my new best friend. I want to put that shit on everything. Is it healthy? Probably not. But that’s how I learn and experiment and grow.

This week I set out to compose a winter themed choral piece. I knew I wanted it to evoke dark emotions, art song imagery and have a minor folk song sound. I’m going to offer it up to some of the choirs around London and see if anyone would be interested in performing it. It’s a short piece, only four verses, but leans on the more difficult side when it comes to singing (I got a little carried away with my chord choices). Below I will post the lyrics and offer up a verse played through on piano.

Winter’s Fires

The green turns to red and a summer has faded.
Red turns to gold and all across the wold
the gold turns to white.
An autumn expires.
A new winter’s fires ignite.

The winds fan the flames and the biting cold claims
pastures of mirth, freezing all they were worth.
The sun can’t deprive
all that it requires,
for still winter’s fires will thrive.

White blazes of snow from the frostborn inferno.
Day over day ’til the wisdoms betray.
No force can assuage.
No heralding choirs.
Undue winter’s fires enrage.

Struck numb by the embers, one barely remembers
seasons of green, when at last the obscene
anguish takes a hold;
One’s lost all desires.
And then winter’s fires grow cold.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

-Travis Conrad

O haiiiii blog. I didn’t forget about you, I’ve just been a terrible human being. You’ll get over it. Here’s what’s new!

THE GOAL TRACKER 2000

This deliciously organized goal-tracking implement helps keep me focused on what I need to be doing every week.
Left to right, it has

• 7 hours of studying/practicing vocals & theory;
• 3 x 30 minute study sessions of Italian, general reading, and piano;
• 6 sad excuses for work-out routines;
• 10 hours of composition, culminating in 1 portfolio worthy composition, every week, by Saturday morning, no excuses whatsoever.

My first week with it was very productive. I find my brain works best when I can visualize goals and concepts, so by Friday night this thing was mostly filled up. Such a difference, I highly recommend it, and it can be yours for $29.95 + S&H. Cash orders only, just stuff it in an envelope, or load the money directly on to my Starbucks rewards card.

---

Sweet Growls in E flat – The first piece I want to share is a piano number I wrote a couple months ago. I was trying to get more acquainted with seventh chords and tried to create an airy, jazzy sound. I’m often indirectly inspired by my friends, and one day this just flowed from my fingertips. Dedicated to one M. Growley.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Agent Moore – This is the first song of my newly established “one portfolio worthy composition per week” project (every week by Saturday morning). Any genre, any purpose, no excuses; the point is to practice my compositional muscles.

Agent Moore is part of a series of video game style songs I plan on writing. Scoring a game is one of my goals someday, along with scoring films and TV shows, writing a couple musicals, and maybe an opera or two. For this piece, picture Spy Thriller meets Action Chase. Secret Agent Moore is stealthing into an Argentinian missile silo, shots are fired, girls are rescued, things look bleak, and then the triumphant escape from the facility as the whole thing self-destructs.
For more-or-less full orchestra.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Thoughts and comments always appreciated.

-Travis Conrad

A friend asked me if I could write something 8-bit styled, just for shits. And so I did. And here it is.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

I’m looking to take on a project or two this summer, just to keep me on my toes while I work on a bunch of personal ones.

Hoping to find projects such as:

• film scores (short or long)
• video game music
• band/orchestra/quartet pieces
• vocal numbers in any genre
• most likely anything else you can think of

You can contact me via Twitter (@travisconrad) or email (travisconradr@gmail.com)

-Travis Conrad

Woo to the freakin hoo!

Running errands with ma yesterday, she had a dental appointment. She drops me off at Starbucks, says she’ll be back in an hour and that I had better have some serious writing done by then.

Caffè Americano in hand, pen to the paper, and in the blink of an eye she calls me saying she’s in the parking lot. I’m not sure where that hour went, but when I looked back at my page, the opening scene was fleshed out and three quarters written.

It might be because I’ve been developing these characters in my head for seven months. It might be because I never leave this freakin grocery store. It might be because I was just in the right place at the right time in the right mood. But whatever caused it, the ball is rolling. Finally.

-Travis Conrad

Who has two thumbs and started working on the music for the retail musical?

THIS guy.

…You can’t see it, but I’m pointing to myself with my thumbs.

Still toying with different instrument arrangements but what I have so far I like. Dual parts share a bullet with a slash. Right now we’re lookin at:

• Piano / Electric Piano (or synthesizer, whatever produces the best video game sound. more on this later)
• Acoustic Guitar / Electric Guitar
• Drum Kit / Percussion
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Electric Bass OR Double Bass. Undecided still

I think the split instruments will allow the show to have a wider sound variety while still keeping the pit (and therefor the production budget) small. Am I a fan of shows with reduced orchestras? No. Do I think the bottom line should be the main priority of show? Hardly. Does it make more sense to write a show with a small pit that can be expanded upon later? To me, Yes.

Traditionally, composers write for piano and then it gets arranged once it’s picked up by a theatre. I find I produce better work when I write for a group of instruments rather than just one. I get a stronger feel for the music, I work more emotion into it, I can (paradox warning) picture the sound better.

I’m still debating on whether or not I need strings. I love strings, probably a little more than I should, and to do strings justice you need quite a few of them. And once I start writing for violins, I need violas. And that cellos work their way in shortly after that. Then the basses appear as if by magic, and of course I need two of them so I can get some hardcore pizzicato action going on. Yadda yadda yadda you see the issue. So for now, no strings. I will do strings some other day, with a musical that needs them. Like my gothic steampunk/fantasy operetta.

A post with some music will follow soon. Have patience. God knows I do.

-Travis Conrad

I will finish this musical. I will step closer to my goals with each passing day. I will record a complete set of demos. I will pitch the musical to various theatre companies across Ontario. I will not waste another day sitting dormant when I know I can achieve great things.

I will score a film. I will publish a D&D campaign. I will compose for an orchestra. I will paint what needs to be painted. I will write a series of hilarious fantasy novels loosely based on the high-jinks of my friends and I.

I will aspire to greatness in all that I do. Every thought, action and word will be done with intention.

Life is a beautiful gift. I will not squander it away. I will live to be fulfilled.

I am an artist who has lacked drive and motivation. I am a composer who has let too many songs go unfinished. I am a dreamer who has failed to make the dream a reality. I am a product of my generation; a procrastinator, easily distracted, lazy and not goal-oriented. I am entirely to blame for my lack of success.

I am better than this.