The Official Al Conti Blog

Bliss In Unlikely Places

2012-01-23T15:41:00.000-08:00

Composers within the New Age music genre usually strive to offer people a soothing environment to 'get away to' during the listening experience. We tend to craft albums that create an environment of peace, magic and otherworldliness. In my case, I cannot say that all of my work is soothing – after all, a song like Valkyrja, from my latest album Northern Seas, is not one I would consider exactly soothing – perhaps energizing might be a better word. Still, I work to create an experience from beginning to end of an album, almost as if it was a film. This song, however, offers a great example of what I am pondering at the moment: bliss in unlikely places.

We tend to think of a blissful moment as something like walking through a beautiful forest, hiking up a mountain trail or sitting by the ocean before an awe-inspiring sunset. I venture to say you may have envisioned such blissful moments simply by reading what I just wrote about these enchanting experiences. However, if I said, "walking down the streets of Manhattan" you would likely have a different vision: one of hustle and bustle, sirens, horns, people moving in every which way. But I can say I have found bliss in just such a place.

A few years ago, during my life as an actor, I used to go to New York's island of Manhattan quite a bit for work. As I lived (and still do) in Vermont, when in New York, I'd prefer to stay outside the city with friends and take the train in, the Hudson line, along the river. This one particular day, I was headed into the city for a few auditions my manager had set up. After the usual preparation, I headed for the station, boarded the train, and sat reading a book. I think, if I remember correctly, it was Dancing in the Light by Shirley MacLaine. I have always liked biographies about actors, and books about quests to find spirituality, and MacLaine offered both in one. Since I am an introvert, I rarely strike up a conversation unless spoken to first. I tend to keep to myself. This time, however, the man sitting next to me commented on my book and we proceeded to have a fascinating conversation about a book he had just published. He was going into the city for a signing. I find that in New York City, artists of every kind tend to attract each other – some kind of radar! I knew then that this was going to be a different sort of day for me. His excitement and energy were wonderful and remained with me throughout the day.

After arriving at Grand Central, I hailed a taxi and headed to the first audition. After surviving a day of auditions, I met up with some friends to have dinner. I was feeling particularly upbeat, the day having gone well. After dinner, and long goodbyes, I decided to walk the twenty or so blocks south to Grand Central, as it was an unseasonably warm January evening. It was the middle of the week and at this time of the night there were far fewer people on the streets than earlier in the day.

I suddenly found myself as if alone in the city. I could feel a vibrant charge coming from all around and flowing right through me. The lights, the relative calm, the buildings reaching almost endlessly upwards into the grey wintry sky. I was filled by an enormous and unexpected sense of peace and happiness. I was the city and the city was me. I had never experienced something like this before in a large city, even though most of my formative years were spent in urban centers. I could have very well been walking in the middle of a peaceful forest. I think I must have floated all the way back to Grand Central Terminal. Once back in the train, the energy still remained with me. It was a memorable, blissful experience right in the middle of one of the largest most vibrant cities in the world. I still remember that evening so very well after all these years. Bliss in an unexpected place.

The Surreality of Life

2011-12-08T09:52:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I was recently nominated for a GRAMMY® Award. This has been an enormous event in my life, and one to which I gave great thought, even before I was nominated. The process was lengthy and arduous, to say the least, but it really confronted me with many questions, one being: why do I create music? As many artists will tell you, this is not as simple an answer as it may seem. Yes, there is the obvious, "because there is this music inside me that needs to come out," and "because there is a need in me to share with others the art that is within me." But if you consider that the music business is, well, a business, now this tends to complicate the answer to the question a little.

Some tend to think that artists can afford to work for free (which is, usually, the opposite), therefore being an artist is a hobby. While for some, music is indeed a hobby, this ceases to be when one becomes a professional musician who works in the music industry and does this full time. One no longer composes music just because "music is inside me." One now has to contend with reviews, interviews, the buying public, what sells, what does not, what fits in one's music genre, what does not, staying true to oneself as an artist, and so on. The game gets even crazier when contracts and other legal wonders enter the picture. Even crazier when one ends up working with a team of people ranging from publicists, managers, engineers, fellow artists and such. To think that once upon a time, it was just me….

