Anthesis by Nicholas Roche

When I started writing Anthesis I had one goal in mind; to create a sonic hug. A hug encapsulates imperfection, hope, and most of all growth. At the time, I didn’t realize producing a conceptual album about growth would take so much growing to do. The process required learning how to write sheet music for strings and horns and how to work with musicians far more accomplished than myself. Beyond expanding my musical skill set was a need to explore the intricacies of my own life. I worked hard on correcting my flaws all while discovering some new ones. I’m stubborn, forgetful, distracted, obsessive, and too idealistic for my own good. The silver lining is that all these personal shortfalls added to this body of work. And, unironically, the act of letting go was the hardest flaw to shake.

I have written and rewritten dozens of songs the past 3 years specifically for this project. At one point Anthesis became an overencumbered triple album with no end in sight. You know the phrase art is never finished, only abandoned? They forgot to include the potential for art to become a jail to creativity. I realized my idealism may have been hindering the process when, a week before mastering, I casually told my friend Robert, “I think I have to re-record this song. It’s just not working.” His response was an agitated, “Oh god, you’re never going to finish.” I got a day into editing before accepting that this album about imperfection deserved to be imperfect. 3 years worth of friends asking when it would be finished was enough. It was time to let go.

I think I’ve found peace in this collection of songs- or at least enough satisfaction that I can move forward. I poured my soul into Anthesis with the hope that you find connections and meaning in it. Most of all I hope you feel a warm hug while you’re listening.

Enjoy the music,
Nicholas Roche

Tracklist

1.	For The Best	4:17

2.	I Know	3:26

3.	Floating	2:28

4.	Rising (Feat. Marybeth Torres)	2:31

5.	Sunlight Sonata (feat. CJ Andrews)	0:32

6.	Don't Stare at the Sun	4:18

7.	Falling	0:36

8.	Let There Be Light	2:30

9.	The Forever Beginner	4:26

10.	Lucid Dreams	4:10

11.	Roses	5:42

12.	Bloom	3:25

Credits

released January 1, 2020

All songs written, recorded, arranged, produced, mixed, and mastered by Nicholas Roche

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