Solstheim
Welcome to the world of Solstheim! My goal with this project is to explore the beauty and mysticism of nature through music as well as capture the atmosphere of enchanted fantasy landscapes and the people that inhabit them. Most of all I just want to compose marvelous music straight from my heart and soul. Music to touch others and provide comfort. I was greatly inspired by European folk and ambient music and wanted to create something similar but entirely original and with my own highly emotional personal style. I encourage you to not just listen to my music but feel it, let it take you away to mystical lands where fantastic things await. I hope you can get something from this music and most of all I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you,
Christopher Heinmiller
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
This project was started on a beautiful winter evening in February 2006. I had been working with my metal band Varden Fall and really enjoyed it but there was a side of me that wanted to explore the possibilities of ambient/folk music. I felt that I didnt have the freedom to fully express myself in Varden Fall so I decided to start a solo project where i was free to express myself in any way. I have always been fascinated by nature and fantasy atmospheres so I wanted to make something that explored these atmospheres, something intelligent and sophsticated that would relax people and take them on mind Journeys. So I came up with a name and immeidatly started recording ideas the same night and later in the summer months it evolved into what you hear now.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I have played live many times with my metal band Varden Fall, I really enjoy it. It is a very emotional and intimate experience. I have played a mini Solstheim show where I performed an improvised piano and orchestral piece. It worked out very well and the response was great so I hope to do a proper Solstheim show in the future.
Your musical influences
There are so many I could not list them all but here I will include the acts that stand out most to me.
Bathory
Tenhi
Dead Can Dance
Jeremy Soule
Vali
Neun Weltun
Sol Invictus
Death In June
Apoptose
Amorphix
Empyrium
Of The Wand and The Moon
Kow Otani
John Currier
Non Musical Influences
Nature
The Elder Scrolls Series
Fantasy Atmospheres and their inhabitants
Ancient Structures
Paranormal
Mediation
Life
What equipment do you use?
Gateway PC with the following
NATVE INSTRUMENTS SOFTWARE:
Kontakt 2
Absynth 3
Massive
FM8
Battery 3
Guitar Rig 2
Absynth 4
EastWest/Quantum Leap:
Symphonic Orchestra Gold(Standard)
Symphonic Choir
KORG SOFTWARE:
Korg Legacy collection digital and analogue
Guitar Equipment:
Gibson les paul standard
Rogue Grand Concert Acoustic Electric
Line 6 Pod XT Live
Marshall MG Series 100 HDFX
Vocal:
Digital Reference DR-VX1 Vocal Dynamic Mics
Anything else?
I am very intersted in composing music for video games and/or films. If you are ever in need of a score please contact me as I really enjoy doing this and want to pursue this as a career.
Also I encourate you to check out my official Solstheim page at www.myspace.com/solstheim5
here you will be able to purchase my music and more.