And then a GRAMMY® (yes, I am supposed to add the ® next to it) enters the picture and a nomination happens. And I thought my career was complicated before! However, here is the beauty of it: along the way I have met and befriended incredible people who have changed my life, and some extremely humble. Today I got an e-mail from an actress I know who has been in the business since she was a child. She is very well known, so I will not say her name, but suffice to say she is an incredibly talented actress and author. Yet, she was in awe of ME. It only reminded me, once again, that there are amazing people in the entertainment business who are right there for me and have blessed my life over and over. So, ultimately, the craziness of life becomes more like 'surreality of life,' and what seems like crazy is actually pretty good indeed.

Thanks

2011-11-14T17:08:00.001-08:00

Sitting indoors on a grey, rainy Vermont autumn afternoon, I was thinking about how amazing it is about the people that come our way. Being in the music business I have come in contact with an incredible amount of people, from artists to engineers, publicists and others who make this business go round. Some have been in this business for forty plus years, others are relatively new, yet everyone has such amazing views and things to share.

Since I am also a firm believer in synchronicity, I believe that people come into our lives at certain times when we are ready for them and they are ready for us. Some stay a lifetime, some leave when our work together is over. Back when I was an actor, I always found it fascinating the way we were brought together with other people for a specific job, and why some would remain in my life long after and some I never saw again, or maybe passed each other by through that crazy business. In my current work as a musician, I have been blessed with people who have become part of my amazing team, plus being friends and colleagues with other amazing artists who are also beautiful people and have enriched my life tremendously.

As I look back, I can see when these people entered my life and, at times, I can see why. Have you ever looked back at a specific period of your life to see who came into it and the reason this may be? I find this a wonderful exercise, not to mention I can then give thanks for such people, those who have come and stayed and those who may have come, gifted me with their presence for a time and then have gone.

Autumn Days

2011-10-14T05:09:00.000-07:00

Fall seems to finally be here, although we have been having some warm days still, the leaves are responding to the ancestral call of nature, turning a myriad of beautiful colors.

This is one of my favorite times of the year, represented by transitions in nature. These changes always draw me inward and it is no surprise that this is one of the most creative times of the year for me. Work on the new album has begun, a redesigned web presence is in the works, and appearances at events and other projects seem to consume all my time.

One day last week, I was preparing my garden for winter and thinking about the amazing cycle of life; how nature seems to go to sleep at this time of year only to wake up in the spring with renewed force and vigor. The stage is truly set for heightened creativity perhaps because everything is a bit quieter, particularly in my part of the world where severe weather often brings daily life to a standstill.

There is much coming for me in the year ahead and I will be preparing during these quieter fall and winter days. One of the major undertakings in the year ahead is the creation of a new album. This new album represents yet another exciting direction for me as an artist, as all my albums have done in the past. I love exploring new themes, legends and world cultures through my work. I will also be working with some other well-known new age artists and can't wait to share with you more about it as the work progresses.

I also find winter to be a time for taking extra care of one's body. With cold temperatures, sometimes extreme in certain parts of the country, our bodies seem to need more nurturing. For me, this is a good time to think of wellness and holistic care. I have recently been engaged by the SPA BUZZ (thespabuzztour), an organization that helps spread the message of wellness through activities such as an awareness-raising bus tour. Led by four women, the bus has embarked on its eighth tour, and is being joined along the way by people whose work supports and embraces this lifestyle. I will be joining them for their New York City stop. As much of my time as a composer is spent alone, often for days on end, I look forward to connecting with people involved in a holistic approach to life and wellness of which, fans of New Age music are a big part.

Hopefully I will meet some of you there!

The Art of being Creative

2011-06-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was having a conversation with a fellow artist as we realized how wonderful it is that we are able to share with others through our work. However, someone recently said to me, "Wow, what you do is amazing. I can't even hum in the shower. How do you create what you do?" I pointed out to this person that I am sure she is equally creative in her own life. It may not be through music, but creative nonetheless.

Personally, I can't say how I do it, as I was born an artist. But I can say I am terrible at many other things that others are very skilled at. My sister is an Oncologist who deals with patients, many who may die. She is an artist in her own way, and I have seen her save lives. I see the love she receives from the patients and families she has helped. I could not even compare my work to hers! To me, SHE is the artist.

