I am incredibly excited about the release of “Sketches,” a four-track compilation that stands out due to its unique creation process. The journey of “Sketches” began with an unfortunate event but ended with a surprisingly positive outcome. This project emerged from a situation that initially seemed disastrous: my laptop suddenly stopped working and refused to power up, leaving me devastated. My laptop had been my primary tool for composing music, housing several ideas and projects that I had been meticulously developing. My typical approach involved creating music in the comfort of my home, usually in the evening, hunched over my laptop, carefully crafting and refining each piece. I was constantly tweaking sounds as inspiration struck, aiming to achieve perfection.
However, “Sketches” was born under entirely different circumstances. With my laptop out of commission, I was forced to leave my usual creative space and adapt to a new environment. I had to use different equipment and software at the university campus, which significantly changed my workflow. This abrupt shift pushed me out of my comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory, but it also opened up new possibilities.
The resulting sound of the tracks on “Sketches” is fresh, new, and exciting. This project marks my first few ventures into using Ableton, a software I had not extensively worked with before. I found Ableton to be incredibly intuitive, making it easy to experiment and explore new ideas. This new toolset allowed me to incorporate different techniques into each track, giving “Sketches” a distinctive and innovative sound.
The process of creating “Sketches” taught me invaluable lessons about making the best out of bad situations and being resourceful. Faced with the loss of my usual equipment, I had to adapt quickly and find new ways to bring my musical ideas to life. This experience made me less precious about my projects; I became more comfortable with the idea of letting go and deleting files after recording, focusing instead on the spontaneity and rawness of the creative process.
Overall, “Sketches” is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. What began as a frustrating setback turned into an opportunity for growth and exploration. The tracks on this compilation are a reflection of the unexpected journey I undertook, characterised by a willingness to embrace change and experiment with new techniques. Each piece in “Sketches” carries a sense of freshness and innovation, born from the necessity to create under different circumstances.
In essence, “Sketches” represents a turning point in my creative process. It embodies the idea that sometimes, being pushed out of our comfort zones can lead to remarkable outcomes. The challenges I faced while creating this compilation ultimately led to a more dynamic and versatile approach to production. As a result, “Sketches” is not just a collection of tracks but a narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the exciting possibilities that arise from embracing the unknown. I am eager for listeners to experience the unique sound and story behind “Sketches,” a project that has redefined my approach to making music and has resulted in something extra special.