The Genesis of the ‘Stalker’ Album
The concept of ‘Stalker’ germinated years ago, sparked by an article that left an indelible mark on me. This inspiration quickly materialized into the song “Close to You” (Track #1), initially titled “When I Am Close to You.”
Fast forward to 2020, I penned two additional songs that resonated with the album’s narrative: “Stop” (Track #3) and “Do You Hear” (Track #4). To these, I added “Feel Right” (Track #2), a piece from yesteryears, now seamlessly integrated into the ‘Stalker’ storyline.
Narrative Arc
The album narrates the encounter of two individuals drawn to each other in a nightlife setting (Track #1), oblivious to the stalker’s gaze. As the story unfolds, Track #2 captures the moment the pursued invites their new interest home. Track #3 delves into the stalker’s psyche, echoing their sinister intentions and seething rage. The climax in Track #4 showcases the protagonist’s resilience, safeguarding their beloved against the looming peril—the stalker personified as a tempest.
Collaborative Journey
In crafting ‘Stalker,’ I turned to Fiverr.com, where I was fortunate to collaborate with exceptional musicians. Prioritizing native English-speaking vocalists for authenticity, Joey Law lent his voice to Tracks #1 and #2, while another talented singer from Fiverr.com graced Track #3, and Odili Bambam delivered a stunning performance on Track #4. Adopting a minimalist stance, especially on Track #4, I allowed Odili’s vocals to take center stage, maintaining a lean mix across all compositions.
Giovanni Maucieri (drums) and Rafael Freitas (bass) generously contributed their expertise. With creative liberty, they infused the tracks with their unique flair, particularly evident in the drum and bass solo of Track #3, which transitions beautifully into the third verse.
Special Acknowledgment
A nod to Martin Hollreiser, a dear friend, for his Hammond Organ accompaniment on Track #1.
Evolution of ‘Feel Right’
To the right is an early rendition of “Feel Right” from the ‘Stalker’ album. Contrasting the final cut, this draft showcases my vocals, guitar, and bass play, alongside the Steven Slate Drums virtual instrument, offering a glimpse into the album’s evolution.
The story behind Mountain
Mountain was made and recorded already in 2002, however, the story is as valid today. The story concerns our environment and how excessive consumption today necessarily is paid by future generations. The right-hand side track is an early draft of Mountain recorded by me using drum samples. You may find the final version on Spotify, iTunes or other digital music services.
Crafting Music in a Digital Realm
My musical creations come to life within the confines of a virtual studio, as I lack a dedicated physical space. I harness the power of Studio One DAW, ensuring it’s always up-to-date with the latest advancements. Efficiency is key, so I employ a select suite of plugins from trusted manufacturers, streamlining my workflow.
Recording at a resolution of 24bit/48kHz, I strive for consistency, organizing my tracks in a uniform format across compositions. While my drafts and demos are wholly my own, for final productions, I typically lay down guitar tracks—occasionally keys—and enlist professional musicians for additional instrumentation and vocals. Yet, on select projects, you’ll find me wearing multiple hats: vocalist, bassist, and drum programmer.
The Digital Guitarist’s Toolkit
My guitar tracks are captured directly (DI), bypassing traditional amps and cabinets. Instead, I rely on Positive Grid Bias FX2 and Neural DSP to emulate the nuances of guitar pre-amps, power-amps, cabinets—including Celestion IRs—microphones, and pedals. Acoustic guitars sometimes receive the 3 Sigma Audio IR treatment for added depth.
Mixing and Mastering Philosophy
When mixing, I turn to the native plugins of Studio One paired with IK Multimedia’s T-Racks 5 suite, which also serves as my exclusive toolkit for mastering. This dual-role approach ensures sonic cohesion from start to finish.
The Engine of Creation
At the core of my rackmount PC lies an AMD Ryzen 9 3900X 12-core processor, a powerhouse capable of handling a multitude of plugins and tracks without breaking a sweat. The MOTU 896mk3 serves as my primary sound interface, with the Focusrite Liquid Saffire 56 and Audient iD14 stepping in as needed. Vocal recordings are imbued with warmth through an Aphex tube preamp.
