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Brad Podray

At the tail end of Winter Cycle, the stark and melancholy 2010 solo piano EP by My Shadow and I "a unique sonic concept developed by multi-talented musician and songwriter Brad Podray"there is a brief burst of sweeping orchestral optimism called “Bliss (End of the Winter Cycle).” This whimsical minute and a half piece is the perfect segue into the latest season of My Shadow and I: the melodic, richly textured, film score lush Summer Cycle, a full length recording released on Podray’s uniquely monikered independent label, Nonexistent Recordings.

Podray penned the eclectic ten track collection as a chronicle of the powerful transitions and emotional breakthroughs that come months after the heartbreaking but necessary end of a relationship. Summer Cycle’s overriding theme of emergence matches that of Podray’s increasing presence as a force in contemporary instrumental music after years of eclectic performing and recording experiences in numerous other genres"among them, industrial metal, “Pirate rap,” alt rock and down tempo trip hop. While the Florida born, Philadelphia based musician’s rock influences range from Beethoven to Nine Inch Nails, his chief inspirations for his solo piano and electronic/symphonic works are Brian Eno, Danny Elfman and famed new age pianist David Lanz, whose encouraging words about the Eno-influenced self titled My Shadow and I debut led Podray to further develop his vision in this genre.

“That conversation with David played a key part of my decision to continue on this path,” says Podray, who began playing the piano at age 10. “In some ways, I began composing this style of music as a subtle way to pay homage to David, whose piano compositions I played as a child. I even won a youth talent competition playing his song ‘Dark Horse.’ A lot of the music I play in the other groups I have been with is pessimistic, snarky and based a lot on humor. Composing on piano and texturing with orchestral, percussion, ethnic instruments and other sounds allows me to express a deeper sense of emotion and a more optimistic side of myself. It allows me to reach audiences who may find my other music too odd, abrasive and peculiar.”

The pianist/composer has several takes on why he calls this side of his artistry My Shadow and I: “I always liked being in bands with other guys, and when I compose this music, I feel like I’m still collaborating, only the partner is my shadow; The idea is that I’m writing with myself. As I’ve become exposed to new music, there are so many artists and composers who have touched me that their impact is almost like having another band member. They’re part of the shadow as well. Another aspect of the shadow is the echo of myself as a little kid who told everyone that I was going to be a musician. I’d tell any adult that I wanted to someday be a crazy concert musician playing Carnegie Hall. A pivotal moment happened when I was about 12 and my parents sent me to the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan. For the first time, I saw kids who could play circles around me. It was a humbling experience that shadows and motivates me to this day.”

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