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Textures

by Michael Houlberg

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1.
The Tide Turns 05:04
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2.
Bubbles 03:08
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3.
Palpitations 05:56
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4.
Heart Race 05:15
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5.
Birdland 04:40
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6.
Dark Energy 05:56
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7.
Collage Quilt 04:50
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about

Textures

This album is a collection of musical pieces, each with its own feel, its own sonic texture. The inspiration for each tune came from a different origin. Sometimes a sound, a chord, or some other experiment was the starting point of the composition.

The Tide Turns
I started with the intention to layer multiple guitar parts to build complex chords, but I tested the first chord on piano and it sounded so different. That discovery suggested I should try it with strings instead. My expectations totally changed at that point and the composition went in a very different direction. I believe there is a reason events happen the way they do. I’m hopeful that we are on the cusp of experiencing a positive change in many facets of today’s culture. This music is meant to send a message into the universe to help bring it about.

Bubbles
An experiment using a simple sampler/sequencer on the iPad was the first step in constructing this tune. I sampled a tongue drum, kalimba and cajón then created layered sequences. Later the layers were split apart and remixed.

Palpitations
I started with the beat in 23/8 time recorded with a cajón. The melody repeats continually on top, taken up by different instruments in turn. It is meant to feel a little like a vinyl record with a skip in it. But if you count it in three’s with a two on the sixth triplet, you won’t get lost. Count it like “3-3-3-3”; “3-2-3-3”. Before long, that beat will feel natural.

Heart Race
This is the companion piece to Palpitations that begins with the same melody but is played faster, without the uneven rhythm, turning into a jam once it gets going.

Birdland
I put new strings on my nylon string guitar and played an Em9 chord and it sounded so beautiful it inspired me to write this. The singing birds were recorded years ago at my friend Dino’s cabin in east San Diego county.

Dark Energy
It’s amazing to think there is enough dark energy in the universe to counteract all the gravity of all the galaxies, and we have no idea what it is. After an experiment recording my wife playing theremin, three theremin tracks were combined with more instruments to create this piece of undefined energy.

Collage Quilt
This piece is a musical crazy quilt of different tunes collaged together. The component pieces were all leftovers from other projects. In a way, this epitomizes what the whole Textures project is about.

credits

released April 27, 2023

Michael Houlberg: guitar, bass, keyboard, percussion.
Marissa Houlberg: theremin.

Produced by Michael Houlberg and recorded at Dragonfly Mosaic.

© Copyright 2023 by Michael Houlberg
Published by Dragonfly Mosaic

Bookings:
michaelholby@icloud.com
(503) 691-2530

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Michael Houlberg Tualatin, Oregon

Guitarist, composer.

Creator of fun music to listen to. Always exploring new musical ideas.

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