--- bencrippintaylor@gmail.com --- |
News --- August 18th, 2010 - Last night I spent some time researching indeterminacy in music for an upcoming film project (can't officially announce it yet). During this process I came across this excerpt from a documentary film directed by Miroslav Sebestik about genius composer, philosopher and conceptual artist John Cage. I loved this quote from the video so much that I transcribed it and am going to put it up on the wall of my studio: If I look at a Coca Cola bottle and then look at another Coca Cola bottle, I want to forget the first Coca Cola bottle in order to see the second Coca Cola bottle as being original - and it is original! because it is in a different position in space and time, and light is shining on it differently - so that no two Coca Cola bottles are the same. - John Cage --- August 16th, 2010 - Here's a link to MassMOCA's blog about BOAC Summerfest where you can see pictures and read about what we were doing in the Berkshires. --- August 12th, 2010 - Working on the score for the final episode of Season 2 of Drop Dead Diva. It's a crazy story - and there's lots of music! In other news, I've been incorporating avant garde piano techniques (like slamming my forearm onto the keys) into my pop playing, listening to lots of John Cage and encourage you all to check out Supercollider: http://supercollider.ch/ --- August 2nd, 2010 - Got back from BOAC MassMOCA on Sunday where I conducted "Zap" by Christine Southworth (a piece for chamber orchestra and Van de Graaf generator) in the 6hr Marathon Concert. I present the following anecdote to describe how rejuvenated and inspired I feel after this 3 week experimental music extravaganza in the Berkshire Mountains surrounded by world-class musicians, concerts and ideas: Last night I was hanging at dinner with a friend and realized my legs were shaking. I stood up next to our table at dinner and bounced around like a jogger waiting at a stoplight as the waitress brought us our check. Driving my car home I was afraid to step on the pedals for fear I would lurch us off the road. I couldn't figure out what it was - cramped from sitting on the airplane 6 hrs the day before? Newly developed restless leg syndrome? Overcaffeinated? None of these. I had creative energy flowing through my veins that was manifesting in a physical sensation - it was my body telling me I HAD to exert this energy somehow. So I hopped to the piano and played for a while. This got it out. I can't remember the last time I played like that or felt this great. So... thanks Bang On A Can! --- July 5th, 2010 - It's been a crazy summer - lot's of playing gigs and Drop Dead Diva is running full force. This Friday July 9th I'm playing at Nic's Martini Lounge in Beverly Hills for a going away show, then I'm off to MassMOCA in North Adams, MA for a 3 week seminar where I'll study conducting with Brad Lubman at the Bang On A Can Summer Festival (some call this Banglewood). I'm looking forward to being surrounded by wonderful musicians, great music and hopefully awesome weather in the Berkshire Mountains. That's not to mention enjoying a much needed break from the LA hustle! Here's a link to check out what I'll be doing there: --- April 30th, 2010 - Delivered the score for "Crushing Violet" today! Congrats to the cast and crew and a special thanks to Chris Hartz for his featured drum and percussion performance on the score. You can hear a few excerpts on my reel. --- March 17th, 2010 - Season 5 of "Supernatural" coming up on its 100th episode. And we'll start work on the "Drop Dead Diva" score in 2 weeks. Looking forward to Summer in LA! --- March 7th, 2010 - I've been playing out a lot this year, so far @ Nic's, Hotel Café and Piano Bar. Playing in different live bands helps the production chops and keeps me inspired - gets me back to my roots as a jazz improviser. --- March 2nd, 2010- Demoing for "Crushing Violet" dir. by Joe Della Rosa. Going to be an emotional, contemporary pop-driven score inspired by the music of Phoenix and Thomas Newman. Thanks Joe: for a break from the scary stuff and for entrusting me to set the tone for your awesome movie! --- February 27th, 2010 - Just got a call to score "Passenger", a sci-fi thriller pilot/webisode created by Al Galvez. Looking