Richard Laurence

LYNN TREDEAU

Lynn Tredeau is an Idaho based composer/solo piano artist. Her music has been called melodically soul capturing with a style that is both gentle and artistically clever.

My favourite piece by Lynn - Daisies In Her Hair

How/when did you start playing the piano? Do you play any other instruments?

 Music was a huge part of my childhood. I pursued music lessons from every opportunity I could find. At age 6 I began private lessons for piano and then by age 9 I added instruction for flute and clarinet through school. There was a group guitar class at our community center and that led me to playing the electric guitar for the Jazz band at school. A neighbor gave me a saxophone that their daughter had stopped playing and I spent time teaching myself the sax. At 16 I convinced the organist at our church to teach me the pipe organ. That is an instrument I would love to get back to learning. 

What was the first piece you can remember composing? What inspired its creation?

 I think the first piece I composed was Pines Dressed in Winter. It was inspired by my time growing up in Northern Minnesota. There are few things more beautiful than a winter scene with fresh snow. The crunch of the snow under your feet, each curved branches of the pine trees decorated pure white and the sparkle of the tiny ice crystal everywhere you look.

Do you have a favourite key to play/compose in?

 I don't know that I have a preference for any particular key, but I do find myself in D Major often. My other common key that I find myself writing/playing in is D flat minor. I guess they are two keys that feel comfortable under my fingers.

 Have you played your music in front of a live audience?

 I have performed many times with a live audience. I spent a small amount of time touring and I run a concert series in Idaho. Several years ago, there was an online site called Concert Window that allowed me to stream live monthly concerts. I have played during a few award shows for Whispering Solo Piano Radio and Enlightened Piano Radio. Also had the opportunity to travel with the Audiosyncracy at Sea group where we performed on a cruise ship.

What methods do you use to help you compose? Do you improvise and stumble onto something or go in with a clear structure of what you want to do? 

Sometimes I sit to the piano with an image in my head and I want to tell that story, but mostly I noodle around until something catches my ear. Then I quickly record it so that I can come back later for more development. I have a long list of partial creations that are in various stages of development.

 What other artist has inspired your music the most?

 I would have to say Michele McLaughlin was a big influence on how I approached my early compositions. Other artists that inspire me are David Nevue, Joe Bongiorno and Ludovico Einaudi. Their styles have all inspired me and I try to learn from listening to their music.

What is your favourite piece of music you have written and why is it your favourite?

 That is a tough question to answer. My favourite always seems to be whatever I am working on at the time. I have several that have special meaning to me. There is Life at Four which is about my Granddaughters fourth birthday and then there is Lunch with Vincent that was my first piece added to Sirius XM. Photos Without a Memory was written shortly after my Mother-in-Law passed from Alzheimer's and reflected the sorrow of all the photos that she couldn't share the stories.

If you could go back and give yourself one bit of advice about making music what would you share with your younger self?

 I would tell myself to focus less on making the music impressive with a hard degree of difficult notes and focus more on making each note have meaning. Those pieces that mean the most to me and connect most with others seem to be the ones that come from an honest story or emotion.

End of year update 2024!

What was your own personal musical highlight in 2024?

There were a couple of highlights for my music in 2024. I began releasing a music under a second artist name, J Kirmse. This allows me to express a softer, more minimal style of music. Also, I have partnered directly with a wholesaler to distribute my physical CDs around the globe.

What did you learn from your music in 2024 that you will take going forward?

Creating music is a learning journey and in 2024 I learned to simply give my music an opportunity to tell a story. Not every song will resonate with a large number of listeners, but each release has something important to say.  

What was your favourite release in 2024? One of your own and also one by another artist!

The favorite release of my music this year was Wild Horses. It was the release that took me the longest time to write and I told the story of the beautiful horses running free behind our home. My favorite release of another artist would have to be the album “Iceland” by Michele McLaughlin. Each track is amazing and the cover artwork is incredibly beautiful.

www.lynntredeau.com

https://www.instagram.com/lynntredeau/

BYEBYEFISH

Byebyefish, aka François Maillard, is a French artist from Garches near Paris. He explores two main musical styles: Modern Classical Piano and Indie Rock.

My favourite piece by François - Pioneers

How/when did you start playing the piano? Do you play any other instruments?

 I started playing piano when I was 6, taking lessons until I was 17. It was my only instrument for years. But around 2015, as I was playing with friends in Indie Rock bands, we started to switch instruments during rehearsals, improvising and composing that way. Of course, it was a bit experimental, but it was the kick-start for me to learn other instruments, as a self-taught musician. Now I can play the guitar and the bass, of course not as well as the piano, but well enough to have fun, compose and arrange with those instruments, rehearse with my friends...

What was the first piece you can remember composing? What inspired its creation? 

