Well this has been quite the eventful week!
Would you believe I have MORE news?
Well, I do, so there ;)
As I mentioned previously, I've been working away on the next theme for The Happy Prince film, that of The Prince Theme. I had already recorded two tracks which, although quite nice, just didn't feel right for the Prince. I was looking for something regal and grand with a somber undertone.
Back when I first started thinking about the various themes, I had decided that I wanted to use Rachmaninov's Prelude in C minor as inspiration for The Prince Theme. If you don't know the piece take a listen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSO6dfTgVOY and if you can't do You Tube then check it out here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prelude_in_C_sharp_minor_(Rachmaninoff) (scroll down and click on the play button bottom right). Apparently, the opening chords, which lay the foundation for the entire piece, are reminiscent of church bells and it was this bell-like quality that I really wanted to capture in The Prince Theme.
I already had the Rach Prelude under my skin since I've listened to it countless times and it's one of my favourite Romantic Period piano works. I procrastinated for about 3 weeks, whilst submerging myself in recording software issues, which is something I like to call "the artistic process" which validates it somehow ;) but in seriousness, sometimes an idea needs time to stew and ripen. I find if I try to force the issue before it's time then often the resulting compositions sounds forced.
I had two failed attempts - those melodies sounded just fine but weren't right for The Prince Theme. Then, on the way home from the shops last night, a melody just popped into my head. I instantly knew it was THE one! The perfect mixture of bells, grandeur, old European refinement and subtle sadness.
I couldn't get into the house fast enough - I even made a hasty recording of it using the voice recorder on my cell phone! Its funny how there is this paranoid madness that takes hold of me and I feel like if I don't save the idea quickly it might just pop straight out of my head the way it popped in! As soon as I got home I laid down a rough recording of it and could breathe easy again.
After dinner I recorded it more thoroughly and sent off the mp3 to the director (my friend) - always so nerve-wrecking waiting to hear back, but I was confident he would love it like I do! And I was right - heard back from him this morning and he's ecstatic!
So, another theme down! The next theme I'll be focusing on is a lullaby which will be sung near the end of the film, but I'll go into more detail about that in a future post. For the moment I'm thinking of seeking out some champagne to have a little celebration!
PS: I won't be posting any of the themes / tracks from the movie on this blog until the film is released, sadly you will have to wait until then, but that gives you something to look forward to!
PPS: If you've never read Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince, you can read it and some other stories by him here http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/oscar-wilde/HappyPrince&othertales6x9.pdf - enjoy!
21 August 2009
19 August 2009
For the Art of it
We musicians aren't just about practicing, performing, writing songs; sometimes you just need a creative outlet that isn't music-related.
I try, as often as I can, to embark on projects that breed creativity because being creative is a bit like getting fit; sometimes you need to cross-train.
This particular project involved a pair of shoes.
I began with a pair of white canvas takkies (or sneakers / trainers as the rest of the world might know them). I found it very symbolic that they were made from white canvas and set to work on a design. I don't mind admitting that these babies were SUPER cheap, no-name brands - that was the point! (please note the mystery shoe pocket!?)
I thought of imprinting Betty Page's face onto them, or maybe some of my poetry scribbled across the sides, and I even considered embellishing them in a psychedelic houndstooth print, but finally I settled on this....
A puzzle pattern!! Simple yet effective.
I bought a black fabric pen and drew out the grid for the block sizes in pencil on the shoes. Oh, but first I removed the pockets which were just too gimmicky.
Here's another pic showing both shoes:
The best thing about this project is that I now get a cool pair of shoes that I know I created - no designer labels could ever compete with the feeling of wearing your own creation :)
I try, as often as I can, to embark on projects that breed creativity because being creative is a bit like getting fit; sometimes you need to cross-train.
This particular project involved a pair of shoes.
I began with a pair of white canvas takkies (or sneakers / trainers as the rest of the world might know them). I found it very symbolic that they were made from white canvas and set to work on a design. I don't mind admitting that these babies were SUPER cheap, no-name brands - that was the point! (please note the mystery shoe pocket!?)
