* 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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* DECEMBER 20TH - ALBUM OUT ON ITUNES

In addition to Spotify, my new album Electrochestral is now available for sale on iTunes & Apple Music.  I would love if you checked it out and let me know what you think.  Email me your thoughts!  

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* NOVEMBER 22nd 2015 - Good Morning Texas

This is after the fact but I wanted to share this really cool piece that The University of Texas aired on my 6-piano project. It's cool to have the school in which I'm an alumnus of recognize my efforts. I'll give a full review of the concert in the up coming days! I'm slammed doing a defensive driving course :/

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* OCTOBER 21 - DENMARK

I'm back from my Denmark trip.  It was intense.  Lots of meetings, speeches, and hanging with artists.  Hopefully some new collaborations will come out of this trip.  Here are a few photos from my trip to a castle outside of Copenhagen.  It was actually the first place I visited when I first went to Denmark in 2009.  To think, 7 years ago I stumbled on a place that is now considered my 2nd home and the home of some of my best friends in the world. 

 

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* OCTOBER 1st - Laredo to Copenhagen

Life is a blur!  But there is no time to stop.  I just wanted to take a 5 minute break and drop a quick blog.  I'm taking off to Copenhagen on Sunday to spend a few weeks as I was invited to partake in a few speaking engagements.   I'll also spend some time meeting with directors and artists that are interested in arrangements for upcoming albums.  BUT BEFORE I jet set half way around the world, I have a few days of madness in the states. Friday afternoon I drive 5 hours south to Laredo to meet with their Philharmonic Orchestra. I'll sit in a few rehearsals and then meet to discuss the possibility of The Curse The Cross & The Lion premiering in the near future!!!  Then Saturday I wake for another rehearsal and then up to San Antonio to see the San Antonio Chamber Orchestra.  I'll get to Austin late on Saturday and then wake up early on Sunday to go to Houston with my brother for an audition and then I jump on a plane!!!  I'm packed but I have a million things to do so please stop bothering me ;)
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MAGICAL TOUR IN TAIWAN...AND JAPAN!!!

MAGICAL TOUR IN TAIWAN...AND JAPAN!!!

Magical is the best way I can describe how my recent tour to Taiwan and Japan felt.  Here I am once again on a plane returning home.  A little worn out but feeling revitalized.  I'm already happy in life but I feel I can tackle more and that the future is even brighter.  I went all out on this tour.  I lived every moment like it was my last breath.  No regrets!  I'm getting choked up thinking about the new friends I've made, the random encounters in the streets of Osaka, Taipei, Tokyo, Lure, etc that I'll remember forever, and the amazing crowds who I had the privilege of entertaining.  (Side note:  I'm also wondering why I always get choked up when I'm in the air?  I'm watching "Finding Vivian Maier" and it is warming my heart.  A must watch.  I feel even more inspired).  On that note, I have never had more fun playing live than I did this time.  Maybe I'm out of my shell.  Maybe I don't care to please anymore.  Or maybe I just look at it less seriously and more of way to entertain to bring people together.  There is a problem though.  I've become addicted.  I want more.  I thought I had hung up my cleats after my 2012 China tour and then this offer to play in Taiwan and japan came out of left field. 

And now I want more.  And now I will find more.  Why can't I be the rock n roll composer?  I can rock out at festivals a few times a year as a break from orchestral composing, can't I?  Dream big right?!!!  You never know where it will get ya! 

My trip felt like a dream.  There is no doubt I get to see unique parts of new countries and cultures as a touring musician more so than a tourist/visitor.  Anyone can travel but not everyone gets to get sucked into whirlwind of an adventure like you do when you tour.  And this one all began in Taichung, Taiwan. 

DOES SIZE REALLY MATTER?

Before this tour the biggest crowd I had played to was about 400-500 on a handful of occasions.  But even those shows weren't as fun as shows I've played to 200 sweaty kids jammed in club and dancing their tails off.  Quality over quantity right?  Mmmmm  maybe.   But what if you can get both!?  I just did the jump from playing for 500 to 30,000 and then 50,000 the very next night!  Man what a rush.  I don't care how great an intimate crowd can be. It pales in comparison to the roar of 50,000 strong!  I stood at the edge of the stage, pumped my fist in the air, took a deep breath and soaked in the energy of that roar.  I still have goose bumps.  I still remember the crowds surfers going up and thinking to myself WOW!  I use to crowd surf at festivals and now people are crowd surfing to my music!!!  And then at the end, the crowd rushed the stage and we truly danced the night away during our encore.  I thought the stage was going to cave in!   I love you Taichung!!!  My heart will always remember you as the first.  But...you will not be the last...

                                                     

  

WHY DID IT TAKE SO LONG!!!

It has all come together.  Screw the serious indie bull shit i tried so hard to shove down peoples throats when i was younger.  I found my audience.  I can compose for orchestra when I want to get serious but when I'm on a stage I'm not a musician.  I'm an entertainer. I don't know why it took me so long to figure that out!    Something just comes over me.  Anyone can play songs.  But I now enjoy interacting and getting the crowd involved because I love having a crowd at my fingertips and excited to see what's up my sleeve.  I don't even know what's up my sleeve.  Its all improv which is scary when I sit back and actually think about it.

                         

JAPAN
I remember walking outside of Osaka at maybe 6ish in the morning one time and stillness around me.  The moon was gorgeous and every step echoed of the covered passage ways.  I could smell something cooking afar.  A smile and a deep breath made for a beautiful memory.   And the culture in Japan was beautiful and rich.  The people are beautiful in this respectful sorta way.  I need more.  So what is next?  I need to let this soak in.  It could be another trip I look back at as simply being a fun adventure but I think it has the potential to be a trip that alters the course of my life when all is said and done.  Too many special moments happened on this trip that I'll never forget.  Ya know?  The ones that seem to be part of your destiny.  The ones your gut tells you are happening for a reason.

  

For now I have a full plate!  Both my symphonies are being performed in 2015 in the USA and abroad!   Spring will find me in Portugal and Denmark and then summer in Paris.  But what does any of it really mean?  Who cares what we do.  Does it mean anything?  Deep down it's funny because I'm that same 14 yr old shy, awkward, scared boy.  But why?  I guess im still figuring out that part. For now ill excuse myself by saying it's me respecting the moment.  But none the less, somehow I have to find time to get back to Osaka for a significant amount of time.  There is something cool happening in that city and I need my finger on the pulse!

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