Special II: 24042 (20240503) – Ok, so this is special too. Right? Already in may, as it may be. Figured that I’d combine things that does not come naturally to mind. If you don’t mind? I didn’t. Mind that is. Because I did. Combine things that does not come naturally to mind. With me?

Ordinary legend: 24043 (20240506) – So, odd coincidence or faith? This track was composed, arranged and produced on the night between my last day as a 42-year-old and my 43rd birthday. Cool thing to mention. I have to confess, I wish I had planed it, but I did not. Ok, back to the track… how do you take something legendary and make it ordinary, or the other way around? Take something ordinary and make it a legend? Obviously, both perspectives offer their challenges, but that did not keep me from trying.

Amuse the muse: 24044 (20240509) – Phew, this track. As awesome as it is, it is also amusingly long. Close to 8 minutes. It took time to tell this tale, to explain how to amuse the muse. The entire story, in tender steps, each in detail. Tender steps, yet powerful. No doubt. And I take great pride in this! I really want to Amuse the muse. And you.

Lighting Lightning: 24045 (20240512) – Ok, so, lightning. All powerful, potentially destructive. Who would ever think about lighting lightning, except maybe Thor? Well, I figure, that if this were to be done. You should tread carefully into the deed. Deliberate, perhaps with gentle power. Then, the next stage, harness and build up the tension. Still deliberate. Still gentle. Then, as power builds, it is time to back away, before it is being released. Still gentle, still deliberate. Then just wait and observe.

A Cow Moose: 24046 (20240515) – Cow. Moose. Two different animals. To my knowledge anyway. Perhaps it is an elaborate scheme that one despises as the other just to fool us? I mean. When we talk about Cow’s, they are almost telling us. Don’t you think? Moose. A Cow Moose. Because it does? Perhaps.

Senior Newbie: 24047 (20240518) – Ok, so, the next two tracks originates from a recorded concert I watched. John Williams and the Berlin Philharmonics, playing everything from Harry Potter to Star Wars. John Williams is a legend. I am a huge fan! Not only do I enjoy the craftsmanship of the music itself, but I love movies and the way that music (and sound) contribute to the entirety of the movie. Contribute to telling the story. Anyway. So, I was watching this fabulous concert. And I got two thoughts. 1. (This track) – What if there, in the orchestra (in my case electronic synths), among all the gifted musicians who have spent thousands of hours to practice their instrument and master it, where two oddities. One like rebel, playing what it is supposed to, but perhaps not exactly what it says in the notes, nor precisely according to the conductor. The other a defiant 3-year-old who just want to do what ever they feel like in the moment. How would that situation unfold and what effect would it have on the entire musical piece. This is what I attempt to explore here.

Curious 4 life: 24048 (20240521) – 2. The second thought I got from above mentioned concert was, what if each member of the orchestra just chose a random note to begin with. At a tempo of their choosing. And one after one just falling in line, mending towards the will of the conductor and start to contribute to the greater picture. Starting in chaos, and from that chaos, order slowly emerging. Again, I do not have an orchestra, but very willing synths. But they lack a will of their own, so I have to tell them. And to ensure chaos, I enlisted a randomizer to give me a set of numbers for each synth. First random selection was between 1-12, selecting what note to play. Second was 0-7 selecting what octave to use. And third, I’ve decided the first part of the track into 32 pieces, to get each synth a selection between 1-32 to see how long that particular sound would stay in chaos before thriving for order. Now, to maintain chaos, the random sequences of numbers were selected for each synth the amount of times the 1-32 showed. Thus a huge amount of random selections helped creating chaos, and from that randomly created chaos, order emerges. At least, that was the plan. I had to change it. Some of the random numbers between 1-32 that was supposed to set the duration of chaos was to few, the chaos was to short, so I over ruled the random numbers and made the chaos part 32 parts long for all synths, then… slowly… a different kind of structured chaos… that slowly sorts out, moving towards order.

Goat got oat: 24049 (20240524) – Yeah, right, so, title mismatch, or something. This track got nothing with goats or oat to do. Hard to say what it is about. All I really can say is that I enjoy it a lot. Or, if I should try to connect it to the track title, a loat!