forward to the launch in April! --- January 8th, 2010 - Unfortunately "Porter Juber King" broke up, so we won't be playing any shows this month. It's hard to let it go, but I'm optimistic, as all three girls are super talented and I know they are destined for greatness, whether it's together or separately! We'll all just have to hang tight and see what happens next... --- January 4th, 2010 - I'm thrilled to announce I'm the keyboardist for "Porter, Juber, King", a developing folk/pop project produced by Randy Jackson. Stay tuned for upcoming shows in early 2010. Can't wait for you to hear the music! --- January 1st, 2010 - Happy New Year! Thank you for a year of support! I reorganized the "reel" section of my site, and added 3 tracks I'm most proud of from the Xera advertising project I'm working on. --- December 11, 2009 - Went to the "The Seen Also In Men" premiere tonight, which is a great documentary about single black fathers that I scored recently. --- Dec 1st, 2009 - Submitted "Flying (Finally Fine)", co-written and co-produced by Daniel Walter and me and performed by Jacob Luttrell, for the International Songwriters Competition. We'll hear the results in April. In the meantime you can check it out on my Reel. October 19, 2009 - Delivered the first Xera cue today. --- October 8, 2009 - Finished "Finally Fine", a song I co-wrote and produced with Daniel Walter, which we submitted to the International Songwriter's Competition. --- October 1st, 2009 - "Omie Wise" got into the Big Apple Film Festival. --- September 6th, 2009 - Gone was mixed on Friday and will be submitted to Sundance and other festivals this month. I just added the main title, "Ode To The Man In Black", to my reel. --- August 19th, 2009 - Announced today: Drop Dead Diva has been picked up for another season!  --- August 7th, 2009 - Composing music for "Gone" (dir. David Brooks, prod. Dan Clifton, Gian Colombo, David Brooks). --- August 1st, 2009 - Working on music for "K Citizen" (written/directed Stephane and Philippe Tullio), a 27 minute film with 22 minutes of music. Will be recording with a string orchestra contracted by Peter Rotter in a few weeks. Very excited for that. --- July 16th, 2009 - Just posted new music to my reel. The Main Title from Drop Dead Diva and 3 tracks from the final Omie Wise score. --- July 14th, 2009 - I spent the weekend co-producing and arranging the Main Title for Drop Dead Diva with Scott Starrett (writer/co-producer), Alix Gitter (Lead Vocals) and Brian Taylor (Guitars, Drum Progamming, Mixer). Check it out every week on Lifetime starting this Sunday July 19 @ 9 PM PST.--- July 9th, 2009 - Done with the Omie Wise score, featuring strings by Tom Lea and Robert Matsuda and banjo by Tao Rodriguez-Seeger. The film will be submitted to major festivals this Fall. --- June 1st, 2009 - I'm arranging, orchestrating and co-producing NY-based indie band Nick and Jake’s debut album New Shades of Blue. We just completed round two of recording: strings, horns and lead vocals at AM Studios in New York City. We will be recording background vocals and keyboards in the next few weeks, then on to editing, mixing and mastering. Look for the finished product this Fall 2009. This has been a tremendous opportunity to work with my talented twin brother Brian Taylor, co-producer, engineer, and mixer, and many other talented musicians. --- June 1st, 2009 - Summer 2009 also marks the end of composing and producing the score for Candlefly Production’s short film Omie Wise, directed by Dylan Tuccillo. The score features American folk instruments, string orchestra and electronic sound design elements. Watch the trailer here: Omie Wise Trailer.--- June 1st, 2009 - I was recently hired by Bruce Sterling and AEI Artist Management as keyboardist for their developing artist L’Michelle. Performance schedule TBA. --- June 1st, 2009 - I'm assistant to TV composer Jay Gruska. This Summer we are working on music for ABC Family’s Ruby and the Rockits featuring David and Patrick Cassidy. We are preparing for the 5th season of The CW’s Supernatural Fall Season 2009. --- June 1st, 2009 - I'm an orchestrator the 2009 Lifetime Original TV Series Drop Dead Diva, working with composer Scott Starrett. --- --- June 1st, 2009 - I finally launched bencrippintaylor.com. |
