Approaching Nirvana posts
Posts: 516
Files: 1776
May 21 - How Did I Get Here
This week, I started off browsing Splice for some inspiration. I ended up going in an uplifting progressive house directions with some subtle trance influences. After finishing the session, I'm pretty happy with the result and I am planning on returning to finish this one.What do you think? - Do you like the uplifting vibe in this? And do you want me to finish this one? Download is attached and the WIP Archive has been updated!As always, thanks for supporting me here on Patreon. Merch poll c...
Spring/Summer 2025 Merch
Hey everyone - it's time to get the ball rolling on the spring / summer 2025 item. In additional to traditional merch items, I've been thinking of some more out-of-the-box ideas. These could lean into things related to the community like memes, quotes, and other stuff from over the years. Something like an "after party" Staples-easy-button where you could hit the button and here me go "after partaaaaay" or a deck of playing cards featuring the Twitch emotes as face cards....
May 14 - I Won't Let Go
This week's session was a bit of a rough one. After a few tries trying to write something good, I ran with a halfway decent idea to see if I could make anything of it. Well it took a while, but right at the end everything came together. I'm pretty happy with this and although I don't think it's the strongest idea I've written recently, I think it's at least worth returning to at some point.What do you think? - Do you like the Helix/Trails vibes in this? Is this style some...
May 7 - I Don't Wanna Lose My Mind
This week I took suggestions from chat and went in an energetic DnB direction. It started out a bit too laid back but towards the end of my session, the drop really came together and I like the result. Overall, I like this idea a lot and when I return to my DnB projects, it's one I'd like to finish.What do you think? - Do you like the drop in this? Do you enjoy vocal layers? And would you like me to finish this? Download is attached and WIP Archive is updated!Thanks as always you for you...
Apr 30 - Like Clean Water
After a week away, I wanted to try some trance and cinematic vibes. It was a lengthy session, but I think this one really came together in the end. It's rough and missing a lot of FX, but I think it's a pretty strong idea. I can hear some extra adjustments in the build(s) to add more tension too. This is one that I'd like to return to and finish.What do you think? - Do you like the trance influences in this? Do you like the vocal hook? And do you want a finished version of this? Down...
Apr 16 - Final Act
This week I wanted to write something that was a bit faster than recent projects. I started at 132 bpm and wrote an interesting chord progression on strings. I developed it from there adding some more cinematic and electroinc elements to fill it out. Towards the end of the session, I finalized a basic arrangement and arrived at the current version.It's simple but I like it. It has some similarities to recent stuff but brings some retro and cinematic vibes to differentiate it. I can see mysel...
Apr 9 - Beneath the Ice
I took a trip to the mountains over the weekend and this week's song is about that. On Sunday, I took a snowy hike past some skiers, creeks, and frozen lakes. It was so refreshing and I wanted the peaceful vibes and rejuvenating focus that I experienced to come through in this song. I also recorded some sounds while I was there, which make up some percussion and FX layers in this. Overall I like this idea - it's simple with a strong emotion and a nice evolution over the course of the son...
WIP Sampler - Q1 2025
Here's a sample of what I wrote so far this year - Which ideas do you like most?Tracklist:1. We'll Meet Again2. Don't Let Me Go (just released!)3. Journey4. Let Me Love You5. Life Can Never Break Me6. Underwater Comet7. Coming to Terms8. Dawnshore9. Strength to Let It Go10. Won't Last11. Elusive12. LochanI figured this might be a cool way to do a small recap of recent WIPs for all members. Let me know if this is something you'd like more frequently.Thanks for listening and su...
New Release - Don't Let Me Go
I've been hard at work finishing music and it's time for a new release! This melodic house track has a cool plucky synth lead, vocal layers, and some nostalgic piano chords. I originally wrote this in Januaryand I'm very happy with how it came together. This will be included on the final version of Enchanted - releasing soon!This song is available to Patreon today and everyone else for free tomorrow! MP3, wave, and artwork downloads are attached and the Release Archive has been updat...
