BrianRoche.net

It’s a major record deal with one of the most up and coming independent record labels. Brian leaves his own label, Didactic Records and joins Smash Fabric for 2 - 4 years releasing a minimum of 5 singles over the course of that time. Show me more

We’re pleased to announce that Brian Roche has just completed a remix for Blue Paper Project’s, “Harbour Rain”. “Harbour Rain” appears on the forthcoming album, “City Lights”. When asked about the remix, Brian had this to say, “I’m extremely excited about the remix. I had very little time from start to finish and was worried I wouldn’t be able to reach a level of quality I’d be happy with. I’m delighted to say that I’m extremely pleased with the result and feel it’s one of the best pieces I’ve to date.” Brian continues, “It was also a pleasure to work with Jon and the guys at Smash Fabric Records. They’re extremely professional and serious about making quality music.”

City Lights contains 10 exclusive tracks from Blue Paper Project and Brian’s remix is the bonus track, number 11.

City Lights from Blue Paper Project will be available in stores and online retail outlets in December.

Didactic Records is proud to announce the release of our eight single, ‘Press Start’. ‘Press Start’ is the eight single to be released from Brian Roche’s forthcoming album, ‘Rubric’ and is available in stores worldwide in December.

mikdk

Didactic Records is proud to announce the release of our seventh single, ‘mikdk’. ‘mikdk’ is the seventh single to be released from Brian Roche’s forthcoming album, ‘Rubric’. The song is available from iTunes for immediate download

Below, you can find all of the details you need to locate and purchase the song globally.

Artist: Brian Roche

Label: Didactic Records
Genres: Dance, Electronic

Release Date: 02-Sep-2009
Original Release Year: 2009

ID Number: X205762
UPC: 859702292745

Recording Location: Boston, USA
Projected go-live on or before: 25-Oct-2009

It may have been 7 years in the making, but it’s certainly well worth the wait! Today, ‘Ether’, the second album from MobiusB became widely available from the increasingly popular Bandcamp website. This album is priceless, literally!

Let me say from the outset, ‘Ether’ is not an album, it’s a musical journey that leaves the listener wanting more. Not at all confused about its intentions, it’s aimed squarely at a down tempo/ambient audience and that’s just fine. From its early atmospheric, yet strong beginning, ‘Blue Shimmer’ sets the tone with an evolving soundscape that engulfs the listener.
‘Surround’, ups the energy and sets the stage for the hugely impact-full ‘Far Cry’. Oozing with excitement this guitar laden track is reminiscent of Jerry Bruckheimer’s greatest guitar moments. A wonderful sound track to a future block buster for sure. It’s at this point that you realize the production quality is absolutely outstanding. Crisp cool sounding yet warm, inviting and engaging. ‘Rider’ takes us back to basics while ‘Addio’ showcases the outstanding drum programming and micro editing that even BT would be proud of. Eastern drums provide the icing on the cake for ‘Addio’ as we come back for a second helping with ‘Fulcrum’.

‘Trans-Lunar Injection’ takes us into deep and dark territory while still remaining accessible. ‘Playground’ is simply a gift, an amazing melody that could stand alone without any back drop. ‘Solaris’ closes out this block buster album and is reminiscent of early Ulrich Schnauss. It should be obvious that any comparison between Ulrich Schnauss and ‘Solaris’ can mean just one thing, it’s outstanding! The truth is ‘Solaris’ is in good company, there is plenty of talent here throughout for fans of all musical genres. Each track could stand out on its own but as a body of work they gain strength and momentum and combine to create something truly special.

I’m not a fan of ambient or down tempo, nor do I intend to be in the future yet this album has sucked me in and left me wondering, “Why don’t I listen to more ambient?”. I was lucky enough to hear each track individually as they were being worked on, I reviewed early versions and provided feedback, yet I’m still floored by the end result. This album is a milestone, a shocker and an incredibly enjoyable listen! It draws you in and shares its emotions with you as you walk along a musical path. Always raw with emotion but never mournful; always entertaining but never predictable; even after the umpteenth listen it still leaves you wanting more. ‘Ether’ is more than music, it’s more than an album, it’s a privileged walk with one of the finest artists and producers of our time!