I believe that we all have our passions and talents. I would like to invite you to take a moment and think on the many ways you are creative in your own life. Do you like to landscape? Paint? Decorate? Collect stamps? Practice Yoga? Train in Martial Arts? Raise children? Volunteer? I think you will find that these, and many more activities and passions you may have are quite creative in their own way. Unlike mine, yours may not be a public life and your creativity may not be exposed to thousands of people, but this does not make you any less creative. In fact, you are free to just enjoy being creative for the sake of being so, and express the talents you have within you to those around you in the way you know best.

Comings and goings....

2011-05-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

My time in California was very productive, if not a bit hectic. As an actor, in my previous life, I was used to being 'on' as required, but I always needed copious alone time to recover after the madness was over. As customary, I put my cold on hold for that week (it caught up with me upon my return, I am sorry to say). I had much work to do there and all was accomplished. I even recovered my voice for the radio interview I was to do later that week!

What was different about this trip was that California's energy always seems to have a calming effect on me, much like Vermont does --except California actually has sunshine! Adding to the calm was a concert by fellow New Age artists and friends Fiona Joy Hawkins and Kori L Carothers. Their music is always beautiful as was their energy.

As artists, we work together to bring music to the world, but tend to pass each other like ships in the night. Our music is played together in radios, television and other venues, yet we are all spread around the USA and other countries, so we rarely have a chance to meet or see each other due to our hectic schedules. Even when we may collaborate on each other's albums, we may not even be doing so together in the same studio - such is technology! Some of us have had ample phone conversations and back and forth e-mails, yet never met. So, it was a treat to spend a little time with Kori and Fiona. While both record at Will Ackerman's studios in Vermont, where I live, it is still rare I'd get time to see them. This created a wonderful ending to the trip.

California days...

2011-04-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

The energy in California is always so welcoming. As I look out the window to the San Diego bay, I can't help but notice the peacefulness. I am in California for music work, including radio interviews, so I will be in several places including San Diego, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Santa Ana and Los Angeles, before returning to my home in Vermont. Some New Age artists dear friends and colleagues of mine are here in California. I relish the chance to see them and, as it will be the case, hear a couple of them perform in concert (more on that later).

A Word from Al (from the March 2011 e-newsletter issue)

2011-03-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

I am delighted that Northern Seas has received three Zone Music Reporter (ZMR) nominations as part of their 2010 Music Awards. I feel especially blessed to share nominations with some wonderful New Age artists, some who are also dear friends. The ZMR Awards are given based on airplay and broadcaster votes. I want to take this moment to thank these broadcasters who are so supportive of our work. I would also not be where I am today were it not for my wonderful listeners who also support me, who tune in to radio, television and online programs, who buy albums and downloads and who support independent artists of all kinds!

Much of my time these days has been spent balancing my private and public lives and, like many of us in the Northeastern United States, making it through a rough winter. I had and continue to have amazing interviews with some of the most wonderful interviewers in the New Age and World media. I find interviews are a great way to share with listeners, but for an introvert like me, it is always a bit difficult.

Coming up, I am headed to an in-studio radio interview with Donna Jo Thornton in her program Morning Breeze (on KSBR Radio in California, April 16th at 9 AM PST). Donna Jo is truly a dear friend to many New Age artists and makes her interviews a fun experience. Signed copies of my album will be given away during the show, so make sure to tune in!

Kathy Parsons interviews Al

2011-01-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

I first became acquainted with Al Conti’s music when I received his 2008 release Sheherezade for review. To put it mildly, it blew me away and became one of my favorites for the year. Conti recently released Northern Seas, which is based on Norse mythology. This one, too, ended up on my favorites list for 2010, so it seemed like a great time to find out some more about Al Conti and his life. I knew from our correspondence that he was an incredibly nice and very interesting person, and I think this interview really underscores both. Enjoy!

KP: Hi Al, Happy New Year! How is everything with you?

Al Conti: Hello Kathy and Happy New Year to you as well! Things are great on my end and very busy with my work.

KP: I just saw that Amazon has named Northern Seas as one of Top 10 Best New Age CDs for 2010. Congratulations! I would imagine that the album will be showing up on a lot of Best Of 2010 lists!

AC: Thank you! This was quite amazing to me. As with most artists, we never imagine this when we are working on a project. It is truly quite humbling when it happens. I have been extremely lucky that people have thus far accepted my work so enthusiastically.

KP: Northern Seas is your fourth album, following the very successful Scheherazade (2008). Both of these albums are concept albums that reach back into literature and cultural traditions. You say that the concepts find you, but you must have to do a lot of preparation and studying to make these concepts work so well. Let’s talk about that.

