Artist description Aging Fleet is a one-man operation. All selections were recorded at home using one keyboard, one computer, one acoustic guitar, and one microphone, with various software thrown in. The style is perhaps best described as an attempt to fuse 1970's songwriting with 1980's sensibility with 1990's technology, and with lyrical relevancy to the 2000's. All of that is then limited by the instruments used and the performing/singing ability. The songs, while all identifiable as belonging to the same artist, vary from pop/rock to folk pop laced with electronic sounds, to dance-based tracks using some sampled loops. There are a few slow songs, and some short instrumental pieces. The first double album contains 26 tracks, of which about half are the shorter thematic "filler" pieces and the other half are actual songs. "Aging Fleet" was chosen as a name in order to evoke a generation of music listeners whose communal soundtrack is fading into the past, but who still "fly" with their music. For me, it's mainly about the 1980's musical era, and all of us who fell in love, came of age, and started a life during that time, and have since tried to balance that while watching younger generations replace us in the pop culture world. Aging Fleet is for me and my fellow travelers. It does not fit in well to what gets radio airplay. I tried my best to record, mix, and master the tracks on my PC, but it is my first such attempt, and they still sound unprofessional, though not as bad as some recordings I've heard. So be it -- I hope that adds to the "genuineness" of the music. Anyway, it's mostly about the lyrics and the non-mainstream singing style which pervades the songs. Most of the songs were written from the perspective of an American living in Europe, looking at America from outside, then taking road trips around America and occasional plane trips around the world. Against this backdrop the songs were born, and end up sounding like they sound.

Music Style Reflective, chord-centered, piano-based alt-pop, with folk and electronica elements. Introspective, somewhat "outsider" music: better listened to alone. Not party music.

Musical Influences Although my music doesn't end up sounding like my influences, here they are: first and foremost, 17 years of listening to U2, who are my agemates and my musical life companions. Elton John was my first music hero, in the early 1970's. Wishing I could so beautifully combine electronica, lyrics, and melodies as do The Pet Shop Boys. The American songwriter element of Bruce Springsteen (e.g. "The River") and others. The wonderful piano-based songwriting and smart lyrics of Joe Jackson. The sort of songs Peter Gabriel has made (actually, I think my secret wish is to occupy a similar musical niche to his, with songs like "Biko", "Sledgehammer", and "Steam"). The rhythm ideas of The Cure. The songwriting style of Neil Young. The combination of emotion and synthesizers that was Human League. The whole singer/songwriter tradition . Billy Joel's 1970's songs. Abba. A host of 1980's bands, too many to name, and lots of one-hit wonders. Sting's songs. Seal's songs. Culture Club "Colour by Numbers". Crowded House. REM "Losing My Religion". Heaven 17. British songwriters in general (often gay -- they seem to write the best music). Not too much that influenced me from the 1990's new performers (maybe The Cranberries, Oasis, The Wallflowers, and Robbie Williams in the late 90's), however big influence in the incorporation of electronica into pop/rock. I liked Soundgarden "Black Days". Of course there are tons of performers I listened to, who were my favorite band at one time or another during my high school days in the 1970's, but they didn't leave a conscious lasting musical influence on my songwriting style: Queen, Heart, ELO, Blondie, Bob Seger (well, maybe his songs, for example "Against the Wind", are somewhat of an influence) , and most of the big 1970's bands. John Lennon, The Beatles. Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Who. Peter Frampton. A secret desire to write songs like Roy Orbison, The Platters, and other "hitmakers" of that era (I haven't tried my hand at that yet, though). All in all, I'd say my music is the attempt of an outsider, who will probably never set foot in a studio or ever associate with any musical personnages, to combine the 1960's-70's songwriting legacy with 1980's emotional music with 1990's technology, and with topics that still have a relevance to the 2000's. That's the theory, anyway. And then I sit down at my keyboard, or with my acoustic guitar, and start playing, and songs arise that are distinctly my own sound, without any of those influences readily apparent. Finally, I am influenced by tons of musical artists and styles -- essentially, anything good is an influence to all of us. I'd love to better combine good dance music with good lyrical themes, good melodies, and a unique cohesive style -- maybe even with a touch of French chansons thrown in. It's something for me to work on for my next album.

Similar Artists I don't know -- but if anyone would let me know, I'd appreciate it, so I can check out those artists.

Artist History Aging Fleet's debut double album is a compilation of songs written mainly during 1984 and 1988-1993 in Germany. Some recent material was written in 2000 in California. While earlier recordings were made of some material, it was not until 2000 that a set of interrelated songs with some common themes were recorded, using digital home recording technology.

Group Members Nooriel (songwriting, all instruments, vocals, programming, arranging, mixing, production)

Instruments Korg N1 keyboard; on some tracks, Art & Lutherie acoustic guitar; occasional harmonica; Shure SM58 microphone; some purchased loops, including most of the drum tracks used. Software: Sonic Foundry Acid (I don't see why anyone needs MIDI, if you play all your parts and have enough gigabytes to store it all on disk); Echo Gina to do the recording into Acid, WaveLab to do effects and mastering; also tried FreeFilter plug-in, in the search for the perfect EQ.

Albums "Aging Fleet" (double album: part 1 "Travel Songs", part 2 "Vision Statement")

Press Reviews "Try it, you might like it."

Location Folsom, CA - USA

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