Jorge Rivera-Herrans

June Choice Videos Poll

Hello friends! Here are the suggestions I received for this month's choice videos!!!

May Early Access Video - How I Made the Music for Hermes

Hello my friends!

Here is this month's early access video! This is how I made the music for Hermes, the messenger god!

I will admit this song is one of the ones I had the most fun making. It's fun to play, fun to sing, fun to act, and I'm very happy with it. :)

May Choice Video (2 of 2) - Update on Songs 38-40

Hello my friends! Here is the second May choice video! This is a general update on how rewrites are going for songs 38-40.

May Choice Video (1 of 2) - Olive Tree Snippet 3

Hello friends! Here is the first of two choice videos for May! This video is another snippet from the cut song Olive Tree! This is the bridge!

While I do love the melodies here, this clip reminds me of why I am re-writing songs 39 and 40. This draft serves its purpose in terms of providing a pretty song that reunites Penelope and Odysseus and incorporating a major element from the source material, but what it is missing from my intentions is its incorporation of the main theme of the show. This is the ending of an epic tale. Everything in EPIC, every loss, heartbreak, battle, EVERYTHING leads to this precious moment between two loving souls who haven't seen or touched each other in TWENTY YEARS. What does Penelope’s response to Odysseus's transformation say about love and ruthlessness in the world?

I hope to capture all these elements as I continue rewriting the final songs. :)

May Choice Video Suggestions Poll

Hello friends! Here are the suggestions I received for this month's Choice Videos!

April Early Access Video - Song 38 Snippet Verse2

Hello friends!

Here is another snippet of Song 38, which is currently titled King but I might end up changing the title of it at some point.

There are several aspects in this song that make me very excited: for one, the song is from the perspective of the suitors rather than from the perspective of Odysseus. The reason this I like this is because it lets us sit in how truly terrifying Odysseus can be when he goes all out. We hear the suitors panicking as they realize every preparation Odysseus has made for this battle. He hides their weapons, taking away their ability to defend themselves, he strikes in the dark of night, making it difficult to pinpoint where he is, and he prioritizes his bow and arrow, keeping distance between himself and clusters of suitors. Another reason I like this song is that each verse so far is a group of suitors right before they die. I like this because it makes Odysseus seem like an inevitable, monstrous force of nature rather than just a man, and really adds to the suspense.

As some of you know, I'm currently working on rewriting the second half of this song (the parts that happen after this verse) and I'm rewriting songs 39 and 40. The challenge I'm facing in 38 is the seamless incorporation of Telemachus and Athena into the battle, as well the continuation of the battle scene told through dialogue. Fight scenes are very difficult because when the goal is to make this musical completely audible, I want to avoid just putting a long instrumental of "battle music" and calling it a day. My aim is for the audience to be able to clearly imagine the scene through the dialogue that they hear. This is why using the suitors' POV is so helpful in this song; we get vivid descriptions of what is happening as well the tension, panic, and dread of the battle.

April Choice Video 2 of 2 - Ruthlessness Verse2/Chorus 2 live

Hello friends! Here is the second choice video for April! This is me performing the 2nd verse and chorus Ruthlessness live!

I realized upon making this video that this may very well be one of the last times I sing this song! xD Since we have an actual Poseidon now!

Poseidon is one of the harder roles in the show to sing because he's supposed to have a sort of raspy, smokey kind of voice. The reason raspiness makes singing harder is because it becomes harder to control the notes while also juggling the rasp. However, Poseidon is one of the most fun roles to perform in my opinion because he's unhinged and at any moment he could just destroy an entire fleet with tsunamis and Laestrygonians. 

I hope you guys enjoy this video!

April Choice Video 1 of 2- Olive Tree (cut song) Verse 2

Hello friends! Here's the first of two April Choice Videos! This is the second verse and chorus of the now cut song Olive Tree.

For the music, I had tried to keep it minimal relative to the more grandiose songs in the show. As you can hear, the majority of the orchestration consists of a nylon stringed guitar (Odysseus) and a viola (Penelope). 

While I do like the melody in this song, one thing I am focusing on as I continue working on the ending songs of EPIC is what does this ending say about the major themes of the show? In this draft of song 40, I felt I had captured the reunion between Odysseus and Penelope but not as much a satisfying resolution for the philosophical conflict. 