I thought of imprinting Betty Page's face onto them, or maybe some of my poetry scribbled across the sides, and I even considered embellishing them in a psychedelic houndstooth print, but finally I settled on this....
A puzzle pattern!! Simple yet effective.
I bought a black fabric pen and drew out the grid for the block sizes in pencil on the shoes. Oh, but first I removed the pockets which were just too gimmicky.
Here's another pic showing both shoes:
The best thing about this project is that I now get a cool pair of shoes that I know I created - no designer labels could ever compete with the feeling of wearing your own creation :)
Pop! goes the Weasel
Finally! After over a month of waiting and calling up the store repeatedly (to the point that I'm now on first name basis with the attendant and know all sorts of irrelevant information about him) - the much anticipated pop filter has arrived.
What is a pop filter? Well, firstly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_filter
You can always trust Wikipedia to reveal life's little mysteries ;)
The big deal about waiting for the pop filter (since they were out of stock) is that I didn't want to use my condenser mic without the protection of a pop filter.
The funny, and unexpected part, was, when I'd unwrapped it I suddenly realised I had no clue as to how you attach a pop filter to a microphone stand. I really didn't foresee that problem, but, once again, I turned to the internet to guide me - all I needed was a picture of a set-up pop filter and a little brain power and I had it attached to my mic stand looking oh so professional in no time at all.
Here are some pics of my set-up:
Once I got to this point I could test out my new condenser mic and WOW was it worth the wait! It's not top of the range by any means, but it's very clear and has a nice tone.
So the studio is almost complete, just a few more cables and a shock mount for the condenser and I'll have a pretty awesome little home recording set-up. Can't wait!
What is a pop filter? Well, firstly http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_filter
You can always trust Wikipedia to reveal life's little mysteries ;)
The big deal about waiting for the pop filter (since they were out of stock) is that I didn't want to use my condenser mic without the protection of a pop filter.
The funny, and unexpected part, was, when I'd unwrapped it I suddenly realised I had no clue as to how you attach a pop filter to a microphone stand. I really didn't foresee that problem, but, once again, I turned to the internet to guide me - all I needed was a picture of a set-up pop filter and a little brain power and I had it attached to my mic stand looking oh so professional in no time at all.
Here are some pics of my set-up:
Once I got to this point I could test out my new condenser mic and WOW was it worth the wait! It's not top of the range by any means, but it's very clear and has a nice tone.
So the studio is almost complete, just a few more cables and a shock mount for the condenser and I'll have a pretty awesome little home recording set-up. Can't wait!
04 August 2009
A rainy day
A rainy day
When it rains the world just feels so strange
And thoughts go leaking onto the floor, under the door,
Floating
When it rains the world just seems to change
And people rush around in a muddle, dodging the puddles,
Soaking
The shop windows are yawning
It’s just another morning
And traffic lights keep winking
I wonder what they’re thinking
It’s just a rainy day
When it rains the world gets rearranged
And foggy footsteps come down the hall, walk on the walls
Seeping
When it rains normal gets deranged
The clouds roll in and mist up the mirrors
Constricting the pillars
Choking
The stained glass windowed steeple
Is always watching people
The paper on the table
Is telling me it’s fables
It’s just a rainy day
lyrics to the song by © Violet Greene; 2007
When it rains the world just feels so strange
And thoughts go leaking onto the floor, under the door,
Floating
When it rains the world just seems to change
And people rush around in a muddle, dodging the puddles,
Soaking
The shop windows are yawning
It’s just another morning
And traffic lights keep winking
I wonder what they’re thinking
It’s just a rainy day
When it rains the world gets rearranged
And foggy footsteps come down the hall, walk on the walls
Seeping
When it rains normal gets deranged
The clouds roll in and mist up the mirrors
Constricting the pillars
Choking
The stained glass windowed steeple
Is always watching people
The paper on the table
Is telling me it’s fables
It’s just a rainy day
lyrics to the song by © Violet Greene; 2007
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