When I was 20, I had a piano in an apartment shared with two other students and I started daily improvisations. At that time I fell in love for a girl and it gave me wings to start fixing some left hand chords structures, making it possible for me to compose my first instrumental pieces. As you can imagine the style was very romantic, positive and naive… those songs weren’t that good… But a few months later the girl left me, and it was the perfect reason to start digging into my main melancholic style!

Do you have a favourite key to play/compose in? 

I don’t really have a favourite key, but the melancholic style drives me to the minor mode in general. As a teenager I loved to play Chopin and Rachmaninov, generously using black keys. So I suppose it still influences me today and I feel good when I play and compose songs with more than 4 sharps or flats in the key. Recently, I have also composed some songs in C minor and F Major, but I’m totally unable to explain why!

Have you played your music in front of a live audience? 

I’m trying to play my music live 3 or 4 times a year. I feel it’s a great experience for both the musician and the listener to share music that way. But after some tough experiences when I was younger, playing piano in noisy bars or playing rock gigs with a really bad sound equipment, it became important for me to play in places where people can really dive into to my music. Since my piano music is very emotional, I have been working for several years on stage lightning, scenography, speeches I give to the audience in-between songs, making sure it creates a very special atmosphere, where the listener can travel, dream, feel... and sometimes cry.

What methods do you use to help you compose? Do you improvise and stumble onto something or go in with a clear structure of what you want to do? 

As I've explained earlier, all my compositions come from fixed improvisations. But I’ve changed something really important in my creative process the past few years. Every Sunday eve I have an improvisation and composition slot now. It’s a great moment, when week-end is finished and, after I have experienced some deep real life emotions. During this weekly session, I have a mandatory objective: record a new composition idea on my phone. It doesn’t have to be a full composition from start to finish. Another objective is to compose the piece as fast as possible, in order to focus on a pure, most natural inspiration. So at the end of every year, I’ve got 52 new composition ideas! I go through each of them and give them a grade (A, B or C). Then I take a lot of time to improve, develop, arrange the only few A-graded ideas. That way I’ve stopped working on music that wasn’t good enough, and yet still improving myself, because just after creating I often lack objectivity. I've made a lot of progress and I can feel my music is far better since I’ve started using this method.

What other artist has inspired your music the most? 

I’m a huge Debussy lover and I can feel his influence in my piano music. Listeners often recognize Satie and Chopin in some of my instrumental songs and of course I’m very glad with this influence. My Indie Rock music was deeply influenced by Radiohead. I’m totally impressed by their creativeness, their singing emotions, the guitar effects they use…

What is your favourite piece of music you have written and why is it your favourite? 

That is such a hard question and I totally understand when artists say they’re unable to only choose one. But I will try to answer, giving you my favourite compositions over the last two years: ‘La valse aux espoirs’ and ‘Pioneers’. In ‘La valse aux espoirs’, I’m especially happy with a left-hand chords variation when coming back to the first theme, I can feel it brings the song in another dimension. In ‘Pioneers’, there is a classical gradual climb as a second theme that I totally enjoy. Since the very first day I've written it, I picture in my head Northern American pioneers discovering wild and wide-open landscapes on their horses… so epic!

If you could go back and give yourself one bit of advice about making music what would you share with your younger self? 

I would tell my younger self to feel much more confident and resilient! When I was in my 20's, people were telling me they loved my music, but I wasn’t able to properly hear them. I thought they were just friendly, having doubts about my gift. Then around my 30's, everyone started to have other things to do than listen to music and support their musician friends. I took it as a confirmation that my gift was in fact quite small and I had nothing to expect realistically with my music. Thanks to digital streaming platforms development I finally understood a few years ago that I could have my own chance, but that I just needed to work on my music in a very professional manner, building my own audience and a network of musicians. I should probably have realized this much sooner and this is what I would like to explain to my younger self.

End of year update 2024!

There’s a piano sitting in a public place. Do you go and play it and if so what would you play?

Of course, I go and play! I’ve watched the very inspiring video of Ludovico Einaudi playing in St Pancras station. As he did, I play my own pieces, probably ‘Snowflakes Are Dancing’, ‘Pioneers’, ‘La valse aux espoirs’, ‘Stargazing’ and some unreleased dynamic pieces. Few chances anyone stopping to take videos on their phone as they did for him… But who knows maybe one day?

How do you record your music? Is it a real piano or virtual instrument and do you record from home or at a studio?

I feel my music sounds better on a real piano. It fits better with the emotions I’m trying to express in music. And as I could never have a good sound at home unless I invested a lot of money and time, I prefer recording in a studio. For the 4 last recording sessions I went to the same place. The producer Armen gives me precious advice about the takes, sometimes about interpretation as he is a gifted pianist and composer himself. It’s great added value.  

What do you feel is your biggest achievement so far on your composing journey?