Also, another reason this song is hard to both write and perform is that there's not really a clear conflict in place. In this setup, Penelope tells this story to someone she is not sure is Odysseus, the entire time looking away. I have found that this premise is a very thin string to hang tension on. But I have another in mind that I think will work. :)

Anyways, just wanted to give you all some insight into my thought process as I continue tackling The Ithaca Saga. :D

April Choice Videos Poll

Hello friends!

Here are the suggestions I received for this month's choice videos! I did my best to include all the suggestions that were doable, didn't necessitate other actors' voices, and aren't too spoilery.

Minor update to the Mortal Tier description

Hi friends! Just wanted to let you all know I'll be making a small change to the description for the Mortal Tier. I'll be removing the text: 

"(Video will be released to TikTok around the 2nd week of each month.)"

I had originally put this line in place so that new patrons wouldn't accidentally become a Mortal Tier Patron after their first Early Access video was already released. Now that Patreon has updated to charge new patrons each month on the day they originally joined (rather than on the first of every month), each new patron will always have a full month's worth of content before their next payment. :) <3

Anyways, that's all. Hope you have a nice day!

March Early Access Video - The Circe Saga Intro

Hello friends! For this month's early access video, I wanted to show you guys the beginning of The Circe Saga!

SPOILER ALERT FOR OCEAN SAGA!!! SPOILER ALERT FOR OCEAN SAGA!!! IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS, DON'T READ THE REST OF THIS POST! <3

The previous saga, The Ocean Saga, ends with Odysseus narrowly escaping Poseidon as Poseidon destroys 11 of Odysseus's ships, meaning only Odysseus's ship is left.

Odysseus and his remaining crew land on Circe's island. The Circe Saga begins with an interaction between Odysseus and Eurylochus. What I love about this scene is that there are two layers to this. The first layer is the mystery of Eurylochus's confession, which is not revealed until later in the show. The second layer is about Odysseus's intentions in this scene.

I'd like to do a little experiment with you all.

1) Watch this scene for the first time: what do you think is going through Odysseus's head in this scene? What do you think Eurylochus's confession is?

2) Now I'd like to add more context: Odysseus has not yet embraced ruthlessness at this point of the show. Watch the scene again and keep this in mind. Are there any other inferences you could make about Odysseus's intentions in this scene? Let me know in the comments. :)

March Choice Video (2 of 2) - The Odyssey vs EPIC

Hello friends! The prompt for this video was:

"How much of EPIC is inspired by Homer's The Odyssey and how much is from your own creation?"

The short answer is: I try to keep as many of the iconic characters/locations as I can, but I take creative liberties to shape events that serve the main theme of this adaptation.

In other words, if you wanted to use EPIC to introduce someone to The Odyssey, I think that totally makes sense! However, if you have an upcoming test on The Odyssey, do not use EPIC as a replacement for reading The Odyssey. You will fail your test and your literature teacher will hate me, neither of which I want to happen. :)

March Choice Video (1 of 2)- Astyanax in Just a Man

Hello friends! The prompt for this choice video was:

"Where in Just a Man does the baby die and how do you plan on showing that on stage and having it come across correctly?"

ALSO, I'm curious about something: when you guys are listening to the EPIC songs and envisioning it in your heads, it on stage? Is it an animated movie ? Live action movie? Let me know in the comments! :)

March Choice Video Selection Poll

Hi friends! Here are the suggestions I received for this month's choice videos!

Unfortunately, I couldn't include ones about Ocean Saga release date/updates as I'm not supposed to divulge specific information on that yet. :) But once I can, y'all will be the first to know.

February Choice Video (2 of 2) - More about the lyric writing process

Hello my friends!

Here is second of two February Choice Videos! For this one, the prompt was: "I would love to learn more about the writing process of the lyrics. Challenges, influences, parts you enjoyed the most"

I realize now that I am typing this that I didn't explicitly state what part of this process I enjoy the most. My favorite part is when I finish writing a line, sing it, and find it fun to sing or listen to. :) I get really excited in those moments. I also really love when I feel like the lyrics are specific to the character. Zeus's lyrics wouldn't fit on Telemachus and I love that specificity.