Apr 2 - Lost Without You
This week I started off with a bit of a plan and while it took a while to come together on stream, I am really happy with this idea and intend to return to finish it. It's got some melodic house and progressive vibes and has a nice piano/string break in the middle. It's great combination of emotion and energy that I am always trying to include in my music.What do you think? - Do you like both the energetic and emotional parts in this? Do you think it's strong enough to finish? And do...
Merch packages have shipped!
Hey everyone! All of the merch packages have been shipped and tracking emails were sent out this morning via "shipping@approachingnirvana.com".Tracking emails are automated now and while there are some measures in place to ensure the emails don't end up in spam, it's always good to check there if you don't see anything in your main inbox. If for some reason, you haven't received a tracking email with shipping confirmation, please reach out to me!I'm so excited for you...
March 26 - Lochan
This week was a tough session with a lot of roadblocks. After trying to write something new, I pulled whimsical piano recording that I wrote a couple years ago and tried developing that. It gives me a peaceful, waterside feeling with an uplifting vibe. This idea came together okay and it reminds a bit of Regrowth and Riverbanks. It just feels like something is missing and I don't think I'll return to it (at least not anytime soon).What do you think? - Do you like the whimsical piano in t...
The shirts have arrived!!
These turned out fantastic and I can't wait to get them in your hands! Here are some more pics:Thanks for your patience on this one. And thanks as always for your support! I will be packing and shipping over the next week, so expect shipping confirmation soon. Have a great weekend and see you on stream.- Andrew
March 19 - Elusive
This week was a sound design session in the newly released Serum 2 that turned into a very promising idea that I am hoping to finish. I started out designing sounds from scratch and experimenting with some of Serum 2's new features. I really like the atmosphere layers and bass synth in this one. It came together nicely and I think this song would work well with a vocal.What do you think? - Do you like this one? Do you think a vocal would work well? And do you want me to finish this one?Downl...
March 12 - Won't Last
This week was a bit of a challenging session. I went through several iterations to end up with this idea. It's alright and I was able to shave off some rough edges after stream last night, but I'm not sure that I'll return to it. At the very least, there are a lot more projects that are higher priority.What do you think? Is this a decent idea and do you want to hear a finished version? And what elements of the song do you like?Download attached and WIP Archive updated!Thanks as alwa...
Shipping Update
Hey everyone!I just wanted to let you know that moving forward all shipping messages with tracking info will come via email - sent from "shipping@approachingnirvana.com" to the email on your Patreon account. This will automate the process and should help simplify the shipping process on my sideI am still waiting on the shirts to arrive, but I have shipped all the blanket-only packages and those tracking emails were sent this morning. If you have any questions, feel free to comment or rea...
March 5 - Strength to Let It Go
This week is a bit of chill melodic dubstep. It's been awhile since I wrote a song like this and I like how it turned out. It's missing a lot of parts but I like the general idea. I also think it would make a great DnB track if sped up 20bpm. Either way, I can see myself returning to finish this one at some point.What do you think about this one? Do you want more melodic dubstep/chillstep? And is this worth finishing?Download attached and WIP Archive updated!Thanks as always for your sup...
Feb 26 - Dawnshore
This week I started off with an interesting piano chord progression. As the idea grew, I added guitar, atmosphere, strings, and more. Eventually I settled on a DnB direction and added more of an arrangement. Overall, I really like where this ended up and I will be returning to this one to try and finish it.What do you think? Do like the chill vibes in this? Do you want me to finish this? And do you like the cinematic elements I included?Download is attached and WIP Archive is updated!Thank you ...
Feb 19 - Coming to Terms
It felt like it was time for a return to some cinematic/orchestral elements. After writing a nice chord progression on the piano, I tried a more synthy approach but ultimately settled on a nice string accompaniment at a drum and bass tempo. I added some bass and a few additional elements to round it out. The start of the drop needs to be better and it needs more FX to fill everything out. That said, I think this came together nicely and I'm looking forward to returning to it.What do you thi...
Feb 12 - Underwater Comet
I went in this week wanting to continue the chill house vibes but switch it up a bit. So I slowed things down, added a bit of variation in the drums, and went with a more bouncy bassline. Halfway through the session I kind of lost the thread, but at the end I wrote the arp melody and it brought everything back together. Overall, I like this one. I'm not sure if I'll finish it, but I'd like to return to it at some point.What do you think? Do like the adjustments to my chill house styl...
