June 30, 2010 by benjie
I took my Bad Cactus boys on tour last month, up to Utah and back, and it was a ton of fun! We’re definitely thinking about more doing a more extensive tour next summer, so let me know if you want us to come visit you! Our traditional album, Arizona Mardi Gras, is coming out in the fall, and we’ve been rehearsing a bunch of original tunes with a more modern influence, to bring the band into the 21st century. And we have a great new tuba player, so I’m back in the trombone section!
My Electronic Music I course at Phoenix College is going great. Students are learning about creating music on the computer, I’m learning about teaching, and we’re all having a good time. My home studio is mostly up and running now, though I still have a few more pieces to fit into place before it’s the equal of my studio at OLM. Also, I’m planning a trip to LA at the beginning of August to meet and talk with professional film composers, and particularly to attend Ron Jones’ Ravel Orchestration Study Group.
My latest arranging work is a collection of patriotic music for our new “Special Events” category at Spiritrax, just in time for July 4th. Click through to listen- I’m proud of these arrangements, and they’re selling quite well.
January 7, 2010 by benjie
It’s been a few months since I wrote- I’ve just been having too much fun with Bad Cactus Brass Band! We had a packed December, performing at the Desert Botanical Garden’s twenty Luminaria Nights, as well as various tree-lighting parties around town. In the spirit of New Years resolutions, we’re shooting to record our first album soon. We’ll be recording it at a live show sometime in the next few months- I’ll post more details when I know more. We’re also looking ahead to Mardi Gras in February, which should be our next really busy season.
I’ve had a nice break from composing, but it’s time to jump back in. This month I’ll be working on the latest episode of Carol Benwell’s “Stand Up Guy”, and writing music for a short film by the Rebel Filmmaker AZ Group titled “Of Blood and Gin.”
At One Light Music, we finally released the first-ever complete karaoke Messiah, which helped push Spiritrax through a great holiday season. We’ve done a few musicals for Desert Stages Theater and a Sondheim collection for Stage Stars Records. We’re also working on some extensive back-end changes to improve the functionality of Productiontrax and give it room to grow.
September 23, 2009 by benjie
The Bad Cactus Brass Band has been playing a ton of gigs, having a great time, and sounding awesome. Jim Phillips of the Arizona Classic Jazz Society came to our last show at the Lost Leaf, and described us excitedly as what it would have been like “if Bix Biederbecke had a garage band.” We have many more dates coming up, and it’s always a good time, so if you’re free, come by and say hi! I’ve also been sitting in a bit with the Digital Blues Band and the Sugarthieves, but most of my focus has been on Bad Cactus. The band knows 3-4 hours of material by now. We also have our first “spin-off” gig coming up, where we get to break out our polka and klezmer books- fun!
In composing, I finished the music for “Got Milk?”, a short comedy by Chris Redish. It’s included as a bonus on the DVD with his film “20% Off”, and it’ll be making the festival rounds over the next few months. It’s not available online- some of the festivals he’s entering it in won’t screen it if it’s been broadcast. I also wrote a theme for Carol Benwell’s web comedy series “Stand Up Guy”, and scored episode 3, “Good Cop Bad Cop”.
Work has been busy. We finished a huge musical for Desert Stages, and I’m doing a batch of miscellaneous tracks for Stage Stars Records, and then hopefully turning my attention to finishing the Messiah and bulking up the winter holiday content on Spiritrax. Productiontrax has been growing by leaps and bounds too, particularly the stock video section.
Some other news: At Best Derivative has been picked up for distribution! The entertainment company that bought the rights is aiming to re-release the 2-disc DVD nationwide on November 17th. I’ll be very curious to see where it ends up- if you see it at a video store, or on demand in a hotel or something, let me know!
June 19, 2009 by benjie
We have a lot of musicals in the office this month- one for Desert Stages here in Scottsdale, another for Children’s Musical Theaterworks in Fresno, Cali., mastering The Wizard of Oz and Little Shop of Horrors albums for Stage Stars, and David’s orchestrating an original Gerry Cullity musical for Desert Stages- all due in the next two weeks. I also fit in some karaoke arrangements of patriotic songs for Spiritrax, just in time for July 4th events, and they’ve been selling well.