AC: I think some of the preparation comes from all the reading I have done since I was a child. I have always loved books and found that they provided me with a window onto unknown worlds. Once a concept “chooses me,” I put all my focus on researching not only the concept, but also the music styles and instruments native to that part of the world. Family, friends and collaborators who know of a project early on often buy me books and CDs that relate to a particular project. I have piles of books about the myths of the Norse and the Arabian Nights around the house! I do tend to immerse myself completely in the literature and music that I am interested in – it really is an adventure and a discovery. I will sometimes stop in the middle of working on a piece and pull out a relevant book to read a few pages.

KP: That’s really interesting! Is this music that can be performed in concert? Have you played any of it live?

AC: Although my work can be performed in concert, I do not currently perform live. I did much of that when I was an actor, but what I always preferred was television and film acting, in which the audience is very real, but not necessarily there. Also, my music is very complex and to perform it I need a troupe of at least 12 musicians, not to mention a large crew. As many artists will tell you, touring is exhausting. I tend to be an extremely private person and need much time alone for the creative process, which one does not get when touring. I traveled a lot in my life, often feeling like a bohemian, and one of the things I treasure most these days is being in the familiar environment of home and feeling connected to a community – online communities also provide access to people who enjoy my music – I always feel connected.

KP: Do you know what your next project is going to be?

AC: I am pretty sure of what my next project will be. The concept is there, but the timing is not yet right to begin. Still, I guess as most superstitious actors will say, I rather not speak yet of what my next project will be so as not to jinx it! Of course if I mention it to friends, I may end up with more piles of books and CDs!

KP: From what I’ve read, you have had a really interesting and colorful life. Let’s talk a little bit about your early life - where you grew up and what your family life was like.

AC: The funny thing is that the one who has a colorful life doesn’t necessarily see it that way. I have had people tell me how envious they were knowing I traveled a lot in my life, living in different countries and cultures. I often say that I am the one who is envious since I cannot imagine the comfort of living in one place for most of one’s life. In Argentina, it is not uncommon for friendships to feel more like family – for example, I have friends today whose grandparents were friends of my grandparents and that continues right down to this day. I miss that continuity and shared experience even though we stay in touch. Living in Vermont, I have dear friends who were born and raised here and have friends and family in one place. That is wonderful to me. Luckily, my parents now live just a few minutes away from me.

Regarding my early family life, it was a bit difficult, although I have amazing parents and siblings. I was somewhat of a difficult child. In part, I have a learning disability, which was not identified until I was having a horrendous time in college. I was also identified as what is called a ‘Highly Sensitive Person’ and MBTI (the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator) places me in a group with less than 2% of the U.S. population. It took many years for me to understand why I functioned as I did, and how the world functioned the way it did, and find ways to reconcile both. The fact that I had a very safe and loving family environment helped tremendously. And perhaps that is why I find the warmth of family and friends so comforting.

KP: How did you become interested in music?

AC: My mother was a classical ballerina and her father a concert pianist, so very early in my life I was exposed to quite a bit of music. The bio that we put out talks about how my parents used to play a game with me when I was about 4, asking me to put a specific record on their record player and I’d go directly to it, pop it on without seemingly even thinking about it. Usually it would be something like ‘Swan Lake,’ ‘Giselle’ or some other ballet. I also grew up surrounded by music from around the world, as Argentina was and still is deeply steeped in world culture and the arts.

KP: Did you take music lessons or training or are you self-taught?

AC: I tried formal learning but failed miserably, perhaps because I learn differently than the average person. As I mentioned, I have a learning disability, so learning to read and write music was almost out of the question for me. What I do is pretty much self-taught. This used to be very difficult for me, as I lacked the self-esteem to feel that I was any good because I did not possess any structured training. One day, a very successful classically trained musician I know told me that I was actually blessed, because many who are formally trained do not have such freedom to compose; that they often feel constrained by structure and form. I think that was a turning point for me.

KP: When did you know you wanted to be an actor?

AC: I was three years old when I told my parents I was going to be a ‘dramatic actor.’ You may imagine they got a chuckle or two out of it, but as I grew older it was clear that I was serious.

KP: How did you get started in the acting field?

