Piano + Sounds: Recent Episodes
Elijah Bossenbroek
This podcast started in the Summer of '22 really as a way to encourage me to play through my old compositions and keep me sharp for when I perform live. The focus of these shows has sort of shifted as I started to get feedback and seeing that people are actually listening to them and connecting with them. Now I'm taking my time a little more with each episode and focusing more on the quality of the content in hopes that we can grow something special here. If you enjoy Piano + Sounds as much as I do in creating them, please consider supporting me in this endeavor! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=2GT3ENXZGNVYJ
Sorry it's been a minute posting anything new here, I've just been enjoying my Summer. I've just started going live on TikTok while recording these episodes so you can now see the entire process and just hang out with me over there! My handle is @elijahpiano.
Fresh off a couple of weeks away from my piano, spending time with my family in Greece, I'm feeling refreshed and a little extra creative today. Just a quick one but a few new ideas in there for sure.
So I went out and bought a Novation Summit to add another layer to some of these organic piano sounds. I've had it about a week now and I'm still trying to find how to best fit it into the workflow the keys are much lighter than I'm used to as well. It will take some time but I'll figure this thing out. So here's the first of many episodes using this beauty.
A little jam from last night. There are some interesting rhythms in a few of these pieces that only can really happen if don't think too much about what I'm playing as it's happening. If you're able to support this podcast please consider doing so here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
Had the pleasure of jamming for a couple of hours with Monster Planet the other day. It's so much fun to play off of other people's energy! I've always told myself that I can't play nice with others; but really the only way to fix this is to get outside of your comfort zone and work on those things that you've been telling yourself for so long you can't do.
Some unique delays on this one with the Rhodes leading and the delay coming in the piano. Sorry I should've turned the distortion down quite a bit. I'm still learning this new process.
There are grooves in here that really groove hard and some not so much. I can tell this is going to be a process in getting my timing spot-on in order for it all to make sense, but man these are fun to play!
I stumbled on this really neat effect to change the pitch of the delay so it sounds like I have three or four hand playing at the same time it's also helping me stay in rhythm which I've been looking for a more natural way to do. I think I'm going to explore a little deeper in the next coming weeks.
I went and jammed out with Monster Planet again this weekend and we recorded 3 hours of material that I was super excited to sift through and play around with this week, only to find out that none of my audio actually got recorded. So instead of another wonderfully weird Monster Planet session, you get me and my lonely piano.
A spaced out guitar patch drenched in reverb. This starts with the second recording of a lovely little tune I just stared working out. Then drifts into "Choose Your Own Adventure". Those were literally the only type of books I would read as a kid. I end this with "Please" a song I wrote for a girl in high school who passed away last year. This song has taken on a different and more powerful tone since.
I'm starting this one with one of my favorites to perform, "When Something Lovely Happens". The second song is a new one that I came up with last night. I just think this whole 19 minutes is really good! There are an awful lot of frequencies bouncing around so it's best to listen to this with speakers or headphones that can handle it. Please, if you're able to support these do so here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
I've been trying all morning to add some strings or pads to this recording but the more I listen to it, I think it's best just left alone.
I had another awesome opportunity to jam out with Monster Planet last week. I'm learning it's such a different approach to create music when you're playing alongside other people. Enjoy!
It's been a rough month and a half for me creatively. It felt as if I was stuck in the mud starting a new project every day and throwing it away the very next day. As frustrating as it's been, I feel as if that process built up this frustration to a point that's audible in this performance. Happy 2024 everyone! This little podcast is now officially into its third season!
Hey if you're in the Portland, OR area on January 13 please come out and see me perform live! https://piano.yapsody.com
Well this is different. I jammed out with a band called Monster Planet over the weekend. It's such a foreign concept to me to not lead every song but to just allow the music to flow and just find my space in it. Thank you Monster Planet for being such hospital hosts. You can check them out here: https://monsterplanet.tv/
Sometimes it's more about the vibes created and less about getting every note right. I was really hesitant to post this one because there are more mistakes in it than most of these. The reason I didn't is I was so excited to remember one of my songs I made durning Covid; the first song on here, "What Used To Be". I wasn't playing anywhere live then so I didn't really make an effort to learn the songs from that album and a couple days ago now, I just sort of stumbled on it again. It's nice to be able to play this one again!
