My film scoring process has begun for Robert Rollins’ film The Magic Hourglass. Because we’re longtime collaborators and he likes to involve the composer very early on, this score is proving to be an easy nut to crack. I was involved in this film as early as the script writing and budgeting processes, so now that it’s time to write the music for the film it feels like an old friend and not a new project. Working with Robert is a rewarding and deep collaborative process.
Studio photos
A new set of studio photos. I love my work space! Photos by Obie Obien.
Producing artist Austin Bustad
Over the last four days I hosted one continuous, epic recording session at my studio with artist Austin Bustad. I am producing his next album, which will be my third project with him. We’re now totally done tracking guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. Overdubs will begin next week.
Piano bar performance
This evening I gave a piano bar style performance, playing and singing on a boat in Newport for a wedding. I was all over the musical landscape, covering everything from Dave Matthews to Avril Lavigne to Bread to Queen, and everybody had a great time. Everybody but the piano, that is. Pianos don’t like to live on boats and that poor thing had suffered in its life.
Playing keys for Centrevol
The band Centrevol is releasing a new album September 29. Today I recorded all the piano parts for the album, and I’ll be in the studio with them tomorrow just for the hang.
Austin Bustad’s latest album
This week I’m in the midst of producing a solo album for Austin Bustad, and we’re getting close to finished. The mixes are turning out really well and it’s been a real pleasure to work on his music. Austin’s sense of melody and harmony are truly very special. His other project is the Seattle-based band Lonely Mountain Lovers.
Johanne Borum’s album finished
The new year comes with the completion of a new project. Today I finished the final mixes for Johanne Borum’s second album Rejoice, and it was a real pleasure to produce and arrange for my mom. The album was recorded and mixed here at my studio in Los Angeles and should be available in the next month or so.
Home from South America tour
Throughout this last month I toured through Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Peru playing keyboards with Christafari. It was the toughest and most sleep deprived tour I have experienced in my three years working for them, but we were in good places with good people. In this photo I’m performing with the brilliant Nengo Vieira, who channels Bob Marley in wonderful ways and was on the tour with us.
Recording artist Austin Bustad
In the last week we recorded the core tracks for Austin Bustad’s new album here in my studio, tracking piano, bass, drums, guitar, organ, and vocals. I will also produce and mix the album. His writing is really wonderful and it was a pleasure to work with him on the arrangements. Austin is also a part of the Seattle based band Lonely Mountain Lovers.