Arkenstone

Grammy-nominated composer David Arkenstone blends global, cinematic, and rock elements into his version of new age music, which has appeared in film, television, and video game scores as well as dozens of his own albums. A music lover since age ten, when he moved to California from Chicago, Arkenstone immersed himself in all kinds of music and played keyboards and guitar in numerous bands as a youth. It was when he discovered the lush arrangements and exotic approach of Kitaro that Arkenstone ventured into new age music. The increasing synergy between computer technology and musical instruments also inspired him; most of his works were created partly or entirely on his Macintosh along with synthesizers and guitars.

Grammy-nominated composer David Arkenstone blends global, cinematic, and rock elements into his version of new age music, which has appeared in film, television, and video game scores as well as dozens of his own albums. The prolific California-based artist initially made his name in the 1990s with a series of popular fantasy-themed releases for the Narada label and in subsequent decades has become a backbone artist for the Green Hill Music roster.

Avalon: Between Earth and Sky’, is a gorgeous Neo Classical album. This magical story tells the tale of a beautiful young queen and her sudden rise to power. Magnificently orchestrated with live guitar, vocals, keyboards, mandolin, penny whistle, strings and flute, Avalon: Between Earth and Sky, will transport you back to that mystical realm.

5-time Grammy nominee David Arkenstone has established himself as one of the best contemporary instrumentalists of our time. This visionary continues to create distinctive tracks that inspire the imagination. “I envision a place where I would like to go, or an adventure I would like to take, and let my imagination run free,” says David.20 years ago I recorded ‘Music Inspired by Middle Earth Vol. l.’ As I’ve always been inspired by Tolkien’s books and his stories are still such a part of my life, I was excited to revisit this world again. I treated the album as if I was composing the movie in my head I wanted to score. There have been significant advancements in musical tools for the modern composer, so I was eager to explore orchestrating and performing the majority of the recording on my own. That, plus the notion that hopefully my skills have also improved over the years, led me here.

David Arkenstone has reached a new creative landmark in his music with Beneath A Darkening Sky, a densely layered and richly textured visual work of haunting mystery, subtle dread, and ghostly gothic undertones. Opening up his musical toolbox to a degree seldom seen in his many past recordings, Arkenstone creates cinematic soundscapes that combine the eerie elements of dark ambient with more overt melodicism featuring a wide palette of instruments and influences. All of these elements are woven into something truly special, even by this landmark artist's standards. By turns powerful and dramatic (e.g. accented by Gregorian-like chorals, tribal percussion, and orchestral swells) or formless, shifting currents of minor-key swaths of melody, Arkenstone sprinkles his assorted influences like a master painter applying color after color in crafting a masterpiece of startling images: Nordic, Celtic, gothic classical, ambient, new age, and cinema soundtrack are just some of what Arkenstone taps into, while merging them all into what is uniquely David Arkenstone. Production values, as they are on all this artist's recordings, are sky high. Headphones in a dark room will make this music come alive in vibrant and exciting fashion.

An ethereal, melodic, and magical musical tapestry. With three GRAMMYr nominations, twenty Billboard hits, and millions of fans worldwide, David Arkenstone has established himself as one of the foremost instrumental musicians of our time. David Arkenstone has recorded over thirty albums, has toured extensively including performances at New York's Radio City Music Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, scored dozens of films and documentaries, and composed music for the Olympics that is used to this day.

For close to three decades, iconic multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter Diane Arkenstone has shared her many musical talents whether as a New Age and ambient music pioneer, a distinctive singer and songwriter, or an explorer of cultures—those that she has a personal connection to such as Native American and Celtic musical traditions. All of her work has been geared toward inspiring, uplifting and healing and she’s always practiced a life of mindfulness. On her new album of collected past works as well as new original material, Diane has curated a set of music with an overall theme of empowerment—both individually and collectively. Her new song “Rising” illustrates how music has helped her overcome challenges throughout her life. The rhythmic song showcases both metal and wooden tongue drums that create a sublime, haunting beat.

"Aquaria represents the feminine spirit, love and nurturing, which is more timely than ever. The new album, ‘Aquaria II - Ascension' is the rising, ascending and strengthening of this energy. Water is very symbolic of spirit and self, and our dreams of water represent our own spirit."