Equal and unique: 24050 (20240527) – Yes, we are all equal. No doubt in my mind. And also, totally unique, no doubt in my mind there either. Equal could mean the same. But that would make the unique part untrue. And I hold them both as equally true. Which means that equal cannot mean the same. It has to mean something else.

Hello, how are you?: 24051 (20240530) – Seeing someone for the first time. It might start a little slow, before a clear break in the fumbling conversation, where it just clicks. Then fascination. You just hit it off. That feeling. Composed by various elements. The basic structure is three different rhythmic sounds from different sources combined to the harmony of the track. I think it makes a great foundation to this track.

Well, folks, this is it for the May releases of the 24123-project!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Before we jump into the tracks. Here is a nice feature. Only in April – a challenge within the challenge.

As I create the first track, I need to select one sound in that track that need so be used in the second track. Exactly as it is, no further tweaks, no changes in effects, just playing a different melody or rhythm. And from the second track, I need to choose another sound that needs to be used in the third track, and so on. Leaving a link between all the 24123 April releases. Fun! Yay! Crazy? Yay! Let’s do this!

Unique copy – 24032 (20240403): Slow-going, nice and easy. Yet an underlaying energy building up. This is the first one out this month. So this does not have any inherited sounds in it, all new. From scratch. And it is unique. In a way. And probably a copy in another way. But this is my copy. And that makes it unique. A unique copy.

Desert the dessert in the desert – 24033 (20240406): The first sound that opens up this track is inherited from the previous. Step one done. Now, as for eating a dessert in the desert. Well, why not? But to give it up amongst the sand? Who would do such a thing?

Vault – 24034 (20240409): Care to lock something inside the vault? To you it might be clear and safe, keeping something in a safe. To others it is a little mysterious, out of reach.

Typing Monkey – 24035 (20240412): Have you heard about the infinite monkey theorem? It is a math thing with probability. When I heard it the first time, it was overwhelming. And the image of a monkey in front of a typewriter (yeah, the old fashion kind), that image stuck. And now, it surfaces as a track. This could very well be the musical representation of a typing monkey. Or something completely different that takes shape in your mind. But I like the monkey image, so I’ll stick with that.

Repeat – 24036 (20240415): A little thing, repeating. On repeat. Come to think of it, it is a good description for all Muddhedd tracks. But this in particular, since it is its name. I think it is a powerful thing, repeat. And I talk about the track. And I know it is said about knowledge as well, that you need to repeat to truly learn.

Hunger – 24037 (20240418): Really low bass, and distorted as, well a distorted bass. Tones that does not really match, or add up to what they are supposed to. And the drums. Not a loop, but it sure could be one. This entire track is the representation of hunger. Tempted hunger with what you crave within reach, yet just not.

Mushroom room – 24038 (20240421): Imagine being hungry. Then enter a room full of mushrooms. Mushrooms from floor to roof. Everywhere. Oh, and regarding the track. The sounds of this track, with one exception, is exactly the same as the previous track, except for one in that too.

Grow up (Naah!) – 24039 (20240424): In general, I do not spend much time or focus on Grow(ing) up, except when I enter the world of Italian plumbing. Then it is actually one of my first missions in life. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am all for grow(ing) up, but I personally do not spend much effort on doing so, I am far to curious on other things.

Glow up (Yay!) – 24040 (20240427): Ok, so, same drum sounds, same rhythm, same, same, same! Bass. Same, same, same. But different! And… you need to go slow to glow! In this track that is! To get the glow worthy of a lovers eyes, lumos spells, illuminate or the setting sun reflecting in the water, I figured the sounds alone could not make it, I needed to slow the beat down. Not much, but definitely slower than the previous! So, it’s time to shine! Glow up (Yay!)

