Dren McDonald
@drenmcdonald.com
drenmcdonald.com | nerdtracks.com | https://ffm.bio/9qmpxne | alterego https://polyhedren.com/ | Music Emporium w/rare CDs/LPs https://dren-mcdonald-music-merchandise-emporium.myshopify.com/ Official YT https://www.youtube.com/@DrenMcDonaldOfficial
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Dren McDonald
@drenmcdonald.com
· Dec 6
Dren McDonald Music Merchandise Emporium
The catalog of Dren McDonald's releases/soundtracks on CDs and LPs in small quantities (leftover from various distributors, promotions etc). Occasional apparel as well. Pick them up while you can!
dren-mcdonald-music-merchandise-emporium.myshopify.com
I have set up a store where I've made some CDs/LPs available for ("Ray Bloody") PURCHASE (for cheap) - some of these haven't been available before as I'd only had a limited amount for promotion etc. dren-mcdonald-music-merchandise-emporium.myshopify.com
I've been experimenting with the Chandler Type L mic & it's really great. I think it's one of the best mics I've heard on guitar cab (I just tracked w/ it today, & no EQ necessary) & I've used it on voice and acoustic guitar with great results. It has a very handy a/b switch for 2 diff voicings
September 25, 2026 at 1:43 AM
I've been experimenting with the Chandler Type L mic & it's really great. I think it's one of the best mics I've heard on guitar cab (I just tracked w/ it today, & no EQ necessary) & I've used it on voice and acoustic guitar with great results. It has a very handy a/b switch for 2 diff voicings
My only Dolly story comes 2nd hand from someone at OceanWay in Nashville who told me when I was recording there once. She was in the kitchen there making tea for herself & an assistant came in. she asked him for creamer & he got nervous & spilled it everywhere while trying to get it for her (1/2)
August 25, 2026 at 10:12 PM
My only Dolly story comes 2nd hand from someone at OceanWay in Nashville who told me when I was recording there once. She was in the kitchen there making tea for herself & an assistant came in. she asked him for creamer & he got nervous & spilled it everywhere while trying to get it for her (1/2)
From MotelVoid today "Vox Pterous is ultimately a record that rewards patience. It is not built around obvious hooks or conventional songwriting structures, but around atmosphere, texture, precision, and gradual emotional development."
motelvoid.com/2026/08/24/r...
motelvoid.com/2026/08/24/r...
REVIEW: DREN MCDONALD – VOX PTEROUS
San Francisco Bay Area composer, producer, and musician Dren McDonald released Vox Pterous via Appearing Records this summer. The album takes the instrumental architecture of his acclaimed 2023 rec…
motelvoid.com
August 24, 2026 at 4:28 PM
From MotelVoid today "Vox Pterous is ultimately a record that rewards patience. It is not built around obvious hooks or conventional songwriting structures, but around atmosphere, texture, precision, and gradual emotional development."
motelvoid.com/2026/08/24/r...
motelvoid.com/2026/08/24/r...
Shattered to hear about Frank Beard. Years ago friends & I put together a band for 1 show called Tres Hombres & we just played that record start to finish. Think those songs are simple? Getting them grooving w/the subtle rhythm stuff was a challenge! I will always b impressed by the LeGrange fill
August 18, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Shattered to hear about Frank Beard. Years ago friends & I put together a band for 1 show called Tres Hombres & we just played that record start to finish. Think those songs are simple? Getting them grooving w/the subtle rhythm stuff was a challenge! I will always b impressed by the LeGrange fill
I never thought that my music might be compared to a H. Bosch painting, but here we are! + they said "Dren McDonald has done what few artists manage: he has made something that transcends what language can measure or notes can contain." www.loudnessblog.com/vox-pterous #musicsky #indiemusic #artrock
Album Review: Dren McDonald – Vox Pterous
Bay Area composer Dren McDonald's latest project, Vox Pterous, came out at the end of July. The project has a deep backstory: back in 2023, he built Pterous — a collection of instrumental pieces as a ...
