Project Explanation

In 1989 Stephen wrote the novel Trick of the Light (published by Beyond Words Publishing, the same company that published The Secret). At that time he released an album with the same title as the novel. It included such well known and respected musicians as Garth Hudson (keyboard player for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group, The Band); David Vaught (bass player for The Flying Burrito Brothers and other famous groups); award-winning songwriter, artist and producer, Barry Keenan, and several other well known studio musicians.

While the book was never made into a movie, it was optioned by Hemdale (the company that won Best Picture Academy Awards for “Platoon” and “Last Emperor of China”). Most of Stephen’s novels (19 and counting) have been optioned for film, and he has written and directed several feature films, including “Street Crimes,” starring Dennis Farina, and “Final Impact.”

Twenty years after Trick of the Light was published, he has written a sequel: Cathedral of the Senses. While most of his novels are psychological thrillers or mysteries, these two books fall under the category of inspirational or metaphysical fiction. The same protagonist, Detective Nick Sands, returns in the new novel.

Again Stephen has written a companion music album. However, this time the songs will be recorded by other contemporary artists who will record any song (or songs) they like – in any style they like – and submit those songs for inclusion on the “Official” Cathedral of the Senses music album.

On January 14, 2010, Stephen signed a music publishing deal with East of Sideways Music. The company will help promote and administer the music aspect of the Cathedral of the Senses Project, and will also make the final decisions about which songs to include on the album.

Regardless of the “final cut,” EVERY Cathedral of the Senses song recorded by ANY artist, will be available for streaming via the Cathedral of the Senses web site, or a link will be provided on this site to the artist’s site when the book is published.*

The songs are merely slightly-produced versions of the songs Stephen has written to accompany the novel. In some cases, the recordings are just guitar and vocal, while others are raw live versions. The ONLY reason for making them available for download here is to provide versions for artists to use as starting points for their own interpretations.

“I truly appreciate people’s interest in this project,” said Stephen. “If an artists decides to partipate in the Cathedral of the Senses Project, I want them to feel free to do their own interpretations of the songs, even if those versions are completely different from mine.”

(There is no limit to the number of songs an artist can submit, although it should be no more than one version per song.)

What’s in it for the Artists?

This site will acknowledge and mention any artist who participates in the project by recording any of the Cathedral of the Senses songs. We will mention the artist’s name on our blog. When fans of one artist come to the site to hear that artist’s song, those fans likely will sample other recordings of that song, as well as other Cathedral of the Senses songs. Standard royalties will apply (except on sample versions of the songs). If you have any questions regarding royalties, Click Here. All artists whose songs are chosen for the album will be included in the Public Relations associated with the project, at no additional expense to the artist. We will also list the artist’s site on our Links Page. (We reserve the right not to do so, at our discretion.)

The bottom line is that artists must first like the music and the project. If they do, then they have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by participating and networking with other like-minded and talented people.

The way this works is as follows:

  1. An announcement will be sent to recording artists explaining the project. (Perhaps that is why you’re here now.)
  2. The songs are available for download on this website.
  3. Interested artists can read more about the book and listen to the songs. If they want to get involved, they can download any or all of the songs, along with the lyrics.
  4. Artists will then submit their master quality recorded track or tracks on a CD (no MP3s please) to East Of Sideways Music, P.O. Box 10162, North Hollywood, CA 91609.  If you have any questions regarding submissions, please contact us by Clicking Here.
  5. Along with Stephen, East of Sideways Music will determine what songs will be included in the final Cathedral of the Senses album.
  6. Any Cathedral the Senses song recorded by ANY artist, will be available for streaming via the Cathedral of the Senses website and/or other participating affiliate websites when the book is published.
  7. At our discretion, we may also link to video performances of the artists’ versions of the Cathedral of the Senses songs, and we are currently considering other options to promote the book, the music, and the recording artists together.
  8. Royalties will be paid according to the signed artists recording agreement with East of Sideways Music. If you have any questions regarding royalties, please contact us by Clicking Here.

*We reserve the right NOT to make any song available via streaming on this site.