Your name:
My name is Ethan Bernhardt.
Where are you from?
Ellettsville, Indiana, USA - I'm a Hoosier.
Name of band:
My band is called INtramentalist.
Who else is in your band?
Just me.
How would you describe yourself?
I always struggle with this one. I like many different genres of music – rock, pop, hip-hop, jazz, electronica, classical, movie soundtracks, etc. Whatever I write – whether it is influenced by tango, or Middle Eastern flavors, or reggae – I make sure the piece holds together, nothing extraneous, everything with a reason and purpose, yet maintaining the spontaneity. See what I mean?
Who are your main influences musically?
I grew up on bands like Pink Floyd and Rush, later influences include Muse and DJ Spooky, as a child and young adult I was classically trained and read a lot of science fiction / fantasy.
What do you hope to achieve in music?
I hope to communicate this thing in my heart, a message for people with which to engage. I feel I’ve been given something to share, something important. I know what my music means to me, I’m curious what it means to you.
What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Still coming to that.
And what’s the moment you want to forget?
A few years ago, a dear friend offered me the chance to play in a Latin American ensemble with some other very fine musicians. I turned him down mainly because I felt I wasn’t ready. Perhaps I wasn’t, yet I still regret that decision, it would have been a tremendous opportunity.
If you could choose just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
That’s a difficult question. I released an album in 2011 that was very melody driven – The Midnight Sea represents my love of chord progressions, variety of mood and rhythm while displaying my classical roots. In 2012 I released an album that I describe as music architecture – Wind Rising represents magic, mysticism and wonder with a revelation at the end.
Where can we listen to it?
Where can we find out more about your music?
You can also find me on iTunes, search by INtramentalist.
Anything else you’d like to say about your band that I forgot to ask?
I’m currently seeking a new set up for writing and producing music. I’ve been using Sibelius and now want something with more / better sounds, options for looping, mixing while still having the note-for-note control I am accustomed to. Though I am a solo act, collaboration is not out of the question – it’s as much chemistry and mutually compatible goals as anything else.
Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity to introduce myself, I hope it inspires you to listen, and comment, and to introduce yourself back to me. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Midnight Sea is gorgeous. INtramentalist should be writing film scores.
ReplyDeleteAmazing music for movie soundtracks!!!
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