AC: My poor parents had enough of my begging, so when I was about 8 or 9 they enrolled me in acting classes. After that, I started performing in theater at first, then television and film, which was ultimately my goal. I was 4 or 5 and would stand in front of the television and tell my parents I was going to be ‘in’ there. There was never any question in my mind that this was why I had been born – to act.

KP: Is that what brought you to the US? What year was that?

AC: Actually what brought me to the US was my family. The situation in Argentina in the 70’s was awful and at some point in 1980 my parents had enough. There were several times in my childhood when my family escaped torture and death only because they knew someone in the right place. It finally got to where my parents felt they needed to escape the pressure and stress, so we moved to the U.S. because we had friends here. Not long after that, we moved to Northern Italy where some of my mother’s family still reside. We moved back and forth a few times, but I finally returned to stay in the U.S. when I was 17. That was 1985. I finished the last six months of High School in the U.S.

KP: What are some of the movies, television programs, and commercials you appeared in?

AC: I don’t often talk about my acting life, since music is my full time career now. There are several plays that made it into my public bios and other credits such as ‘As The World Turns.’ There are also a few commercials that aired for longer periods of time. And a while back some reviewer confused me with another Al Conti and wrote that I had appeared in some mini-series back in 1980 playing some detective (not very believable, since I was only 12 at the time!). To avoid more confusion, I just stick with speaking about the music now.

KP: That’s funny! Did you gradually gravitate into music or was it more of a sudden decision?

AC: Music came gradually and completely unintentionally. I have been composing since I was about 20, but mostly for myself. There has always been a lot of music inside me and it just needed to be channeled out somehow. I never set out to make music my career. That was a total surprise to me.

KP: When did you write your first piece of music?

AC: I would say probably when I was about 6. In my head I composed a whole new version of a popular children’s song. My mind was already geared that way. But seriously, my real composing began when I was about 20. In fact, ‘Scheherazade’ and ‘Northern Seas’ both contain one song each that I composed many years ago and with the right adaptation fit into the concepts. Still, throughout my life listening to music, studying how composers did what they did and trying in my head different arrangements was something that I did consistently. I could be a very active listener.

KP: I haven’t heard your first two CDs. Were they also concept albums or more “normal” compilations of pieces?

AC: My first album ‘Shadows,’ which I later chose to remove from the catalog for personal artistic reasons (although it is still out there as a download), was a compilation of material I had composed over several years, not really intended for release. My second album, ‘Poeta,’ was composed loosely as a concept album. However, my album ‘Scheherazade’ would change the way I compose and mark a turning point in my musical career.

KP: Which instruments do you play?

AC: Mostly piano and guitar, both of which I use to compose and feature in my music. However, my work features many instruments, both played live by myself and others or sampled. I make it a point to learn as much as I can about every instrument that is featured in my work, because I have to compose using these instruments and ensure that they can be played realistically if sampled, or to not make life too difficult for a guest artist when recorded in studio.

KP: I’ve read that you’ve been a world traveler for most of your life and have lived in a variety of places. Tell us about that.

AC: Well, some I mentioned already. By the time I was 14 I had already lived in various cultures and spoke three different languages. While this may seem somewhat glamorous to some, I feel it actually did some damage to me. Moving from culture to culture and all over the map at very critical ages created some issues that I spent many years in therapy trying to resolve! In fact, psychology was going to be my second career had school not been such a harrowing experience for me. I was always fascinated by how I and others function. Needless to say, this was the main element that aided me in my acting work.

KP: Are there places you still haven’t seen that you’d like to visit? Any favorites?

AC: Yes, a few. I would love to visit Japan and have always felt a connection to that culture. I also visited the North of France for the first time last year and was very moved by both the people and the landscape.

KP: It sounds like you do a lot of charitable work. What are some of the charities that you work with?

AC: Yes, I try to. I currently sponsor The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Until There’s A Cure Foundation, and The Alzheimer’s Association. My life has been touched deeply by all three diseases and I felt the need to be involved in some way to continue to bring attention to them. It is only recently that I have spoken publicly about my 23-year-old nephew passing away from Leukemia shortly after ‘Scheherazade’ was released. I was not there when he passed away, but was told that my music was playing for him all that night until he left in the early morning hours. This was extremely moving for me. Also, having been in the entertainment world for most of my life I had many dear friends who have left us because of AIDS and this has always been a very important cause to me. Alzheimer’s is also something that has touched me deeply through people who are very dear to me.

