Written over a really long period of six years, Solestra is a compilation of my musical work to this stage in my life. As I have said, I compose music around things that inspire or captivate me. Detailed below are the themes of each track from the album.

1. Solestra

A song about sunrise. Its always been an image that fascinated me. Several years ago when i was living in Long Eaton I used to drive to work watching the sun come up. It was the only thing that made up for the early mornings!

2. Alexei

I wrote a song about the background of a character I was developing for some writing and that I used in roleplaying many years ago. This version is a much fresher re-imagination.

The first arrangement I ever wrote using samples. I think it still stands the test of time.

Back when I was at University in 1999, Anthony Stadler asked me to write a piece of music for a film he was working on. I wrote something in a rush, and thought no more of it. A few years later he showed me the film he had made, and I was pretty embarrassed at the piece of music I had given him. This version is another re-composition, using the elements from the first arrangment.

I finished writing this piece recently. Much like Night Drive it puts me in mind of my dad. However I think it is more of a homage to people who have the determination and patience to achieve the goals they set for themselves in life. In his own way, I've always felt he is one of those people, and I hope I am too.

This piece of music is dedicated to my partner Karen. It was written on a weekend whilst she was away working as a head injuries support assistant. The job was particularly tough on her at the time, and I wanted to give her something. I have always felt the best gifts are things that you make.

This piece had been half finished for some time, but on the evening of my birthday after I had been to Portsmouth to visit my dad in hospital, I suddenly got an idea of what I had really been writing about, and was able to finish it the next day.

The theme tune to Character's in Crisis - my undergraduate final project video. At the time, Warrior was a very experimental piece for me, as in blends lots of rhythms and even goes out of time. It was written specifically for the film.

Of all of the music on Solestra, Velocity is the piece most similiar to the work I used to write when trying to escape homework or chores at home whilst still a struggling student. It was written whilst I was trying to finish my Master's thesis for submission. Thankfully I passed that, and finished the track!

Back in 1996 I went to my first Gathering event. I wrote a piece of music immediately afterwards, inspired by the images, stories and costumes. This year I decided to do the same to commemorate my ten years in the hobby of live role-playing.