This is an idea I’ve had basically since I decided on the “Elements” concept. Lithium is commonly associated with the treatment of depression. However, it is actually a mood stabilizer, meaning that it can also be used to treat mania, making it good for bipolar disorder. So this song goes through a few phases … sad ones, a more upbeat one, and finally, a stabilized portion at the end, signifying the effects Lithium might have on a bipolar person. Furthermore, they’re all basically made up of the same musical elements, just as Lithium can affect your mood, but doesn’t fundamentally change the circumstances in your life.

Listen to Lithium.

I’ve had some fireworks sounds I recorded sitting on my hard drive for quite some time now, and figured FAWM would be a good opportunity to use them. Hence “Strontium,” which is used in fireworks to impart an intense red color.

I used Reaktor to process the fireworks sounds and write beats. The synths are my Evolver, LazySnake and Iblit.

I’ve used fireworks sounds before in a collaboration with fellow FAWMer Cagey House entitled “Nolokolomoto,” which can be found here.

Listen to Strontium.

After being gone in Kansas City for a while to visit some friends from college. I definitely lost some momentum. Anyway, I’m back and put together another track. This one’s called “Hydrogen” because it’s built from simple parts, and Hydrogen is the simplest element.

Listen to Hydrogen.