Leyton Troy Dohnahue

Story

I have always had a love for music from an early age, but it was when I first heard House Music within Manchester England from as early as 1990 that I began my journey of discovery that lead me to do what I do today. It began with Rave Music that led me to listening to Happy Hardcore and Drum n Bass. I fell in love with the whole scene and enjoyed buying tape sets as soon as I could to listen to on my Walkman. I would spend hours just listening to as many artists as I could. In fact, a lot of my money was invested in batteries and headphones so I could live inside the music. I would love to visit record stores and search through the latest records available. From the age of twelve I wanted to be a D.J. This self-expression has led me to an interesting career in Music Technology and Music Production. I was given the opportunity to attend a course on DJing and production skills at the Paul McCartney Institute for Performing Arts (L.I.P.A.) where I was introduced to Propellerhead Reason. From this I pursued a diploma in Music Technology, produced music for the community, and showcased some early House tracks that I produced. I was then able to take my career further by attending University and completing a degree in Community Arts/Sonic Arts (Music and Music Technology). In my time studying my degree, I was inspired by the minimalist movement, especially composers such as Karlheinz Stockhausen, John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, and La Monte Young. I was also highly influenced by artists such as Brian Eno, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, the Orb, and Kraftwerk. Although, at the same time my House Music influence had changed from Rave to Funky and Soulful House Music. In this I was starting to develop the thought of how to incorporate Minimal into House Music. However, my life dramatically changed as I got older. I became a Christian and my career path changed from Music into Church Ministry. This meant that I became busy preaching and studying so that I can become a Minister. On this journey I have had the privilege to play worship music on guitar and in bands. My degree has been used in connection with setting up sound equipment in church, and I have performed in a lot of public places. I even completed a Masters Degree in the U.S.A. in Local Church Ministry. However, my love for House Music and producing has stayed with me, and today I love that the new style of House Music is Minimal and Tech House. This has inspired me to pick up where I left off some years ago, and to start producing my own works. I have also aimed to stay current with the changes in music software and today I produce using Propellerhead Reason 10. I would say that when I am not busy focusing on preaching and leading worship, I enjoy studying new ways of producing music in my spare time, and it is thanks to my wife, and the encouragement of my friends, that you are listening to these works today, – Silent Nexus.

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What is music to you? What does it give you?

Music should be unique to you, and an expression of who you are. Good producers look for something different in what they do and they are aiming to capture something fresh in their genre of sound. Also, music is an expression of your experience in the world of sound. It is a journey in which you are mapping out every element as you go along. This is why I love Minimal Tech House, because every production technique sparkles simplicity and complexity in one go. Plus I love that it is rhythmic based, allowing you to be creative within the groove.