https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog daily 1.0 2025-04-06 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2025/4/6/end-times-amp-crowdfunder monthly 0.5 2025-04-06 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2024/6/19/japanime-or-the-greatest-video-game-in-the-world monthly 0.5 2024-06-28 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2024/5/2/afterburner-and-a-new-album-in-the-works monthly 0.5 2024-05-03 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2023/7/28/my-adventure-in-classical-music-composition monthly 0.5 2023-07-28 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2020/12/4/reason-and-romance-is-released monthly 0.5 2020-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1607070608717-UAWVWNJUPJV47NIZ4ZXK/reason+and+romance+front+and+back.PNG Blog - Reason and Romance is released! Front and back cover of Reason and Romance. https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2020/11/12/reason-and-romance-pre-order-album-art-reveal-major-site-updates monthly 0.5 2020-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605177064972-UCV2IH4R79NED0HVOWJS/reason+and+romance+album+cover.PNG Blog - Reason and Romance Pre-Order, album art reveal, major site updates! I’m proud to present the album cover art for Reason and Romance. https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2020/4/29/reason-and-romance monthly 0.5 2020-12-04 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/blog/2018/4/1/welcome-to-my-new-site monthly 0.5 2018-04-01 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/about daily 0.75 2020-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1522576459758-8DJ5SLY9F50Q4CTKHEGG/Christopher+John+McGraw.jpg About https://www.chrismcgraw.com/music daily 0.75 2024-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1522581506091-0L6UG7FJNWDT0CCJLE8T/Small+Cover+.jpg Music - Empire of Lies (2014) Listen to Sleep Rebellion's 2014 album, Empire of Lies, on Spotify https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605171984320-RHHKR2BUEA5NLVOG5J1Z/reason+and+romance+front+and+back.PNG Music Reason and Romance, my newest album, was released on December 4, 2020. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1522581983589-2VSZ6E2TWAHBQYB1CN0A/outlaw.JPG Music - Outlaw Origins Outlaw Origins (2017) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605175244649-8PQ2YS8FFA2F88YDWX2B/Scott+Appleman%27s+wedding+with+Noir+City.jpg Music This is a collection of music from 2007 through 2012 that was unrelated to any band or album project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605175860210-Y174FQNCASRUSBWKX4UZ/photon+life.jpg Music - Photon Life (2003) My first album, Photon Life is available to stream or buy here on my store https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605174555823-684BEHQIL95TDBVXI5HB/Ambrosia_Poster.jpg Music - Ambrosia (2012) I composed the original soundtrack for this 2012 sci-fi action film, as well as producing all of the sound effects and editing all of the dialogue. A monumental effort. The movie is available on Amazon Prime. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605175467452-GSPRYH3NMQ98LE92G5GQ/red+penguin+ep.jpg Music - The Red Penguin EP (2006) I produced this album for my band Red Penguin, and it’s available to stream at all major providers. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605174774897-H21066MVI49L84DWHPP7/Noir+City+2009.PNG Music https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605175025604-BULKPLTTCRJFWI8C16VB/grey+grainy+hair+blowing+guitar+tiny.jpg Music This is a collection of music spanning from 2014 through 2020 that doesn’t appear on any album. https://www.chrismcgraw.com/photon-life daily 0.75 2020-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604923377021-OAW5MY0OWNGKWZ8WTX1J/old+website.PNG Photon Life (2003) A snapshot of what my original chrismcgraw.com website looked like at the time of the Photon Life release. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604923058224-0WFSXRWJ0WNPVPO6ZLOD/Back+Image+2.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604922838153-5FJ1JKHQGEFGWVC7TCG4/picture0.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604923062883-5EFP5REF3NTD5J16OLJ3/Inside+Image+1.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604922881242-WYLEPKKYQRF02MLHNOI9/picture1.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604922965999-C13CWD6ST00G9JZC4FRG/picture5.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604922961051-DKW59QMWZHAGW7QQ9GC5/picture3.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604923120613-N3P75T2OJ7AGB425FLFY/picture6.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604923073603-J1SW17MVUP89GNAUDOVE/picture2.jpg Photon Life (2003) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604921740670-ABK8TKQ2K5C5F7Y5X1XE/stylizedphoto.jpg Photon Life (2003) I recorded this album entirely with my Ernie Ball JP6, running through a Boss DS-1 distortion pedal directly into a Sound Blaster Audigy card. My bass was direct-in as well, with all effects added in during mixing. Three tracks feature bass by Guy Dagenais, AKA “Geezer,” a friend from Guitarwar.com. Most of the synths and drums were created in an old version of FruityLoops. The packaging and artwork were all designed by myself, and I rather over-optimistically printed up 1000 copies in a nice 4 panel digipak. I performed songs from this album live twice as a solo act, and a handful of times with my band Red Penguin, formed in 2005. Some of the progressions I wrote for Photon Life found their way into later material. The title track was reimagined as the song “On the Run,” which can be heard on The Red Penguin EP (2006), and the primary melodic theme from “Carbonite” was re-purposed as a chord progression for the verses in my Sleep Rebellion song, “Machine Guns.” (2014) I still like this album, and it is an earnest reflection of where I was at musically when I made it. The playing and writing is not at all refined, but it is wild and inventive. I achieved something very unique, and it makes a singular artistic statement, with the album succeeding as a whole, complete work of art. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1582141870701-28IADE18B25W0PBSUVTQ/photon+life.jpg Photon Life (2003) - Photon Life (2003) Photon Life is my first album, released July 5th, 2003. It’s an atmospheric instrumental album with lots of guitars. The songs were mostly written in 2002, the same summer I spent some time at Berklee College of Music in Boston. In fact, I won a contest to have my program tuition paid for by submitting the songs “Carbonite” and “Work In Progress,” both found on this album. Many of the songs were originally entries at guitarwar.com, a community I was very active in at the time, where I learned a great deal by “competing” with much more experienced musicians than myself. On July 13th, 2003 I held an album release party at my family’s Internet Cafe, The Digital Cup, in Wasilla, Alaska. https://www.chrismcgraw.com/ancient-memories daily 0.75 2020-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605001272322-BGB04CNX21X2F5447AMQ/High+School+Senior+Photo.jpg Ancient Memories (1998-2003) - 2001 Senior High School Photo I performed Satriani’s “Always With Me, Always With You” at an end-of-the-year school concert. in 2011 I had Joe Satriani actually sign the same guitar I used in that performance. I’m pictured here with that guitar, in my High School Senior photo. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605001051399-J0RMDP5M5JRN3WK6OCEU/Valley%2BPerforming%2BArts%2B1998%2Bor%2B1999.jpg Ancient Memories (1998-2003) - 1999 Valley Performing Arts I’m in the upper left with the hat and goatee. I played my guitar and sang as part of the cast for a few children’s stage plays. At 16, I was the eldest. This photo was taken during a dress rehearsal for Tom Sawyer. https://www.chrismcgraw.com/new-page daily 0.75 2020-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605037989137-TGBZT6T6RAFSV8DMFGD5/chrisandguitar2.jpg Early Twenties (2003-2005) A photo from 2004 or 2005, at the Digital Cup holding a friend’s Ovation acoustic guitar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605167846127-BVPPHJ2F8CT7XF9RLQND/.jpg Early Twenties (2003-2005) Photo from 2005 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/redpenguin daily 0.75 2023-04-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605046741485-IZ92VCURKVOBESWJAZXO/index_r1_c1_f3.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049328121-PRXQONIXZ95NU5QN7L8D/redpenguin7-29013.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) Red Penguin in 2005. From left to right: Chris McGraw, Gabe Serrencha, Levon Bryan, Mike Collins. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605170220030-MBXQ586SA0DLAID91RQY/IMG_3154.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605055149330-9INBJQ2L61UKHS1QC9CT/old+RP+website.PNG Red Penguin (2005-2008) A snapshot of the original Red Penguin website from 2005/2006. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605170145452-BZJEE18PMFYSA3K7Q6FS/picture9.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605052855134-WTB98RTNPT9XDEJKPECF/red+penguin+ep.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) - The Red Penguin EP (2006) This 8-track EP was the 2nd album I ever produced, and my first attempt to record and mix acoustic drums. All of these songs were part of our live repertoire, and a few had been adapted from my own instrumentals. In particular, “On The Run,” is adapted from “Photon Life,” and “Oubliette” is adapted from “California.” Levon wrote most of the lyrics and I wrote most of the music, but we all shared in some songwriting credits. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049675202-50ZSJ4KAJYHEQUYPNPK7/Project71.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049683637-WYIOSLJGXVEA9T2U6M4E/Project79.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049728536-ADXATM2IK4R3E55ASU83/redpenguin7-29007.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049744711-EFQ0KFDBTZABAHIG5X0L/Sammys6-3028.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049754595-7T3XSIV3GUIC686IQCMP/Sammys6-3017.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049784305-1JZHVAO3LLRYL4643LFV/Project54.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049794321-VEG1CG17PJHM0B2KME32/Project38.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049808524-W8VW4ZN5XP76Q4CCJK28/mike+collins+standing1.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605049834646-DADSOI4OZK4Y3998771H/16+slight+touch+up.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605170177320-BK39NI2GZ7HXFAWU4IDT/IMG_3159+resize+sm.jpg Red Penguin (2005-2008) https://www.chrismcgraw.com/new-page-2 daily 0.75 2020-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605080645818-963CR13E4K7UH2NHNEY3/Scott+Appleman%27s+wedding+with+Noir+City.jpg Noir City (2008-2011) Playing with Noir City at Scott Appleman’s wedding, August 21, 2009 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605169837820-SU45CL1XEZF2K48Y8YVY/Noir+City+2009.PNG Noir City (2008-2011) https://www.chrismcgraw.com/new-page-3 daily 0.75 2020-11-17 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/new-page-4 daily 0.75 2020-11-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605168137550-U7SP7LJE4SMZEZZJMVHS/IMG_4380.JPG Late Twenties (2007-2012) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605168146375-926O0YYCA1V17SEY4XOO/IMG_4341.JPG Late Twenties (2007-2012) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605168165838-A7J5LJAYFHSEETB7H781/IMG_4369.JPG Late Twenties (2007-2012) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605168176232-8G99IS5L9IM7ZJCX11FI/IMG_4321.JPG Late Twenties (2007-2012) https://www.chrismcgraw.com/new-page-5 daily 0.75 2024-07-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605133364162-7DWBEDTDG42LFLWL4RTD/Empire+of+Lies+Album+Cover+%28smaller%29.