Your personal Tumblr library awaits
Originalsoundtrack - Blog Posts
So, I posted a version of this before, thinking it was as done as it could be. And then, as so often happens, I realized it could be a whole lot better. Haha.
This, however, is the final version of my Tonic promo (all kitted out in her glam punk concert attire). So stoked with this visualization of her.
In other fun news... I got another critic review, and this time the book received the distinction of Editor's Pick (!!) from BookLife Reviews (which is the indie-specific branch of Publisher's Weekly). It's a really lovely review, and as always, it's such a pleasure to have someone resonate with what I love about this story.
"...Sensory-rich prose vividly brings to life the sights, sounds, and emotions experienced through Tonic's visor." -BookLife Reviews
Thank you to BookLife for taking the time to review it!
As always, if you're interested in this noir science fiction story and its accompanying dark ambient soundtrack, you can check it out here.
About a year ago now is when Josh McCausland and I first wrapped production of the Color of a Mirror soundtrack, and sent it off for pressing! (The above photo is an abstract shot of the first test pressing sleeve.)
After the post the other day about the Full Moon Bundle (containing the limited vinyl release) I wanted to take a moment of special mention for this soundtrack and what it means to me.
•
One of my biggest loves (and frustrations) of a show or video game is the music. When it’s done right, it’s one of those things that gives you chills, and you can’t wait to return to that universe, can’t wait to hear that title card music at the start of the next episode. (Like launching the original Mass Effect and hearing that menu music.) On the flip side, it can derail the whole experience for me… or at least make it far less memorable, because music often sets the scene for me.
This extends to when I’m writing, as well. Depending on the mood or the emotion, I’ll find different songs that fit that character or scene. And then lots of times, I’ll have that selection on repeat for a few days. Haha.
So being able to collaborate with a composer on the sound of this dark cyberpunk universe I’d been writing for a handful of years, trying to pull on all those ambient/sci-fi/industrial influences but also create something that felt new, something that could be listened to while you’re reading or on its own… it was really an amazing experience, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we came up with!
It all started with just two images that I sent to Josh; I said, “This is the vibe.” (He hadn’t read the book at that point, and I was thinking he was just going to make a single promo song for me.) When he came back to me with about ten different options, making it super difficult to choose, I knew the project had to be a full album. Iterating back and forth with him and seeing his process, taking some of those initial hooks and tying them together… so much fun!
The title track “Color of a Mirror” was one of those original concepts that I just couldn’t get enough of. The sound for the rest of the album was really born there, I think.
All in all, it’s such an honor to see my vision of this novel through someone else’s skill and expertise in an entirely different discipline. Such a pleasure, and I cannot wait to work on Vol. 2 together!
•
Check out the soundtrack on Bandcamp to give Josh some love:
(Also available on major streaming platforms.)
And if you want to check out the book as well, head over to my website.
•
Thanks for reading!
-Daniel
It’s always nerve-wracking submitting writing for review, especially with the understanding that not every book is for everyone. Not to mention, some of my favorite books I didn’t finish the first time I picked them up. So yeah, reviews are very subjective.
So when I got my first critic review last week for Color of a Mirror from Kirkus Reviews, I was prepared for it to be some mixture of bad and good—and hoping for more of the latter. I’m so stoked to say that their final verdict was “Get It,” even going to on to call this unusual noir sci-fi story “Intricate, next-generation cyberpunk with a head-spinning finale.”
Just wow. Talk about head-spinning.
•
A little about the book for those of you who may be new to this project: it centers around a cybernetically-enhanced musician who just wants to be a rockstar—which is apparently too much to ask. When one of her songs is used as the soundtrack to a viral homicide, she’s catapulted into the spotlight, only not like she’d imagined. Instead of following an action-heavy plot, the story is more focused on the interior dilemmas and relationships of the characters, as they strive to make it in a world that will crush them without a second thought.
•
Check out the full Kirkus Review for a really good, spoiler-free write-up.
Sample the original soundtrack on Spotify and other major platforms.
And if all this makes you think you’d like to read the book, drop by my site here.
IT’S GONNA BE A REAL THING!
What a month. Ups and downs and everything in between. But yes, you read that right. The Kickstarter for my cyberpunk novel and dark ambient soundtrack is FULLY FUNDED!
I can’t wait to get the final stages of this project underway in the next months, and for everyone to get the chance to read this book!
For anyone who may still want to join in, there are still 30 hours left! And if you back now, it’s a sure thing—you’re getting this novel! And at the same time, supporting an independent publishing and music project that doesn’t fit in the normal bounds.