‘Ether’ is available as a free download from the Bandcamp website. You can also find more information at MobiusB.

My new album, ‘Rubric’ was originally targeted for release in October of 2009. This was a deadline that I worked hard towards but it was also one that I had little confidence in actually reaching. Not because of a failure to make progress, quite contrary, my work in the studio has been very productive but the project has taken on an entirely new direction.

When work on the album begun, I was very much influenced by the whole Trance genre. As I made progress I realized quickly that I had no interest in making music like this, right now. My influences and interests changed, I also got to know ‘me’ as a producer and realized the type of sound I was not only capable of creating but created because it was ‘me’. I’ve come to accept the fact that I cannot make tracks that simply disappear into DJ’s sets. I’d like to, as those are the songs I gravitate to. Instead I create big room records with a very distinct sound. While this is not my intention, it’s simply what I ‘feel’ in the studio and what comes out of me.

Another significant delta from when I first started working on the album is my ability. When I begun I worked hard to create music I ‘thought’ I was capable of making. Fortunately it didn’t take long to realize that my abilities in the studio were improving almost exponentially and techniques I once held in awe were now an every day reality to me. The bar was raised and my sights were firmly set on creating the music I always dreamed of creating. These two important factors caused me to take on a significantly new direction and have allowed me to create music and express myself in ways I never thought possible.

I’m still focused on releasing the album, after all it’s been a dream and goal and I always achieve my goals. However, it’s going to take slightly longer than originally planned as I explore new directions. That being said, I still release a track approximately every 6 weeks so there will be no shortage of music.

Given all of this, I realized I didn’t want to wait another 6 months before putting out some type of package that captured the journey so far. For this reason I have compiled and released ‘The Rubric EP’. This is a physical release, meaning you can purchase CDs. The EP contains the 6 releases to date. I hope you all understand and appreciate the new direction. I also hope you purchase the new CD. If you’re looking for it in stores, here’s the cover art (below):

Another track is almost finished and should be released in the next 3-4 weeks. Watch this space!

I decided to take play with some magic moments and see if I could turn them into cool backgrounds. Here is one that turned out quite well. It’s not quite finished yet, but I’ve enclosed the before and after for reference. Tell me what you think.

Last Wednesday I competed in the 30th annual Witches Cup down town criterium. The Witches Cup is a short fast bicycle race requiring excellent technical skills. Riders must have the ability to corner rapidly and sharply — and ride safely with a large group on a short circuit and have exceptional fitness to attack other riders and repeatedly accelerate hard from corners. Exceptional fitness is key if you intend to finish on the podium.

My training and my psyche was laser focused in the weeks leading up to the event to deliver me in perfect racing condition. Fortunately, I arrived race ready but a rider causing an obstruction caused me to lose position 2 laps from the finish. Finishing in 15th place was really hard but that story’s already been told. The story that hasn’t been told is just how fit I was was/am and how my body responded to the race/effort.

If there’s one positive to take away from the race it’s that I am in exceptional shape right now both mentally and physically. I spent almost the entire time in my max heart rate zone, 182bpm in the finish (max is 189) frequently generating massive amounts of power. In fact, almost every minute I was generating over 400 watts and there are PLENTY of 500 watt moments in there also.

As I end this season and look for a new team to ride with next year, now you can all see what I’m capable. So, if you’re looking for a sprinter, let me know! The numbers don’t lie, if you’re interested, I’ve included them below. Enjoy!

The Witches Cup is now behind me and I’m pretty sad and disappointed. I mean that sincerely. I finished 15th out of a field of 75. Unfortunately I spent the entire race in 6th wheel or thereabouts, and never lost position until the final 2 laps when a lead out rider pealed off the pace line impeded my path around narrow corner number 3. Sadly I came into the finishing straight somewhere around 20th and pulled my way back to 15th but there was no sprint because it was pointless. I’m sad and really bummed that I never got to sprint this year. I worked so hard to be ready, I dieted, lost weight and made a lot of sacrifices to be ready so it’s really tough to not even get a chance to really race the final lap.