www.loudnessblog.com
August 18, 2026 at 12:46 AM
I never thought that my music might be compared to a H. Bosch painting, but here we are! + they said "Dren McDonald has done what few artists manage: he has made something that transcends what language can measure or notes can contain." www.loudnessblog.com/vox-pterous #musicsky #indiemusic #artrock
SinusoidalMusic reviews Vox Pterous here - #musicsky #indiemusic "The lyrics, without the music, read like short poems, little pieces of someone’s life left behind, glimpses of scenes and sprinkles of memory all over. " sinusoidalmusic.com/reviews/musi...
sinusoidalmusic.com
August 14, 2026 at 3:31 PM
SinusoidalMusic reviews Vox Pterous here - #musicsky #indiemusic "The lyrics, without the music, read like short poems, little pieces of someone’s life left behind, glimpses of scenes and sprinkles of memory all over. " sinusoidalmusic.com/reviews/musi...
Thanks for the nice review @yorkcalling.bsky.social
Dren McDonald Adds Voice to Some Familiar Compositions in New EP, Vox Pterous
Dren McDonald is known to us as an instrumental composer and we’ve previously featured his two video…
https://yorkcalling.co.uk/2026/08/13/dren-mcdonald-adds-voice-to-some-familiar-compositions-in-new-ep-vox-pterous/
Dren McDonald is known to us as an instrumental composer and we’ve previously featured his two video…
https://yorkcalling.co.uk/2026/08/13/dren-mcdonald-adds-voice-to-some-familiar-compositions-in-new-ep-vox-pterous/
Dren McDonald Adds Voice to Some Familiar Compositions in New EP, Vox Pterous
Dren McDonald is known to us as an instrumental composer and we’ve previously featured his two video game soundtracks Stay: Forever Home Vol. 1: Chaos and Vol. 2: Cozy in 2025 and 2026.
yorkcalling.co.uk
August 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Thanks for the nice review @yorkcalling.bsky.social
Incredibly f-ed up situation created by Ice, an upstanding family of 3 w/ no record thrown into ice detention due to their bloodline www.thenation.com/article/soci... I'll put the gofundme in the 1st comment if you are so moved, as i was
One Woman’s Message From the Hell of ICE Detention
My husband, son, and I have been locked up for months—despite being permanent residents with no criminal record. It is an unendurable, unending nightmare.
www.thenation.com
August 11, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Incredibly f-ed up situation created by Ice, an upstanding family of 3 w/ no record thrown into ice detention due to their bloodline www.thenation.com/article/soci... I'll put the gofundme in the 1st comment if you are so moved, as i was
"Dren McDonald writes music for the attentive listener – someone willing to let the melody unfold slowly." from this lovely review in Voxwave voxwavemag.com/2026/08/10/v... #musicsky #indiemusic #minimalism
“Vox Pterous”: The Conversation with Loss That Dren McDonald Finally Gave a Voice
“Sometimes the only way to survive a loss is to create something,” Dren McDonald once admitted while working on his previous instrumental album, “Pterous.” At the time, that…
voxwavemag.com
August 10, 2026 at 4:31 PM
"Dren McDonald writes music for the attentive listener – someone willing to let the melody unfold slowly." from this lovely review in Voxwave voxwavemag.com/2026/08/10/v... #musicsky #indiemusic #minimalism
"...an airy, dreamy feel of the compositions coming together that’s most rewarding about hearing this...Where does it leave us? Perhaps a little more at ease with the knowledge and feeling that life just dances in and around us in circles." #musicsky #indiemusic alt77.com/dren-mcdonal...
Dren McDonald - “Vox Pterous” Review
Things, for the most part, happen in the same way each day. Occasionally, we’re convinced that we can make sense of them. Sometimes, we even feel like we can hold dreams in the palm of...
alt77.com
August 9, 2026 at 12:34 AM
"...an airy, dreamy feel of the compositions coming together that’s most rewarding about hearing this...Where does it leave us? Perhaps a little more at ease with the knowledge and feeling that life just dances in and around us in circles." #musicsky #indiemusic alt77.com/dren-mcdonal...
