Lum: Well, first off, congratulations on being our latest featured artist! How does it feel?

Clyde Machine: Hah, thanks mate, it feels special, unexpected, and a little surreal. After looking through other featured artists, I figured I'd have a long way to go before I'd ever be in this position. It feels really great, no doubt about that.

Lum: That's awesome! You've been with us for about a year now, and you've recorded several tracks for the Luminarium. Where do you see yourself in the coming years?

Clyde Machine: I'm currently pursuing a psychology major in college, which I hope will really take me places. If things pan out right, I may be able to use music to get me even farther through life. I talked to Vitaliy, one of the original Luminarium musicians, and he gave me some really helpful pointers on how I might be able to make music for films, which seems to be the best way I could advance myself as a musician. The Luminarium has helped me get my musical abilities up to the point at which I feel confident I'd be able to do score films and videos for those who need it.

Lum: Film music is certainly an amazing goal to go for! Speaking of film music, what genre would really interest you?

Clyde Machine: I can see myself doing music for adventure and fantasy films, something grand like Lord of the Rings or something to that effect. I haven't seen Avatar, but what I've heard of the soundtrack is right up my alley in terms of what I would love to be doing if I was on-board for scoring a film. The ultimate film I could do music for would be something truly grandiose, dominating and larger-than-life in proportion.

Lum: That's awesome! What better than to go for the grand and powerful right? So tell us, what are some of the techniques you use to create music?

Clyde Machine: I use my soul. Hahaha, I rely heavily on my knowledge of music theory to put things together in the right way, in the most original and often times unconventional way I can come up with. No matter what instrument I'm playing or what virtual instrument I'm composing with, the theory is the vehicle that lets my ideas and creativity drive the composing process. It's all about the passion.

Lum: Indeed, an artist definitely requires passion and soul! Speaking of passion and soul, what inspires you or moves you to create your music? Is it images? ideas? movies? etc?

Clyde Machine: I've thought a number of times on what inspires me. A lot of people find inspiration in music, and while I do find some inspiration in the musical works of others, I find I draw a greater amount of inspiration from movies much like the grandiose ones I'd love to compose for, and from life experiences in general. Sometimes those you love can give you ideas without meaning to, sometimes going to a whole new world of a place can bring that inspiration. While not many people know about what it is, I use lucid dreams for a level of inspiration that I don't find many other places.

Lum: Interesting! Can you tell us a bit about your lucid dreaming experiences?

Clyde Machine: I love talking about them, so I'll try to keep it condensed lest I get crazy. The basic premise of a lucid dream is that you become aware that you're not awake anymore; that you're in a world of your complete creation. With limitless power, you can create and do anything. Following some ideas I found in the past six months on lucid dreaming communities, I've traveled through time and witnessed amazing events, including but not limited to the death of the dinosaurs. Events like that are hard to grasp in terms of comprehending their magnitude unless you're actually there, witnessing a meteor hurling right at you. Since it's a dream you know it won't harm you, and using this knowledge you can make grand things happen, or just stand there and watch them happen in all their glory. This stands as one example of one enormous inspirational experience I've been through thanks to the power of lucid dreams.

Lum: Woah! That is pretty dense! This is very similar to the film Inception, which by the way, has an amazing score! Anyways, let's move to a different direction: what are your favorite themes to do in music? Would it be aggressive, harmonious, tense, whimsical, fearful, melancholy?

Clyde Machine: Yes, I've heard a great deal about Inception, that's the kind of grand scale I really admire in a movie! Onto themes: I particularly enjoy doing aggressive themes and relaxed themes, sometimes within the same piece. A really driving motive gets me going, and makes me feel as excited to compose it and play it as it is to listen to it. On the flipside, I love the "chill" kind of progressions that transport you to a place, much like the second movement of Creation of the Universe - if I've composed a really relaxed piece that puts you in a certain visual setting, or that you feel you could fall asleep to, I've succeeded at reaching my goal. Whether driving or relaxed, I love to experiment with harmonies and interesting melodies, those are two constants no matter what theme I'm composing for.

Lum: Cool! Are there any directors or composers you would love to work with?

Clyde Machine: Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with a musical visionary and compositional genius like him is truly a blessed being! For those who have never heard of him, all they need to hear is "To Zanarkand", "Suteki Da Ne", and "One Winged Angel" to get a decent grasp on this genius' work.

Lum: I'm seriously gonna check that out, I love soundtrack music. How do you like the Luminarium? And how has the Luminarium served you as you go through your musical journey?

Clyde Machine: You'll enjoy it for sure. I have loved the Luminarium from way back when I first discovered it during the Reverie exhibit. My experiences here have been unique and have provided me opportunities to catch a glimpse into the world of serious artists who are committed to their craft, and the musicians among them have been no exception. Thanks to the Luminarium and my involvement with its wonderful community, I've pushed myself to try different styles of music I may not have tried otherwise, and has given me one of the most important skills I could have as a musician: to never forget that no matter how great a piece is, musical or visual, it can always have flaws, and can always be improved. I've said it before, and I think it is worth saying here in the hopes others will agree: I didn't aspire to join the Luminarium to show off my work or my abilities. I joined to learn, to improve, and to push myself far beyond my absolute best - that being said, I display the products of what I learned and what I improved upon in the exhibits.

Lum: That's an awesome attitude to have as an artist. We are extremely blessed to have you part of our team! Are there any last words you would like to say?

Clyde Machine: No - I am blessed to be among likeminded artists who help me maintain that mindset, and let me never forget that there will always be something new to aspire to achieve. To close, I wish to say that the Luminarium is more than what it looks like. It's far more than an art collective, far more than a popular art-driven community. It's a whole new experience, and we welcome anyone to come see for themselves what the Luminarium is all about. I guess that's all this machine has to tell, so I wish to thank you for this and all the other opportunities I've had to help others and to contribute to the group. I bid you a good day, one and all.

Lum: Thanks for the interview, it was awesome and have a good one Clyde!