The biggest achievement is to be so happy each day since there is a dedicated place for my music in this world. I can feel my composing skills are useful, not only for my self-satisfaction and confidence, but also for some people all around the world who clearly understand the emotions behind the pieces. I can read it in their feedback about my music. I feel this achievement is so big and unbelievable that it gives me something like perpetual creative energy. It makes me think it’s possible to continue creating that way for many years, maybe until the end of my life. It’s a window to eternity… what better life achievement than this?

https://www.instagram.com/byebyefish_fr/

BEAUTIFUL LIFE

Christina Degazio is a Canadian performer and composer of predominantly neoclassical works who writes under the pseudonym “Beautiful Life” (because life is always more beautiful when music is the soundtrack).

My favourite piece by Christina - Nightingale

How/when did you start playing the piano?  Do you play any other instruments?

I started playing piano at the age of 4.  My father wanted to make sure that the rich musical legacy of his ancestors would be passed down to future generations.  I'm sure he would've enrolled me in piano lessons as soon as I was able to walk if that was an option. My dad himself played the leading role in countless Broadway style theatre productions and had a beautifully trained tenor voice.  His uncle was an accomplished musician and orchestra conductor; his aunt played piano for silent movies back in the day (which was quite a challenging and respected artform); a long line of cousins and relatives have lived lives passionately pursuing music. My dad never had the opportunity to learn piano so he wanted to make sure that he gave that gift to his children.  I also learned how to play the French horn in high school and studied voice in college but the piano has always been my true love.

What was the first piece you can remember composing?  What inspired its creation?

I composed my first song when I was 13.  It had lyrics as well and was called “Best Friends”.  I believe they say you should write about what you know?  At 13, I guess that song reflected my world.  I had a really good friend growing up who loved music just as much as I did and was an amazing vocalist and pianist.  Her family decided to move away when I was 13 and it was a big move; my friend would be an 18 hour drive away - back in the days before Facetime and cheap long distance phone calls.  I knew I wouldn't see much of my fiend after the move so I wrote a song that would be a tribute to our friendship before she left.  Since then I've written countless songs in many genres; pop, country, Southern gospel, Christian contemporary and neoclassical.  I will admit that I have written some pretty bad songs along the way - but I'm always learning and I've also had the privilege of having some of my compositions recorded by other artists which has been a real honour.

Do you have a favourite key to play/compose in?

I don't really have a favourite key to compose in - but for some reason I have one that I don't compose in very often.  I don't really have an explanation but I seldom write in B major.  I love the flat keys.  I like to experiment writing in different keys to break myself out of routine chord progressions and melodic lines.

What time of day and what time of year are you most inspired to write music?

When I think about musical inspiration, I don't find that the time of year matters much to me personally.  We live in a beautiful area of Canada where there is always something to behold and appreciate in each season. But in terms of time of day I definitely gravitate towards writing in the morning.  I love heading to my studio first thing in the morning with a hot coffee and looking out of my window as the sun is coming up and the earth is waking from her slumber.  Just looking out at all of God's creation in those early hours is a huge inspiration for me.  I'm fortunate that I don't teach music lessons until the afternoon so I have the luxury of keeping most mornings open for writing.  I've learnt over the years to protect that creative time and I'm very fortunate that my family supports it as well.

What methods do you use to help you compose?  Do you improvise and stumble onto something or go in with a clear structure of what you want to do?

 I rarely have a clear structure in mind to begin.  I may have a melodic idea or two, or a particular mood in mind - but I usually begin by sitting down and playing without borders to see where the music will take me.  As I play I do keep in mind general thoughts on repeating a theme or building on a theme or making a contrasting section - but I try to write first without an editor.  I am trying to get better at recording everything I write no matter how insignificant it may seem at the time.  I then go back and listen and hope to find something keeping to build upon.  So, I guess I try to write with great freedom first - I then go back and edit and rearrange things.

If you could play any other instrument that you don’t already play, what would it be?

I always wanted to learn how to play acoustic guitar - but I haven't got round to it yet!

What is your favourite piece of music you have written and why is it your favourite?

I think my favourite piece to date is one I wrote a while back called “Snowfall”.  It almost wrote itself one midwinter morning as the snow was coming down fast and furious.  As I looked across the landscape outside my window the world became a magical winter wonderland and the ideas behind “Snowfall” were born.  Nature is often the source of inspiration behind my music.

If you could go back and give yourself one bit of advice about making music what would you share with your younger self?

It's hard to think of just one thing - as I feel there are a great many things that I have learned on this journey that I wish I had known when I started out.  But I guess the most important thing is that if you want people to take your music seriously - make sure you take your music seriously.  Not so seriously that you let it consume you or inflate your own sense of self - but seriously enough that you are intentional with your practice time, your creative time as well as serious in maintaining the physical and spiritual health that you need to be the best that you can be.  Being able to write and create is a gift from God and we should do everything in our power to protect it, nourish it and celebrate it.