KP: It’s so great to be able to make a difference in these important causes! Who and what are some of your musical influences?

AC: I have been asked this before and quite frankly cannot name just a few. Music has been a part of me since I can remember and I have absorbed everything like a sponge. I think I am the product of everything that is musically out there. I mentioned recently in an interview that my iPOD has over 18,000 songs, so that pretty much says it all. Originally I’d like to say that classical music and film scores impressed on me what I now create, but there are very few genres of music that I don’t like. For the most part, I find the beauty in most of what I hear.

KP: Who are your favorite composers?

AC: There are many, many composers out there that I respect and admire, but it would take a whole interview on just this question. I can say Chopin is my favorite classical composer and I can remember his piano concerto No.1 and Prelude No.4 haunting me when I was about 5 years old. They played in my head constantly. I think that right now there are many amazing artists out there and I have been extremely privileged to be in their company on charts and ‘Best of’ lists.

KP: Who are some of your favorite performers?

AC: Again, many, but I do not have just one favorite. When it comes to singers, I have always been partial to very clear, crisp voices. I have also always loved harmony. Karen Carpenter is a voice I love. The ABBA lead singers have also been at the top of my list for incredible harmony and range.

KP: What has been your most exciting musical moment or experience so far?

AC: I think that the most exciting moments in my career are the ones in which someone reaches out to me and tells me just how much my music has helped them through a hard time in their life. I recall a specific e-mail I received from a psychotherapist. She wrote to tell me that she had developed a program using my music to help soldiers returning from Iraq. She wanted to tell me just how much I had done for our troops. Things like that are awe inspiring to me and touch me deeply.

KP: Wow! I guess so! If you could have any three wishes, what would they be?

AC: Oh, the million dollar question! I would say health for my loved ones, a world in which everyone allows everyone to follow their path without judgment and, if this last one works, give me unlimited wishes!

KP: What’s up next for you?

AC: We are currently in talks over several licensing agreements, so that may be my most present work right now and, of course, getting a new project off the runway.

KP: Is there anything else you’d like to talk about?

AC: In fact there is. There is an issue that I have remained very silent about until recently, that of pirated and illegally downloaded music. In one way, I feel that we are extremely disrespected as artists when people assume that we should be doing our work for free. I have seen fellow artists having to lay off staff because they cannot afford to pay them anymore due to the loss of income from piracy and it is extremely sad for me to see this. Some people do not seem to realize that as artists, we are responsible sometimes for the jobs of many others such as guest artists, engineers, photographers, designers, accountants, and the list goes on. When someone steals the music we are putting out there, they are hurting a lot of people. There is also the assumption that artists are a product of a major label, which they consider to be a ‘fat cat corporation.’ This is very inaccurate, as a large percentage of artists in the industry right now are independent and living on what they make from their work. Still, even the so-called ‘fat cat corporations’ employ thousands of people who ultimately make a living from music sales and this does not excuse people from stealing. It is estimated that illegal downloads of music are costing the entertainment industry billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S. alone, at a time when the economy and people are suffering deeply.

On the other side of the coin, many people simply do not realize the harm they do when they download music illegally as many do not even realize they are doing it. There are many websites out there that claim to be legitimate, yet are not. This is also a growing concern to me, because many in my audience may think they are buying my music from a reputable site, yet they are being scammed. Many of these illegal download sites are run from countries where no copyright enforcement exists. These sites take people’s financial information and then run with it. Most of us artists can opt out through our distributors from being in countries that are so lax, but our music still ends up there. Most of us try and make sure that our websites have links to reputable, safe sites that protect our rights. We work hard for what we do and most of us struggle in this business.

KP: Very well said!

AC: Thank you so much – these were great questions! I really enjoyed answering them. And thank you also for everything you do for independent artists.

End of Year....

2010-12-22T20:03:00.001-08:00

I find myself looking out the window in beautiful Quebec City, as the snow gently falls. It is very peaceful right now, and the street lights set for the holiday season create an air of magic. It is a great time for introspection as the year comes to a close. 'Northern Seas' has been a large part of the last two years for me and this is truly a great time to sit quietly in reflection. I am so appreciative of all who enjoy my work and are so supportive, from broadcasters to my faithful audience.

Articmist Interview - November 2010

2010-12-05T16:32:00.000-08:00

The following is the English translation of the interview with Al done in Spain by the radio Articmist.