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) - Empire of Lies (2014) This is some of my best work and an album that I’m truly proud of. Written between 2010 and 2013, and finally released in 2014, it was the culmination of a tremendous amount of work. It’s available on every major streaming service, and you can buy a copy in my album store. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605133758133-H3R7FFOJX4H2M2B6RURA/Chris+McGraw+playing+his+Ernie+Ball+guitar.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) With Empire of Lies I finally felt comfortable as a singer, but some of the songs are extremely hard to play and sing at the same time. In “The Creator,” the main riff is in 13/8, and it took a lot of work. I did what Geddy Lee of Rush does: practice until I can play in my sleep. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134578893-6PMHCUOF4A3ESH81UHFE/liveshowpic2.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) While I played all of the bass on the album, we needed a bassist for live shows. Enter Hans Hedstrom, who not only took up bass duties but backup vocals as well. After Hans joined, we were a proper three piece. We played two shows as a band, and recorded a cover of Rush’s “Working Man,” before Hans relocated to San Francisco. I was not able to find a suitable replacement bass player before Randy quit to pursue other musical projects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134174395-QHZX7XBQ3QUCWBAOQMB5/Chris+in+Portland+-+photo+by+David+Binder.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134182323-HM9FPO2EI7UK4I2FAXBN/Randy+Hart.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134191249-W1GDDSK4B1X22TWBE2FQ/Chris+in+Portland+2+-+photo+by+David+Binder.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134202588-42XIKQDMDKD1P403M0RL/Sleep+Rebellion+in+the+ruins+-+photo+by+Chris+Herrick.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134213024-3DU8C5TKQU9TM3B70OI1/Chris+McGraw.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134224232-683JTW9BYBWERA4ZE96U/Randy+Hart+2.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134238875-8ZXQR3BWCW9IZFDM68B6/Crowdfunding+success.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134249012-VO2T4IYPFJ9K0DBB5JUA/Recording+Working+Man+at+Portland+Underground.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605134286536-RO6U8FPT5B6FNV7KAX30/Signed+Posters.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605131386359-78HIIYULDVNJVEBVBHW7/Sleep+Rebellion+logo+border+2.jpg Sleep Rebellion (2013-2015) https://www.chrismcgraw.com/new-page-45 daily 0.75 2020-11-12 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/new-page-92 daily 0.75 2020-11-17 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/store daily 0.75 2021-01-19 https://www.chrismcgraw.com/store/reason-and-romance-digital-album monthly 0.5 2021-01-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1611051634170-4QNKHJ28Q5UH5JLRCOWW/4PAN1T1PKSTC+reason+and+romance+v4.jpg Albums and Merch Store - Reason and Romance - Digital Album https://www.chrismcgraw.com/store/reason-and-romance-standard-digipack-zrbfe monthly 0.5 2021-01-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604960429076-KHPYNEI3V7QUHEA5TT80/reason+and+romance+album+cover.PNG Albums and Merch Store - 3 Pack - Reason and Romance, Empire of Lies, and Photon Life https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605176332624-6FOP19EISQIKF7MEHAOL/Empire+of+Lies+Album+Cover+%28smaller%29.jpg Albums and Merch Store - 3 Pack - Reason and Romance, Empire of Lies, and Photon Life https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1605176305226-KH92PKAOFSIIQ7D0DXUY/photon+life.jpg Albums and Merch Store - 3 Pack - Reason and Romance, Empire of Lies, and Photon Life https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604960438492-63UR78HY0ZUC1MOG7YT5/reason+and+romance+front+and+back.PNG Albums and Merch Store - 3 Pack - Reason and Romance, Empire of Lies, and Photon Life https://www.chrismcgraw.com/store/photon-life-2003-physical-cd-digipak monthly 0.5 2022-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604963302703-HKZ8QO7BLY9Z8GZT1OQ8/photon%2Blife.jpg Albums and Merch Store - Photon Life (2003) - Signed Digipak https://www.chrismcgraw.com/store/empire-of-lies-2014-signed-copy monthly 0.5 2022-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604961783240-SOOPON6CU6QF2JRTW9NB/Empire+of+Lies+Album+Cover+%28smaller%29.jpg Albums and Merch Store - Empire of Lies (2014) - Signed Jewel Case https://www.chrismcgraw.com/store/reason-and-romance-signed-numbered-limited-edition monthly 0.5 2022-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604960641676-H3QCWD2GGGMIK031KP1Y/reason+and+romance+album+cover.PNG Albums and Merch Store - Reason and Romance - Signed Digipack https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5abdb27675f9ee4bd3dabdf1/1604960642009-EFXSIDRL2AGTSK05LBLV/reason+and+romance+front+and+back.PNG Albums and Merch Store - Reason and Romance - Signed Digipack