Short version: I have decided to retire my old music pseudo-name "RedHeat" completely.
In 2008 I finally took the opportunity to actively participate in the creative movement known as The Demoscene - personally, a big leap for me whilst sat on the fringe of the trackerscene for the last 15 years :-)
It had taken many years to build up the courage (and finances) to get actively involved with the demo scene, but it was probably one of the best personal decisions I'd made.
Why? Probably lack of a social life :) However, I'm now actively participating in competitions, as well as helping organise some of the international gatherings (known as demoparties) and additionally have some involvement with the scene's most enthusiastic (live) broadcast station: SceneSat Radio. It also made a massive difference meeting face to face with friends behind the nicknames and handles I have known for so long on-line.
As a result of this 'paradigm shift', my musical horizons have expanded and drifted away from the usual 'RedHeat' style. This has mostly to with the fact that I am also now exposed to like-minded people who have a passion to help.
I've been introduced to new styles of music which I've never really paid attention to before. I have had to face the fact that I have been living under a rock with regards to music exposure.
One brilliant aspect to this is that I am more or less back on the bottom rung of the ladder: learning - and that, my friends, for me is fantastic.
Technology has come a long way since 1998, which was when I began releasing material under RedHeat Sonic Soundscapes - and it has taken the few years since late 2008 to adapt. Essentially, forcing myself to start from scratch learning a new workflow and to enter the world of composing within a completely virtualized studio.
A direct result of this is that after the 'epiphany' I experienced at Solskogen 2008 in Oslo, all of my subsequent output was pretty awful in comparison to my RedHeat works, which was 100% related to the fact I was exploring and learning to re-use a Tracker based studio. Bear in mind I hadn't touched a tracker since 1994, and even then I wasn't very good at it. :-)
In 1998 I began composing music again using real hardware synthesizers, samplers and sequencing software (Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 for example). But now, all that has been cast aside in favour of 'vertical sequencing' with Renoise (a modern DAW with a tracker interface). Of course, with that massive shift of workflow came the very steep learning curve involved with handling a completely virtualized studio, the mastering process and tackling PC hardware limitations (upgrade upgrade!) :)
A part of me is sad that my old hardware is now collecting dust, or is being sold off - sometimes financial issues have forced my hand in some of these decisions - but in the end it isn't too bad :)
I now release music exclusively under my IRC/demoscene alias "m0d".
I still aspire to give new genres a try, I still love to make epic long tracks but the inspiration to do those is often very thin on the ground so they are few and far between - but they DO happen! For example, check out Bells after Sundown.
Nearly all of the recent compositions (both serious and joke ones) have been done for competitions at demoparties, with the occasional one just for myself or whatever :)
So there you have it. One day chilled out, next day orchestral, and the next death metal or some stomping attempt at drum & bass. :) Maybe one day I may even wobwobwob.
If you want to keep tabs on what I am currently doing, you can find some of the best pieces on my awesomely named website: nightbacon.com. Mmmm bacon. Nomnomnom.
They help kickstart my creative side, plus they are incredibly fun to make, thats all :) No need to be so serious all the time!
For the time being, I am arranging hosting for my archive of MP3 recordings, the catalogue is HUGE (about 1GB). It'll be back soon but I have no idea when that will be just yet :). If you are after a specific track which is now (of course) offline, just drop me a line (DM on twitter) and I'll hook you up with it. Easy!
You can catch up with me on Twitter via @mzerod (m zero d, geddit? :)
If you're net savvy and wander around on IRC networks, you'll find me socializing in the larger demoscene channels on IRCnet, and of course SceneSat's channel on EFnet. For those who know me from the tracking scene, you can still find me in the old haunt of #modarchive on EsperNet :)
To my loyal followers who have kept tabs on me all these years, I thank you! Don't worry, the demoscene is not a cult, or some elitist group, it's just a platform to meet creative people, and an opportunity to booze and chill out with friends who connect on many different levels.
If this is the first time you have heard about the demoscene, do some research into it because if you find the concept attractive and you are creative with computer graphics or music - then get involved. The demoscene is a very welcoming and it is out there for you too.
Greetz,
Greg, aka "m0d" :-)