Music and Technology in Harmony - All things sound and compositional on the web, from a UK based guitarist, composer and sound designer.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

So Much to do!

Is this a reoccurring topic of this blog? The fact I have so much to do,
well it is the truth, but I am trying so hard to prioritise what needs
to be done and get to the core of what I need to be doing to promote
myself and my services. I do feel that I have far to many strands
running at the moment and currently none are being too successful and
are dividing my time between my music/sound design and bringing in the
mighty dollar (pound). I am taking this time for reflection, and trying
to figure out the best way to move forward. Currently my main income is
coming from the odd piece of session guitar work and the odd piece of
(surprise surprise) programming work! Although there is some audio
restoration on the cards. Hmm this all sounds a bit downbeat, but on a
positive note there should be a whole lot more stuff coming along here,
plus a few surprises, I have been doing some serious thinking and have a
few ideas for the future...we shall see. So what is all this stuff that
I am doing...well currently I am involved in the following.

1)Film wise - I am currently working on 3 short film projects, doing a
range of tasks from Sound Design/Audio Restoration and composing. Once
they have progressed a bit more I will post more details on them

2)Education wise (yes I have become an addict!) - I am close to
finishing the Music for the
Media
course I have been on for a while now, which is cool as I will
then get a Diploma in Media Composition as well as some work for my
showreel (I have 1.5 assignments left to go). I have recently handed in
my second assignment for the Compose and Perform II course I am taking
at Goldsmiths University of London. I will post a recording and the score for this piece very soon. Finally
I am about to embark on another Open
University course (Studies in
Music 1750-2000: Interpretation and Analysis
which after reading
the first unit looks like it is going to be really interesting (and
hard!) and I can't wait to get cracking on that one.

3)Music wise, well work is progressing on the new Light B4 Sound Cd
which I am hoping will get finished sometime soon (when I can fit it
in!) along with a brand new website. It is going to be something very
different! The band I am in is going well, so hopefully we be out there
gigging again sometime soon.

4)Personal wise, I am back into the Circuit training thing after a break
(due to a reoccurring foot problem which has now been fixed!) and that
is certainly making me realise how fit I used to be and how hard it is
to get back into it, luckily I enjoy the torture! Also I am hoping to
get a lot more hiking miles under my belt this year, no specific target
just want to get out there.

In terms of the studio, I just treated myself (for Xmas!) to a copy of
Native
Instruments Reaktor
;, which is amazing!! It will probably take me my
whole life to get the most out of it, but the fact that you can build
your own synths and create amazing soundscapes means that it is the tool
for me (barring Kyma
which is currently way out of the range of my pocket). Having Reaktor
certainly gives me the edge in being able to create amazing sound design
for films and for my music. Watch this space!

I am also reading an amazing book at the moment, entitled The Future of Music it makes for amazing reading into what is
happening and what will become of the music business!

Anyhow that is enough of me for now!

Peace

Neil

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Happy New Year!!


Well here it is everyone! Happy new 2006. I hope it is a good one for you all. I myself and really looking foward to it. There are so many projects on the go at the moment, we shall see what comes out in the wash. I don't really have any New Years resolutions this year, apart from to take things a bit easier than the last couple of years...we shall see. Oh that and to make sure that I blog here a bit more. I am also planning to start adding a podcast to the site. What will be about? Well a kind of audio version of the blog with more information and I am hoping (if I get permission) to talk about and use example from some of the films I am working on at the moment.

Talking of films....I went to see The Constant Gardener last week! Now that is one excellent film, probably the best film I saw last year (typical to see it in the few days of the year). I think I may go and see it again! Recommended.

All the best for 2006

Neil