In order for you guys to get the most out of your Patron membership, please don't share this video outside of Patreon. This video is meant to be exclusive to you guys for at least a week and that can't happen if this video leaks. :) I'll be posting this video on TikTok on either March 12th or later.

February Choice Videos (1 of 2) - Part of The Odyssey I Didn't Include

Hello my friends!

Here is the first of two February Choice videos! The prompt for this one was: "What part of the Odyssey do you wish you could have incorporated into EPIC and what do you think it would have sounded like?"

I think this is the oldest demo/snippet I'll have shown about EPIC! In fact, I think when I wrote this, the show wasn't even called EPIC yet. xD

In order for you guys to get the most out of your Patron membership, please don't share this video outside of Patreon. This video is meant to be exclusive to you guys for at least a week and that can't happen if this video leaks. :) I'll be posting this video on TikTok on either March 12th or later.

February Early Access Video: The Importance of Pauses

Hello my friends!

Thank you all for your patience while I recovered from a sickness and a back injury. I appreciate you guys. :))

This month's early access video is on the importance of pauses in storytelling! It is a tool that I underestimated earlier in my songwriting journey and one that I have come to love!

In order for you guys to get the most out of your Patron membership, please don't share this video outside of Patreon. This video is meant to be exclusive to you guys for at least a week and that can't happen if this video leaks. :) I'll be posting this video on TikTok on either March 12th or later.

February Choice Videos Poll

Hello friends! Here are the suggestions I received for this month's choice videos!

Jan. Choice Video (2 of 2) Olive Tree verse1/Chorus1 instrumental

Hello friends! Here is the second January Choice video! This is the instrumental of the first verse and chorus of Olive Tree!

In order to get the most out of your Patreon subscription (and to help keep EPIC protected), please do not share this video or instrumental outside of the Patreon.

Jan. Choice Video (1 of 2) Hades Cut Song+Explanation

Hello my friends! Here is the first of 2 January Choice Videos! This video shows Hades's cut song and shows some of my thought process in making it and why it's not in the show!

Sparknotes version:

Hades enters at the end of God Games and persuades everyone by talking about love. 

Musically, Hades always sings softly.

Reasons for cutting:

1) Randomly steals moment from Athena

2) Feels a little out of left field in context

3) I'd rather show how Athena has changed

January Choice Video Selection Poll

Hi friends! Here are the suggestions I received for this month's early choice videos!!! I tried to include the suggestions I could actually make videos about, so if you made a suggestion that isn't here it just means I don't currently have the content or means to make a video about that particular subject! <3

January Early Access Video - Luck Runs Out Ending

Hello friends! For this month's early access video, I wanted to show you the final section of Luck Runs Out. Here's a peak into Odysseus's thought process:

In Luck Runs Out, Eurylochus may mean well but there are several things that cause him to be more disrespectful than one might notice upon first listen through. Eurylochus, who is supposed to be Ody's second in command, his right hand man, his most trusted comrade, is questioning his commander publicly. This already breaks their image of a united front and causes some crewmates to begin to doubt the competence of their commander. On top of that, Eury is making an implication that Ody is only getting this far because of sheer luck, which, in Odys's mind, is a huge jab in because he has worked so hard his whole life to develop a cunning mind a to become a formidable tactician.

The obstacles set before Odysseus are obstacles that would have easily overwhelmed anyone else, especially Eurylochus. Eurylochus would have eaten the lotus and would have been stuck on that island forever. Eurylochus wouldn't have been able to best the cyclops on the fly.

Keep in mind Odysseus's position and how he tries different approaches to get Eurylochus to stop questioning him throughout Luck Runs Out. The second verse of Luck Runs Out has Ody trying to reason with Eurylochus on an emotional level since Eury is already questioning his plan. This has some effect as it gets Eury to be more vulnerable, but that doesn't stop Eury from continuing to publicly express doubt in his commander. Odysseus can't have that. Odysseus also can't lash out or lose his cool. Under pressure, he resorts to reminding Eurylochus (and anyone who can hear their convo) that he took 600 men to a decade long war and not one of Odysseus's 600 Ithacans died during that war. This in itself is a massive feat. Then he talks to Eurylochus in private and they handles things like adults.

