Pictures inspire you to write songs and your songs inspire people to create pictures. How could you personally describe this spiritual link between what you can hear and what you can see?
I believe I have always been a visually inspired creator. I think the first time I was truly conscious of it, was when I saw Martin Bland’s “The Medusa Fields” CG painting many years ago (in fact, it kicked off the world-renowned Synaesthesia series). I think CG art is my favorite kind of art. Just like with music technology, art technology in general has come such along way, all of us can bring worlds to life so quickly now. To describe what I see, is to describe what I hear. When I see a scene, or a painting, I’m transported there in that scene in that exact moment in time and space. My spirit travels to the worlds, and I communicate with this world and that world, through music. I feel the weather come to life, I feel the vibe that is in the air, that the music seems to be already composed for me, and my job is just to get it down properly for everyone else to hear. Having beautiful tools to work with, helps in this process. The environment is the orchestra. I love sampling, I love finding new sounds, I love experimenting with recordings and creating new possibilities in audio.
Have you ever been interested in compositing pictures?
Certainly. I’ve done dozens of short films over the years, some even award winning. I’ve done a few movie soundtracks and remix projects for films. I’ve even wrote symphonies and operas. I haven’t gotten the chance to do a proper theatrical score yet though. Hopefully in time, I can create my opus for some period piece film or some epic film. There are many memorable melodies left in my head, and I am just saving them for the right picture..
“Justin Lassen’s music showcases a dynamic blend of next generation savvy and timeless messaging. It is obvious that Justin Lassen has storytelling in his blood, and he brings to that art the sort of primal skills once celebrated around ancient campfires along with a cleareyed vision of how stories can be compellingly told in the rapidly evolving media landscape. His continuing collaboration with the makers of new technologies and the leading artists who employ these innovations keep him relevant. Justin’s creative range, positive attitude, communication skills and eagerness to plunge into any challenge make him the perfect partner for directors and producers of films, games, web experiences, specialty installations and themed attractions. Justin Lassen has generated an intriguing buzz among fans and industry peers alike, and for all the right reasons.”
– Jerry Rees, Producer/Director/Imagineer, Disney
When I listened some of your songs as “I wonder she sees me bleed” I feel sadness, despair and pain whereas when I listen Lassen’s Budapest Lullaby, I can feel happiness, joy, curiosity. Do you think you’re influenced by your emotion at the moment?
Yes definitely. I’ve gone through a very heartbreaking, loss of love, tragedy recently. I don’t really like to talk about it directly or in great detail. I try to keep things vague and artistic. It’s easier for me to share my feelings and emotions with the world, if the subjects remain nameless and faceless. I find that it is better to relate with people through musical insinuation. I am conversating with ghosts at this point, but I find that it has been the best therapy to keep me alive. My “White Rabbit Asylum” was dedicated to the heartbreak, and it has become a cult classic today. “And Now We See But Through A Glass Darkly” is a dark photograph of parts of me growing up. And The pieces you mentioned were certainly my experiences of living in Europe in castles. I went through so many feelings and stories when I was there. It was a whole different lifetime it seems. I find music helps me share a little bit of what it was like, at least on an emotional level.
