Tom Riley, a filmmaker from NZ was recently staying on my couch for two weeks. We had a great time at halloween dressing up as card-board robots. We managed to get into saatchi and Saatchi to meet a lovely lady called Jane who is keen to get Tom and I some work. Yay here's hoping. Here is the view from the top of Saatchis. It is lower west side looking east.
We decided to go iceskating in Bryant park on Tom's last night in NY. All was fun until some kid fell over (suspiciously at the same time tom skated past him) and they had to clear the rink to clean up the mess...ick. Oh and the iceskates you hire were freezing cold and wet on the inside. Gross. Mainly because its an outdoor rink and it was raining, so half of the rink was flooded. It seeps up from the bottom of your jeans.
Tom is also a talented singer and guitarist. We recorded some songs of his one rainy day and I ended up singing backing vocals and put a bit of cello in later. I think we'll record some more songs when I'm back in Auckland as our combination of voices really worked I think.
I have been attending rehearsals for a work in progress showing of David M Friend's 'EGO' puppet show. To get there I need to catch two different trains, and get off at an outdoor station called Parkside. It is near prospect park. The first time I got off there, there was a fire on the platform. The train kept going, but there were so many firetrucks there - all it was was a fire in a rubbish bin I think. Of course I stopped to take photos. Next time I was there was in the day time and I noticed some of the most beautifully coloured peeling paint I have seen at any subway station. the tunnel. close. closer. closest. The layers of light blue underneath make it look like some sort of map of a frozen country. During rehearsals and a set-piece for David's show.
A couple of films I scored have recently been shown at international film festivals.
Tom Riley's 'Moonlight' was accepted into the International Children's Film festival in Chicago. Tom was able to attend and said he had good feedback about the film and soundtrack from a well=packed out theatre.
Kat Baulu and Alastair Jamieson's 'Whetu-Rere' film was screened in the Sheffield Documentary Festival in the UK early November, and also to School children during the film festival in Toronto earlier this season.
A few weeks ago, film maker Kirsty Macdonald (who I have worked on various projects with) and her cameraman Chris Pryor were over in New York to film a number of NZ artists who had exhibitions here. Chris and Kirsty filming on the steps of the Metropolitan art museum for their documentary. You are not allowed to sit on the steps unless you have obtained special permission. I know! sit! Naughty!
Chris and I decided to go out to Coney Island one day before it got too freezing. Unfortunately all the rides had closed (astroland etc) but there were plenty of miserable carnies and their vicious dogs about. We decided to have a look into the Coney Island Aquarium. It was 3.05 and we discovered to our delight that the Aquarium was 'admission by donation' after 3pm on fridays.. It was FRIDAY! So anyway I had about a dollar in my wallet, but then this employee on his way home came past the visitors queue and handed Chris and I free passes. Luck apon luck!
Anyway there were three main highlights:
The californian Otter. These were extremely weird massive otters with blonde haired faces and looked like they were constantly washing their hair with their little tiny hands. Ok so I didn't take this photo because I couldnt get this close, but here's an example of how strange they look. Nothing like Gin the otter, little ratty things.
The Walrus, amazing tank like at Auckland zoo for the sealions, where it swims right at you. Jellyfish tanks
I made a few videos of the jellyfish and decided to set it to music. I was inspired.
1. Julliard ensemble commission for the following combination: Harpsichord, Harp, Marimba, Vibraphone/Percussion. Completion date: Christmas.
2. Cello bits for Daniel Linas, guitarist from Columbia. We did a gig last week at a Manhattan gallery, was good ~ thanks for coming friends!
3. John Chen has asked me to re-work an old piano duo I wrote at university for a performance in the future some time. So that will be a good little project as I've been meaning to do it but will never get around to it unless I'm offered immediate rewards!
4. Songs for my new guitar to play.
5. St Peters College new beginner string syllabus - ongoing work to develop a NZ first, an entirely new syllabus aimed at 10-12 year old Boys who pick up a stringed instrument for the first time.
6. A few other soundtracks that are in the very early negotiations with directors so can't say much yet.. But I can say they are amazing so I'm hoping to score them!
7. Finishing off scores properly so I can list them on sounz..I never get around to this but we can hope! Score setting is such a bore..
My studio at the moment looks like this:
It's a little cramped, but it does the job. I have my pineapple lamp to cast a warm yellow light over everything. My keyboard is a little large but I don't use it all the time so it has a stand to go on. I am slowly getting used to composing on a 13" screen instead of a 20" imac.
It's supposed to snow today but it doesn't look like it will. Even though it is bitterly cold outside, there are patches of blue sky and sun about. Unfortunately my side of the street never gets the sun for some reason, or if it does, I am not awake at that stage..
When it does snow, I will purchase some snow boots!
Last night was a monumental night in US history. I experienced this in 'The Abbey' pub in wiliamsburg, and later in the riotous street party along bedford avenue. People are extremely happy and excited about the Nation's new leader. Unfortunately they became a little too happy and the police began to beat people up to get off the roads. This kind of sucks. Before this happened, Tom Riley (filmmaker from NZ who is staying with me at the moment) shot this video. He edited it through the night and it is now on youtube.
Kevin Scott, Sena's boyfriend and local political enthusiast (not to mention leader of his own band and mock presidential candidate alter ego Eugene Grant) had this to say in an email last night:
"Just wanted to share a personal story on election day
We watched Obama deliver his speech at the Abbey, N8 & Driggs... afterwards I got a call to come to Bedford and N7.
There were people filling the streets for two blocks each way. The streets were packed. People were chanting "Obama", "Yes we can". It was pretty crazy and amazing. I've never seen so many hipsters so fired up. Really felt somethin special.
About an hour and a half later cops showed up to clear the crowds and make room for traffic. For the next hour the cops made room for cars and taxis to go by and it was peaceful, if a definitely hectic. As cars drove by, people drummed on the hoods shouting Obama slogans at them. But it was all good.
Around 2 am riot police and a helicopter showed up and things started to get ugly, which I've never before seen here. Someone threw a bottle and the cops rushed the crowd pushing people to the street and beating people. I don't have any videos but people all around me were taking them, I assume they'll be uploaded to the youtubes shortly.
Anyways I thought I would share that, not to take away from things but just to add a wrinkle. I never thought I'd see people getting beaten by cops on Bedford Avenue but I just saw a bunch of them. People gotta clear the road for cars.... but it seems like you show up to an exuberant rally with riot police looking for a fight, you're going to get a fight. "
This morning the streets were back to normal, and in the local hisidic Jew neighbourhood of williamsburg (old williamsburg) everything was hunky dory. I rode my bike to the library, returned some books, had a sneezing fit and had to leave (I've been a bit sick lately..) and then bought some yuuuuummy jewish pastries from the bake shop. Nothing has prices but it's all pretty cheap and delicious.
I have many more blog posts in draft form which i'll try and get up later!
A good site to check out some more photos of last night around williamsburg is: freewilliamsburg.com
More soon from me in an extremely happy city right now..
We managed to get into saatchi and Saatchi to meet a lovely lady called Jane who is keen to get Tom and I some work. Yay here's hoping.
