Mazedude Starts an Epic Non-VGM Composing Adventure

[Mazedude]

Hello friends! Mazedude here. And for those of you who don’t already know, I’m at it again… making another ambitious album with plans for funding via Kickstarter. This one is even on a grander scale than American Pixels.

Here’s the thing though… it’s not VGM. It’s something completely different. Check out the video below to hear me explain the vision:

Yep, Bible music. Take a verse, and compose what it sounds like. This project has been in the brain for years… and I’m finally doing it. To read more, explore the verses chosen, and to subscribe or pre-order, check out the website:

https://www.wordsandversesproject.com/ 

Also feel free to like the project on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Words-and-Verses-a-Biblical-Music-Project-113182900391305/

And I’m not saying this everywhere, but I’ll say it here… there’s a very good chance that this will grow beyond the first album, and into a project that will ultimately require other composers. I’ve already had several fellow music-makers reach out, indicating that they’d be interested in contributing to future albums should this endeavor make it to that point… so if this idea is speaking to any of you reading this, to where you might want to help some day, let me know here: https://www.wordsandversesproject.com/composers

Otherwise, keep your eyes open as this heads to Kickstarter! (And if you want to help me fund the campaign itself, take a minute and pre-order here for additional bonuses later on: https://www.wordsandversesproject.com/pre-order)

Thanks everyone; feel free to reach out with any questions! Stay tuned!

PS - I'm nearly ready to share a few WIPs, which I'll probably just showcase in this same thread, so follow along and keep an eye out.

[audio fidelity]

Nice, bro! Best to you and your new project! Can't wait to hear what else you have in store for us.

[Mazedude]

And... it's live!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mazedude/words-and-verses-a-biblical-music-project

 

[HoboKa]

On 10/26/2020 at 12:35 PM, Mazedude said:

And... it's live!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mazedude/words-and-verses-a-biblical-music-project

 

So, I am sort of melody-bankrupt...since 2015 or so.  I might make more original VGM down the line  So I compensated by pledging.  Hope this helps you achieve your goal mang!!

[Mazedude]

Pledge received and appreciated! Thanks @HoboKa!!!

Also wanted to share that some WIPs are available for listening:

Genesis 1:2

Orchestrated (w/ live violin): 

Chiptune draft version:

John 14:2

Orchestrated (w/ live marimba, vibraphone, and piano):

Chiptune draft version:

Enjoy!

~ Mazedude

[HoboKa]

I upgraded my pledge.  I like what I've heard thus far!

[Daylectorbr]

Those are great bgm's! Congrats!

[Mazedude]

Well. The Kickstarter is over, and it didn't meet the funding goal. Not even halfway, actually. Boy, that's a strange feeling.

Still, the project goes on, just on a smaller scale than I'd envisioned. I was hoping to utilize string quartets, ancient instruments, brass ensembles, and more. Ah well. Still, going back to a motif of more electronics and less live instruments isn't a bad thing. Might help me finish the album a lot faster, actually, so there's a positive spin.

Some folks have asked if they can still pre-order the first album outside of the KS campaign, and the answer is yes. Here's the link:

https://www.wordsandversesproject.com/pre-order

My thanks again to this amazing community for the positivity and support through this whole process; stay tuned as it continues to come together! (And boy, I'm actually pretty relieved to be on the other side of the campaign so I can get back to composing!)

And for fun, here's the Kickstarter promo video for anyone who hasn't seen it yet:

 

Edited November 25, 2020 by Mazedude

[MusicLover2020]

This project sounds like a really awesome one.

[Jonathan David Arndt]

Hey, just wanted to lend a word of encouragement. I am always a bit disappointed when a Kickstarter does not meet its goal, so sorry to hear about that.

Listened to several of your tracks and they are really very well produced. Quality stuff.

Maybe you would also be encouraged by some tunes from a friend of mine:
https://benkoch.bandcamp.com/

"a cure for the song shaped hole in your heart" was created for use with the Navigator's Topical Memory System
"it's a song thing!" roughly corresponds to the Self-Confrontation course from the Biblical Counseling Foundation

These are very different from your project! The subject matter is similar, of course, but there is very little in the way of production; some are little more than the ukulele and a mic. But thought you would enjoy them anyway. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword" Hebrews 4.12!

I wish you the best with your work here. Will try to follow as this project goes on!

 

[Daylectorbr]

On 4/16/2021 at 2:09 AM, Jonathan David Arndt said:

Hey, just wanted to lend a word of encouragement. I am always a bit disappointed when a Kickstarter does not meet its goal, so sorry to hear about that.

Listened to several of your tracks and they are really very well produced. Quality stuff.

Maybe you would also be encouraged by some tunes from a friend of mine:
https://benkoch.bandcamp.com/

"a cure for the song shaped hole in your heart" was created for use with the Navigator's Topical Memory System
"it's a song thing!" roughly corresponds to the Self-Confrontation course from the Biblical Counseling Foundation

These are very different from your project! The subject matter is similar, of course, but there is very little in the way of production; some are little more than the ukulele and a mic. But thought you would enjoy them anyway. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword" Hebrews 4.12!

I wish you the best with your work here. Will try to follow as this project goes on!

 

Agree.

[Mazedude]

Chiming in here to say that I really, really appreciate the support, especially here now that we're into 2021. Thanks guys. True, my campaign in late 2020 didn't succeed, and for that we can point at many things - COVID-19, a turbulent election, a Kickstarter campaign that was more talk than product (I did chat for a while about the idea vs. showcasing finished pieces, I get that) - but still, I plan on completing this project, albeit on a smaller scale than hoped. I already have a good start on a few more pieces, and some of the tracks have already been re-orchestrated to account for the smaller scale.

I'd still encourage folks to share https://www.wordsandversesproject.com/, and to note that pre-orders will still help the final album come out better as a result, if they're so inclined as to contribute. Otherwise, the subscribe option - https://www.wordsandversesproject.com/subscribe - will add them to the list in terms of project updates, live streaming sessions, etc. I'm also considering doing a second Kickstarter when the music is mostly finished, to allow potential backers a chance to support the mostly-finished project, as opposed to the newly-started project approach. We'll see. For now, my focus is writing - not publicity, not video editing, but composing... and to that end, bear with me if I'm quiet for a while. I have much to write before I re-surface with a nearly-completed project to talk about.