4.6.13
No more blogging! No!
But you can hear more music over here or over here at the Other Big Place Where I Do Stuff.
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8.10.11
The Planting
Earlier this year I provided music for a short film by Jason Goode. I was so happy to hear from Jason, the director, that that The Planting, will be shown at the Vancouver International Film Festival. Congrats to everyone involved!
I enjoyed working with this same team of film-makers once in the past when we collaborated on a clever and well-produced PSA about digital rights and piracy.
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2.24.11
The Price of Sex
This past year I had the great privilege of contributing some original music to documentary photographer Mimi Chakarova‘s current project, “The Price of Sex”.
Although the film is still in post-production, there is already a well-designed website full of deeply moving stories selected from Chakarova’s 7+ years of research, visits to eastern europe, and dangerous undercover work.
The photography is stunning, the stories are compelling, and the cause is exceedingly worthy of your time. If you have even the smallest interest in this issue then I hope you’ll visit the site and see for yourself.
If you know community leaders, educators, activists, or anyone else who could be effective links in the chain that will increase the reach of this important work, then please take a moment to share it with them.
You can hear some of the music I contributed in my portfolio. Watch for a release of the film during the spring of 2011.
2.22.11
I Make Tracks For Your Thing!
Need gooshy piano or swoopy strings or glitchy electronic tracks for your new album?
How about a sprinkle of “ding ding ding” or “bong bong” or “boom”?
I love contributing tracks to your projects and can do it all remotely thanks to the magic of the internet.
Here’s how it works.
First, there is YOU.
1) You create great music. You have a vision. You follow your ear.
2) However, sometimes your ear wants things that you just can’t deliver. Like orchestral arrangements. Or bells. Or intricate piano melodies. Or moody cello lines.
3) Sometimes you know your music is missing an extra something, but you just don’t know what that is. An added texture or depth or groovy hook, perhaps? You’ll know it when you hear it.
Then, there is ME.
1) I’ll ask a question or four and you’ll spill your vision. This might be very very specific in terms of tonality and instrumentation, or it may be just a broad commission to “add something great.”
2) I’ll dive into your music and follow my own ear, laying down a number of tracks. Depending on your time frame, I can provide multiple takes on one instrument, or a whole collection of options that range across styles and instrumentation.
3) I’ll deliver session-ready tracks that you can drop into your project. Use what you like. Mute the rest. You own it.
4) I help make your Awesome-ness just a little bit Awesome-er. Tada! You win!
Fees are quoted on a per-project basis, please enquire. Consultations are free. Send me the project for a listen and I can comment and, when applicable, point you to samples in my music library that indicate the direction my ears might ask me to go…
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11.16.10
a noisy silent retreat.
I just returned from a week in the country and my ears are ringing a bit from too much time spent with my Macbook Pro and big fancy headphones.
I cobbled together a bit of a studio with a scrap of wood on the concrete slab from an old barn, long since abandoned and demolished. Sunshine, hawks, blue jays, stray dogs, and hoppy bugs. Dry grass breezes. It was a wonderful time to work on my now nearly-finished album of simple meditative music.
Originally I set out to customize this music for use by massage therapists and yoga folks and whatnot. But as I delved into the project I found that to brand in that way would be too limiting. What is evolving is simple and peaceful, but not without the occasional moment of stirring. I just couldn’t bring myself to create an hour of white noise. Besides, how do you appreciate the exhale and the rest if there was no inhalation? I look forward to sharing some of this music soon.
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5.3.10
Cloned
The past month has been a mess of fun busyness. I’m hoping to carve out some time in the next week or two to post excerpts from music that I created for short films, fashion, experimental film, in addition to some new experiments for the Corduroy portfolio. Fun. Fun fun fun.
Most recently, I created music for this groovy PSA from talented Vancouver-based filmmaker Dylan Jenkinson. Dylan orchestrated this collaboration across time and space with contributors scattered across North America. Its amazing what can be accomplished via internet these days.
This simple synthy score was written to play a gentle backup to the story of the film while adding a sense of irony, introspection, and momentum. Because PSAs are nearly always in danger of being laughably manipulative or didactic, my hope with this particular piece was to contribute music that was as subtle and thoughtful as the fine script and performances. The amusing storyline has comic elements with a serious punch-line… a fun balance to play with. Hoorah for everyone involved, this collaboration was lots of fun.
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3.19.10
Peggy Lee visits Corduroyland
I love it when clients send youtube clips as a way of sharing the type of music they’re after. I’m expecting my new client to provide a bunch of new ear candy. I just got a first idea from my contact on the production team and if this is any indication of the style they’re after, then I can’t wait to see what else they come up with. The whole team is due to discuss the style and send me more ideas next week. Can’t wait.
It’ll be super fun to create a few demos in this style… although I’ll be at something of a disadvantage by not starting with the incredible and sounds of Peggy Lee and her stand-in.
