Been a while since I have blogged. A lot has happened. Let’s keep it short and sweet:
Tag: music
Respek Vanley: Music Workshops Sessions 3 & 4
We are getting there… thank goodness for that, as I’m having the trippiest dreams as the pressure is on.
Young people have written two original sets of lyrics for songs using the riddims of Steel Pulse and Burning Spear, I have an a capella idea for the final ditty, we have one session left to devise/rehearse, using “Hail Him”. We shall see what the young people think of my idea.
Continue reading “Respek Vanley: Music Workshops Sessions 3 & 4”
Respek Vanley: Music Workshops 2 and 3 plus updates
Today’s workshop was great! 4 sessions to go before the big day!
There is no shortage of energy with this group, loads of personalities and ideas. I’d definitely describe this group as like an over-excited puppy, wanting to greet every passer-by with a nuzzle.
Continue reading “Respek Vanley: Music Workshops 2 and 3 plus updates”
Respek Vanley: Music Workshops Session 1
The workshops took place today at St. James school Handsworth. It was great to have Prince Jamo‘s support, for him to impart his vast knowledge of reggae music.
Episodes of Blackness
A dance piece I composed music for is being performed next month at Dance Xchange, 4th November. I’ll be sat at the back biting my nails, critiquing. Be there!
Fly or Die
Old, but funky.
Workshopped Out
Been delivering a fair amount of workshops this term, as well as being busy running new promotion Rea River Soul, last venture was a success, lots of great feedback – woop! The promotion game is a tiring one when you’re work full time, most of us do and I shan’t complain! Continue reading “Workshopped Out”
E14 baby!
I’ve spent most of today following the Vocab Dance brief of starting with a seed, so long intros. What excites me about the live performance aspect is seeing/hearing the vocal artists improvise over the loops I’ve created. Continue reading “E14 baby!”
Before Day
Yeeeeeeessssss! Sunday night vibes!
Luke Abbott – Swansong
I love this, it really tugs on my heart strings. It starts off a bit crazy and then turns into a lush, sonic sojourn.
Radigue’s Sonic Beds
Triptych – The Music of Eliane Radigue from Sound and Music on Vimeo.
You can learn more here.
The Waiting Room
Harborne Academy‘s waiting room transformed:
We faced several drawbacks, people not understanding the ideas of our transformed space, (especially older groups), some said there was not enough seating, some didn’t like it, but we quickly we addressed their concerns, and resolved any issues. Continue reading “The Waiting Room”
Life After
Been busy writing music for Uchenna Dance Company. The updated version is complete. The performance is this Friday at The Place, near Euston. I’ve enjoyed the process, it was a tiny bit stressful due to the fact we had NO time.
Dancers work in 8s, my piece was in 4, shouldn’t be hard then, multiply by 2. Think again, I scratched my head umpteen times trying to get music and dance sections to flow. My counting has improved. A musician who can’t count, yup, shocking. I think I was mesmerised by dance movement. I’d conjure sounds and ideas for the moves, oh and then, whoops, I’d lost my place! Well, I can now confirm to you dear readers, that I can count 39 rounds of 8 counts of music (78 bars of 4) without getting lost. (Should I be proud?)
I’ve had an amazing time and hopefully they’ll be more dance collaborations to come.
This is what it sounds like:
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(Afro, house-y in places, electro. I’ve tried to get rid of the vocals, some randomly left in)…
What’s it about? Exploring the emotive responses of loosing someone you love.
i wanna play keys like dorian concept
absolutely divine, skip the german interview, unless you parlez, and close your eyes for heavenly, sonic sublimity. Skip to 5:31 if you must, best track for sure!
four chord wonder
community musos will identify with this.