nominalanimal

Human produced music.

Nominal Animal is the futile endeavour of Evan Lentz, learning to write and produce music in a world where human creation is fighting obsolescence. Follow his journey from the very beginning with the timeline of tracks below.

Each video reveals the actual human-produced project file behind the song when you slide across it.

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Released
Single · 1:23Latest release

Why Not Charango

Why Not Charango cover artwork
Written & produced by

nominal animal

Once I heard a few chords on the charango I couldn’t not try to make a song out of it. For this the struggle was to keep it very upbeat and fast paced. It took a while to figure out how to get a bass working with the groove of the charango. I ended up using a classic stand up Double Bass. I recorded a few yips and hollers to help keep things bright and energetic.

Inspired byA lot of fun culture south of here.

VocalsEvan Lentz

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Swipe the handle to reveal the music video or project video.1:23
Released
Single · 3:53

Panda

Panda cover artwork
Written & produced by

nominal animal

After going down many dead ends on projects since my last track, I decided to go back to a simpler approach. This track began by composing the chords, then melody and bass line, then drums. After a 10 second musical ‘idea’ was created, I spread it across the track and treated each section to feel different. Ultimately I really like the main melody instrument and for some reason that turned into an Eastern sounding theme.

Inspired byKeeping things simple so I continue to make full tracks instead of just 10 second loops.

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Swipe the handle to reveal the music video or project video.3:53
Released
Remix · 1:56

I Told You (You Remix)

I Told You (You Remix) cover artwork
Written & produced by

nominal animal

Wanting to create a vocal style remix - I selected part of the vocals of the previous song I created, You. I chopped them and re-ordered them and tried to create a slightly more energetic / dance style track out of the idea. First time using chopped vocals and it was a serious challenge to figure out how to keep the track evolving in each section.

Inspired byThe previous track, You.

VocalsKristen Forkeutis

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Swipe the handle to reveal the music video or project video.1:56
Released
Single · 2:38

You

You cover artwork
Written & produced by

nominal animal

The initial 10 second loop, or musical idea, for this song inspired me to try and continue to learn how to incorporate vocals into a track. For this I wrote the lyrics and had my obliging wife and I try to sing. We have no training, obviously, but it was a very good challenge to try and get it all working together. This song is an attempt to capture the first month we met.

Inspired byTrue events, a long time ago, in a far off land called Panama.

VocalsEvan Lentz and Kristen Forkeutis

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Swipe the handle to reveal the music video or project video.2:38
Released
Single · 2:56

Hide It Better

Hide It Better cover artwork
Written & produced by

nominal animal

I wanted to start learning how to incorporate vocals into a track. This one contains an extremely minimal amount. Not having access to voice actors or vocalists, I created these vocals by synthesizing a combination of text input to get AI vocal output and a final translation into a separate voice via a voice to voice synthesizer. While I don’t believe in using AI to create a full song, I personally see a future in using AI voice generation, modification and translation services as a tool to get vocals into a track. For an amateur like me this opens up and democratizes music production for a known major obstacle for small time producers.

Inspired byAn evolving situation at the house down the street. Also the initial intent was to stylize the feel of it like one of my favorite artists Underworld. Not sure that I even came close there though!

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Swipe the handle to reveal the music video or project video.2:56