Shirt Artwork
I'm excited to finally debut the shirt artwork!This art is done by the amazing Natalie Flores. She's very talented and was already familiar with my music and brand. We worked together to come up with a design that plays off of elemental themes that embody the Approaching Nirvana brand and sound. It relates to the vinyl artwork I did in 2023, uses the rough themes I started with last year as inspiration, and has subtle nods to previous album artwork. The design is vibrant and plays off a ...
Feb 5 - Life Can Never Break Me
January had some pretty good ideas and we're starting off February with something a bit different, but promising. The session yesterday was very long, but I tried some new sounds/instruments, slowed down the bpm, and tried to keep some of the melodic vibes I've been writing with recently. It came together pretty well and while I'm not sure I'll finish this, it's a project I'd definitely like to return to.What do you think? - Does this feel new or unique? And is it good en...
Jan 29 - Let Me Love You
This week's song is interesting, but feels like it's missing something. The percussion, atmosphere, and FX in this one are pretty good. I like the chord progression and vocal bits, but the lead melody and overall instrument layers leave something to be desired. I can see myself returning to this project, but it's not at the top of my list like the other ideas this month.What do you think? - Does this idea sound promising? Do you want to see a finished version? Or would you like me to...
Jan 22 - Journey
This week's session was a weird one. It was going great, then it wasn't, and then some last minute adjustments really elevated the idea. I spent a bit of time after stream on the idea to make a few adjustments and I really like the overall result. This needs some love (automation, FX, layers, etc) but the overall idea came together well and I'll be returning to it with the intention to finish.What do you think? - let me know in the comments!Download is attached and WIP Archive is upd...
January 15 - Don't Let Me Go
This week's song came together really well. It's reflective and a little uplifting. The lead could be better, but I do like the melody. It's also missing FX, automation, and some extra layers to fill it out. But the essence of the idea is pretty good. I'll definitely be returning to this project with the intention to finish it.What do you think? - let me know in the comments!Download is attached and WIP Archive is updated!As always, thank you for your support. If you're part ...
Jan 8 - We'll Meet Again
1st song of 2025, here we go! It's a melancholic, reflective idea with a nice triplet groove to it. It's got some cinematic and melodic house elements to it with some great atmosphere. I feel like it all came together nicely. It needs some more layers, FX, and automation but I will be returning to this one to try and finish it.What do you think? - let me know in the comments.Download attached and WIP Archive updated!Happy New Year, thank you for your support, and I will see you on stream...
Blankets are here!
The blankets have arrived and they're so soft and fluffy! The embroidered logo looks really nice.I will be reaching out over the next week to confirm shipping addresses. Make sure to check your messages here, on Discord, or via email to confirm your address before I start shipping.Thanks as always and see you on stream!
Merry Christmas!! ...And a new song - Snowcapped
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! ππ πAnd I come to you bearing a gift in the form of a new song! On stream today, I was intending on just writing another new original idea to round the year out, but it ended up being too Christmas themed for me to consider as a release. So I cleaned it up and it's available for free to everyone. MP3 and Wave files are attached!Thanks to those of you who stopped by the stream today and huge thank you to everyone for supporting me. Don't forget...
New Release - Enchanted EP
Take a journey through an enchanted world alongside electronic vibes, whimsical atmospheres, and surreal soundscapes. The story has only just begun...Downloads of MP3, Wave, and FLAC formats are attached. Artwork is attached as well.This EP is an early version of a project I've been working on for some time... Enchanted. It encompasses a lot of the music I've been writing that has whimsical, fantasy themes combined with my usual style and some more recent influences (like melodic and stu...
Dec 11 - Strawberry Springs
This week's song came together pretty nicely. It's got some melodic house vibes and a nice arpeggiated lead reminiscent of Sonar. This song feels strongly of "rejuvenation" and reminds me of an amazing hot springs here in Colorado - Strawberry Springs. It's an amazing, all-natural springs in the mountains with gorgeous, starry, night-sky views that I once visited during the middle of winter at night. Here's a picture:This song reminds me very much of how I felt when I was...
