Daybreak: The Spark track 1

(Transcript of above video.  Song preview in Video!)
The first track on The Spark is Daybreak, it's more than just an instrumental intro, it's a collage meant to establish things to come.  I wanted to combine many musical approaches, but still create a cohesive piece that made more than just musical sense in its own right, and still took the listener through a sort of expository journey.

The goal was to use everything.  Heavy guitars, embellished piano, thick string arrangements (as well as chamber quartet), electronic and sequenced elements, and even the saxophone.  I fought with myself about that one too.  I kept debating, asking myself, "Does this fit here?  It's certainly not conventional, but people DO seem to like it when I break out the sax."  And the more I listened, the more it grew on me.

From a compositional standpoint, I wanted to establish a couple of themes which would recur throughout, the chief of which is the "Reclaim" theme, which you'll hear in albums and in other forms in the future ;)   .  It's established in the very beginning by the strings, and reappears in the piano, as well as in a minor-keyed variation. 

This is also one of the two heaviest tracks on the album, the only one I used a seven-string to record.  To me, "heavy" isn't just about rhythm, tone, and palm-muting, it's about harmonic and melodic content as well.  That's why I approached the guitar parts with big, moving riffs in mind.

I want Daybreak to be something you listen to to encourage yourself in the morning, as you're psyching up for whatever comes your way (like I do with Hans Zimmer music), but I wanted to make it orchestral and beautiful enough to prompt contemplation.  It's an introduction, that's for sure, and my hope is that it paints a broad picture to you of what's possible, and what's to come.