11th YEAR ANNIVERSARY
This year is my 11th year working for HiT Entertainment/Mattel. It has been a real honour and privilege to be a core creative on one of their most successful children’s properties.
ODYSSEY – PIANO & ELECTRONICS
ODYSSEY is a track from my forthcoming album ‘PIANO & ELECTRONICS’. Using a repetitive analogue 7/4 drum pattern that works as part of a polyrhythmic wash, the angular bass line was written first to try and push for overly long progressions that don’t quite flow. Arp Odyssey features as the jagged lead line with Moog Model D on sequenced bass and sequential Prophet 6 on high pads.
NOVEMBER RAIN – PIANO & ELECTRONICS
A crude, arrhythmic, 80’s drum machine played through a broken speaker…set against minimalist piano, Moog Sub 37 bass, Moog Model D lead and Mellotron flutes.
KUSAMAKURA – PIANO & ELECTRONICS
A long arrhythmic drum machine pattern played through an old wooden speaker cabinet, upright piano chords, sequenced Moog Model D and Mellotron flute playing angular melodies against detached static chord sequences that seemingly lead nowhere.
DESERT NEON – PIANO & ELECTRONICS
This is a track from my forth-coming album ‘PIANO & ELECTRONICS’. It was inspired by the writing of Jorge Luis Borges. Instrumentation includes Moog Model D on lead, Mellotron on flutes, Moog Sub 37 on bass and Sequential Prophet 6 on pads. I’m interested in Polyrhythms, random, long melodic phrases and the unexpected.
PIANO & ELECTRONICS
A new album is finally underway. Piano & Electronics is, as the title suggests, acoustic piano against a backdrop of analogue synthesisers and vintage drum machines. In an era of mind numbing repetition, drones and throw away short themes, I am consciously pushing against the grain with overly long melodic phrases, interesting chord progressions and arrhythmic drum patterns. Hopefully this leads to something interesting and meaningful!
BBC COMPOSER-IN-RESIDENCE
It was a huge honour to be appointed Composer-In-Residence to the BBC in London. I composed the music to 36 productions and was lucky enough to be the recipient of several UK industry awards for my work. Highlights include I, Claudius, Peter Pan In Scarlet, The Birds, Where The Wild Things Are, Richard III, Witness: The Gospel According to Luke, The City Speaks & The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
MOOG MODEL D
The latest addition to the studio is the Moog Model D, a limited edition reissue of the classic 1970s analogue synthesiser. The sound is so distinctive and beautiful…and this was the last one available in Australia!
MATTEL FIREMAN SAM SET FOR ACTION
The latest and greatest Fireman Sam film stars John Barrowman and premiered globally on October 22nd 2018. Head to KIDS SOUNDTRACKS to hear samples of the soundtrack or listen here:
BBC I, CLAUDIUS
I was commissioned by the BBC to compose the soundtrack for the new series of Robert Graves’ I, Claudius. The original series was broadcast in the 70’s and gained cult status. This new critically acclaimed production stars Derek Jacobi, Tim Mckinnerny and Tom Goodman-Hill and won the Audie Award.
MATTEL FIREMAN SAM SERIES 11
Series 11 of Fireman Sam has just been given the green light, so its back to Pontypandy I go. The world of Fireman Sam has expanded considerably with new characters, locations and vehicles so that means more themes and a greater musical palette. This will be my 6th series and 4th feature film of Fireman Sam.
MOOG MOTHER 32 X 2
I’m slowly building my new modular system and to kick things off I have installed two semi-modular Moog Mother 32’s…and they sound gorgeous. The modular system will run alongside my Moog Sub 37, Moog Voyager, Korg Arp Odyssey, Sequential Prophet 6, Korg Minilogue and Arturia Minibrute.
SEQUENTIAL PROPHET 6. MOOG SUB 37.
New additions to the studio include the newly released Sequential Prophet 6 and Moog Sub 37. Two beautiful analogue Synthesisers that compliment each other perfectly.
IN PRODUCTION…
Currently in production, Alien Alert is the the latest Fireman Sam film that sees Sam take on alien invaders. David Tennant (Dr Who) stars in this latest feature. I am busy in the studio working on my 50’s theremin and modular synthesis techniques.
TATE MODERN: CREATIVE SOUND
I have been busy creating and presenting contemporary sound courses at the TATE Modern in London. These theoretical and practical courses explore the history of contemporary art music and study the methodologies employed by composers and sound artists. It’s a real buzz to share my passion for 20th Century art music in such a prestigious gallery!
BRISBANE POWERHOUSE GENERATOR: AUDIO GUIDE
The Brisbane Powerhouse is a beautiful old building that has a rich and dramatic history. I spent a month interviewing and recording old powerhouse workers, historians, architects, politicians, graffiti artists (including Blek Le Rat), protestors and engineers and then I pieced all the narratives together with location sound and music to convey the buildings history. It is as epic as it sounds. GENERATOR is now available as an app on the App Store.
BBC RICHARD III
To celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday the BBC broadcast the classic 2004 production of Richard III starring Douglas Henshall and Geraldine James. I composed the soundtrack which features gamelan, 24 inch gong, dragon drum, shakers and extended playing techniques on the violin and cello.
ABC CLASSIC FM INTERVIEW
A long-standing dream has been realised. I was interviewed by Legendary Australian broadcaster, Margaret Throsby on ABC Classic FM. I talked about my life, my musical career and my love of radio drama and film. I also chose the music for the hour long program.
MATTEL FIREMAN SAM HEROES OF THE STORM
The latest Fireman Sam film is showing in cinemas around the world. This is probably one of Sam’s most epic adventures as he tries to save Pontypandy from a hurricane. The film is receiving 5 star reviews from fans and critics alike and it is now being broadcast in the US as Ultimate Heroes.
WITNESS BY NIK WARBURTON
I’m a massive fan of British writer Nik Warburton and have been lucky enough to write music for several of his works. Witness is based on the Gospel of Luke and examines the life of Christ through the eyes of those around him. I wanted the music to have an obvious regional influence, but also to be a constant ‘shadow in the corner’ symbolising the marking of time and the inevitable crucifixion. Witness is a BBC production and has received 5 star reviews and multiple awards.
