More work on The Modern Game today, a few pages of graphics, including the CD surface and rear. I've decided to make many of the graphics 600dpi for the first time, in case the artwork can be used for other purposes. Here is the art for the CD surface:
I've made a few slight changes to the music, the final tracks blend more smoothly together. It's quite amazing how this album is similar to my first, Synaesthesia, in the theme of space, moving into earth, then away again, although that album moved into heaven, this moves back into space and back to the beginning in a cyclic fashion.
I'm pleased with the music, but the really difficult part is telling the world about it and getting people to listen to it; finding people who will appreciate it too, and hopefully be as inspired by it as it has inspired me. This is my 45th catalogued music release since 1999, which includes 5 singles, 6 Flatspace Music Packs, and two very limited edition CDs (The Sky Disc, of which I still have a few copies, and the first Synaesthesia album which I think only ever had two copies; one for me and one for Rev Records in Scotland).
I sigh to think that hardly anyone has heard any of my music. A few friends, Andrew Williams perhaps, and ex-music journalist John Peters from The Borderland website has heard perhaps most, and in John's case it is largely the older electronic work that isn't like my current music. My more recent music; The Anatomy of Emotions, Cycles & Shadows, Testing the Delicates, and the new Music of Poetic Objects has probably reached at least as many people, and new people, even if still under 5.
Yet, I know that the quality of my work, and my playing and performance skills, are still improving, and I know that the work of a solo artist is difficult. Roxy Music and Queen were great bands with outstanding personnel, but the Bryan Ferry and Freddie Mercury solo albums were unpopular in their day, and this is not a matter of the music quality; any group effort is naturally more popular.
This album is different than anything I've done before, truly art-rock, and a new artist was an ideal start. I must assess a few next options of how to get it out there and how to prove to the world that the music is good. My problem is that I do everything alone, from designing the software and instruments, to performing everything, to designing all of the artwork, the websites, programming the e-commerce system, filming and editing music videos, arranging performances, performing live, and all publicity; the list is endless and my skills are not universal, and the skills of socialising are my weakest. Well, we can but try; and try, push, charge, I will.
I'm completely certain that my artworks of all sorts will be priceless collectors items one day, that these are simple undiscovered rather than shunned, and perhaps it is this self-belief that stops me worrying about persuading others of this fact. I must use my creativity at its best while I have it. Too many great artists stop creating with silly disillusionments which I've never felt. I have a duty to humanity to create the best artwork I can. This is my life mission, my daily vow and prayer, and there is nothing more to it than that.
The album needs a bit more work. I will continue to list the jobs and tick off the list. I must get this easy step out of the way, then identify a harder step, and do that. Onward!
