tag:kyfifer.com,2005:/blogs/wings-of-eternity?p=14Wings of Eternity2023-12-16T09:00:00-08:00Ky Fiferfalsetag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/73241522023-12-16T09:00:00-08:002023-12-25T09:44:02-08:00New Album: Beyond the Iron Curtain by the Ineffectuals<p>I am very pleased to announce that the new album “Beyond the Iron Curtain” by my internet band The Ineffectuals was released on 12/15/23! I love to write and record music in many different styles. The style of this one is Punk/Grunge which is what I listened to growing up. Listen to it here on all streaming services:</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://theineffectuals.hearnow.com/" target="_blank">https://theineffectuals.hearnow.com/</a></p><p>Lyrically the album touches on subjects like body image, toxic masculinity, and a myriad of issues. We've already been added to quite a few playlists on Spotify and the album is very well received so far. </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/72797082023-09-27T20:11:24-07:002023-10-16T07:59:48-07:00New TMBG Covers<p>Check out this fan made cover album that I contributed 3 tracks to! Listen to it <a class="no-pjax" href="https://tmbs.bandcamp.com/album/lincoln?fbclid=IwAR0Ty8KcaYUq_sHDLiLTd7iX7N03lrGaLI-b_kL2NS9ald9dE25rs8lQJWU" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">here!</a></p><ol>
<li>Lie Still Little Bottle - Sax, Vocals, and drums </li>
<li>Mr. Me - Horns, Queen-esque vocals and a big production</li>
<li>Kiss Me, Son of God - An Acapella duet with a friend I met online</li>
</ol>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/72688022023-09-05T01:14:44-07:002023-09-05T01:14:44-07:00New Collab: Sigh Figh<p>It's amazing how these things happen. You meet people online that are into the same things as you, and before you know it, you're collaborating on great original music! Enter John Walker, the brain behind Sigh Figh! I added a lot of Sax, Lead Guitars, Rhythm Guitars, Drums, Bass, and even backing vocals to this Beatle-esque project. Great songs on this and I'm quite proud of my work on this! For a free listen, go <a class="no-pjax" href="https://sighfigh.bandcamp.com/album/the-dashed-hopes-jokebook" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">here</a>. Please consider supporting him by buying it!</p><p> </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/71821782023-03-31T18:58:16-07:002023-03-31T19:00:45-07:00New Single: AFRICA<p>Wilson Fifer Rose’s cover of Africa (Featuring <a class="no-pjax" href="philhelmon.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">Philhelmon</a> and <a class="no-pjax" href="alessandrobertoni.com" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">Alessandro Bertoni</a>) is live on streaming services. This is a re-imagined version of our version of Toto’s classic song. We added so many harmonies and really over-hauled the rhythm section. It also has new Queen-like guitar harmonies. I’m quite proud of this mi!</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/unImFLlx4Hk" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">Here is the music video as well.</a></p><p>Thanks for checking it out!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/71381312023-01-14T17:00:00-08:002023-03-26T23:09:28-07:00Rolling Down Hill<p>I had the great pleasure of collaborating with John Walker on the latest Sigh Figh album "Rolling Up Hill". It's a delightful distraction that I recommend everyone imbibe in. I appreciate John's writing and propsensity for dense arrangements. He's always got a lot going on in in his tracks and I love that. All the songs are worthy of a listen, but here are the ones I contributed to:</p>
<p><strong>Time to Move Along</strong></p>
<p>I played bari sax on this one. Basically followed the bass-line. Such a great opening track. I mean, sometimes you just gotta get the hell outta there, amiright?</p>
<p><strong>I Won't Look</strong></p>
<p>I played guitars. My direction was to play something "psychedelic". I ended up going more Dear Prudence than Strawberry Fields, but I am pretty happy with the outcome. To me the sitar player and the tasteful lady backing vocals really add to the vibe.</p>
<p><strong>Showing</strong></p>
<p>Ah, that 60's brit-pop shuffle. This is like a Monkees Davy Jones song with lyrics that aren't vapid. I had a great time arranging and playing bari and alto sax on this one. I was thrilled that John kept my ending. I tend to just throw a bunch of stuff at an arrangement. I thought it was super cool that he used that horn bit I wrote to close his album.</p>
