Interview: OnlyOneInAll v. Artimus Bena

I’m not very proficient in the critique of a musical piece, but I at least can talk about it a little, and have the will to do so.

Drendaloria is a composition lasting about half an hour with a story piece to go with it. The focus of the story is about Artimus, a man of the woods with unparalleled skill, and the battle that takes place between Reldrin and himself over the fate of the kingdom, Drendora. It is titled more specifically the Undoer, being Reldrin, who wishes to take over the kingdom.

That being said, this is an experience to be undertaken with the story and music in sync. The story is unfortunately a shortened version that does not flow well with the timeframe given when the music should be playing at certain parts. Nevertheless, the song fits well enough that even if you are a little off, it is still appropriate in accordance to the story. The original version of the story would probably be better for this half hour piece.

My favorite part would have to be the emotional end, at the start of the final battle. Since the author and composer could probably tell this tale much better than I, an interview has been conducted to hear what sort of time and effort went into creating this piece.

Only One In All: What inspired you to create Drendaloria? What are its origins?
Artimus Bena: It comes from a very long line of story which began with a name: Artimus Bena.  I was 14 or so when the name came to me. I have ever since been working on the story, its world, its back story, Flicker (a prequel to Drendaloria) being the result. I've also used the name pretty much everywhere on the internet

OOIA: Is there any other focus within this world, other than what has been specified in the story?
Bena: Oh yes. The story that comes with this body of music is very condensed. The detailed version (which I will write one day) will invariably touch upon subjects like society-wide ignorance, depression, and believing in one's own powerful influence.

OOIA: How long has it taken you to write the story (the actual document itself)? And the music composition?
Bena: Since I had been formulating the story for nearly 6 years, it didn't take that long to write, though I did have some trouble figuring out what was to happen in the very middle of the story. The composition took me nearly 8 months to complete the groundwork for, and 3 more to perfect every little detail. I wasn't able to work on it absolutely every day, otherwise, it may have taken a little less time.

OOIA: A thirty minute composition seems like such a daunting task, although spread out, much easier to handle. Is there anything you have to say about the piece in specific, the format, the emotions that are to be felt, certain instruments or sounds used, etc.?
Bena: A thirty minute composition is most certainly a daunting task, especially when you have to consider how the story will flow with it. This was the third thirty-minute midi in a series, and I have to say that midi has its strengths as well as obvious weaknesses. Emotion was certainly the focus in Flicker, where two princes have become enemies. Much less so in Enchantae's Tower, which merely told an "old fable", which I slip in references to in each of these stories. Drendaloria was a healthy balance of big story and focused emotion. Such as one of the piano pieces (which I put rain and thunder behind), where Artimus is surveying the damage done to his home after the battle.

Because the time periods were progressing, I used more and more modern sounding instruments; for example, I didn't really use snares until Drendaloria.

OOIA: I wasn’t aware there were three of these pieces. That’s a lot of time and effort. Didn’t you mention you also had an MP3 version of this song?
Bena: I do; it's a big improvement, with a sound-effect filled intro, but mostly it's just midi with reverb and a few sampled cymbals.

OOIA: Have you received any recognition for Drendaloria, the story or song so far?
Bena: No one has yet commented on the story, but thanks to two Castle Paradox members who voted it 5 out of 5, it was the highest ranked song on its list for at least two to three months. Just a couple days ago, a third person voted pretty low on it, bringing it to 3.5. I'm not too fazed, I know it's great, and besides, I'm working on a new one of these soundtracks (shh!) that will blow it out of the water.

OOIA: Wonder who rated it low. I think that about wraps it up for the time being. Is there anything left to be said?
Bena: I will be back. And in greater force. Until then, check out the tech demo TMC and I have been working on (See previews section of this issue), it really is worth a few minutes of your time.