There are many stories throughout the book that connect to each other in deeply moving and sometimes troubling ways. But because I have had a deep connection to animals and their conservation my whole life, the most powerful stories in the book for me are those about people risking their lives in the ocean to protect animals and our ecosystems. Environmentally speaking, “Storming the Thunder” and “The Next Frontier” are chapters that provide a little bit of hope, something that is rare to find among so many dark and distressing stories. The issues in these chapters seem to have solutions that are actually within reach — it’s just up to the rest of humankind, governments, and financial supporters to step up to help the conservationists, vigilantes, and environmentalists who work with fear of prosecution.

Keeping the idea of hope in mind, I want my music to encourage listeners to start caring and to do something purposeful with their own lives. I aim to evoke a sense of mystery and dark wonder to show the harsh realities of the topic, but relieve those feelings at certain moments with uplifting emotions that convey a sense of hope. At the core of this book is a cry for humanity to finally wake up, to protect the planet from ourselves, and to appreciate life in every form. I hope that my music can bring listeners of the project and readers of the book closer to the source of Ian’s material, and in doing so, inspire them to take action.

M!NT