Zach Bible is Melodicosm

Maryville College junior Zachary Bible is a busy man. He is a religious studies and philosophy double major, has a busy work schedule, and is about to start work on his senior thesis.

Beyond academics however, Bible is a committed musician, honing his craft on a musical project called Melodicosm.

Melodicosm’s music is somewhat hard to pin down, due largely to the project being an unhampered and continuous account of Bible’s own musical odyssey and evolution.

The work, although not musically, is spiritually akin to Beck, following a musical approach based on experimentation with an “everything and the kitchen sink” view of music-making, all the while retaining a penchant for hook-laden choruses and easy-to-remember melodies.

The project’s music is largely bright and upbeat, teeming with pop sensibilities and catchy songwriting. Beyond this, the music tergiversates through the musical spectrum, with almost every song showing its own personality.

Although the project is definitely dominated by rock and techno, Bible incorporates sounds, chords progressions and melodies from other genres into his musical miscellany. Everything from doo-wop style vocals, electronic instrumentals and grungy ballads make their way into Melodicosm’s musical canon.

The veracity of diversity in the music can be attributed to the diversity of Bible’s early influences, which he claimed are too numerous to list. However, some notable names stand out, including Steve Earle, Nirvana, Incubus and the solo material of Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist, John Frusciante.

At this point in his musical evolution, Bible takes the sounds he has learned from these influences and mixes them with a heavy electronic bent, producing a wide array of sounds and styles.

Bible, who is originally from Lebanon, Tennessee, said that his family was the main impetus for his turn toward music.

“At seven, my mom told me to pick an instrument, so I went with the guitar,” he said.

From there Bible moved on to other instruments, becoming capable of playing drums, bass, and keyboards, as well as vocals. However, at bottom there is more to Melodicosm’s music than simply diverse musical stylings.

For Bible, the whole musical process, with all its infinite choices and potential, is what fascinates and pushes him on.

“I think all the potentials of music is what inspires me,” he said.  “There is almost an infinite number of patterns and organizations of sound. I feel the creative process is sometimes unpredictable or larger than the self, and when I get in touch with that feeling, it becomes ‘authentic’ for me.”

After graduating college, Bible hopes to continue his musical pursuits by performing more live shows, an aspect of music that he hasn’t had much free time to commit to as of late.

For those interested, Melodicosm’s music can be found on Spotify, iTunes, and Soundcloud.