OK, here we go.."Arch"

[gascap]

Hi All,

I've seen some good comments here (usually I hang in the Cakwalk forum) so I wish to lay some ideas on y'all for similar treatment, and all the goodness that I know you posess.

Anyway, I've had this idea for well over two years now and I need a comment or two on general direction (mainly for the end.)

A little background: I've worked nearly 15 years as an architectural drafter and actually may apply to take the actual architectural license this year (I can grandfather in w/out an actual degree and my degrees in music ain't exactly a cash cow yet....BOY do I digress here!)

Basically, I have an idea for a concept album thingy that deals with the birth, life, and death of a building (my drafting experience set to music, as it were.) Believe it or not , I had this notion working WAAAY before 9-11 - so it's now a little creepy to re-visit.

I have a poem of the story written that I will post later (if desired) but suffice it say, my hanggup is how it all ends.

The architect and earth have a dialog to start things off (both sensing a change in what they both see and what's about to happen) The building gets designed, backed, and ultimately built (probably a church) the building moves through time and is used for many different purposes - through many different times (like 100 years or more)

Then in it's final stage of disrepair (after the "The impossible notion of forget") the building waits for the last step WHICH is my delimma:

Originally I had a wrecking ball doing the deed - poetically reuniting the earth below with sun, weather and such again.

BUT it could also be a phoenix-from-the-ashes thing where people re-discover the building and restore it to form.

I think there's something to all of it, but I just need a push.

Thanks for reading.

BTW, some of my other stuff can be previewed at www.cdbaby.com/athey if interested.

Cheers!

Brad

P.S. the work is called "Arch"

[bdbdbuck]

Gascap,
I vote for the re-birth...since that's what I do for a living.

Just my opinion...for what it's worth.

bd

BTW...As you know, the artichoke plays a big role in the re-birth process. Hope you don't mind being called an artichoke, that's pretty much a standard in the DC area.

[gascap]

"Artichoke" is used here in K.C. too, and in Nashville where I also lived for a while. They're a strange bunch to be sure!

Do you do historic-type restoration? I think that would be fascinating.

Thanks for the reply!

[DonkeyZone]

1) rent the movie "The Red Violin", not only is it a great movie, but you'll see how an object can pass through long periods of time, and the stories that you can tell.

2) I don't know if you're planning to tell the human side of the story, but that might be a good idea. You could tell stories about a family that visited it for generations, as well as travelers that just happened to pass by one day. You could tell stories of certain events that happened within its walls, either good, bad, or "naughty".

3) I think you should avoid the rebirth, just a personal preference. You could evoke some feelings of longing because all things have a beginning and an end. Leaving it on a down note might not be satisfying the resolve, but its a more powerful idea. The good guys don't always win, and it doesn't always work out for the best.

Or, maybe it could have a greater purpose by being torn down, or if it crumbles on it's own. Maybe something happens during its final hour that allows someone worthy to benefit.

Just an idea, take it or leave it:

For example, if, while being built, a large sum of money was hidden within the walls. While abandoned, during its final years standing, a homeless man lived in it. When it finally collapses, he finds the money. To go even deeper, the man could be a distant relative to someone who visited the building long ago.

[gascap]

Thanks!

I have seen the Red Violin - and liked it much. Joshua Bell smokes on that soundtrack too...I may rent it - it's been a while.

Neat idea about the money or "greater purpose" bit. My thinking is that it wouldn't necessarily be a 'downer' if the building came down instead of being renovated, but rather a full-circle kind of thing...a reunion of earth and sky. ..like you say, a rebirth.

I haven't really thought about having humans do alot in the span of the building's life per se. I was thinking that the music would reflect the buildings attitude on what human's were doing around it during it's time (wartime, voting, dances, meetings, etc...)

The architect is obviously a big player, but your idea of having other real people weave throughout is very intriguing. I have songs in the works that are about the skyline, electricity, and other non-human things, that relate to the building's evolving surroundings. Perhaps a real human story would be a nice contrast!


Thanks again for the ideas!

[bdbdbuck]

Gascap,
I have done "some" historic stuff.....but it's not really where these guys are headed right now. We have taken some really nice old buildings and covered up some really nice ornate architecture with EIFS. It's enough to make you puke!


bd

[gascap]

EIFS = architectural evil.