In 1987 I was signed as a staff songwriter/composer to Lorimar Telepictures here in Los Angeles. Lorimar (later combined with Warner Brothers) was the largest television production company in the USA, run by Merv Adelson, (Barbara Walters’ husband at the time). My job mostly entailed writing songs for artists and TV shows, and I was lucky enough to write a #1 song (in the European territory) called “You're My One and Only” for CBS Records artist Jennifer Rush.
Around the same time, Lorimar asked me if I'd like to co-compose music for an Emmy-winning ABC-TV series called "Max Headroom". I agreed, though I had no clue that (because the show was weeks behind schedule) our work days would be 20 hours long. After three months of working 7 days a week, 20 hours a day, and way too much caffeine, I started having intractable panic attacks. I was also distraught that many of my closest friends were dying of aids/hiv at the time. Fortunately (for me), the show was cancelled, but I was emotionally and physically exhausted.
This was perhaps one of the darkest times of my life... I became agoraphobic (refused to leave my house for weeks). Friends finally took me to therapists, acupuncturists and other counselors. One of those counselors suggested I write the kind of music that represented the way I'd like to feel (calm and relaxed). That led to the first composition in the Liquid Mind series, which I wrote in 1988. That piece (nearly 30 minutes long) was “Zero Degrees Zero”, which wasn't commercially released until 1994 on my first album, Ambience Minimus. It's a bit different than recent Liquid Mind compositions, but still has the trademark slowness I love.
The lemonade made from my panic and anxiety of the late 1980's turned out to be Liquid Mind. A sour time in my life produced some sweet music. Though I haven't had panic/anxiety since the early 90's, Liquid Mind to this day serves me well as a balancing influence in my busy life. Thanks to all of you who support my musical efforts!
—Chuck Wild, Liquid Mind