In order for you guys to get the most out of your Patron membership, please don't share this video outside of Patreon. This video is meant to be exclusive to you guys for at least a week and that can't happen if this video leaks. :) I'll be posting this video on TikTok on either January 16th or later.

December Choice Video 2 of 2 - The Other Olympians in God Games

Hello my friends! Here is the second December Choice Video, where I explain what the other Olympians might sound like if they were included in God Games. Rather than just talk about it, I decided to play them out to better evoke the style and feeling of their music. I also decided to let y'all in on some secret stuff at the end that only Blair and a few others have heard. :) I hope you enjoy!!!

December Choice Video 1 of 2 - Thunder Bringer by Bombom

Here is the first of the 2 Choice Videos for December. You guys voted for Bombom the Winion singing Thunder Bringer xD Well, here is Bombom singing Thunder Bringer!!!

December Choice Videos Suggestion Poll Poll

Hi friends! Here are the suggestions I received for this month's choice videos! Let me know which you'd like to see and I'll do my best to make them work!

December Early Access Video - Song 8 - Remember Them verse 2

HELLO MY FRIENDS!!! It's going to be a VERY exciting and busy month!!! For this month's early access video, we've got one of my favorite verses in EPIC: Verse 2 of Song 8- Remember Them. It's got everything I love about writing for Odysseus: electric guitars, an awesome plan that showcases his skills as a tactician, and him giving orders as a bunch of soldiers band together in a big boss battle.

No joke, I think this song was the hardest to write in EPIC because there is SO MUCH PLOT. Polyphemus and Poseidon were definitely the most difficult to write about/around.

24 DAYS UNTIL SAGA 1 RELEASES!!!

In order for you to get the most out of your Patron membership, please do not share this video outside of Patreon. This is meant to be exclusive content for y'all, and that can't work if this leaks. :) I will be releasing this video on TikTok on December 16th or later.

2nd Choice Video November- Songs I had the most fun making

Hello friends! Here is the second monthly choice video! While I had tons of fun writing the entirety of EPIC, these songs stood out for being especially fun to create!!!

November Choice Video (1 of 2) - Just a Man(bun)

Hello friends!

Here is the first of November's 2 Early Access Choice Videos. As requested, this is me singing Just a Man live, while wearing a man bun.

Not even kidding, I went and got a haircut right after recording this video.

Just a Man is interesting because it's actually one of the hardest songs in the show to sing as Odysseus. It has a lot of gentle, slow moments and so it's easy to run out of air and breath support.

When I first wrote this song, I got a LOT of comments about its controversial ending. I kid you not, I've been told that this show will not work because audiences will hate Odysseus by the end of this song. I was told to simply not include this part. Their visceral response was how I knew I had to keep it in. (Well,
that, and the fact that it serves as the foundation for the moral conflict of the entire show.)

Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this video. I don't think I'll be wearing a man bun again anytime soon. You know, since my hair was cut. xD

November Choice Videos Poll

Hello my friends! Here are the video topic suggestions I received for November!

Early Access Video - Song 8 - Remember Them Ending

Hello my friends!

In this video, Odysseus makes the grave mistake of sparing the cyclops as well as revealing his own name to the cyclops while sailing away.

I enjoy this moment because we get to have electric guitar, acoustic guitar, soldiers' vocals, and rather than an uplifting note on the reveal of his name, we instead are greeted with a deep, ominous drone, a signal for the danger that is to come.

It's also one of the moments where Odysseus's pride shines through. He believes he is smart and clever enough to NOT have to kill. Ever since the infant event in songs 1 and 2 that now weighs on his conscience, Odysseus will take any excuse to place himself above all the monstrousness. Whether he convinces himself that it's the morally correct choice to spare the cyclops, or that he can get away without being a dark force in the world, in his mind he has solidified his choice  as a necessity for changing the world and the minds of those around him. If he shames the cyclops this much, the cyclops will never forget this and will spare the next group of sailors that come the cyclops's way out of fear that they will be a similar force to be reckoned with. If Odysseus can't convince others to be more compassionate through his kindness, he will shame them into it, all to avoid killing.

Fun fact: this is the first time in the entire show we hear the name "Odysseus."