Soft smile – 24041 (20240430): Alright. Can a smile be heard? I mean, sure, muscles in the general area of the mouth are activated, but I do not believe that activating muscles generate a hearable sound. Yet, some how, don’t ask me how, I also believe that you can talk to a person on the phone, without having any visual contact, and yet hear that person smile. What does that rambling have to do with this track? Well, I figured, if you can hear a smile through the phone, perhaps you can sense my soft smile while I was making this track?

Question for you! Did you find the sound that leaps from one track to the next?

Elephants: 24021 (20240301) – So, I bet you are wondering what the connection between the track and the title is. Normally, there is, sometimes a far fetched, but still a connection. To be honest, I am wondering that to at the moment. The only vague connection I can come to think of is that I like this track, and I’ve never met an elephant, but I think I like them. I mean, they look kind of cute in pictures. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the closest I come to finding a connection between this track and its title. So you just need to accept this one without questions. And if you do have questions, I need you to provide the answer yourself, because I do not have it. I guess that would count as the elephant in the room?

Desire: 24022 (20240304) – I like the taste of that word, desire. To me, it contains expectation, longing, unknown, yearning. It is a nice and positive feeling whom I like very much. And enjoy occasionally. It is a good feeling. As is this track. It is a good feeling.

Maintain: 24023 (20240307) – The first sound, tone, note and rhythm is maintained through out the track. This is what maintain is about. And it is a funny looking word, maintain. Three repeating letters with different letters in front of them. I like the look of this word. I like this track. I hope you will enjoy it as well.

Special: 24024 (20240310) – Oh, this is Special. Oh, so, special! I mean, look at the number! It is beautiful! And as a tribute, this track is 4:24!

Locomotive: 24025 (20240313) – Locomotive, always pulling forward, going first. Following the track. Taking the heavy load. Despite the scenery around, alway working towards the next station. And then the next. Always. Determination. Getting to the destination. Got to respect that!

Steam train: 24026 (20240316) – Alright, if you can hear the steam train, raise your hand! (I raised mine!) This is a journey through various scenery. From crowded industrial cities to open dessert and difficult climbed over mountains. All the while, the journey continues onward. Eventually, the journey of the steam train ends. But oh, what a journey!

Continous stream: 24027 (20240319) – A stream. It could be a continuous stream, but this is not a continuous stream, this is Continous Stream. What is the difference you might wonder? Is it merely a simple miss-spelling of the word? Perhaps, or there is a deeper meaning below the surface of the stream. Hidden in its depth. For me to know, for you to wonder about. But I can safely tell you, as Groll states several times (character from the book The Last White Witch), there is always more than meets the eye!

Flow in a go: 24028 (20240322) – Yes, oddly enough, there is a part an and a part b on this track. Would it not count as two tracks then? Noop. Not in my book. Not this time at least. To me this is one track in two parts. The track then. One or two. Either way. It is a simple melody, simple in its rhythm and it is a positive flow. Takes my thoughts to a sprinkle of ancient asian melodies. Not the arrangement itself, but the first melody. Powerful in its simplicity.

Fountain: 24029 (20240325) – A fountain, pouring water. On the surface, it looks nice and simple, playful. But beneath it all is some serious ingenuity. Just to get it to work, and artistic features to make it look nice. It is indeed a masterpiece. And it spreads joy. As does this track, I hope. I give you Fountain.

Mountain: 24030 (20240328) – Mountain, big, deep foundation. Steep climbs and flat surfaces. Harsh environment combined with marvelous green vegetation zones. Another marvel on this planet! I hope I’ve made the mountains proud with this track. Respect!

Like nothing else: 24031 (20240331) – Ok, so first thing first. Is this Like nothing else like in I am not fond of anything other then, or is it Like nothing else like unlike everything else? Or is it both? Could it be both? Is it even possible? Perhaps. This track, however, is very possible. And it is hereby presented to you! Once it arrives and gets available for your ears. I hope you like it, like you like other things. And don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely no exclusive liking implied in the title, even if it may seem like it. Like that.

Simple joy: 24012 (20240203) – Arpeggiated synth sounds with a lot of noise at its best! Makes interesting “beats” and rhythms without actually applying any drums or drum sounds. 8 Max production going down to just maximum of 5 sound sourses. Each one only playing just one note at the time. Simple. Joy.