Dren McDonald releases new record 'Vox Pterous' | @drenmcdonald.com
#drenmcdonald #voxpterous #new #music #newmusic #newmusicnow #ep #record #ambient #cinematic #orchestral #artist #composer #sanfrancisco #california #usa #plastic #plasticmag
#drenmcdonald #voxpterous #new #music #newmusic #newmusicnow #ep #record #ambient #cinematic #orchestral #artist #composer #sanfrancisco #california #usa #plastic #plasticmag
Dren McDonald drops ‘Vox Pterous’ EP
For much of his decorated career, Dren McDonald has shaped the way audiences experience music without always standing in the spotlight himself. The San Francisco Bay Area composer, producer and musici...
plasticmag.co.uk
August 7, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Thanks to @obscuresound.bsky.social for the review of Vox Pterous! #indiemusic #musicsky #recording #musicproduction www.obscuresound.com/2026/08/dren...
Dren McDonald - 'Vox Pterous' | Obscure Sound
San Francisco-based composer Dren McDonald‘s album Vox Pterous is a deeply emotive exploration of grief, memory, and transformation, inviting a remarkable ensemble of singers into richly layered sonic...
www.obscuresound.com
August 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Thanks to @obscuresound.bsky.social for the review of Vox Pterous! #indiemusic #musicsky #recording #musicproduction www.obscuresound.com/2026/08/dren...
I've had some rough times on tour, but never anything like this Ayers/Fela Nigerian tour. Talk about Heart of Darkness meets afrobeat! www.theguardian.com/music/2024/a...
‘Bass on one shoulder, bow and arrows on the other’: life with Fela Kuti on history’s most dangerous tour
In 1979, my father Roy Ayers went on an extraordinary three-week tour with the Afrobeat pioneer amid extreme violence in Nigeria. Three band members recount the unforgettable trip
www.theguardian.com
August 4, 2026 at 6:18 PM
I've had some rough times on tour, but never anything like this Ayers/Fela Nigerian tour. Talk about Heart of Darkness meets afrobeat! www.theguardian.com/music/2024/a...
Sophia James in studio for Vox Pterous recording Fading
YouTube video by Dren McDonald
www.youtube.com
August 3, 2026 at 2:10 AM
New video for "The Things He Could Bury" feat. Amelie Anna & Girl Swallows Nightingale w/ vintage footage of Tokyo in 1950. That must've been a huge camera they were pushing down the sidewalk! youtu.be/jC7qlXPDHyI
Dren McDonald - The Things He Could Bury ft. Amelie Anna, Girl Swallows Nightingale
YouTube video by DrenMcDonaldVEVO
youtu.be
August 2, 2026 at 7:38 PM
New video for "The Things He Could Bury" feat. Amelie Anna & Girl Swallows Nightingale w/ vintage footage of Tokyo in 1950. That must've been a huge camera they were pushing down the sidewalk! youtu.be/jC7qlXPDHyI
Vox Pterous, my new record, is out on streaming today! Hi-5s to all of my collaborators, Sophia James, Carla Kihlstedt, Paula Frazer, Amelie Anna, Daria Novo, Lily Bloom, Girl Swallows Nightingale & Bryan Jerden! AppleMusic link below (atmos too) & its everywhere else music.apple.com/us/album/vox...
Vox Pterous by Dren Mcdonald on Apple Music
Album · 2026 · 6 Songs
music.apple.com
July 31, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Vox Pterous, my new record, is out on streaming today! Hi-5s to all of my collaborators, Sophia James, Carla Kihlstedt, Paula Frazer, Amelie Anna, Daria Novo, Lily Bloom, Girl Swallows Nightingale & Bryan Jerden! AppleMusic link below (atmos too) & its everywhere else music.apple.com/us/album/vox...
A flashback to the 1st Vox Pterous vocal session in Jan 24, w/ Sophia James at The Compound in Long Beach #musicsky #indiemusic #recordingstudio #recording
July 30, 2026 at 6:55 PM
A flashback to the 1st Vox Pterous vocal session in Jan 24, w/ Sophia James at The Compound in Long Beach #musicsky #indiemusic #recordingstudio #recording
I guess you can pre-add on AppleMusic now too - link music.apple.com/au/album/a/6... #musicsky #indiemusic #atmos #spatialaudio
July 30, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I guess you can pre-add on AppleMusic now too - link music.apple.com/au/album/a/6... #musicsky #indiemusic #atmos #spatialaudio
NPR had me on their Into Music program, thanks to Jedd for a great interview/story. www.kmuw.org/podcast/into... #musicsky #indiemusic #npr #nprmusic
Into Music: Dren McDonald
Revered composer Dren McDonald returns with Vox Pterous, a new new take on his expert 2023 album Pterous.
