Please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background.

I'm an urban white cis-male from a mid-sized city in Southern Ontario, Canada. I've always had interests in both the emotional/artistic and the technical realms. I've straddled these interests through my Mechanical Engineering degree and work in computer programming-related day jobs that help me exercise my creativity. I'm a parent and have been married twice. Music is my primary grounding and play environment to offset life and its challenges.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Based in Southern Ontario, Canada, I perform as Postmodern Machine. After divorcing my long-term collaborator, with whom I worked in a project called "The Short Films," Postmodern Machine became my vehicle for reclaiming personal music exploration.

What's your musical origin story?

I've always found music immersive and transporting. My journey began when I asked for piano lessons at age 9, which led to playing in jazz bands in high school and various instruments in indie rock bands. My experience includes engineering and production for local artists, creating music for TV and films, live improvised scoring for classic films in theaters, and more recently, producing electronic and ambient albums under my current project, Postmodern Machine.

What were the driving forces or pivotal moments that inspired you to pursue music?

Key moments include being mesmerized by music from the 60s-70s during long car trips with my parents at a young age, beginning piano lessons at 9, spending two summers as a teenager in a touring jazz band, and discovering jazz and instrumental rock. Music has been a constant presence throughout my life.

How would you describe your style of music?

My music incorporates elements of classical, various improvisational styles, rock, and jazz. Through scoring independent TV and film, I've developed a deep understanding of contrast and composition. I strive to find something moving in every instrument I work with, including extensive experience with electronic instruments. My focus tends to be on "mood discovery" while exploring textures and compositions.

How is your personality reflected in your work?

As a raw and emotional person, I wear my perspective as openly in music as in my daily life. I pursue catharsis in music, though the direction depends on my current state of mind. My emotional journey is tightly interwoven into the music I create.

Describe your creative process when you write new music.

Music arrives either through deliberate exploration or away from instruments in my thoughts or dreams. I often capture ideas into my phone at odd hours, as songs can play fully formed in my head. If not captured and structured, they can loop endlessly! I create "setups" with selected equipment and mine them for musical ideas, often becoming jams on my YouTube channel in semi-raw form. These components or layers are stored for future use in other pieces. The final compositions involve intense addition and subtraction of layers before reaching their final form. I focus on stringing together emotional experiences from various poignant "moments" that occur when blending sounds.

What is the name of your latest release?

"Searum," released October 25th.

What was the inspiration for that release?

After many years away from the piano working with synthetic and virtual instruments, returning to the piano felt transportive. This album took four months to complete, including writing. Having started my musical journey on piano 34 years ago, I pour everything I've learned into each performance. I focus on finding the flow state and avoid planning the length or structure of pieces too strictly, allowing myself to move with the notes and the spaces between them.

What challenges or unexpected moments did you encounter during the writing/recording process?

While creating this album was mostly joyful, my biggest challenges were physical. Chronic pain and historical injuries limit my ability to work intensely on creative projects, with piano being particularly challenging due to its physical nature. I've been working hard to heal and strengthen my body alongside my creative journey.

What strategies do you find most effective for promoting your music?

Live performances are the most effective way to promote and reach people. Social networks help me connect with those I have personal connections to, while YouTube has been valuable for both audiovisual exploration and gathering watch hours for longer-form passive listening. Getmusic.fm has also been helpful, as I'm a huge Bandcamp fan but have had challenges finding my audience there.

How do you engage with your fans online and offline?

I engage through multiple platforms including:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• Direct messages

I'm always happy to share my creative process with fans directly through my YouTube channel.

What upcoming promotional activities or releases are you most excited about?

The new release of "Searum" is exciting! I've also been enjoying performing live improvisational synth jams at our local Board Game Cafe biweekly this fall under a project called "R&D." We'll be launching dedicated pages for that project soon.

How can folks contact you?

You can find Postmodern Machine on various social media platforms, primarily:

• YouTube
• Instagram