In the composing department, I’m finishing a 5-minute comedy for SCC senior Chris Redish, entitled “Got Milk?” I’ve also been offered the next episode of the web comedy series Stand-Up Guy by local producer Carol Benwell, so that’s next in line. And Ryan and Jeremy (of At Best Derivative-fame) are starting pre-production for their next movie, a historical Western about Arizona lawman Commodore Perry Owens. I’m super-excited to do another feature- but I’m also glad I have another year or so before it takes over my life. Speaking of, the DVD of ABD has finally been released- it’s at the Friar’s Lantern store.
The Bad Cactus Brass Band has had a promising first month. We’ve recorded a solid demo, which is up at badcactusbrassband.com, and band photos and gigs are in the works. Our first show is on July 8, opening for the Sugarthieves at the Sail Inn.
I’ve also been practicing trombone every morning before work. Besides Bad Cactus, I’ve played this month with Renee Patrick, the Sugarthieves, the Jazz Alliance, and David Bernstein, as well as at the jam sessions at Pita Jungle and 98 South in Chandler.
September 19, 2008 by benjie
I did some songs for Spiritrax six months ago that only just got online now. Listening back now, they didn’t sound so great and I had to remix them, which is good- it means I’ve gotten better in the last six months. Anyway, they should sound acceptable now.
My latest installment in the upcoming complete karaoke Messiah.
Rock band with renaissance orchestra. Big huge sound for Easter etc.
This is the most common klezmer melody to this Passover hymn.
And this is the older, more well-known melody, in an orchestral setting.
Reggae-style.
Jazz trio, a la Moondance.
March 12, 2008 by benjie
Spent last week at work stocking up Spiritrax for Easter. No vocals yet, but some of you probably know the Ode to Joy and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Started today on our latest musical for Stage Stars, The Little Mermaid- yes, the Disney one, with music is by Alan Menken. I actually saw this in the movie theater when it came out and loved it- a 12-year-old romantic, and not the only one in the theater, I’m sure.
January 17, 2008 by benjie
Vocals have been recorded for two more Spiritrax ditties:
Were You ThereBlatantly gory lyrics like this make me see Christianity as a superstitious cult that tells horror stories to children. But it was fun doing all the rain and thunder.
January 6, 2008 by benjie
I spent most of the last three months filling up Spiritrax with Christmas carols, and I’m SO GLAD “the holidays” are finally behind me for a little while at least. Most of them don’t have guide vocals yet, but I thought I’d mention them anyway, since a lot of people would know them. You can now see all my tracks at Spiritrax by clicking the Spiritrax link in the “Recordings” box on the left.
November 15, 2007 by benjie
A month ago, we got a visit from a wonderful, classically-trained soprano named Melissa Guiley. Guess I forgot to post them here at the time.
Wonderful Peace
I didn’t know this song before I arranged it, but it’s my new favorite. I feel like I managed a nice natural build through the arrangement.
Oh Chanukah
Just in time for the CCCCChhhhhhholiday.
S’vivon
For the klezmer kiddies. Melissa’s Jewish, so we got her to do these Chanukah tunes.
And Mandi Leigh did two more of my Christmas arrangements last week:
O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)
Pretty traditional.
Jingle Bells
When I put this on, Mandi said, “Oh, I’m in Disneyland!” I guess that’s sort’ve what I was going for.
Lots more, but I’ll post them once they have vocals.
October 8, 2007 by benjie
We ran out of friends to sing guide vocals for our Spiritrax songs, so we advertised for singers on Craigslist and were lucky to get a call from Mandi Leigh. Mandi just got back from a tour of the Carribbean and Central America, and is going on an American college tour soon to promote her debut album, so we were lucky to catch her while she had some down time. She sang over three of my arrangements and sounds just wonderful.
Oh Holy Night
This is an orchestral track, slow and dramatic, intended for a solo performance. I wrote this imagining my teacher Pam Wood singing it- she’s an astonishing soprano- but Mandi’s pop alto worked great.
My Country ‘Tis of Thee
Another classical track, but with a smaller orchestra. Trying to be sweet and not bombastic.
Go Tell It On the Mountain
A funky groove. I like the organ parts on this one.