Check out the link below, and who knows, maybe if enough people jump on board, we’ll unlock the first of those stretch goals!
Prose + Soundtrack + Art = Color of a Mirror
^ this is what this project is all about ^
The newest in my motion design previews, incorporating one of my favorite descriptions in the book, a Vangelis-level soundtrack moment from Josh McCausland (song titled “The Taste Was Blue”), and some brutalist artwork (also by me)… multiple disciplines coming together into a single experience.
If this multi-sensory approach intrigues you or if you just want to support an independent publishing venture that strives to upend the norm and the status quo, I’d be thrilled if you’d check out the Kickstarter project link below.
Ends the day after Cyberpu… I mean, Cyber Monday.
Final Week!
The Kickstarter is winding down, and I’m full of gratitude for those who’ve backed my vision for this independent dark science fiction project. Of currently-active Fiction Publishing projects on Kickstarter, “Color of a Mirror” is the 9th most-funded. In the world. That’s absolutely incredible to me!
Why, then, is the project not yet funded?
Well, largely because I’m not content with producing a hardcover or softcover book as cheaply as possible. I want this book to be a work of art in and of itself, to feel like it came from a big-name publisher, despite me being just one person. I want to work with a printer that strives for that same type of quality in the options they offer, that gives me the ability to customize this book in a way that makes it sing.
Beyond that, however, I’m also trying to do a limited pressing of a vinyl for the soundtrack. All my metrics for how big a run to do of these various items to make them cost-effective, cross-referenced with a feasible amount of money to raise, has landed me on the $15,000 mark.
(I’m encouraged that there’s currently a novella project from an established, published author that had a goal of $10,000, making me feel like my higher goal was not so far off.)
This may be a bit of a ramble, but I hope it’s an honest look at how I’m thinking about this project, and what I’m trying to achieve.
There’s still time to back! No matter the tier you choose, every little bit helps. It’s going to take a mega-surge this final week to get to fully-funded, but I whole-heartedly believe we can get there.
Ends the day after Cyber Monday, in celebration of the cyberpunk story that it is.
Now, let’s go get higher on that most-funded list!
-Dan/ArtificeLux
Back with another look at the soundtrack! This time featuring “Closer to the Dead” (as always, by ultra-talented Josh McCausland)!
The video on this one is a little different than those that have come before… still abstract, but really hinting at certain elements of the book as well. Secrets abound…
There’s still time to back the Kickstarter for the exclusive vinyl release of the soundtrack, and the deluxe-hardcover novel, all with designs by me. There are other rewards (including digital copies and softcover) as well, so hopefully a little something for everyone!
It’s gonna take a big push this final week to get it over the line, but I’m holding out hope it can happen. Every little bit helps, so if you’re interested, I’d be thrilled for you to check out the link below:
“File Already Exists… Overwrite?” is the title of this newest song. Josh McCausland really channeled the Vangelis/Blade Runner vibes on this one, taking it much darker and brooding. And of course, some brutalist artwork of mine to match.
The Kickstarter seems kinda stalled at the moment, but all is not lost! We’ve made great progress so far, and I’m trying to spread the word and gain exposure, so we’ll see how the rest of the month plays out.
If you want to check out the project, the link is below:
A first look at the soundtrack element of this project! So excited to have Josh McCausland’s massive talent creating the moody sounds of this dark sci-fi universe!
This song is entitled “Sensory Deprivation” and will feature on the Color of a Mirror original soundtrack, as part of my multi-disciplinary novel/soundtrack/design experience.
(Motion graphics and design by me.)
If you like what you see and hear, there’s only 10 days left in the Kickstarter! Check out the link below, and thanks for looking!
Feels like it was just a couple days ago I was saying 1/6, and now we’ve jumped past the 1/3 mark! The support this past week has been absolutely stunning, and I can’t say thank you enough.
Still a ways to go to make this happen, but I have no doubt we can get there!
As always, link included below if you’re interested in learning more:
Some stills from the minimalist intro/title reveal video I created for the Kickstarter.
Had a lot of fun learning about After Effects while working on this, and I hope to make more abstract art videos like this in the future!
Within the first 48 hours, the project was already past 5% funded, which I’m super pleased with! Still a ways to go, but it’s a great start.
(If you wanna check out the full video complete with 75 seconds of the epic soundtrack, follow this link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/artificelux/color-of-a-mirror-dark-science-fiction-novel-and-soundtrack )