Last night actress Kate Conway, series creator Jason Leaver, composer Adrian Ellis and producers Natalie O’Brien and Vanya Garraway were all on hand at an exclusive party, at which  Mark Greenspan, Executive Producer of nextMEDIA 2011 announced the “The List,” the definitive index of Canada’s digital elite and the 2011 nominees for this year’s Digi Awards. The Digi Awards are Canada’s premier showcase of the remarkable digital media companies, projects, products and pioneers that are putting Canada at the forefront of the international mediascape. There are 31 categories, and Out With Dad was nominated for Best Web Series: Drama. Fellow nominees include “Fabrique Moi Un Conte” and “Zieuter.tv“, both of which are produced for CBC Radio. We’re really really proud to be considered among the best of Canada’s digital community. On December 6th the DigiAward winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted in our own backyard, Toronto. Wish us luck!

Soul Train

By Jove it’s finally here!  SOUL TRAIN will hit the stage on September 16th, at The Great Hall!  For tickets and information, see:

http://soultrainto.eventbrite.com/

TEDxTO 2011

I’m writing material for a collaborative work of interactive music for TEDx Toronto 2011, which will be happening on Sept. 23rd.  My friend and colleague Drasko V is the mastermind behind this innovative piece (which features many artists including Richard Devine) and he will also be performing live at the event.

More Musicals!

I’m in the process of writing the first in a series of songs from a musical about the life of Lillian H. Smith, Toronto’s first children’s librarian.  I head into the studio to record vocals in mid-September.  It’s practically criminal how fun it is writing in the style of Mary Poppins!

TIFF 2011

I’m heading to TIFF to see some films, attend some panels, and shake some hands!  I always enjoy meeting filmmakers and creatives of all kinds, so if you’re going to be there, get in touch!!

Out With Dad

Have you been keeping up with the 2nd season of this award winning show?   Wow – it’s an intense season, full of incredible scenes and amazing performances.  I couldn’t be prouder of our cast and crew.  Check it out!

Daily Planet

The premiere show of the 17th Season of this flagship Discovery Channel Canada show opened with a band on August 29th.  I love it – the new set, Dan Riskin as the new co-host to Ziya Tong; the energy is just through the roof.  Oh yea, the new version of my theme is pretty cool too

Dan Beausoleil

The album is mixed and out the door!  Dan is currently the front runner in The Vox Music Competition, and we are all rooting for him!

When The Hero Comes Home – Book Trailer

What’s a book trailer you ask?  See the video below and be enlightened!  I wrote some heroic music for this little promotional piece shot and edited by my good friend Jason Leaver.

I’m also back to writing the score for the popular award winning webseries Out With Dad (www.outwithdad.com).  Going into it’s second season on July 7th, the show has garnered nearly 1.5 million views (um, congrats guys!!!), and was awarded a 2010 Indie Soap Award for Outstanding Use of Music.  The new season is going to be AMAZING – check out the trailer here (if you get through it without tearing up,

Singer/songwriter and social media superstar Miss Late July (http://miss.latejuly.ca/) released her sophomore EP, Hospital Quiet this Spring, which I produced and arranged.  It features stark, cinematic soundscapes, emotional storytelling, and lush string arrangements and was again mixed & mastered by Andy Magoffin (Great Lake Swimmers, The Hidden Cameras, The Constantines, Royal City).  Miss Late July is currently playing shows in Toronto with indie darlings The Elwins and Will Currie and the Country French.  I’m really proud of this EP, which Miss LJ likes to call her ‘sadcore’ album.  My favorite tracks are Good Behavior, Parkdale, and What’s Left.  I’m currently working with the talented Dan Beausoleil on his yet-to-be-titled debut – we’re in the studio laying down tracks this week, and then I mix through July.  Stay tuned!

Again, I’m plagued by media black-outs and Non-disclosure Agreements, and some of the most exciting stuff that’s cooking away in the background I CAN’T TALK ABOUT!  Mostly for karmic reasons.  At any rate, I’m blessed to have an incredible group of super talented friends, and I’m really excited to share some news in the (hopefully near) future – it’s definitely shaping up to be the BSE (Best Summer EVER).

http://worldwideshortfilmfest.com/symposium/#shoot

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Room VC 215 Buy Now
PANEL: They Shoot! They Score! Music & Film
Presented By Screen Composers Guild of Canada & SOCAN
Having your film scored may arguably be one of the most mysterious, terrifying, and exciting aspects of the filmmaking process. Join us as we talk candidly about how filmmakers and composers can connect, effectively communicate, and collaborate as a winning team. We’ll look at the role of music in film, the process of scoring to picture (with examples from working composers), as well as the business side of the equation including budgets, rights, and royalties.
Moderator: Adrian Ellis, Composer, THE UNINVITED
Panelist:
John Rowley, Composer, DEFENDOR
Nicolas Brault, Director, THE CIRCUS
Pierre Yves Drapeau

Just got the news that Out With Dad has won in the category of Best Use of Music at the 2nd Annual Indie Soap Awards held in New York City!

http://www.welovesoaps.net/2011/02/winners-2nd-annual-indie-soap-awards.html

A huge congrats to everyone on the team, who are heading back from NYC as I write – looking forward to celebrating on your return!

In addition to breaking 1/2 a million views, Out With Dad is starting to rack up nominations for a number of awards, including the following from the Indie Soap Awards:

OUTSTANDING USE OF MUSIC

OUSTANDING LEAD ACTOR – Will Conlon

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE – Kate Conway

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING – Jason Leaver

OUTSTANDING WRITING – Jason Leaver

Congrats to everyone on the team!  There’s lots of additional and exciting OWD news, but alas I am not allowed to share it yet, DAMN THIS PRESS BLACKOUT THE PEOPLE MUST KNOW THE TRUTH!!

You can watch Daily Planet twice daily on Discovery Channel Canada, or online at Discovery.ca

Here are three variations on the theme I composed for Discovery Canada’s Daily Planet (used with permission):

I had a wonderful time producing and writing the string arrangements for this record with the talented Nicole Simone aka Miss Late July, and musicians Dave Paoli (Guitar), Martin Dulac (Drums) Ben Kobayashi (Keyboards/Piano), and Chris Osti (Bass).  Once again, I also called in long time collaborator Michael McGuffin, to record strings and clarinet.  Both records were mixed and mastered by Andy Magoffin at the House of Miracles.

Here’s a little preview:

Here is the infectious Literary Kings, from 2010′s Sideswept, which I produced and played on.

And finally Side Swept – in a charming video by Jason Leaver of Out With Dad!