SoundClick artist: Drok Chagne - Bringing you ambient, soundscape, and various other forms of electronic music

My goal while making music is take the listener on a journey. My intent is not to tell the listener where to go or how to get there, but to merely act as a guide. I do not ask the listener to hear what I hear or to see what I see, but rather to elecit a response that can be mutually understood and felt.

Do you play live?

I play mainly in the greater Toledo (Ohio) area and absolutely love it. Making records is one thing, just as listening to a record is one thing. But to be there together with the audience is electrifying. Sharing with people in the room an intimate sesnse of openess and honesty is always very special.

How, do you think, does the internet (or mp3) change the music industry?

For better or for worse the rise of MP3s and Internet distribution is taking us back to the time of the single. You lose something when you take away the physical element of a song (the CD, tape, record etc...)

Would you sign a record contract with a major label?

In a heartbeat.

Band History:

I started classical training at a young age. I began piano around age 7 and studied formally for over ten years. I fell in love with Romanticism early on, both musically and philosophically. It strikes me as such a refreshing digression from all the pesimism and negativity that abounds even after all these years. Neo-Classical work has begun to interest me the last few years and I draw my heaviest writing influence from that style.
My true passion has always been synthesis, though. The possibilities are endless when every element of any sound is at your fingertips. I love starting from scratch with a pair of oscilators and just seeing where I can go with the tools at my disposal.
I tent to not work well with others, not because I take over, but rather because I let my ideas fall by the wayside. It gets frustrating and I end up just taking my ideas home with me. I find it hard to be open with people I make music with, it's all very personal to me, and I feel very exposed around them. Working in the comfort of my own space, I can be as open as I want with the listener.

Your influences?

I draw inspiration from a wide variety of sources, to many to name in full, but key influences would include: Chopin, Field, Phillip Glass, Danny Elfman, Schubert, Rachmoninov, Boards of Canada, Leo DeBoe, Brian Eno, David Byrne, The Beatles, Mark Mikel, Emerson Lake & Palmer, King Crimson, Joe Walsh, Kevin Moore, and just about everyone on Warp. It's a rather eclectic mix. Oh, did I forget to mention Mr. Bungle...?

Favorite spot?

Nothing beats the beauty and overall serentiy of the State of Franklin.

Equipment used:

Roland: JP-8000, RD-600, Juno Alpha-1.
Ensoniq: VFX-SD
Yamaha: TX-81Z
Hammond: M-100
Rhodes: Mark I
Tracktion
Assorted VST effects and synths (though I prefer hardware when I can afford it)

I'm a fan!