A track on So You Think You Can Dance America? Yep - I don't believe it either. And now opening the SYTYCD Live tour??? No - way - And I am the first one to admit that it is far more about the genius of Kelley Abbey than much to do with me.
But I will say this - it was a dream to work with Kelley and Max Lambert in the creation of the track, through its various incantations. I learnt so much about writing for dance - accents, fill, drive, support, space. A complete masterclass for me.
I hope you guys enjoyed the performance. I'm sorry to say the track isn't available for download - though if you look around on the internets you'll find some footage of it and Kelley's amazing choreography. The link for the show's performance is here but I love the live version above as well
Thanks to all of the people that have had part in its evolution, Oscar Jimenez for his tongue twisting rap, and the always awesome Glen Hannah on guitar. Chuffed. Proud.
I'm very proud to announce that my music for the Giggle and Hoot Christmas Special has been shortlisted for "Best Music For Children's Television" in the 2011 APRA / AGSC Screen Music Awards!
The Christmas special was a complete hoot to put together with the awesome and hardworking Giggle and Hoot team of Jan Stradling, Natalie Robinson - Hurst, Clare Gerber, Bryson Hall, and Karin Fitzhardinge. James Rees and Hamish Fletcher did their usual brilliant job on the songs. We were all in tears from Hamish's performance of Hoot's Lament, and his little sobbing "Hoo-Hoo-Hoots". Shniiiifff!
The idiot glee of "Christmas Christmas Christmas" is still shouted to and from various members of the Giggle and Hoot Team, and I'm always pleased to find music that deserves a baritone sax solo. I hope you enjoy the "Christmas Special" as much as we all enjoyed making it - you can watch it on air again this Christmas, or enjoy the youtube link above!
I'm very proud to announce I have created the music for the new Play School titles. The gorgeous images above are from Animal Logic, and the vocals are by Jay Laga'aia and Justine Clarke. Playschool is a longtime favourite show of mine, and the music was such a part of my growing up, that to be able to contribute to the show like this meant a lot to me. Special thanks to Jan Stradling for asking ... Hope you enjoy it!
Picture ... yourself ... on a ... gig .. with the Shat!
Yes. The Shat. Captain Kirk. TJ Hooker. Denny Crane. The Maaaaaaan. When I got the call that they needed a backing track for William Shatner to perform his unique brand of performance poetry to, it was a drop everything moment.
I've actually been a fan of The Transformed Man's special performances for many years, and the idea of being able to in some small way emulate their genius was just incredible. It was decided that Bill would perform "Down Under". I built the backing track with my good friend, and Denny Crane fan, Glen Hannah on guitar, and headed off to the first rehearsal where Bill was needing just a little help to come in at times. I suggested maybe a little conducting might help and suddenly found myself on the national tour, waggling my arms at my new best mate Bill.
Bill was nothing but a complete professional - and I say this as as an immense compliment - a trouper of the highest order. His first and only concern for the shows was to give his audiences a top performance every show. I suggested we could take our act on the road - call it "Sean and The Shat!", though grudgingly admitted he could have top billing if he really wanted.
It climaxed on the final evening with Bill wanting to do just one more song. A long time fan of "Waltzing Matilda" we rustled up a set of lyrics and tried it in Bill's dressing room - It was awesome. Thanks to the flexible and incredible staff of QPAC we found a grand piano, and wheeled it out onstage to give the Queensland audience a reading of our National Song that they , and I will never forget.
Awesome fun - a complete pleasure - and honour! The Shat forever!!!
My score for "The Adventures of Charlotte and Henry" won Best Children's Music in the 2009 Screen Music Awards ... and we were also nominated for an AFI - Best Children's Animation!!!
Based on the books by Australian authour Bob Graham, the movie tells the story of two very different ten year olds and the trials and tribulations of their friendship.
The score ended up being terrific fun. I commented at the time that it felt more like I was working on a rom-com than a kids film. It was such a smart and funny script, and the characters were so nicely drawn. I went for a traditional orchestral score - augmented with some vocalese, provided by the ever versatile Kath Ellis. I also had to make a punk-rock-pop song, "Loving You Baby" and managed to reunite with an old friend Simon Shapiro, who provided the ball tearing vocals for the song. It was also good to work with old friend Glen Hannah who has returned to music after a long period of graphic design. Nice to have you back Glen.
Working on such a wonderful piece of writing was a total pleasure, with the script made by some ex Playhouse Disney friends, Tammy Burnstock, Jan Stradling and Executive producer Paige Livingstone amongst others. It was also the first time I'd worked with director Steve Trenbirth and his MadCow Pictures. Having never worked on a feature length animation before it was fascinating watching the process evolve from storyboard to animatic and then through the various drafts of animation to such a beautiful and detailed final product.