Al Conti’s story is that of someone who found his vocation early in life and was influenced by the diverse cultures to which he was exposed. Al has four albums already to his credit. He was very kind to grant this interview to Articmist about his latest project Northern Seas.

AM: Although you now reside in Vermont, you grew up in Argentina. Tell us about your artistic beginnings there? Did you grow up in an artistic family? How is your music influenced by those years?

AC: Hello Jorge Sergio, I am very happy to be with you. Yes, I was born and raised in Argentina and lived there until I was eighteen years old. I also lived in Italy, where I have family. My artistic beginnings came very early in life. When I was three years old, I announced to my parents that I was going to be a ‘dramatic actor.’ My parents always supported me. My mother had been a classical ballerina, my grandfather a concert pianist and my father a writer whose poems have won awards in several countries including Spain. My favorite toys as a child were records of all kinds of music. Those records were either my own, my parents’ or my sister’s which, much to her dismay, I listened to without her permission. Still, acting was what called me. I never imagined music would end up being my career.

AM: Do you find the label ‘New Age’ is adequate to describe your style?

AC: A little yes, a little no. Sometimes I feel like the label ‘New Age’ limits me in some ways and maybe this is why my work has shifted and is probably better described now as ‘World.’ My music reaches a much larger audience I think now.

AM: Scheherazade, your previous project, includes Middle Eastern references and uses instruments such as the sitar, and Northern Seas has been inspired by Scandinavian mythology. Do you travel much and does this help you focus on what projects to compose, or does your work influence your travel?

AC: Currently, my greatest wish seems to be to stay at home, since I have traveled from the time I was young. The truth is that I am not sure what it is that inspires me to compose. Sometimes I feel like I relive my past lives with each album I compose! As a child I used to love the stories and exotic legends from parts of the world I found very magical.

AM: What inspires you to compose?

AC: I know that when a concept takes me over, it will not go away. This is how it was with Scheherazade and Northern Seas. Ultimately, my goal is to compose an album that satisfies me as an artist, without diverging from the original concept.

AM: Your latest project Northern Seas has received great reviews. As a multi-instrumentalist, are you completely responsible for your sound, which is uniquely yours, or up to what point (or not) is it important to you knowing how to play each instrument?

AC: Well, I always want to know how each instrument works so I can know how it will make its place within each composition. And, of course, depending on the theme of an album I remain within the spectrum of the ethnic instruments without limiting myself. It is thus that I can define which are the instruments that I will use myself, and which will be played by guest artists. What I love about working with other musicians is that each brings with them their own unique talent and energy, something very important to me. Collaboration is always a very positive thing for me; as I often like to say, an artist does not work alone.

AM: This will probably be a very predictable question, still I cannot help myself but to ask you if the Argentine Tangos form part of your musical past, at least as a listener.

AC: Growing up in Buenos Aires and not being surrounded by Tangos is like living in Switzerland and not bumping into the Alps. As a child I was very influenced not only by Tangos and other Argentinean folkloric music, but also by world music, especially European, since my family’s background is Spanish, French, Italian and German. The Argentina in which I grew up (in modern times it has changed much due to Americanization) was very influenced by European culture.

AM: Thank you, Al. You have been very kind.

AC: Thank you, Jorge, and the work you do in support of music.

A renewing experience

2010-11-03T14:12:00.000-07:00

Taking some time to reflect on the process that was Northern Seas, I escaped to Argentina last month for a few weeks, finding myself surrounded by wonderful sounds. At a performance of traditional music I attended in Buenos Aires, I found my thoughts wandering to how some of these instruments would sound woven into my own musical style.

The time spent immersed in my culture surrounded by rich scents, sounds and images energized every fiber of my being and was a spiritual experience of renewal and reconnecting. I realized that wherever we come from, it is when we come home after a long time away that we remember that even the songs of birds, the scents of flowers and aromas of the earth where we grew up, can trigger deep and intense memories and emotions. In many ways, those of us who have left our birthplaces and found a new home elsewhere find ourselves searching for that intangible something we can only find at home.

Those sounds and scents that I have not experienced for so many years made my travels truly an inspiring journey, surrounded by longtime friends, family and much love.

