Artist Spotlight: DIGITAL STORM

Official Site: www.mp3.com/digital_storm

Bio

The dream of what was to become Digital Storm began in the mind of Stephen Matthews at a very young age. Stephen has been playing music since he was four years old. At the age of thirteen he began writing guitar based blues and rock and continued this throughout his teenage years. However, there was another side of musician and songwriter that lurked far below the surface. For most of Stephen’s life he’s been an admirer of film composers and the classical greats. His favorite being “Beethoven”. He has always been moved by strong melodies even as a child. This “melodic” influence would prove to be a huge part of the Digital Storm sound.

Although he experimented on the piano in his spare time he never fully focused on the possibilities that could be accomplished if he dedicated more time to perfecting his talent. This all changed in the mid to late nineties. After performing and writing guitar-based rock for almost a decade he decided to master his talent on the piano and keyboard. For many years he knew he could express himself through other styles of music. Now he was determined to do just that.

He began by writing all of his songs using the piano. Countless hours were spent playing and experimenting with different chords and progressions. Many songs were written while envisioning intricate string movements and dramatic arrangements to accompany them. Since he did not have the equipment needed to add these arrangements he would often sing or hum each part of the arrangement into a small tape recorder. By doing this they would be kept and not forgotten.

During this time Stephen shared with his good friend Michael Tynes what he was writing and its unlimited potential. This conversation would forever change their musical lives. The two then decided to become a duo. The next step was purchasing recording equipment and a synthesizer.

Digital Storm’s music is comprised of approximately half instrumental songs and half vocal songs. Michael’s contribution to Digital Storm is his ability to write haunting and thought provoking lyrics. He often uses analogies and descriptions that would not normally be thought of. His creative talent for writing lyrics is an important part in the end result of many Digital Storm songs.

While Stephen also writes many of the lyrics, Michael refers to Stephen as “The Music Man”. Stephen composes, arranges and performs all of Digital Storm’s music.

Digital Storm defies one standard genre classification. It is an original sound that fuses melody-driven hooks with wide elements of pop, rock, trance, ambient, industrial and classical. As you listen to their catalog of songs (now over 80) you will find this originality among many other things set Digital Storm apart from other artists. Another factor that sets Digital Storm apart from the majority of others in the Electronic genre is that a true musician and not simply a programmer writes and performs all of the music. Much of the accompaniment is recorded live rather than being sequenced. This also applies for many of the arrangements. Stephen uses this method when recording because he does not want the music to lose its human touch. It is important that the emotion and feeling not be lost in any song.

Stephen and Michael have officially been writing and performing as Digital Storm since 1999. The ideas behind it, the talent and writing skills that drive it, and the desire for the world to hear it has been burning inside each of them for many years. They believe that being true to yourself and your art is the most important thing. If you write music that you enjoy, other people will enjoy it as well.

Achievements

• After starting their website on mp3.com, their songs have reached the #1 ranking and/or the top 5 chart position multiple times on mp3.com's music charts.

• Their song "Sonata" is currently being played on Houston's 90.1FM KPFT.
  DJ Jeffrey Thames features the song on his very popular radio show "Sound Awake" (www.soundawake.com)

• Stephen's arrangement and recording of the classic "Ava Maria" received Radio airplay on New York's 89.1FM WFDU in December 2002.

• Digital Storm was named Champion of the Brain Cube Records "Iron man Song Tournament" In December 2002 for their song, "The Lie".

• Their instrumental song "By His Grace" was recently selected to be included on a compilation CD by the burgeoning production company "REEL Sound of Music". The CD is being distributed to film companies and television studios for licensing opportunities.

• Stephen Matthews is currently in early discussions to possibly score the soundtrack for an independent motion picture.
  

Our Interview with Stephen Matthews of DIGITAL STORM

Q - How did Digital Storm come about?
A - After writing and performing guitar based rock and blues. For most of my life I really just wanted to explore a different musical side of myself. Strong melodies and movements have always stirred me. I enjoy a lot of the great classical composers and today's modern composers who you can hear on most film scores. I wanted that part of me to finally have a voice. I wanted to take what I enjoyed about rock and pop, and fuse it with modern electronic based music. The end result is "Digital Storm".

Q - What projects are you currently involved with?
A - I am CONSTANTLY writing and recording!! I am about half done writing and recording our seventh CD. It is coming along great! I am really happy with the material and looking forward to completing it. I am writing and recording all of the accompaniment tracks and arrangements on my Father's new CD. I'm also speaking with an independent film company right now about the possibly scoring their next film. It is a horror movie so I think it would be a really fun experience!

