The Escaping Society

Hi Reader, Let me add my voice to the chorus of praise for the movie Project Hail Mary, directed by my Clone High friends Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. My family and I loved it. If you’ve read the book, you’ll be happy to know that the film’s love for the source material is very evident. Phil and Chris took everything great about it and amplified it without interfering with its spirit. There’s so much heart, and more than that, it’s a very intimate film, even though it largely takes place...

Hi Reader, The Music That Changed My Life, Part II Debussy, Ravel / Karajan – Berliner Philharmoniker, 1986 I am currently studying Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune with a student, and it is a deep, mystical work of art. Like a pastor discussing two lines of scripture for weeks, we could—and probably will—spend several weeks on just a few measures. For me, these are the definitive recordings of these works. Many will point to the Pierre Boulez-conducted versions of Debussy and Ravel, which...

Hi Reader, There are some works of music that leave an indelible impression on you, either from the very first listen or by developing over time. These are the pieces of music that stop you in your tracks and force you to listen and burrow into your psyche. As an artist, these experiences can change the trajectory of your life—from choosing your career path, to practicing for hours to master a particular style, or ultimately touring the world. The wheels start turning, and this obsession can...

Hi Reader, Behind the Scenes of "Einstein's Space and Van Gogh's Sky" I hope to have this song released soon. For now, here are the orchestral-only elements recorded in Moscow last month. I've created a home for songwriters, composers and fans of Abandoned Pools. If you're interested, come and see: VISIT THE ESCAPING SOCIETY Featured product: Handwritten Lyrics $75.00 Handwritten and Signed Lyrics Lyrics, handwritten and signed by Tommy Walter for any Abandoned Pools song you wish. Once...

Hi Reader, Let's talk about something different this week. I hope it's helpful to you. My Absolute Fear of Music and How I Overcome It My senior year at USC, I was very fortunate to be asked to complete the remaining credits of my bachelor's degree in music theory and composition with equivalent credits in the graduate program Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television (or SMPTV, now called the USC Thornton School of Music Department of Screen Scoring), then run by the legendary Disney...

TES15 Moscow Orchestral Recording Session Booked Hello Reader, Two new songs – "My Unicorn" and "Einstein's Space and Van Gogh's Sky" – are close to completion, and both will feature, at least in part, an orchestra recorded remotely in Moscow. This would normally be cost-prohibitive, but by booking a shared session (meaning several other people will be recording the orchestra throughout the day), it becomes possible. There will also be a video crew on hand to record, so keep an eye out for...

HOUSE OF ABANDONED POOLS + CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC TES12 SEPTEMBER IS CLONE HIGH MONTH This month's theme is Clone High. Throughout September, watch for behind the scenes footage, track breakdowns, score analysis, and whatever else I can pull out of the vault. We've also launched new monthly and annual plans starting at less than $7 per month. Read on below.... New Plans and Restructured Platform New Plans and New Payment Options Abandoned Pools Discussion — Still free House of Abandoned Pools...

HOUSE OF ABANDONED POOLS + CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC TES11 Hello Reader, The following is an excerpt from a Songwriting 101 course I am developing, though I believe the subject matter applies just as well to everyday life, no matter what your purpose is. Your thoughts and comments are encouraged and hoped for. Magic and Beauty — The Importance of Maintaining Your Childlike Sense of Awe and Wonder Why are you writing songs? What is it that draws you to such a monumental challenge? Maybe it's...

HOUSE OF ABANDONED POOLS + CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC TES10 Preview of Work in Progress for "My Unicorn" Maybe this won’t hold up, but I have to say: this album feels very different from anything I’ve done before. It feels like a bridge between Abandoned Pools and my work as a composer—something I’ve been naturally moving toward for a while now. So far, there are no drums, no bass, no electric guitars or synths—just a more stripped-back, orchestral approach. Here's an example from a song I’ve been...