Pillars In Time

Published on by Keith RichieLeave a comment

Community: A feeling of fellowship with others, sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.
Support: Giving assistance to, or holding up… Like a Pillar.

I have been asked many times if I was ever going to do an album that was specifically “SharePoint” themed, and I toyed around with it from time to time, but quite honestly it just wasn’t working out. Also, what would the songs be named? SPWeb.Dispose() Shmoes? Too many SPListItems?  MinRole My butt?

Regardless, there is one thing about working with SharePoint after many, many, many years that you wind up gaining. Lots of friends, and an outstanding community.

A few months ago, I started working on some music that wasn’t the normal Ambient, or Soundtrackesque type of music I normally do, but was once again trying to target a “Synthwave” styled album. I had tried this previously with my album Skylines. But of course, as I get closer to completing songs, I find they really aren’t what many would really call Synthwave, nor do I really want to try to target a specific genre in what I’m working on.

So, after tinkering with a different kind of idea for a while, I decided to put together an album with these songs that are I think are more for general consumption, but with the mindset for thanking a large portion of the SharePoint community for supporting me throughout the years not only with SharePoint but my music in big ways.

So, with that in mind… I’ve started selecting songs I’ve been working on and placing them together on an album I’m tentatively calling “Pillars In Time”.

Pillars Cover.png

This album will be dedicated to The SharePoint Community and those who have supported me in big ways.

The songs are affectionately named in honor of specific folks in the SharePoint community who have supported me in the years past. Each song title has their Twitter handle in case you would like to know more about them.

Of course, it’s not complete, and I have about 3 or 4 more songs I plan on making for some other names, and yes until complete these are all technically In “Draft” mode. You can sample them all right here on SoundCloud

Of course, if your one of my long time SharePoint friends, and your name isn’t listed, PLEASE don’t think I consider you any less than those individuals who ARE listed. These were just some of the immediate names of those who have helped me in big ways throughout the years. In fact, I could do an entire series of albums honoring names of folks who have done just that. These are just a few.

I’ll be refining these tracks (as well as a few more) over the next few months along with other material I’m working on for other albums, however I thought I’d share the concept with everyone and give an early thanks to some certain individuals.

I hope you enjoy listening to these as they evolve and mature before official release and let me know your thoughts!

 

– Keith

Gunslinger – Keith Richie

Published on by Keith RichieLeave a comment

An awesome review of my album Gunslinger!

Resounding Footsteps

Albums based on books are pretty common. At least half of the dungeon synth album I’ve listened to are based on Lovecraft, Tolkien, or someone else’s literary works. Black metal and dark ambient are the same, taking cues from literature to craft an engaging and exciting album. Each looking to find some nugget or perspective that has been done to death already. Keith Richie, an artist that doesn’t really fit into any solid category, released an album called Gunslinger in May that blends dark ambient and electronica with good old dungeon synth. As you may have guessed, it’s based on the epic Dark Tower series by Stephen King. I think it’s no coincidence that I found this album when I did, mere months before the release of the movie. Whether by algorithms or by divine intervention, I have not been able to stop listening to this album. When I’m cooking…

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For The Willow Wept… (Sunrise Edition)

Published on by Keith RichieLeave a comment

Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know I’ve released the Sunrise Edition of my album “For the Willow wept…”.

This edition of my album For The Willow Wept…, holds a special place in my heart. The original version of the album was released in 2012, however it took me 4 years to get to that point.

During those 4 years before its release, I was living on an emotional roller coaster and I found it extremely difficult to try to sit and compose new music. When I did, I would play a few notes; jot down an idea; replace a couple of voices in a song and then walk away after only about 10-15 minutes. It would then be weeks or months before I had enough courage to try it once again. There were way too many things going on in my life at the time, and I found it extremely difficult to concentrate on music. When I finally did return to it, I would fall into a deep depression. Suffice it to say, that’s probably why the album floats between highs and lows throughout.

In late 2011 and early 2012, I began to take back control of my life and myself. I reminded myself what my true passions were and found encouragement from others. I managed to assemble the songs I had worked on, and place them in a proper order for an album.

I had only 6 tracks together so I was looking at releasing an EP, but knew that I wanted to release a whole album since it had been 4 years since I released my last. I had enough feedback from fans about Sea Dragon, that I decided to write a Reprise version of it to end the album with, but that only got me to 7 tracks, and quite honestly, the reprise was just the same song twice, with a different intro and outro.

And then I found my inspiration again. I had a song I was working on, but it just was NOT making any sense, until one day things just clicked. I liked the song and the name that I gave it so much, that I decided to name the album with a similar name. The song was “For the Willow Weeps underneath the Stormy Skies”, and through someone very close to my heart, I found my inspiration once again.

I released the original version of For the Willow Wept.. around June of 2012, but knew I would eventually return to it to expand upon the idea, and extend the number of songs into a proper album.

After a few years or renewed vigor for my music, and honing my craft, I finally decided to dive back in to what I consider one of my more moving albums. I re-mastered the original tracks, removing the two versions of Sea Dragon and leaving only the “Reprise” version on this release. I also composed 3 more songs that are included to flesh it out as a full-length album.

This album for me represents overcoming your burdens, and emotional strife, and reaching for your dreams. Only you can control your own destiny, and it’s up to you to stand tall just move forward.

Life is full of highs and lows, you must remember that the lows will eventually go away. It’s important to stay strong and persevere.

You yourself may be experiencing dark times, but just remember the sun will rise.

I dedicate Sunrise Edition of For the Willow Wept… to Kayla, who has shown me what true happiness is all about. She is my sunrise, my Willow.

http://bandcamp.krichie.com/album/for-the-willow-wept-sunrise-edition

Be sure to take a listen when you can!
It will also be available on all the major digital distributors within the next few days.

 

– Keith richie