www.kmuw.org
July 29, 2026 at 4:02 PM
NPR had me on their Into Music program, thanks to Jedd for a great interview/story. www.kmuw.org/podcast/into... #musicsky #indiemusic #npr #nprmusic
For my Bandcamp friends, Vox Pterous (my new record w/guest vocalists on each song) is now out, including the CD, which you can order at BC. 1st 25 orders get a nice linen postcard w/a note from me as well. drenmcdonald.bandcamp.com/album/vox-pt... #musicsky #bandcamp #indiemusic #compactdisc #cd
Vox Pterous, by dren mcdonald
6 track album
drenmcdonald.bandcamp.com
July 28, 2026 at 9:29 PM
For my Bandcamp friends, Vox Pterous (my new record w/guest vocalists on each song) is now out, including the CD, which you can order at BC. 1st 25 orders get a nice linen postcard w/a note from me as well. drenmcdonald.bandcamp.com/album/vox-pt... #musicsky #bandcamp #indiemusic #compactdisc #cd
I had a lovely chat with Marc Saltzman on his Tech It Out podcast about my new record (coming on friday!) & about scoring games. Thanks @marcsaltzman.bsky.social #musicsky #indiemusic
6/8: Also on the latest episode of #TechItOut, I'm joined by #musician #DrenMcDonald, who has composed #music for #videogames and #VR experiences for years, but he now tackles a more personal and sensitive topic. Thank you @drenmcdonald.com
TECH IT OUT:
marcsaltzman.com/podcasts
TECH IT OUT:
marcsaltzman.com/podcasts
July 28, 2026 at 4:21 PM
I had a lovely chat with Marc Saltzman on his Tech It Out podcast about my new record (coming on friday!) & about scoring games. Thanks @marcsaltzman.bsky.social #musicsky #indiemusic
Reposted by Dren McDonald
Oh wow it happened! Our little game passed the 50 review threshold to show "Very Positive" ✨
July 26, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Oh wow it happened! Our little game passed the 50 review threshold to show "Very Positive" ✨
"a spellbinding and haunted atmospheric production that is catapulted by James’ ethereal vocals " - review of Fading in We All Want Someone To Shout For (THX!) Full length record is out on Friday! weallwantsomeone.org/2026/07/26/d... #musicsky #indiemusic
Dren McDonald - Fading (feat. Sophia James)
California-based musician Dren McDonald will return this week with his new album, Vox Pterous, which will be released via Appearing Records. One of the stunning singles from the album is “Fading”, a ...
weallwantsomeone.org
July 26, 2026 at 5:49 PM
"a spellbinding and haunted atmospheric production that is catapulted by James’ ethereal vocals " - review of Fading in We All Want Someone To Shout For (THX!) Full length record is out on Friday! weallwantsomeone.org/2026/07/26/d... #musicsky #indiemusic
Parlezvous Francais? A new review of Resting of Light on the French site, Iggy. www.iggymagazine.com/dren-mcdonal... #musicsky #indiemusic #cocteautwins
Dren McDonald pleure ses fantômes dans « Resting of Light »
Derrière la beauté suspendue de « Resting of Light », il y a un nom qu’on n’attendait pas forcément : Hardy Fox. Le compositeur californien Dren McDonald l’a confié lui-même, la chanson lui est direct...
www.iggymagazine.com
July 25, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Parlezvous Francais? A new review of Resting of Light on the French site, Iggy. www.iggymagazine.com/dren-mcdonal... #musicsky #indiemusic #cocteautwins
"If you are looking for more experimental and thoughtfully written music then you have come to the right place." LeFutureWave on resting of Light lefuturewave.com/2026/07/15/d...
Dren McDonald- Resting of Light (feat. Carla Kihlstedt & Amelie Anna) - Lefuturewave
Dren McDonald’s new single, Resting of Light, has a sonic similarity to Steve Reich, Kronos Quartet, and Björk. Its arrangement sounds amazing, highlighting multi-layered playing that’s constantly…
lefuturewave.com
July 19, 2026 at 5:15 PM
"If you are looking for more experimental and thoughtfully written music then you have come to the right place." LeFutureWave on resting of Light lefuturewave.com/2026/07/15/d...