Levitater: 24013 (20240206) – Could this be classic Muddhedd? Does it even exist such a thing as a classic Muddhedd track, or style? If it does, I guess this could be close to it, at least style. I am levitating along with the track. Safe high. High five on that? Any takers?

Air: 24014 (20240209) – Going from levetating to Air. Bold move? Don’t think so, understand the association I do, like a wise master would have put it. What about Air then? This is truly a wired track, even considering that it is a Muddhedd track. The shift in tempo are supposed to be like when you inflate something, and then suddenly, you find that the air slipping out somewhere. Then you inflate it again, and again, and it holds for a while, but eventually, all the air slips out.

Water: 24015 (20240212) – Water. This brilliant thing. Heaviest at plus 4 degrees celsius. The true cradle of life on this planet. The key in many aspects. But ask anyone that lives close to the water, as life giving as it is, as treacherous. Here, in this track, it is represented with doing a harmony with both minor and major third within the same harmony. Just one tiny tone, giving the entire track a sneaky feeling. In my opinion at least. Normally, I tend to create space for each sound, cut frequencies away, but on this track, like on Wind a little further down, I did not. Water tends to blend with itself and fill everything up, so I let the sounds blend heavier than I would normally do.

Soil: 24016 (20240215) – Also life-giving. In its own way. Perhaps something we all take for granted in a way or another. To me, soil is magic. Pure magic. Put a seed in there, add water and sunlight, then you get a plant. How cool is that? Supercool, which is why Soil should have its own track. And this is it!

Fire: 24017 (20240218) – Aggressive and consuming. Slowly progressing and changing ever so slightly, depending on what it consumes. And when you think it will fade a little more, it seems to get new fuel and becomes more intense, yet again. But eventually. It fades. It consumed everything in its way, and ironically kills itself in the process.

Wind: 24018 (20240221) – A slow and soft breeze at first, then gaining in strength, gaining in force. Taking a step back. And hit again, with more power. As with water, the Wind fills everything, there’s no escaping it. So the sounds in this track are left as they are when it comes to limiting them or cutting them. They are left to blend and add more intensity to each other. Ladies and Gentlemen, Wind.

Iron: 24019 (20240224) – In all honesty, I do not know anything about working with iron. But I imagine it is a slow process. And it needs to take time. It needs to be precise, it needs the right amount of heat. It requires time to be molded into the desired shape. And it is all precision work. No step can be skipped. Each step is needed to be exact and well performed before the next step can be taken. Now, that is what I want to this track to be about. It is what it is about. Iron. Slow progress with a lot of energy and precision.

House of Gods: 24020 (20240227) – Honest to God. I have not been in any house of God. I’ve been in many different churches, which is probably the closest I’ve come so far. I know about the House of One in Berlin, but this track does not refer to that house. No, House of Gods is more like the halls of Valhalla or on Olympus. A house for many Gods, where they feast, relax and enjoy themselves. It is built on a strong foundation, but as the inhabitants moods changes, so does the House. It adapts, it evolves. This is my vision of House of Gods. In a track.

So, here is the January releases of the 24123 challenge.

First one out – 24001 (20240101) – Needed (according to me) to start with something special, since it is the first one out for the 24123 challenge. One thing that makes this track special is that it is 3 minutes 33 seconds. It also is a little goofy in its rhythm (again according to me). Likable goofy. Catchy goofy. Diggable goofy. A good track to be the First one out!

Scary challenge: 24002 (20240104) – Indeed, scary! Some hesitation. But also a determination. I will get through it! I have my eyes set on the goal. There is only one way to get there. One. Step. At. The. Time.

Outside of comfortzone: 24003 (20240107) – Truly outside of my comfort zone! But I’ve heard that it’s when you leave your comfort zone that you can grow. So, this is me growing. Making something that does not feel completely comfortable, and I am not talking sound-wise, I am talking rhythmical. This is a little off, according to my senses. Yet, oddly, fit together in a quirky way. Any lessons learned? Well, I think this is one of those things that I need time to gain perspective. Meanwhile, enjoy this track!

