Rune Songs for the 21st Century - Meditation and Reflection Album

Rune Songs for the 21st Century was a project I completed in 2015 when things felt very dark for me. As a long time sufferer of intermittent depressive episodes, I had decided I did not want to wait for 'inspiration' to tend to my passion: music.

I had finished working with Richard Garriott, a great opportunity, on the spiritual successor to his game Shroud of the Avatar, and had developed a good discipline around music creation, but something was still lacking. A commitment that elevated my production skills above mood and motivation.

When I undertook the project, I knew I wanted to produce 24 songs for a rune album based on the Elder Futhark. So I left my DAW open (I used Bitwig, fyi) for days on end, but every day I would sit down in front of my computer monitor and try -- even if I only jotted down one note, or some phrase, or a few chords destined to be deleted later.

What I learned was that simply putting myself in front of the blank canvas and waiting was enough. It was the Muse's job to show up after that, because I had shown up. I learned to use my meditation practice and sit with presence. I became unphased at the nothingness, doubt and lack of joy.

These days I can do a lot more if the mood isn't there. It was practice like that which I used to undertake this project that liberated me from my emotions, ultimately.

The result is that my audience loves this album, and listens to it more than any other of my work. Go figure!

I hope you enjoy.