2017: What's Planned (plus a debrief about my Summer)

I am back for 2017! 2016 sure was an incredible year, where I not only began my compositional studies at Monash, but I launched this website and saw my music take off. Make sure to check out my Wrap Up for 2016 for all the details.

2017

2017, however, is set to be bigger and better again. To give a bit of an idea of what will be on the agenda;

• Starting 2nd year of Composition studies at Monash means another 4 new works under some fantastic mentors. No idea what they will be but will definitely be fun!
• I've spent the start of the year finetuning my largest project to date (which I have code-named The Bread Project​), which I am really excited to be sharing with you soon. 
• Jack Wilson-Lee's latest epic The Dog should hopefully be scored and recorded this year, to be shared with you all.
• I've got some marches in the works which may be making an appearance in Launceston for Easter.
• Plus plenty more which I will keep under wraps for the time being!

Also on the agenda;

• I have a couple more interviews lined up (similar to the ones I did with Andrew Snell and Fletcher Mitchell last year). 
• Late last year I began a volunteering role at 3MBS as a reporter, so there should be some more exciting write ups coming soon!
• Radio Monash will kick off again in March and I will be both on the air and writing reviews! 
• Northern Brass will be competing at the 2017 Nationals and State contests, so a healthy dose of brass band competitions!

What Should You Be Doing?

Well, there's plenty of things you can do to help support me on the year ahead. They include;

• Sign up for my newsletter here. It's the best way to ensure you're getting all my updates this year, so you don't miss anything!
• Need any arranging, transcribing or commissioning work? I've just uploaded a Services page, and will be offering my music writing services! 
• If you run a band and are looking for some new material, give my existing works a consideration! They all fit very nicely into a concert repertoire!
• Share my name around! It's all good and well for my close friends and colleagues to be following what I do, but I will learn and experience more if I can also work with musicians I don't know. Feel free to share my Facebook page, invite friends to my website and drop my name when you think it's suitable. 
• Make contact! If there's something you'd like to say about my website, or even what may seem a silly question, please shoot through an email or a Facebook message. It is so helpful to hear directly from you all what you're liking and what you think I can work on.

I thank you all again for your ongoing support. I look forward to an exciting 2017!

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My Summer

As you can see from the above, there's lots planned for the year, so I have been spending a lot of the Summer writing some new music. Nothing is ready for release yet, but it will all come in good time.

Looking past my composing, musically, the summer also gave me a chance to get listening to some new music, and I've listed below some of the music I've really enjoyed.

Snarky Puppy had a big year last year and I may have overdosed on all their new music, but I stumbled across one of their earliest recordings just before Christmas, and I've fallen back in love with it. Tell Your Friends is a ripper set of 6 songs.

Favourite Tracks: Skate U, Flood and Slow Demon

I mentioned these guys quickly in my Hottest 100 Countdown vote, but I'm really loving Palace's album So Long Forever. Slightly more upbeat than Kings of Leon and with a true sound that has really clicked with me.

Favourite tracks: Break The Silence, It's Over and Live Well

Also listed in my Hottest 100 Countdown vote was James Vincent McMorrow. His lyricism, simple music writing and powerful voice made a powerful album We Move last year, and it has carried through to this year. He will be playing at the Melbourne Recital Centre later this year!

​Favourite tracks: Surreal, Lost Angles and Last Story

I'd been meaning all 2016 to properly check out Kamasi Washington, but only got around to it in the New Year. Album The Epic is not lying; the 17 track album amounts to nearly 3 hours, but there are so many massive tracks that it feels like one epic journey throughout.

Favourite Tracks: Change of the Guard, Cherokee and Re Run Home

and lastly something that totally blew my mind...

It is no surprise that I'm a fan of Jacob Collier. I named him twice in my top 7 performances from 2016, and I gave his debut album a rave review. He delivered an incredible Christmas video in December of the classic In the Bleak Midwinter. However, not only does the cover demonstrate his wicked sense of harmony, rhythm, melody and all of the above, but he features a microtonal modulation, and it sounds damn right amazing.

​Normally I would try to put the original video into my posts, but I think it is important to follow the notation (if you are so inclined). The magic starts at 04:16. For those who have hesitations about straining away from well temperament, this is a performance you have to watch. Make sure to share with all your musical friends! 

Thank you again for all your support last year! I truly look forward to sharing 2017 with you all!