I arrived early, 2 hours early. Drove the course, rode the course for 25 minutes and planned my finish. I changed, rode back to the course and spent another 25 minutes warming up. I started on the line this year and it was hell from the gun. 3 riders off the front from the gun. I bridged and sat on. The race caught up. My chain came off coming around corner 4 into the finish on lap one, I guess it was going to be one of those days for me. I lost a few bike lengths but got back on terms as I put it back on while I rode.

The race was really fast throughout with breaks going off the front that lingered only for 2 or 3 laps. It seemed like a constant battle out of every corner to stay with the pace. I wasn’t hurting per say, but my lower back was starting to feel the constant power sessions.

21 laps to go I felt like I was in a little pain, my heart rate was up there and the pace was relentless. The feeling passed thankfully and at no time did my legs feel sore. Just my lower back. Witches has the worst pavement of any crit I’ve ridden. A bump on the finishing straight took out my saddle. I spent 20 miles with a broken saddle. Mid way through I also caught a pedal on the ground and broke that. Stayed upright and didn’t lose my placing.

2 laps to go I lost my position and making it back just never happened for me.

I’m PISSED. I was ready, it was my race but luck wasn’t on my side. I’d still go back and do it again and probably will race it again next year.

The only positive is that I was ready, VERY ready! I feel good and plan on riding for an hour tomorrow to get ready for this weekend’s racing. I’ll post my power file for you all to pour over later in the week, right now I need to do something else other than cycling!

Looks like rain. Road conditions as bad as last year. Going to be fun.

There is now just one more day until I compete in the Witches Cup. It’s hard to believe it’s been one year since I raced this mammoth race, especially since I said I’d never go back.  But the very reason I said I’d never go back is the same reason I want to, it’s the hardest thing I can do and if I win this one, I’ll have achieved something great in my mind. 

I had a very tough, focused few weeks training leading up to the race which confirms for me that I’m the fastest I’ve ever been.  I’m very pleased to have made it this far in the season and not be over trained.  My hammer sessions are just that. Getting close to a 25mph average, something I only dreamed of before. My sustained wattage has also ‘finally’ met my one year ago target. It’s been a slow rough ride that at times required more rest than work.  

Training is behind me now and today and tomorrow are all about recovery. Lots of sleep and zero activity other than stretching and massage. I must admit, I’ll be glad to have some chocolate after the race.  I’m 5 pounds lighter and 40 watts stronger which is quite a significant loss and gain for me respectively.

Aside from training and rest, it’s now all down to race tactics and the willingness to hurt. I’ve never lost a sprint but I’ve lost ‘races’. I know myself well enough now to know I’ve got the top end speed to win or at least make it on to the podium, if I get within a mile of the finish ‘fresh’ it’s probably going to be my day. If I’m attacked the entire time then I’ll be tired and it’s less likely.

For this year my entire prep has been about 90% intensity workouts that mirror the race in duration and in some cases longer. The goal is to plug the gap and reduce my weaknesses. If I recovery and rest, I’m confident I’ll be able to hack the pace, stay at the front and launch off the front of the race with just 250 to go.

I’m nervous and excited. This is a goal for me, a big one. The older I get the less milestones there are left. I’ve achieved almost everything I set out to achieve in life. On Wednesday night I hope to say, “check, check” as I close the book on another achievement. 

In between preparing for the Witches Cup I’m also learning to play piano. I found an excellent teacher, you can visit her at www.ebpiano.com, ask for Rosemary. I’m excited to see music in a different way and to learn how to play (finally).

I hope you’re all going to come watch me race next Wednesday. There is only one week left before I roll out at the biggest race of my season.  I’ll be sure to update the Blog once the race has finished with full results.

Btw, this is my first Blog from the iPhone.