The Bookshelf Symphony Orchestra Tour

Hello people! Today I am here with the first of the two tours I am taking part in April, and I am really excited because today I am here to speak to you all not about a book, but about something a bit different. I loved this idea, I think this is pure genius! And I loved the album, because yes, today I am here to present you a musical album inspired by books. Isn’t that amazing???

Album Information
The Bookshelf Symphony Orchestra by Austin Farmer
Released: August 17, 2019

The Bookshelf Symphony Orchestra is an instrumental concept album created for readers and writers. Over the course of 2 years, Austin Farmer teamed up with brothers Addam and Heath Farmer to help produce, co-arrange, and mix/master the album, bringing over a decade of experience in the music industry to the project. Every song is titled after the novel it was inspired by and couldn’t have been created without those
stories. Austin’s previous songs have been featured on Nickelodeon, CBS, Fox Sports, and a national Sprint TV campaign with indie rock bands Island Apollo and The Bolts. Musical influences on this album include songs from many of the instrumental playlists he’d listen to while writing fiction, including Two Steps From Hell, Bear McCreary, and Joe Hisaishi.
His short story “Beethoven’s Baton” is featured in Baker Street Irregulars, co-edited by Michael A. Ventrella and NYT Bestselling Author Jonathan Maberry.

Album Links
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3zGVmvQrMqw5Yuu0lUC3qe?si=2EZBWe2hQEKxqlknwfY1xQ

Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WJC6R3W

An entire album inspired by books. Isn’t it amazing? And it’s not all, because the music is pretty good! I enjoyed listening to it, and I did it again and again because it was pretty spectacular! And today I would leave you a taste of it:

The Alchemist

So, do tell me! What do you think of this song? I enjoy quite a lot listening to it. It relaxes me, and it keeps me wondering, if this can make sense to you. And there is more… because we have some Q&A with the artist! And to read more of it, follow the others on this blog tour!

1. This was an amazing idea and I had such a great time listening to this music. So, are you working to other songs, always inspired by book, too?

I appreciate the kind words on the song! The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (published by Harper Collins) is one of my favorite novels, and it’s so easy to see why this is a classic. I remember feeling so uplifted and inspired while reading, and I’ve purchased this as a gift to a lot of my loved ones and well.

For this song, I wanted to take the listener on a journey, just like the one Santiago goes on. I wanted to evoke the feeling of a life-changing, spiritual moment. There are essentially 3 movements to in song. My goal was to carry a simple theme and develop it through all of the movements, almost as if it is a transformation within a character.

I am definitely working on a few different projects right now, and I hope to create more songs inspired by books, perhaps in a sequel to The Bookshelf Symphony Orchestra.

2. This was a collection of songs inspired by some different books, so what is it that moves you more in a book? What are the things that really inspired you?

That’s a great question. I believe novels can bring about real change within a reader, and I think that’s what I’m really inspired by when I create my own art. In Paulo’s novel, I experienced real moments of inspiration at a time when I needed it. I remember feeling an inspired feeling that is almost impossible to put into words (ironically, because the inspiration came from words!)

It’s incredible to know that words on a page written 25 years ago can feel relevant to what you are experiencing today. I’m inspired by Santiago’s perseverance and his insights into the world. I’m inspired by Paulo Coelho’s brilliant, lyrical prose. If you haven’t read The Alchemist, please do!

Pick up the 25th anniversary edition of The Alchemist from Harper Collins here: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062315007/the-alchemist/

Follow Paulo Coelho online: @PauloCoelho

Composer Information
Austin Farmer is a musician, writer, and filmmaker from Southern California. His music has been featured on Nickelodeon, Fox Sports, and a national Sprint commercial.
His short story “Beethoven’s Baton” is featured in Baker Street Irregulars Volume 1 (co-edited by Michael A. Ventrella and NYT Bestselling Author Jonathan Maberry).

FUN FACTS:
– I attended the Y’ALL (@Yallwest) West Writing Convention in 2018 a few years back and attended a “WRITING MUSIC, WRITING ABOUT MUSIC” panel. I asked a few authors if putting music out like this would be a good idea, and they suggested to go for it and put it out. I think they said to let them know if I ever did. That panel helped me get the courage to put out this music. I always wanted to find a way to thank them or Yallwest for that.

– A lot of these songs were inspired by novels that I discovered because of Mysterious Galaxy Books (@Mystgalaxybooks) in San Diego. A lot of these authors had book signings, and I discovered a lot of these novels from those signings or different writing events, including the author of “Truthwitch” (Susan Dennard), “The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding” (Alex Bracken), “The Fold” (Peter Cines), and more (about 9 of them).

– Social Media helped me put out this music. I originally put the demoes out on Twitter and tagged the authors, and their support helped give me the courage to put this out as an album, too.

– My uncle played with The Beach Boys for about 12 years as their live bassist.

– I am the singer of a Rush Tribute band.

– My Band Island Apollo reached 2 million plays for our single “Hold It Down” on Spotify.

Composer Links
Website:
http://austinfarmerauthor.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MrAustinFarmer

And don’t miss out the rest of the tour!

Tour Information
Dates:
April 13th-April 17th
Schedule Link:
https://storytellersontour.online/2020/03/18/tour-schedule-the-bookshelf-symphony-
orchestra-by-austin-farmer/