A trance track I helped write and record was released last week for digital download. Stuart Millar brought me in to write the lyrics and vocal melody - Forgive & Forget feat. Emi (by Stuart Millar).
A radio station picked it up in Greece and marked as one of their ‘Top 10 hot trance anthems to watch’ last week. This week it’s number 20 in their trance charts – huzzah!
It’s not exactly taking over the world, but it’s a little chunk of joy and I’ll take it!
I’ll be singing some tunes tonight at the Lansdown in Clifton, Bristol . If you like stuff like this – http://www.sm-supperclub.com/free-music/ – you’ll probably like this, too. It’s a charity gig and all of the proceeds are going to help a group of people that are going to Romania to help build housing and a hospice later this year. Here are the details:
19th June, 2010
8:00pm
The Lansdown, Clifton, Bristol (map)
10.00 per ticket – available on the door
We’ll be playing for around 3 hours – hope to see you there!
Episode 3 of the Platoon of Power Squadron is rolling out even as we speak. I did some of the music for this web series – it’s an addictive thing to watch… especially if you like things like super powers, explosions and lots of tv and film references.
Here’s what’s been released so far for episode 3 – There are 5 parts in total and they’ll all appear here as they’re released. They should all be available by 5th June 2010.
I’m singing with a handful of jazzers on Sunday – we’ll be playing for around 45 minutes in Queen’s Square, Bristol – should be good! If you’re into jazzy stuff like this - http://www.sm-supperclub.com/free-music/ – you’ll probably like this show, too.
Here are the details if you fancy stopping by:
Sunday, 9th May 2010
10:45-11:45 am
Queen’s Square, Bristol (view map)
Free Entry (outdoor show)
The show is in aid of the Love Running / Bristol 10k Race. We’re performing to help support the amazing runners who are raising thousands for charity.
It’s going to be an awesome day, hope to see you there!
I’ve been working on the themes for the Platoon of Power Squadron web series today and it’s been good times. Some peeps have asked where they can download the PoPS music, so I thought I’d put a bounce of all 4 themes here for free download.
You can watch PoPS on YouTube if you fancy, Episode 3 is on it’s way soon. And a BIG-THANKS-YOU’RE-A-GENIUS to J Carmichael (aka – the Ninja Butler) for tearing up the guitar part on the Lightening theme. Hope you enjoy!
At last! I got to play a tiny part in my brother’s web series The Platoon of Power Squadron. He asked me and James to be a part of his weekly update…
PoPS update 8
Runtime
3:24
Views
2,459
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Here’s Episode 2 for your pleasure and Episode 3 is coming soon. I’ve seen what there is so far of Episode 3 and it’s the best one yet, be very very excited, people…
(Sorry the vids are out of order, but they’re labeled pt1 – pt5 so make sure to watch ‘em in order…)
It’s official, I’m going nowhere fast! I visited the States to see family, play a couple of shows and record a session. The cloud of volcanic ash spewing out of Iceland means I’m going to hang out in Chicago until at least Wednesday (instead of this past Thursday)… WOOHOO!
It’s a trixie one because there are sessions that are on hold until I get back, but everyone is being understanding (volcanoes take advice from no man…). Our flight was pushed back to Wednesday which puts me back in the studio by Friday. If our flight gets pushed back further, I have a close friend with a studio that will hopefully help me out in exchange for free vocals on whatever he throws at me
I won’t lie, I’m loving the extra time in my home land, surrounded by my fantastic family. It’s been an outstanding trip home – the best one yet and I’m happy for it to continue! It’s been music left right and centre, with the Ninja Butler and immediate family involved with most of the shows, too – playing to packed rooms and laughing and chatting like we were in a big living room. Let me tell you, there is NOTHING like making music with family – it’s unbelievably fantastic. Here’s some evidence… pay close attention and see if you can catch a wiff of the joy steaming off these pictures…
(left to right) Emi Jarvi, J Carmichael, Jake Jarvi, Donna Jarvi, Mike Jarvi
(left to right) Emi Jarvi, J Carmichael, Jake Jarvi, Donna Jarvi, Mike Jarvi
That’s enough glowing for now – wish me luck in getting back to Bristol. I definitely can’t swim that far – anyone have a big boat I could borrow?
Exitproject is writing and recording one song per month in 2010. The March song was unleashed a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve neglected to blog about it! Have a gander:
Exitproject (the band I regularly work with) is writing and recording one song per month in 2010. The February song has just been let out of the pen – check it out if you get the chance.
Yesterday was the most Productive. Day. Ever. I was in the studio and ready to go by just after 9. So began the sessions!
Session 1 – rock
I started with a epic-rock type track (that’ll wake you up). Usually people send across a scratch vocal track that I learn by ear, then I arrange the harmonies by ear, too. But I was provided with sheet music which was cool. I don’t have much cause to read music anymore – felt good to stretch the sight-reading muscles…
Session 2 – dance
Then on to the third of a three song dance project. I’m writing and singing the lyrics and melody for three singles due to be released in 2010. I’m really enjoying this project, actually – getting great feedback from the guy I’m working with. It’s always a pleasure to work with someone with good attention to detail. It usually results in a shiny finished product – bring it on!
Admin
Half way through the dance session, I knew I needed to warm up my chest voice to do the chorus justice. So I started warming up. And doing some admin.
While I was warming up I did some hunting for some alternate vocal takes that a Bristol-based song-writer emailed me about. We worked on a HUGE track a couple of weeks ago (vocal tracks everywhere! Double tracking! Scat solos! Harmonies! Computers struggle to cope! But it did cope…). He had asked for some alternate takes, so I did some hunting and found them.
Session 2 – resumed
Then back to the mic and back to the chorus. It’s not like the vocals are HUGE, y’know? They needed to be kind of flirty and come-hither. But it was just high enough in my chest voice that it sounded more heavy-lifting than come-hither, so I made sure to warm up to a major-third above the highest chorus note and it sorted it right out. Worked a treat…
Session 3 – pop
Pop-tastic! Session 3 was all about pop vocals and F.A.T. vocal harmonies (one of my true loves in this world). Another freakin’ FUN session because it was all about playing with different vocal textures and adding little riffs. Another wailing chorus, too – always feels good to rip it open.
Double tracking (triple tracking, actually), 6 layers of double-tracked harmony for the chorus, some ‘yeah’s in there somewhere. Good stuff…
Session 4 – charity project
By the end of these three session I felt completely on fire and I didn’t want to stop singing. So I opened up a project for the charity album I’m working on for Kids Uganda. It’s an improvised version of the song ‘Be Thou My Vision’ and it was cool to play around with such a traditional and well-know song.
I only did two takes before I sent it across to get feedback – this is one of those tracks that can’t be hammered or it will SOUND hammered. Au naturale, all the way.
I’m still fired up from yesterday’s insane productivity. I also heard back from two fellow vocalists that I’m outsourcing some work to – both of them are ridiculously talented, so I’m glad things are moving forward.
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