Architecture (Material) by Ian Marquis
In 2002, I was 18 years old. I'd never really played an instrument before. My cousin had a big Casio keyboard (WK1630, if you're into that) and I was jealous of how cool it sounded, and that he was able to program and save songs to the internal memory - so I saved and bought one for myself. I started writing simple instrumental songs, inspired by some of my favorite JRPG soundtracks. Then, I went to college, discovered Fruity Loops, and started getting more serious about making music. I didn't have any training, and I knew zip about production - I just knew I wanted to make things that I liked.
From 2002 - 2005, I focused almost entirely on creating instrumental songs. Most of them were based around piano, bass, minimal drums, and software synths. I created more than 50 songs spread across five "albums" before inspiration and circumstances pushed me in another direction musically.
This album (Foundation) collects my favorite songs from that time period. The production is crude, the mixing is rough, and the arrangements are often simple - but there's something special about the pieces, to me.
Tracklist
| 1. | By The Fire | 2:49 |
| 2. | Glimmer | 2:44 |
| 3. | Building Within | 3:07 |
| 4. | Laughter Fades Away | 1:36 |
| 5. | Fated | 3:04 |
| 6. | Raindance | 3:12 |
| 7. | Alone | 2:56 |
| 8. | A Place Forlorn | 3:13 |
| 9. | Seeking | 2:09 |
| 10. | Forgotten Memories | 3:15 |
| 11. | My Lady at the Window | 2:57 |
| 12. | Slow Bleed | 2:46 |
| 13. | The Dance | 4:09 |
| 14. | Thirty Pieces | 3:13 |
| 15. | Valley of Eternal Slumber | 2:09 |
| 16. | The Deed | 2:45 |
| 17. | Memories | 5:26 |
| 18. | Long Ago in Calivar | 2:46 |
Credits
License
All rights reserved.
My songs are tiny ecosystems: self-sustaining, self-contained, intricate, and densely layered. I'm captivated by found sound and immaculate production. I sample my own work. I chop up my guitars and create arrangements I could never have played. I treat my voice like an instrument, pushing and pulling it in otherworldly directions. I polish each track until, sonically, it feels like it sparkles.