“an expression of ideas and emotions” MusicMasterXC with ‘Le Maison De Ambience’ and Exclusive Interview

This track has a great sound, the opening instrumentation has a pureness and beauty to it that is hugely appealing. The ambiance is everything the title suggests and more, there’s not simply a loop of peaceful riffs playing consistently, there’s a development to the music that brings in elements of jazz, trip-hop, even classical music in a way. The initial and leading guitar riff has a Pink-Floyd-esque drive about it, but everything else around this helps to build something completely new.

The music just makes you happy, it invites you into a warm and wonderful atmosphere, it lets your mind wander and this in itself adds an element of storytelling to the music – you’re taken on a walk, a small adventure, though it’s up to you and your own imagination where you end up. This is the beauty of music in its purest form. It’s effective, but the effect varies from person to person. What one listener experiences is unique to them, to their memories, to their state of mind and their feelings. The thing that is shared though is most likely to be the positivity, the hope, the peace that the music suggests. You can’t listen to a track like this and feel angry. You could listen and perhaps not feel much at all, if you were so inclined, but even then you’re likely to appreciate the instrumentation and the musical skill that has constructed this few minutes of sound.

There’s nothing that has been over done, there’s nothing that thinks too much of itself, it’s just an expression of ideas and emotions, and it sets a beautiful scene. It would appeal to hear a longer project from the creators to see where the music takes you when the time allows for something extended.

By Rebecca Cullen

Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing.

Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?   

MusicMasterXC : I was born in Scotland in a small village At school I studied Music and was embarking on a career as a singer. During which time I switched and started to learn the piano and progressed very quickly. During this time I started to Follow Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre and was intrigued by MIDI and programming. I managed to buy a Roland SH-101 and a Korg DS8. I went onto college and then university and attained a degree in music. I was the keyboard player of some local bands but I wanted more control of what I was producing so I left soon after, expanding my studio. I used steinberg notator and 2 Atari 1040ste computers and started to make some complex tracks.

Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?

MusicMasterXC: Ive tried several name’s over the years and liked this one MusicMasterXC. I’ve spent many years mastering my programming skills and think this name shows my talent and skills

Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?

MusicMasterXC: I like the online sharing community, I remember the days when I was sending tapes off to music companies and producers. Normally not even receiving a reply. Today music can be sent with a few clicks. Yes I’ve given many tracks away, as without people hearing your material you won’t get very far. I’m sure many have heard my material and not even realised I wrote and produced the tracks.  

Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?

MusicMasterXC: Making it in this industry is hard work. Also many write good material and don’t get it mastered or produced properly, make it sound terrible. If the track is mastered properly and well written it would receive a better audience and be enjoyed by the listener. I have in the past have helped fellow musicians master the track and make it sound better.

Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?

MusicMasterXC: I’ve made many errors and mistakes whilst producing my music, Ive had synthesizers freeze on me and have had computer software crash whilst recording. I am fortunate that I have more than 1 synthesizer so can use these to finish the track.

Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?   

MusicMasterXC: I haven’t toured for many years. There was one occasion when I forgot to remove the expansion cards from my Roland U-20 when I put it in the flight case, when I closed it I snapped the cards in 2, having to get the synthesizer repaired.

Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?   

MusicMasterXC: I get inspiration from many places, My studio over look’s the Thames and wrote a track after watching the people practising in their canoe’s for the river race

Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?

MusicMasterXC: my website is under construction. I am also building a UK Based MIDI website to share files I have produced over the years. It also contains professional MIDI files that could be used as backing track’s for singers.
I also have material shared on Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/musicmasterxc. I am also ranked 4th on Reverbnation’s charts. https://www.reverbnation.com/musicmasterxc

Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?

MusicMasterXC: I used to have The  Mr Blobby Christmas Song on my playlist lol.  

Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?   

MusicMasterXC: I would expand my studio and don’t think I could relax if I wasn’t doing some music. I may take and advisory role helping other musician’s with potential projects.  

Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?   

MusicMasterXC: I am looking to get a Jupiter80. At the moment I have the following in my Studio:

Korg M50
Korg Triton
Korg Karma
Korg X5DR
Yamaha MOX-6
Yamaha Motif
Yamaha SY85 x2
Yamaha A5000
Yamaha DG640
Roland Juno-D
Roland Juno-G
Roland RS-5
Roland U-110
Roland U-220
Roland D-110
Roland D-50
Kurzweil PC3
Casio WK1200
Casio P202
Hohner PK150
Alesis PCR
EMU Proteus XR
Digitech DG-12
SoundTech SL200
M-Audio 88Key Controller
Alto-Pro 88 Key Controller
ION 49 Key Controller x3

Korg DS-8

I also have 6 Guitars, including a 12 string  guitar

6 Laptops running a huge range of high end VST Instruments including Arturia, EastWest, Native instruments, Omnisphere 1 and 2, Spire,Nexus and many more.

Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?

MusicMasterXC: I like the online platforms, you can send music in a few clicks with a email or via an online link.

Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?   

MusicMasterXC: I would love the honour to perform with Vangelis and Jean Michel Jarre, they inspired me growing up listening to their music.

Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?

MusicMasteXC: I have 2 new studio albums to release next year I am also looking to work with singer/Songwriters in the future.

Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?   

MusicMasterXC: I would probably be drawing or doing something else creative.

Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?   

Yes I remember, it was a Vangelis album. I was excited about hearing the Music.

Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?   

MusicMasterXC: Due to disability I have more time to progress my music career, before I had little time to concentrate on my music.  

Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?   

MusicMasterXC; I have the 2 new studio albums to look forward too and who knows I may find other musicians I could help produce more music.