End of year update 2024!

What was your own personal musical highlight in 2024?

I think the biggest highlight for me was becoming an official playlist curator. It has been such an amazing (and humbling) journey to get to know other composers on a deeper level and to network with a broad community of incredibly talented people. It's been especially refreshing to see how much support and encouragement artists give one another. 

What did you learn from your music in 2024 that you will take going forward?

I think the biggest takeaway for me from 2024 is to stay true to my music and write songs that make people feel something. It's easy to sometimes make creating music a task to be completed instead of something that flows from emotion and passion. I am trying to recapture the mystery and beauty of letting my heart speak through my music.  

What was your favourite release in 2024? One of your own and also one by another artist!

So many great songs out there it is so hard to pick just one by another artist. I think my most favourite would be "Evening Star" by Ron Adelaar - although I am a huge fan of the entire Andante lineup of artists. Of my own music "As Summer Fades" is probably my most favourite - although I find it super difficult to be objective about my own music.

https://www.instagram.com/christinadegazio/

HELEN KEELING-MARSTON

Helen Keeling-Marston is a British composer who writes in a variety of styles but mainly focuses on contemporary classical music.

My favourite piece by Helen - Pipe Dream

What was the first piece you can remember composing?  What inspired its creation?

When I was younger, I used to love improvising on the piano. Fast-forward twenty years, and I resolved to re-engage in the activities that I’d loved doing as a child. To cut a long story short, the music-making went better and broke fewer bones than the downhill roller-booting, so I began to write contemporary classical pieces. My first piece was a piece for piano and cello and was about a walk through a forest. I’m not sure it was very good, but it whet my appetite and reminded me just how much I loved writing music and creating something from scratch.

Do you have a favourite key to play/compose in?

I am a huge fan of D major. What a key!

What time of day and what time of year are you most inspired to write music?

I seem to be most creative in the late afternoons and early evenings when the sun starts to set. I’ve always loved that time of day, as I think it has quite a magical and mystical ambience. 

What methods do you use to help you compose?  Do you improvise and stumble onto something or go in with a clear structure of what you want to do?

I’d like to say that I have a clear idea and structure of what I want to do, but I just don’t! My pieces come through improvisation and randomly landing on hooks and ideas that I like.

What other artist has inspired your music the most?

I learnt piano when I was a child, and I had to practice, and perfect, three classical pieces when preparing for an exam. I remember that I used to end up despising those pieces (and my family probably did too), and I wished I could spend time playing different pieces and dabbling in different genres. Fast-forward twenty years, and I was introduced to the music of contemporary classical composers, Max Richter and Ludovico Einaudi. I loved their music. Simply loved it…which then led me to discover other fabulous composers such as Per Storby Jutbring and Olafur Arnalds. I think Max Richter is my biggest inspiration, though. His work is so incredibly moving and beautiful; often with a bewitching simplicity. 

If you could play any other instrument that you don’t already play, what would it be?

Perhaps the organ for the incredible workout and coordination skills it would give me. Or maybe the bagpipes to increase my lung capacity and make me a faster runner. I’m not sure that my neighbours would appreciate me learning the bagpipes, though.

What is your favourite piece of music you have written and why is it your favourite?

I wrote a piece of music called “Our Fragile Earth: The Overview Effect”, which is about the cognitive shift that astronauts often experience when first seeing the Earth from space and realising how small and fragile it is. This is one of my favourite compositions, as I feel that the music really fits the narrative. I was delighted to have this track played on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune show.

If you could go back and give yourself one bit of advice about making music what would you share with your younger self?

Write a piece, then leave it alone for a good while before coming back to it.

End of year update 2024!

What was your own personal musical highlight in 2024?

I think probably releasing my album, 24. Producing an album is a big undertaking, so it’s always a particularly special moment when it’s finally released.

What did you learn from your music in 2024 that you will take going forward?

 I think I keep learning more and more to write a piece, then step away from it for a good few days (or weeks). On returning to it after a decent amount of time, it’s much easier to objectively assess it and see how it could be improved.

What was your favourite release in 2024? One of your own and also one by another artist!

I really liked your “As She Lay” track, as it was so mellow and relaxing. (Thanks Helen) And it must have been the year of the Richards, as I also really liked Richard Goldsworthy’s piece, “Your Tenderness”. And, whilst being aware that I’m mentioning more than one favourite track here, Alanna Crouch’s track - “Through the Snow” - was just amazing. In terms of the favourite track that I wrote, I’d probably say Molten Dreaming.

https://www.helenkeelingmarston.com

https://www.instagram.com/helenkeelingmarstonmusic/