Composer
I feel very privilaged to have been invited to work with Stopgap Dance Company again. I am creating the music and soundscape for a new 20 minute outdoor space-themed piece The Journey Between, choreographed by dancer Chris Pavia, and which will be touring in the early summer.
Stopgap Dance Company’s 2013 indoor piece Artificial Things was reimagined into a beautiful dance film directed by Sophie Fiennes, and a substantial section of my original score was used. You can watch it here!
I have recently found some time to continue orchestrating my ballet Thumbelina. As is often the case with personal projects that aren’t written as part of a commission, and without looming deadlines, it is sometimes difficult finding the motivation to get it finished. But I am enjoying working on it while I have the opportunity.
Final mix check on the old panasonic hi-fi stack in the kitchen. Important to check mixes on a variety of sound systems, including poor quality ones!
I have been working since Christmas writing a new album for contemporary dance, since I had a decent amount of time to myself to concentrate on it, and today I finished the final track and feel much relieved.
I still need to make a few minor improvements here and there, which involves listening back to the entire album several times to listen out for anything I’m not happy with. It’s always important to take a break from any recording project before you do this to give your ears a rest.
Then Barry Gardner of Safe and Sound Mastering will work his magic with the mastering. Barry has over 20 years experience in the music industry, works with the finest equipment money can buy, and is man who can hear sonic problems in your mix in an instant.
Being stuck in a room for weeks on end writing isn’t much of a social experience, but I always work with people in mind, inspired by those I know who will dance to and hopefully enjoy the music.
The music is progressing well, but it has turned into an enormous project as I am writing multiple pieces for each exercise. Furthermore, due to other commitments I didn’t manage to get this recorded and released for 2016, so hopefully some time next year!
Here is a page of the latest addition to be included on the album.
Due to opting solely for downloads of The Witch’s Cauldron, I wasn’t able to use all of Mai Yoshida’s beautiful illustrations she created for the CD version, so I’m displaying them here!