While I wait for additional reference tracks from this client, I’m hard at work on a student film. My guitar and piano-driven score flirts between alt-metal, grunge, and indie rock. What fun to have these projects on deck! The are completely different from each other, and completely different from the work I’ve gotten up in the portfolio so far. It will be exciting to add some pump and grit to the tame family of my current collection. Stay tuned. No… better yet… watch this amazing video. (Then stay tuned…)
And don’t forget about my yet untitled Very Peaceful Music Project. If you need Very Peaceful Music, particularly if you work in yoga or massage, then be sure to read my post on the topic and email me with your ideas! Don’t be shy.
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3.7.10
Music for Quiet Moments
I’m creating a custom collection of music specifically for use by massage therapists, yoga/meditation practitioners, and others who enjoy a soundtrack for their moments of peace. Depending on the needs, I may customize these collections specifically to the various practices.
I know there is a lot of music out there that is used for these purposes, but I’m excited about creating music that is beautiful and inspiring, custom tailored to fit the context, and totally devoid of crashing surf effects and 1986 Casio keyboard sounds. You know? Just simple peaceful music that doesn’t draw attention to itself but is satisfying and inspiring when engaged. Listen to “Still Here” in the portfolio for an idea of the direction I think I might go with it, although I also have evolving visions that include a more electronic/ambient sound with a solo cello at the center.
I would love to get some ideas from professional massage therapists, yoga instructors, and other practitioners regarding what (in your opinion) works best:
- A collection of shorter pieces, or one long piece?
- Constant mood, or variety?
- Electronic or acoustic?
- Melodic or textural?
- Particular genre?
- If your music could telepathically understand what your heart wants while meditating, what would it become?
Professionals willing to provide some guidance in the form of an ultra-specific wishlist (a la Havi Brooks) and give a listen to a few works-in-progress will be provided with a FREE copy of the finished collection! If you know persons of taste and distinction who might have strong and helpful opinions on the matter, please send them my way.
Helpful feedback includes lists of your current favorites with a few notes about why they’re awesome and – if applicable – why they’re not good enough. Gushy subjective guidance is welcome, too. Use words or colors or pictures or stories to describe exactly what would feel right to you and I’ll do my best to translate that into musical language! Rational list-making types can address practical concerns associated with various practices.
Lets make something great.
Please email iwouldlovetoinfluenceyourevolvingmusicformeditationproject (@corduroyaudio.com) or jabber here on the blog.
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3.6.10
frequently asked questions
About Corduroy Audio
Corduroy Audio is me plus at least one or sometimes three or many other talented musicians and engineers. Corduroy Audio is scalable for any budget; options, work-flow, and team members are customized to each project.
Corduroy Audio creates custom music for any industry or artistic genre. So far this has meant scores for film, documentaries, radio, web, and contemporary dance in the United States and UK.
A strong penchant for cross-disciplinary work means there are lots of experiments being stuffed in around the edges. Don’t be shy about pitching your idea, even if its Crazy or New.
Why Custom Music?
Custom music means more than simply wallpaper or garnish. Custom music helps tell any story.
Corduroy Audio offers a process and flexibility akin to that found in professional graphic design. Good questions and great listening ensure everyone is on the same page. Music is evolved and tweaked and tailored for a fit that is nuanced and unique.
Certainly you could borrow a template or re-use music from another project, but when you get quality custom work from a professional, the difference always shows.
Working with Corduroy
For capabilities and rates, or to license an existing track, please enquire.
Clients often fall into one of the following equally acceptable categories. Perhaps one sounds like you?
1. “I think I need music and have no idea where to start. Can you help?”
2. “I know exactly what I want but can’t describe it. Can you help?”
3. “I need music for my project and it must be [n] minutes long and should evoke emotions [x] and [y] but please not [q]. [These] styles or instruments might work, but definitely not [those]. I need a rough cut asap and a final within [x] days. Can you help?”
Corduroy Is Efficient And Mighty Fast
I love to collaborate and folks on my team always share a communication style that is solid and effective.
A web-based project management system enables intimate work with clients scattered across the globe. To-do lists, message threads, and managed milestones ensure effective collaboration. This level of organization ensures that deadlines are met, and provides you with regular opportunities to influence your music as it develops.
Efficiency also means speed. When your vision changes directions, Corduroy can jump tracks just as fast. Turn-around can be scary fast when required.
About Me
I am a musician, artist, and entrepreneur with experience that spans across artistic and professional disciplines. Music is only one of the things I love and/or love to make. Learn more and get in touch over at my headquarters in interwebbyland.
I am conservatory-trained with coursework in film scoring, loads of experience as a classical pianist, and extensive work in professional theater.
I [really really] love doing this.
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3.5.10
Growing Pains (UPDATE – alleviated!)
Yes… the PORTFOLIO currently leaves you stranded with no obvious way back to the main site. Sorry for the awkwardness of that. This is related to an unannounced feature change in the otherwise SPECTACULAR service provided by Bandcamp that helps me share my music with you. Within a week or three the integration will be fixed. Sorry. Thanks to those who noticed the glitch for speaking up.
One solution for now is to rely on surfing the tag cloud, as that will give you access to all the music in the portfolio without forcing you to leave the blog.
This problem has now been fixed! The header now links back to the blog. Thanks as always to the marvelous folks at Bandcamp for creating and maintain an excellent web-based platform for sharing music.
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