Q - In your opinion, what makes Digital Storm stand out from others in your field?
A - First let me say that there are a lot of talented people out there in the electronic music scene. I have the privilege of knowing some of them and enjoy even more of them! That being said, I noticed when I thrust myself into this genre, there were an awful lot of artists who really were not musicians at all. Many of them could not play an instrument or really have an understanding of composing from a "musicians" viewpoint. There is nothing wrong with that in it's self. However, as I listened to tons of songs I began noticing that much of it was very un-emotional. It sounded very programmed and mechanical. There is one thing very important to me, I want people to be moved when they here a Digital Storm song. I want the emotions that I feel as I write and record each song to be felt by everyone who listens. I go to great lengths to avoid sounding mechanical. I record much of the tracks live rather than sequencing them to help maintain the "human" emotion behind the music. I feel that this is one of several things that sets the "Digital Storm" sound apart from Others.

Q - Do you have a web site?
A - Yes! Please visit our site at: www.mp3.com/digital_storm. You can listen to all of our songs and sign our guest book! We want to hear from YOU!

Q - What is your most memorable moment as a musician?
A - There are several that I can think of. My three television appearances rank up there but really, It's every time we perform. There is no feeling like expressing yourself through your music and then seeing the connection in the eyes and smiles of the people there. That is one of the best feelings in the world.

Q - What is your method of songwriting?
A - I write songs several different ways. Sometimes I start with the lyrics and then write music that embodies the message. Other times I get a melody or idea in my head so I sit down and write the song first. I also write a lot of instrumental songs. Those are always fun because it's up to the music to set the entire mood and emotion.

Q - What advise would you give someone interested in your field?
A - Practice, Practice, Practice. You only get back what you put in. Remember, Music is an expression of you. Whether you want to write or just play an instrument, be true to yourself. Make the kind of music that makes YOU happy first. Then everything else will come.

Q - If I looked in your cd player now, what kind of music might I see?
A - You would find lots of stuff! Coldplay, Degarmo & Key, Eifel 65, Toby Mac and
Our newest CD "Prime Cuts". I Love diversity!

Q - What do you do for fun when not performing?
A - I enjoy movies and I'm a sports memorabilia hobbyist.

Q - Favorite artists
A - In the electronic genre it would be: Depeche Mode (Martin Gore is one of the most underrated song writers in the world.) Moby, Robert Miles, Gary Numan and finally Trent Reznor. He revolutionized electronic music in many ways. In all other genres: Degarmo & Key, Zz top, Phil Keaggy, Beethoven and TONS more.

Q - If you were anyone else for a day, who would you be?
A - This one is tough. Probably Drew Bledsoe on a Sunday afternoon.

Q - Growing up, what did you think you'd become?
A - An air force pilot or police officer. I still admire the air force fighter pilots to this day. That is an incredible gift. Members of my family are in law enforcement so I get to see a lot of that lifestyle to this day.

Q - Is there anything about you people don't know that may surprise them?
A - I was once studying to become a pastor.

Q - If you had to describe yourself in 3 words, how would you do it?
A - Creative, Loyal, Passionate.

Q - What do you consider your best quality to be?
A - All around "Great Guy"!!

Q - What inspires you the most in life?
A - Musically: The constant pursuit of the "Perfect" Song and the drive to not stop until I Achieve my goals. Personally: My faith.

Q - Michael Tynes writes some of the lyrics in your songs. What part does he play in the overall scope of "Digital Storm".
A - Michael and I go back over 12 years now. He is really a great friend. He writes the words for about 3 to 4 songs per CD on average. He is also my chief sounding board. I bounce ideas to him and vice versa. I feel he truly "Gets me" musically.

Q - If I weren't a musician and songwriter I would be:
A - A filmmaker. I would love to one-day write and direct a movie.

Q - If you could take a dream vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be?
A - Probably Switzerland. Got to see the Swiss Alps!

Q - If there is a poem or lyric writer out there who would like to speak with you about writing and performing some original music for their words how can they reach you?
A - I have been writing music for poem and lyric writers as side projects for years now.
For anyone who would like to discuss this further can e-mail me at: DigitalStormMail@cs.com

Q - Anything else you want to say to our readers?
A - No matter how young or old you are, never give up on your dreams!