DECEMBER 29TH - End of Year Sale

* DECEMBER 29TH - End of Year Sale

Hopefully it's not annoying that most of my latest posts have been videos but I'm really enjoying this whole editing gig.  It also allows me to create content on a more frequent basis.  Since this will be my last post of 2016 I wanted to share something special.  This video is a sneak peak at Cacophony in Austin TX during the Neon Heaven session.  I was nervous during this first session as I had never heard my piece sung before but the singers killed it.  We ended up doing 6+ sessions with more singers but this first one really stuck with me.  If you watch until the end, you'll see me looking a bit nervous.  I hope you enjoy the beauty these singers evoke and may it bring you blessings to your ears and soul and into 2017.  Godspeed!  

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*  DECEMBER 23RD - BROKEN NOSE

Shorty after my Kaufman-inspired choral premiere I had a little accident. It's partly why I haven't posted a new blog in a while. I ended up breaking my nose in a small accident during a recreational game of basketball! So I've taken the time to lay low. During that time I started writing a chamber ensemble piece that requires the players to move in a square. It's an extension of my music in motion series. That debuts on January 19th at the Blanton Museum in Austin Texas. I also decided to take a stab at editing video since I have a lot of b-roll footage from performances in Europe and Asia. Here is my first stab. It's for my song, The 4th Moirai, off of my 2nd symphony, Neon Heaven. Check it out and let me know what you think!!

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* NOVEMBER 3RD 2016 - Immersion & Andy Kaufman 

Those who know me, know that I love Andy Kaufman and although I wasn't alive to witness his performance art, I have consumed as much as I can via YouTube and reading a plethora of stories and articles. He broke the norm and pushed the limits in his craft. I'm knee deep into my next project and at times I've wanted to hide and altogether quit. But I'm reminded that it's a process. And what fun is creating art if it lacks exploration and experimentation? 

So I basically started my own choir. It's called From Those Who Follow the Echoes. Talk about a reality show. Cancelations and ghosting galore. But the group that has committed is beautiful and the purpose is to bring people and their stories together. Our first concert is Friday November 11th at Hotel Emma in San Antonio. The choir will be spread out within the Sternewirth room in Hotel Emma with some singers up on the balcony behind the old bar and then the rest being strategically dispersed throughout the space. A small string section will be in the center with the conductor. This performance is immersive with the audience, as attendees will be sitting and standing amongst the performers. THEN...

Here's where I get Andy Kaufman-esque... We will all jump in a bus for cookies and ice cream while singing (YES a bus! donated by Renewable Republic) and shuttle to the Hays Street Bridge that over looks the Pearl and do a pop-up impromptu performance. 

So PLEASE PLEASE come and join our family, our entourage. It's going to be special.

Photos from the Immersive Music Experience at Hotel Emma! 

 

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* OCTOBER 18TH - CAN'T HOLD US BACK!!!

In celebration of "6-Pianos" being nominated for a Lonestar Emmy, David Bukstein at BUK Films put together a live film of the performance in conjunction with Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio Millennial Committee. While "6-Pianos" fell short in it's quest to win this past weekend, I'm ever grateful to KLRU-TV, Austin PBS, Chelsea Sonnen-Hernandez & Mario Troncoso for the support and collaboration. Featured in the video are conductor Alfonso Fernández Vargas and pianistsJustin Sherburn, Catherine Davis, Jeremy Holmsley, Anna Ford Larson, Aron Frank & Ben Tyler Humphreys. The two pieces I wrote for 6-pianos are titled The Fog The Fall The Rise The Return & The 6th Piano. I hope you enjoy...

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* WEDNESDAY AUGUST 31ST - KLRU/PBS "6 PIANOS" EMMY NOMINATION

***Update*** 6-Pianos has been nominated for a 2016 Lone Star Emmy.  Arts in Context just released a mini-doc that focused on my 6-Piano project in the fall of 2015.  I think this perfectly encapsulates the spirit behind it all.  It was one of the most memorable projects in recent memory.  Through it I connected on a deeper level with old and new friends and community members in North Austin.  It's inspired me to fully believe that one can truly do anything they put their mind to.  It just takes an idea.  Stop worrying about the money.  Think creatively. Think D.I.Y. I hope you enjoy this piece and it inspires you.  

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* MAY 16TH - HARMONIOUS HARLOT

It's been a whirlwind of a time for the last 8 months.  Non-stop from the moment I decided to do my first Classical Music Kegger last fall.  Then it was off to Asia for a music tour.  Then in L.A. for recording.  Then Classical Music Kegger 2.0 in San Antonio and finally the release of my 2nd symphony, Neon Heaven.  I have a lot of thoughts to share on my blog but I'm needing some time to recover and get my health in tact!  I'll do small posts here and there to share some cool content from the last 8 months.  For starters here are two music videos from Neon Heaven.  One for Harmonious Harlot and the other from Phantasmagoria.  Neon Heaven is available on iTunes, Spotify, Soundcloud & more.  

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* MAY 12TH - KMFA "ON THE EDGE"

Feeling very humbled. My favorite classical radio station in the world KMFA, Classical 89.5 featured me for their series "On the Edge". We talk about seeing my first live concert as a 15 yr old, starting The Noise Revival Orchestra Experience off a craigslist ad, butting heads with conductors, Brent Baldwin & André Lousada, and the inspiring Austin classical scene that was put on the map by guys I respect and follow like Graham Reynolds & Justin Sherburn. Thank you Natalie Zeldin

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* MONDAY MAY 9TH - NEON HEAVEN
I'm more than excited to finally release my second symphony, Neon Heaven, on May 14th. I'll be celebrating the release with a listening party at the Museum of Human Achievement in Austin, TX.  Here is the FB event for the info - Click HERE

I plan on giving more of a back story on the album that was almost never made.  I'm thankful I can share this with you and my new found love for choral music.  Check out the artwork below designed by Ben Humphries.  The album will be live on Spotify and iTunes soon, but for now check out samples on my SOUNDCLOUD.  

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* APRIL 3RD - MONGOLIA 

I'm back in the USA and finally have a little more time to reflect on my experience in Mongolia.  It was a very unique experience working with the Mongolia Philharmonic and one I'll hold close to me for various reasons.  The press coverage was overwhelming.  I did close to 10 different interviews. I'm still tracking down some of the content but I wanted to share an interview on TV (skip to 2:10) and newspaper (see below).  And then check out the photos of me working with the orchestra and giving a huge thank-you-hug to the conductor.  For additional photos go to my FB or Flickr

  

  

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* MARCH 9th 2016 - The Noise Revival Orchestra China Tour
FINALLY I have a small break to post some pictures. Every day it's travel, sound check, concert, little sleep, wake up early, trains and planes, sound check....but it's been a blast so far. I waited 4 years to make my return to China touring with The Noise Revival Orchestra. Here are some photos halfway in... [For more photos go to www.Facebook.com/TheNoiseRevival]

 

  

  

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* MARCH 14TH - MONGOLIA

I'm in Mongolia for the first time.  It's been a blast.  Quite the change of pace from chaotic China!  But I love both.  China was great to keep my rock 'n' roll fantasy alive but it's such a thrill to be working on my symphony, The Curse the Cross & the Lion with the Mongolian State Philharmonic in Ulaanbaatar.  The concert is on March 19th and so far the rehearsals have gone well.  Of course there have been many communication problems, but with music being the bonding language, all settles well.  The press has been buzzing about this concert.  I've already done five interviews for TV, radio and print.  I'll share those as they come out.  For now, here is the promo video...

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