EPIKUS
Updated: Jan 11, 2021
In 2004, Aaron Woodhouse, aka Epikus, started his musical journey. Born in New Mexico, USA and raised in southern California, his first exposure to music was in the high school choir. He began to learn the basics of music composition, then enrolled in more advanced musical studies at the university level. In his junior year, he left the university to begin professional voice development, competing in several national voice competitions. While in university, he collaborated to produce his first professional music recording, an instrumental entitled "The Journey", soon followed by the new age solo piano compilation, "Soulace". In the following years, his skills in composition and voice development improved, resulting in the creation of multiple classical crossover singles and albums.
For fans who have never heard your music, can you pick three words to describe it?! If three words just aren't enough then tell us more!
Three...well, most obvious and foremost would be the word Epic. I mean epic as in heroic, or larger-than-life. Hero's Journey and Monomyth type of thing. Overcoming great challenges and odds, becoming greater oneself in doing so. Thus, Epic. It's in my name.
Secondly, the word Imagine. I use that a LOT. My music, like those it's based off (film and trailer music), tells a story. Anything, almost, goes. Worldbuilding, story crafting, character creation - all of it, as well as the music that drives the story forward.
Third: Determined, perhaps stubbornly so. I have faced challenges. I have overcome, or am overcoming them.
When you are writing a song, where do you draw inspiration from? Or what topics do you like to sing about?
I'm a storyteller. My primary medium is music - composition and singing - but I am a storyteller. I try to tell stories with my music, whether through instrumental swells and tension-release moments, and/or through the lyrics that tell of epic heroes who overcome their foes mightily, and/or both - that sort of thing. Usually, my music focuses on epic battles, but also becomes tear-jerking in many places, too. That is my inspiration.
Hans Zimmer once said, in both an online masterclass and at his live performance a couple of years ago. Said he: "I can tell you everything you need to know [about music] in one word: Story." I agree, and it's a driving influence behind my music.
Okay, this a fun question. When you are not doing music, what else do you enjoy doing?
Dungeons & Dragons pen-and-paper gaming, video games, target shooting, some hiking, volunteering at the local animal shelter, and spending time with my girlfriend.
Can you tell us what song you've written that is the most emotional and describe the meaning behind it? Or is there a song that means a lot to you that you can describe for us?
There are two: Track four off of "Voice of Thunder" called "Otar the Foul", and the single "Tears in Paradise". The former is an aggressive, tribal, anger-filled track that hails back to my metal days! The latter is probably one of the most furtive and pensive tracks I have ever written so far.
What was the first song or piece you ever wrote!?
Epicus! Yup, that's the first one. Down at the bottom dregs of my YouTube channel videos list, you'll find it. I later changed it to Epikus, and updated it - it's now the final track on "Voice of Thunder".
What is your dream gig? Is there a gig that you really want that would be the ultimate show for you?
Two come to mind. First, singing my own pieces, in my armor suit, in front of an audience of a thousand or more, with a full orchestra behind me! Oof! Just having my music played live, period!
Second, collaborating with some of my music idols - for instance, listening to Bryn Terfel sing one of my pieces, or collaborating and performing with Lindsey Stirling!
Are you working on any new material right now or what's in the works for the upcoming year?
Yes! In November, I will be releasing a brand new album! It will have been two whole years since the release of Voice of Thunder!
Tell us where fans can access your music.
Check my Instagram and YouTube pages regularly!