WFR:
The project we're currently calling Wilson, Fifer, & Rose has been moving along quite nicely. We've gotten every song that we plan to record started. We're tentatively planning to have a 15 song track list, but at this point we have 17 songs to choose from. We're enjoying the process of arranging and recording quite a bit. Here's an example of what we're like at a typical rehearsal:
We've managed to do some live gigs as well. There will be more (in some capacity at least) in the future.
Collaboration in the immediate sense is very satisfying, that is, sitting across from one another and bouncing ideas back and forth. Different input, influences, voices, etc all make for coloring your reaction and choices. I've always found it interesting (and difficult) to have to record things according to another person's schedule (I think this isn't new for most people who try to work with others... it just comes with the territory). For me, as a song writer, I don't like to do anything if I don't feel I'm ready. I like to tweak lyrics. Change a few notes in the chorus. Add all the drums, and rhythm guitars since the instrumentation and feel of a song completely changes how you deliver the vocal.
Philhelmon:
Since Philhelmon is a virtual band and most of the members are from another country I'm looking for ways to feature the music (and sell CDs!!) from "Enjoy..." by playing it with my other group. Here's Wilson, Fifer, & Rose playing "dance the night away." Go easy on us, it's only the 2nd time we've ever sung it together.
I would also like to add that many of the drums on "Enjoy..." are played by a talanted guy named Magnus Brendell who's a Berklee educated polyrhythmic drummer with mad chops! Henk utilized some of his drum loop libraries and built many of the songs around them! For those of you that aren't recording geeks, drum loops are pre-recorded in professional studios with state the art technology and sold so that musicians can record to some of their favorite famous drummers. Magnus is a stellar musician and to have him like our album is very high praise. Here's what he said on Henk's page:
Theatre:
Much to my suprise, many people are unaware of the fact that I like to perform in musical theatre shows. I recently completed a show called "the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" in which I played a bratty boyscout. Super fun cast, and great experience.
Misc:
Because of varying schedule difficulties, I've had to put off some other projects out of necessity which is unfortunate, but par for the course. As things start to normalize again, hopefully I'll be able to dig back into the Steve Vincent project (this is first on my list in conjuction with WFR and playing that music Live), youtube cover videos (this next one's gonna be bodacious!), my Ginchy solo album, a rock album that's just starting taking shape, as well as a few other little things I've got rattling around in my head. Yeesh... I do have some film scores to finish that I've put off for a little longer than I originally planned too.
I keep waiting for things to slow down, but it's just now occurring to me that I'm happy to be busy doing new and creative projects for the rest of my life. So I don't see it slowing down anytime soon... which is just fine by me.