I've been playing with this sound for the last couple of days and love the brightness on the high end which allows me to really fill out the sound with reverb without drowning out the melody. You really should wear headphones for this one. If you would like to support me and this podcast you can do so here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
I feel like rainy days make for the best atmosphere to just sit down and get cozy with the piano. If you're in a gloomy mood and want to stay there for a while, this should work out ok for you. If you would like to support me and this podcast you can do so here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
Three songs for you! The first two are recycled from previous episodes I just built them out a bit. The third is a new little slow jam featuring the Rhodes piano; listening back on on it now, realizing it may need a little more work to be a cool jam I'll most likely bring an updated version of this one in a future podcast. Thank you everyone for supporting Piano + Sounds! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
A fan reached out to me a couple of weeks ago with some very kind words and one line that he wrote really struck a chord with me. He said that he felt like each composition seems to be a window into an ever-expanding inner world. I really loved the way he expressed that because when I perform my songs, the notes may be the same but each song will take on an entirely new meaning entirely dependent on my mood at that moment. I feel like I'm catching up with an old friend every time I play an old piece of mine. Thank you for listening and as always, your support for Piano + Sounds is most appreciated. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
I stayed up late last night working with an FM synth and getting frustrated with the sounds I was producing. Finally I switched over to my piano just to get some sort of semblance of music. Thank you for listening. If you would like to support Piano + Sounds you can do so here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
Thank you all of you for supporting Piano + Sounds! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
I love the feeling of getting locked into the groove of the delay because it adds such a nice rhythm and flow to it. The filter is being controlled by the velocity of the keystrokes making that sweeping effect; this becomes really evident around the 9 min mark. It was recorded all in one shot using four voices layered on top of each other. Thank you all of you for supporting Piano + Sounds! https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
This was a real joy to play. I hope you enjoy! To support Piano + Sounds, please do so here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
This one will put you in a nice calm reflective mood. Best to listen to right before bed. If you're able to support this podcast please do so here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
Can you hear them all? We're coming up on one year of me posting these livestreams of me working through my music as a podcast and I'm incredibly grateful for all of you following me on this journey! With that said, the site I use to host this podcast sent me the bill for $200 for next year so if you're able to support these please consider doing so here. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
I think there's potential for the the first song and a bit of the last song to turn into a really neat idea. Stay tuned for future episodes as I try to expand and evolve that. If you feel so inclined you can support me and this podcast here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
To donate to Piano + Sounds https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
We've made it to episode 50! In this one I have three brand new songs for you! I'm testing new avenues and methods to create these and I'm really proud of the way they turned out. As always, if you enjoy, please consider support me and this podcast. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
It's hard to believe my first Album "Harmony In Disarray" is really 19 years old! I thought it would be fun to just dive right in to the first 5 songs of this album and see how much they've evolved over this time.
My absolutely favorite place to find and create sounds is through a program called Omnisphere and for piano day; which is apparently today they updated their software and gave us a new piano sound, the Double Felt Grand. This is such a delicate, and soft piano that I really have no business trying to perform on. I thought I would give it a go anyway. If you would like to support Piano + Sounds you can do so here. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
It wasn't on purpose but listening back on this on I realized this on has a bit of a chip on its shoulder. If you enjoyed, please consider supporting. https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PVQQXB9N5CCMS
I really like how the mics on this Contemplative Grand sound are placed a bit further out giving it an audience perspective. Thank you to all who continue to support these!
You can get some interesting sounds playing guitar on the keyboard. Help support me and this Podcast.
I started this live set with the intention of just working out the new combination of chords I found this morning.... then the Adderall kicked in and here we are, an hour later. If you have a few bucks laying around and don't know what to do with them, I will gladly help you out with that. Donate to Piano + Sounds. Thank you for supporting!
The first song is an attempt at playing arpeggios on top of arpeggiated sounds. This was recorded all in one take with nothing added on after. The second uses that same technique but in a more subtle way and I couldn't resist adding the voice in parts. Please help me grow the Piano + Sounds podcast by supporting it.
The first song of this episode is a song I performed live about a year and a half ago at a concert in Chicago (starts around the 42 min mark) and up until now this one completely fell off of my radar. I'm happy now to have it back. If you would like to support this podcast please consider a donation.
About a month ago, I got a new piano plug-in from Arturia called Augmented Piano and I really wasn't thrilled with the playability of these piano sounds. Today I challenged myself to really try to get something out of them. For the last half of this episode I invited a buddy over for a little jam session!
These past few weeks it feels like I've been spending more time on YouTube figuring out my gear rather than actually playing it. It felt freeing to get away from the metronome for a bit.
My wife is currently a middle school science teacher who's back in school now to get a second Master degree to become a school counselor. We're a little nervous for next year though as she's going to have to quit her full time job teaching so she can get her intern hours to become a school counselor. I don't expect these podcasts to support me as a full time job would, and as long as people are listening, I'm going to continue making them. With that said, if you find yourself coming back to these often and have the means to do so, please consider supporting Piano + Sounds. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/pianosounds
Thank you!
A Friday podcast for you here!