A Word from Al (from the September 2010 newsletter)

2010-09-29T09:42:00.001-07:00

As I listen to Northern Seas after some time of separating myself from the album, I am captured once again by the journey. Of the songs on the album, the one I consider the most poignant is The Rainbow Bridge. This song is filled with deep emotions and I felt that the Celtic Whistle best captured the mood I was looking for. Tim Cummings, a master with this instrument, brought his exceptional talent to the piece, fulfilling my vision. Tim is profiled below in this newsletter.

The Rainbow Bridge, also known as Bifröst, is a bridge which unites our world to Asgard, the realm of the gods. While the Norse myths, much like many a Shakespearean tragedy, do not really end well, I chose to spin this a little and end the album on a note of hope. This song was especially poignant for me due to the loss of my 23 year-old nephew to Leukemia soon after the release of my third album Scheherazade. During that year, I saw many around me who left this world and others who were fighting to stay.

For this album I chose to work as much as possible with artists from Vermont, USA, where I reside. There is abundant talent in Vermont and I was lucky to work with some magnificent people.

Lost in the music

2010-09-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

Today I took time-out to breathe. I needed to step back from the work and just be. And I wanted to listen to music. Yet not just any music, but the clear, crystal voice of Karen Carpenter. Karen's voice has always felt comforting and melancholic to me, especially at stressful times. A fellow Pisces artist, riddled with many of the insecurities we artistic Pisces have, I have always felt a connection there. And so, I let myself get lost in that amazing voice, one of the finest this business has ever had and so tragically lost. It goes so well with the leaves that are turning shades of yellow, brown and ochre, some beginning to fall...

Summer is ending...

2010-08-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

The leaves are slowly beginning to turn up here in Vermont, a reminder that summer is beginning to wane. It is also a reminder that my upcoming album's release is about a month away. Sometimes, this does feel like a freight train headed my way at high speed. From an album's conception and jotting down of its first notes and songs, to what builds up to a small army of people working together for its completion and post release madness, things can often spiral to a frenzy. This sounds rather funny considering one of the things my work is most noted for is its calming effect it has on its audience!

As I needed to sit down and jot down my ideas for the 'A Word from Al' section of my upcoming e-newsletter, this also forced me to take a few deep breaths and relax. Not a bad thing. Normally, I find the time for this during my regularly scheduled physical exercise routine, which always culminates with 20 minutes of Yoga practice. As a composer, one can spend many hours sitting at the keyboards and computers, either in one's studio or someone else's...but always sitting. Physical exercise is a must to keep me in shape and with a sound mind and body. It also helps relieve the stress of the business, which is varied and comes from every direction.

Reading is another pastime I treasure and during an album's production I find my time rather limited for it. Yet, it is something that helps calm my mind and 'take me away.' As the end of a project approaches, I start devouring the pile of books that have accumulated during the lengthy creative routine that an album entails. I can also start listening to other artist's music rather than my own, since my creative focus is now not as much in need.

Welcome to my new Blog!

2010-07-27T19:45:00.000-07:00

There are always many things I like to share with you as I follow my creative process and now, through this blog, I can share more. Through the craziness of the music business and the artistic process there is much that helps me escape and remain in balance throughout my life. As with my website, this blog will be a place to pen my thoughts for my listeners. So, welcome, and let's enjoy the journey together!

Northern Seas video promo

2010-07-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

2010-07-27T12:18:00.001-07:00

A Word from Al - July 2010
Category: Music

The culmination of a project is, for me, quite a transition. Once I have finished an album, my task switches to everything involving its release. This includes marketing, PR, promotional videos, etc. A project entails several years worth of commitment - to the album itself, to the people I work with and, ultimately to myself. While I began this last project with trepidation, I also knew what awaited me. Yet again the muse stepped in, not only telling me that I was ready and the timing was right, but also pointing me in the right direction.

Through the process I was often reminded of something I have shared with you before, living in the 'now.' Recently, as I was listening to French singer Mylène Farmer's song Pas Le Temps de Vivre (which loosely translates as 'No time to live'), this thought resonated deeply with me as she spoke of not having enough time to truly experience life. The music business can be very crazy and one can easily forget to just 'be' and experience one's connection to everything that surrounds us. I am reminded of the fleeting nature of life through the losses around me and my very own mortality. Yet, music continues to speak to me of an eternity within, adding to the many forces that fuel my work.

Northern Seas constituted a tremendous amount of focus and work. As with my past albums, it also became a journey of self exploration. The end result is an album that I am very proud of and am looking forward to sharing with you.