Storms

Inspiration comes in a different forms and artistic inspiration can often be the hardest to source.

I recently had a moment where I was slammed full force with enough inspiration (I hope) to see me through the remainder of this year, 2012.

Standing on a break-wall over looking the wide ocean as a tumultuous storm rode in on the back of a surprisingly calm and even sea, I was struck with feelings of being both small and tall next to the enormous energy of the world around me.

Although I knew that so much on this earth could strike me down I was felt a deep strength as if I wielded the ability to lash out at nature, dive strong and fast into the sea and battle my way back to terra firma where I could breath deep of the scented air rising off the back of the broad mountains.

Ok, then reality kicked in.

But I was still inspired.

This whole experience left me reeling over the colours that exists in the natural world.  Artists spend their whole careers dealing with colour and the way it can be combined and applied to various surfaces.  As a musician tones are my colours, digital media is my surface and my instruments and equipment are my brushes.

When dealing with recording I can not get enough of this little beauty.

It's a guitar pedal, yes, but it's ability to act as a usb interface has been a god send.  I use this black beauty to record my elec piano and bass which along side my usb condenser mic and inbuilt drum sequencing software gives me all I need to complete numerous projects.

I spent an enormous amount of time researching this product and many guitar gizmo geeks will be screaming "It's not top of the line!"  "the sounds are too synthetic"  " there aren't enough foot pedals"  SO WHAT

There quite a few products like this on the market but there is one thing they can't include and that is a 'creativity button'.

I like to work with limitations but not liabilities.

I see this simple piece of equipment as the door way to more sounds than I could possibly use in my career.  All of the guitar, bass, piano and elec piano sounds you will hear in WTHIS Productions films and music clips will be processed by this piece.   www.wthisproductions.com

 The original single that will be feature in the short film KARMA uses a patch I created to emulate the sound of the lead guitarist for Japanese rock group Scandal,

which I used in a completely different range of the guitar and it provided me with inspiration to complete the entire track in one night and it came out more like a track from US group Korn.

See?   Creativity cant' be packaged or programmed and isn't dependant on the fancy piece of kit you own.

So I encourage people to not fuss over the latest software upgrade or newest piece of equipment when it comes to creative pursuits.  

Work with what you've got now rather than procrastinating until you own something new.

I have many upcoming projects including soundtracks for 5 WTHIS Production's films, duets with my girlfriend Naomi, a vocal trio and a very special surprise.  Sharing these journeys will be a huge joy for me and it all starts with the equipment I use.

Peace out !

So much to say

Well it's been quite a few weeks since I wrote anything down and there is so much to say!

Where to begin?

Well a dot pointed list is always good, so here goes.

- Started a new University course, Bachelor of Music majoring in Piano
- Worked on producing WTHIS Production's short film 'KARMA' (coming in April 2012)
- Started teaching at the University of Newcastle
 -Set up a work shed where I will create movie props and modify, fix and build Guitars and Amps
- Started learning a third language, Japanese

Wow, looks really really boring and nerdy doesn't it?  Guess what.... that's because I am! haha


I also worked on another show at my beloved Players Theatre, this time taking a backseat role in the tech department.  It gave me a lot of time to reflect on my work ethics and motivations in regards to non creative projects and to plan for future academic strategies.

Procrastinator.  That was the conclusion I came to.  In my new role as a University lecturer and in the role of a first year student in a new course I am more aware than ever of my limitations in regards to discipline in academia.  Even taking an academic approach to my favourite and most skilled topic of Music seems to be met with the feeling of slamming my head against a brick wall, and disliking this feeling, I toddle off and find some of form of activity to pass time.

What kind of strategies can I take to be rid of this wet, woollen blanket that surrounds me when ever I have to be motivated in these areas?

Write in a diary?

Draw on a white board?  (That one used to work for me.)

Hire a personal secretary?  (Not sure what use they would be but it sounds like a fun idea.)

Perhaps hiring a life coach (or one of those steroid infused personal trainers you see at parks yelling and screaming at middle aged, saggy middled, salary types who believe that wearing an unflattering pair of track suit pants and a jacket will aid in the success of a workout) will help me?


I think the answer is passion.

Why did I start all this?

Where do I want it to lead?

Do I care about the smaller achievements inside the larger ones enough to ensure that the large ones will be achieved??  


So I go now off into the land of deep thought to decide exactly where my passions lies.  I'm sure once I find I will share it with anyone who will listen, that's just the kind of person I am.

Stay tuned for more "Bits and Pieces I Use" where I will try to get back to the point of this blogging caper and walk you through the various projects I'm involved in and the equipment I use.  But until then, peace out!!