A buddy of mine William Winchester and I have been working on some songs together over the years and the first two songs on this episode are some collaborations I did with him that just sort of got buried. I dug them back up just for you! If you like these then you really should find my song titled "Endless" wherever you stream your music. There's also an animated music video of "Endless" on YouTube that shows the plight of attempting to stay relevant as an artist these days in this quick consumption world. That maybe hit a bit too close to home for me right now as I crank out these podcasts. :-)
- Watch "Endless" here.
I'm so grateful to all of you who have made these little podcasts a daily part of your life now. We're averaging around 300 stream a day!
As the sun sets and the stars rise in the sky,
A sense of peace begins to wash over you.
Your muscles start to relax, and your thoughts drift away,
Like leaves on a gentle breeze.
The world around you fades into the background,
As you sink deeper into a state of calm.
You are weightless, suspended in the stillness of the night,
Drifting off into the dreamscape,
Where anything is possible.
The moment just before sleep is a fleeting one,
But it is a precious one,
A time to let go of the day's worries and cares,
And embrace the rest and restoration that sleep brings.
A new year dawns, a fresh start
A chance to leave the past behind.
Hope and excitement in the air,
As we look ahead, and hope to find.
A time to reflect, to set our goals
To make positive changes, to be bold.
A sense of optimism, of endless possibility
As we embrace the future, with energy and glee.
Anticipation fills the air
As we wonder what the year will bring.
Adventures and experiences, waiting just ahead
In this new year, our spirits take wing.
So let us celebrate, let us embrace
The feeling of a new year.
With hope and excitement, and a sense of wonder
We look ahead, with joy and cheer.
This is a really fun keyboard! I'm only just now starting to understand the power behind this machine. The ability to add effects, mix and eq while performing is crazy cool.
Continuing on with these late night sessions. I try to clear everything out of my brain for these and try to force myself into new avenues.
The weather here is dull and overcast so I thought I would attempt to capture that today.
It was really hard for me not to get too carried away and to attempt to stay in the lines with this one.
Challenged myself to do something a little different today. Getting into the spooky Halloween spirit!
As if my music isn't already full enough. Who's coming out to see me live in Grand Rapids MI on October 22nd? https://thelucasproject.betterworld.org/events/fall-benefit-concert (https://thelucasproject.betterworld.org/events/fall-benefit-concert)
I tried really hard in this one to find unique sounds and let those guide me in my performance.
I had a bit of fun playing around with adding a bluesy guitar and playing around with drift on the tuning. Also, a little reminder, I have a concert in Grand Rapids, MI in one month now on October 22! Get your tickets here: https://thelucasproject.betterworld.org/events/fall-benefit-concert (https://thelucasproject.betterworld.org/events/fall-benefit-concert)
I've been more focused on building sounds than actually creating music lately but I figured I'd give you some of my older songs that were never released and were just sitting here getting dusty.
This is a session of me getting high and not allowing my brain to fall into the typical patterns that it so often wants to so it's messy with a few splashes of beauty throughout.
I was going through some of my unfinished songs today and came across this cool set of loops that I forgot all about. I added a little beat to it and doodled all over it.
Back home after a fantastic vacation in Switzerland! It's always such a great feeling to throw on the headphones and jam out after being away for a bit.
I'm headed to Switzerland to celebrate my little sisters wedding for the next 10 days so I'll be taking a little break from posting these until then. Maybe I'll add a little Alphorn to one of my mixes when I get back. ;-)
You never know what instruments I may stumble across in any given episode. I'm not promising they work well together all the time, but they have their moments!
I performed a concert on Saturday so for the past couple of weeks, every time I sat at a piano I was in performance mode. Today it felt really good to just let all of that go and just goof around with sounds and not really care about the end result so much. Thank you for listening!
A little shameless self promotion in the title of this one. :-) I would love to see you there though! You can get tickets and info at www.elijahbossenbroek.com
Episode 12 starts with me working on a couple of new songs then brings you back into a bit more familiar territory with "I Give Up".
I've been spending the last five days attempting to work with a new piece of gear and I was hoping to give you all a sample of me using it but I'm still not really comfortable performing on it. So instead I decided to keep things simple and just play my piano for you.
This is a rebroadcast of an older live performance. I took it, added a bunch of reverb to it and played live along with it. It's a very atmospheric episode today.
Some days I think I may try to spend too much effort trying to get the perfect sound instead of trying to make the perfect song. Today was one of those days I'm afraid.
I really love the mix of sounds on this one! It starts with a new idea for a song then some repeats of songs from yesterday but in a different style. I really let the sounds drive me today.
I started a little slow today and took me a bit to get into a groove but I think I found it towards the end.
I found some really neat arpeggiated sound to kick this one off with. After that it's mostly just pads and piano. It ends with a crazy mash up of "A Song of Simplicity" and "Life's a Stage Play" I never thought to put those together like this but I think it worked pretty well.
For today we have an interesting layer of sounds I hear organ, guitar, and sometimes even 80's trumpet vibes.