Chris Meyer’s Alias Zone: Nightfall, Kyiv (Official Live Bootleg)

Audio recorded by Lewis Richards at 17th Street Recording Studio in Costa Mesa, California
Video by Jose Corona @THE_CORONA_CHRONICLES #THE_CORONA_CHRONICLES
The idea for this piece came when Maks Histibe of Mask Movement (maskmovement.com/) in Kyiv, Ukraine contacted me. As part of the invasion of Ukraine, their power grid is often knocked offline, and he was looking to raise money for solar panels and batteries to keep his studio operating. To do this, he created a series of field recordings of the war and life during wartime in Ukraine, and crafted them into a virtual instrument called Swords to Ploughshares (maskmovement.s....
I gladly purchased it, and used it as the basis for this song, which flows from the realities of life during wartime to attempting to lead a normal, happy life…only for the war to intrude, and drag people back in. This piece was premiered at Steve Roach’s Ambient Lounge in Tucson. Arizona on April 4 2023; this 17th Street version performed on April 12, 2023 (the eve of the annual NAMM music convention) was the third time I had played it live. It contains some of my explanation beforehand the audience reaction afterwards. A version of this song will appear on my upcoming album Finite Space (aliaszone.band...).
("Official Bootleg?" That's my term for a video where I had no control over the audio or video recording, and was perhaps not done to the same standards I use for music videos shot in my studio where I use a pair of high-resolution cameras, record in multitrack, etc. - but which I still feel is a worthwhile performance to share.)

[@JimFeeley]

Wow. That's really moving. Thanks for this.

[@donmessec]

Brilliant tones, some very fine unexpected moments.

[@Genshi]

This is really beautifully done Chris! Great inspiring space as well!

[@micinput]

This one is my new favorite. Deeply affecting and compelling, even without the backstory.

[@Histibe]

Hey Chris, this video really motivates me to move forward with my creative ideas and music! I like how you creatively used Swords to Ploughshares virtual instrument. Best regards from Kyiv, Ukraine!

[@AliasZone]

I really appreciate you connecting with me and letting me know about your Swords to Ploughshares. Everyone reacts very deeply when I explain your story to them. I'm happy I can return some of your inspiration back to you.