I am seriously excited.
I can *finally* tell you what I have been up to for the last few months and let you in on some of the stuff that I’ve had to hold inside for way too long.
Would you like to know a secret?
I am always making music. In a bunch of different ways. And on a bunch of different timescales.
There are pieces that take a long time to develop. Like, years. Pieces that I am called back to again and again. Pieces that seem to evolve on a glacial timescale known only to themselves.
Think I’m exaggerating? Some pieces that I’m working on, are literally, decades old.
On the other end of the spectrum is the music I make when I play live. Totally immediate, made in the moment, for the moment and never captured. The most beautiful picture I can paint, painted night after night, with ever-disappearing ink…
And, nestling somewhere inbetween the two, are the standalone pieces that I create and finish in the studio, as part of my daily practice.
I call these pieces: ‘Sketches‘.
‘Sketches’ are pieces that I work on one at a time, from start thru to finish. They form the bulk of what I do day-to-day. I am in the studio for roughly 6 hours a day, 6 days a week; so these pieces are much more than just music to me. They are my life. My time, my focus, my breath and my beating heart all poured onto a whirring hard drive and sculpted lovingly into little sonic testaments to the passing of time. I am not totally sure when I started making them. What I am sure of is: the music I make in this way is some of the most penetrating, some of the most present, and some of the truest music I have ever made.
I want you to be able to hear it.
So I am going to start releasing them. ;-)
#SoonSoonSoon #Sketches #StayTuned #NuMusic
– J
My name is James Radcliffe and I am a 100% audience supported independent artist. If you like what I do (and can afford it) then please consider buying some of my music. Each purchase really makes a big difference to me and 10% of every sale goes to a charity which: houses, feeds, clothes, and educates orphaned children in Nepal.
Also, every month I send out a newsletter packed with Interesting and Exclusive Things. If you sign up today you’ll also get 3 FREE tracks of my music as a welcome gift.
And lastly, if you’d like to find out what I’m up to on a more day-to-day basis then here is my brain on Twitter:
I understand your sentiment. It’s what I face every day. So much ideas, not enough time to get them all down, I know I got bunch of stuff that’s still unfinished from almost ten years ago! God knows I need to get back to them. ;)
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Do it! ;-) Or make new stuff. You know you want to!
Thanks a lot for stopping by,
– J
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Hi James. Sounds really great. I listen to music all the time especially when writing. So I look forward to hearing your Sketches. Thank you so much for liking my poem ‘ The Slayers Busy Night!’ Best Wishes. The Foureyed Poet.
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Hey there,
Thankyou very much, you can now hear the finished product on my homepage. ( https://jamesradcliffe.com/ )
You’re totally welcome for the like, keep up the good work! ;-)
See you,
– J
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6 days and counting… Thank you for the update. Wasn’t certain if you were continuing to keep your WP blog active. Will you be showcasing your work live?
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You are very welcome. WP should be VERY active this week. ;-)
Actually have live stuff coming up along with some other opportunities – will blog about them when they are solid.
I don’t actually know if I could stop playing live music…
Thanks for stopping by, hope you are well,
– J
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The threads here are an art themselves, much like a never-ending melody waiting to be finalized! ;). I honor and admire your ambiguous and secretive ways brother James. I feel its what makes your music so powerful. Speaking for me, myself, and I, as a dancer, I feel it transports me! I love the idea of releasing and feeling the flow of all that artistic breath just fire out. As a dancer, I feel my best work are in the moment, no scheduling no thinking, just doing and hopefully capturing it for my eyes later. Looking forward to connect again and hear the divine sounds James! :)
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Beautiful, Powerful Ynav the Dancer! ;-)
It is really good to hear from you, how have you been?
Are my ways really that secretive? I am not sure. Do they seem that way from the outside?
I know exactly what you mean about the moment. EXACTLY. ;-)
I am just finishing up a blog containing the brand-new cover image for my NEW PIECE OF MUSIC that I am RELEASING REALLY SOON. ;-)
How exciting is that? We should totally connect and chat it up after I do that. What do you reckon?
Big love to you, swift and fluid dancer girl.
– J x
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I have been splendid and transforming. :)
Oooooo can’t wait for the image….
I am not bothered by the mysterious, I live in there most of the time, lol.
I love that word, reckon. :) Not heard it in a while. You let me know when your precious time makes room for this fluid dancer. ;)
Elephants hug and big love to you too!
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Your message made me very happy. I will let you know as soon as I do.
Can’t wait to speak with you again, ;-)
– J x
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Reblogged this and commented:
This is like reading poetry…this expression of one feels about his music is also poetry.
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Hey there,
Thanks for sharing this, and for your kind words – I’m glad you liked it. ;-)
Hope you are well and that your day is being a friend to you,
– J
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Go for it!!!!! I play (played) piano and guitar….I made it to sket…but never sketches ;) Wishing you the utmost best <3
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Thanks a lot. It’s all sounding really good this end.
All good things to you too,
– J
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I hope I catch your post of release :)…..curious!
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That’s the idea. ;-)
Don’t worry about missing it. When it happens I’ll be singing it from the rooftops.
Have a great weekend.
– J
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