Trust myself: 24004 (20240110) – Ok, so odd coincidence! As I named this track, before I even started making it, I was not aware that half way through production of it (December 2022) Top Gun Maverick would be released on a streaming service I currently use. As it released, I watched it for a second time (caught it at the cinema the first time), I found myself with a peculiar perspective, and it goes as follows. A triad of the character Maverick (played by Tom Cruise), the entire movie production of Top Gun Maverick and Muddhedd.

Let’s start with the character Maverick. A pilot, not just any pilot, an amazingly skilled pilot, in his true element inside a plane. “Don’t think, just do.” A pilot that needs to feel and know the plane, inside out, work with it and be one with it. Each flight a perfect serenade, from start to landing. A million things working together to make the flight, ingenuity and creativity to build and maintain a plane, and the skills of a pilot to commender it.

The same goes for the movie production of that movie, or any other movie for that matter. A lot of individual things, places and not to mention people, that need to work together as a fine-tuned machinery in order to create the end product. Nothing along the way, from start to finish, is overlooked, or too small to have an impact. Details that need tending and tuned, reworked as the production moves forward, and in the end, a lot of work to complete the movie by working through all the material and create one picture of all the different (available) pieces.

A Muddhedd track is much the same as both a movie-production and a flight. Muddhedd is the entire movie-crew, the skilled pilot and the ground personell to take care of the plane and pilot and all that surrounds the flight. Now, creating a Muddhedd track is nothing compared to both a successful flight or a brilliant movie, but it is basically the same process, details that need to work together as part of a bigger picture, part of a machinery that is dependent on each individual part performing at full capacity. At its best.

Trust the process: 24005 (20240113) – As the process progresses, the music evolves. Yet it builds on everything that has come before it. It is nice that way, that each step always leads to a new. This track quickly became one of my own favorite tracks! It will be hard for me to let this track go, to back up all the files, and then wait, for a little over a year before it is released, but I figure, it will be a nice reunion at the 13th of January 2024. See you then! Or rather, hear you then!

Trust the machinery: 24006 (20240116) – The first sound that is introduced is going around in a circle, it start far back, then moves forward to the right to come almost all the way right in front of you, and then, it starts its way backwards and to the left before centering far back again. Like part of a machinery. The other parts of this track is also part of a machinery.

B(ey)ond: 24007 (20240119) – Perhaps stating the obvious, referens to the famous double oh. But this goes beyond that. This is a track with its own destination, far beyond, to where I do not know, but I can feel it leaves this realm.

I’ve got this: 24008 (20240122) – Feels really good to have started this whole escapade! Sometimes it feels like I want to escape this escapade, but I have started it, and I will continue! This is my journey, and I have invited you to tag along. So, if you don’t mind, I’d really like to have your company and support. I’ve got this, no doubt in my mind, but sometimes it’s nice with some company. So, thank you for tagging along!

Well on the way: 24009 (20240125) – I am well on the way! Feels like a soft journey, mellow, yet hopeful. No stress. Everything just fits together. Feels nice. Comfortable. Yeah. I like this! Hope you do to!

Oh, and if goosebumps don’t lie. Then this is true!

I believe: 24010 (20240128) – I believe, that it only takes a baseline, some drums and three elements containing the same notes, but different melodies and rhythms, to create a track. I believe this, because I just did it.

Everything is energy: 24011 (20240131) – I like this one. Happy track. With nice rhythm and deep bass. Classic Muddhedd. Another classic Muddhedd is the change in melody (which sometimes is adding another element) late in the track. The change makes it happier still. In my humble opinion. What do you think?

A footnote. Perhaps you are one of those who spotted it directly, perhaps it was something that you ignored, or did not notice at all. To me it is important to point out. In the title of 24003, there are a space “missing”. It is intentional. To me, when I am outside of my comfort zone, space tends to shrink rapidly. Figured this could be exciting trivia to some, and completely useless to others. Either way, here you got it! …and rest assure, I am working on it!