<p>LIsten to it here: <a contents="https://sighfigh.bandcamp.com/album/rolling-downhill" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sighfigh.bandcamp.com/album/rolling-downhill" target="_blank">https://sighfigh.bandcamp.com/album/rolling-downhill</a></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/71821832022-12-10T19:00:00-08:002023-03-31T19:00:45-07:00New Single: WRECKING BALL<p>Wilson Fifer Rose’s cover of Wrecking Ball is live on streaming services. This is a cover of the Miley Cyrus song. We added a lot of harmonies. Not our usual, but we enjoyed making it.</p><p>Thanks for checking it out!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/68892772022-02-04T20:55:29-08:002022-02-04T20:55:29-08:00Video Game Music?!<p>I wrote some video game music for a racing game called "Shadow Gear." Check out the game <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://hodgepodgegaragegames.itch.io/shadow-gear" target="_blank">here</a>:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/60522de0e76dd51108de441869577416396554f7/original/m41vyh.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/68839892022-01-30T14:22:06-08:002022-01-30T14:22:06-08:00Slug Sax: Ky Fy Mix<p>So - John Walker asked me to do some specific sax parts as part of his latest album. I did what he wanted the first night, but then... well I got inspired and did a TON of sax overdubs a week later. Unfortunately I got them to him a bit too late to make the actual album since he already had mixed it. BUT he liked what did a lot! So I was super pleased to hear he wanted to do a separate mix that incorporates more of the sax parts I composed for his latest single! Hear it here:</p>
<p>https://open.spotify.com/album/0uIqOTKO4PtcIDWJhzYp7o?si=Mv7A5kTiQHy2pZT1NskUPQ</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/897120f51cf6789f7549c8a6a1befefd2ccf9e8b/original/horrific-by-sigh-fight.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/68237292021-11-28T17:06:39-08:002021-11-28T17:06:39-08:00TMBP: Available on CD<p>It's out and available. <a contents="Get it here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thismightbeapodcast.com/" target="_blank">Get it here.</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/d1b21c2605964ba200f6ba6fc4bd017679e4c8dd/original/1ca26a42-a6f6-42bf-80a2-73a862cf0702.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/faf33bd0555292628f078ec2a12969bca8a93512/original/img-3499.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/bb49957f46e7b7d9e1bcc6fc5d91924ce2d686b7/original/b045ead9-04a9-4c38-9811-3cc6b9f28a3b.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/68237262021-10-09T16:00:00-07:002021-11-28T16:49:07-08:00Sigh Figh Collab: Slugs & Sax<p>I was invited to play and arrange sax on Sigh Figh's exquisite new album "Horrific". Specifically, you can hear me on the track "Toxic Mollusk Entity" which is track 11. I recommend checking out the entire album if you like new wave and They Might be Giants. It appears to be a concept album about horror which is just the kind of thing I like.</p>
<p><a contents="Get it here!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sighfigh.bandcamp.com/album/horrific" target="_blank">Get it here!</a></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sighfigh.bandcamp.com/album/horrific" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/897120f51cf6789f7549c8a6a1befefd2ccf9e8b/original/horrific-by-sigh-fight.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/67651862021-10-03T19:18:17-07:002021-10-03T19:18:17-07:00Jellyfest<p>For those of you who aren't aware, one of my favorite bands is Jellyfish. I was invited to partake in an online festival celebrating the band - and I of course had to oblige! The festival includes contributions from other artists who perform, as well as the members of Jellyfish making appearances with interviews and live performances!!! Such an honor to pay homage to this fabulous band. Check out my version of their song "Sebrina, Paste, and Plato" complete with my interview immediately after where I talk with the festival's organizer, Paul aka "Pablo Melons".</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="fRnNf5PGrxM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/fRnNf5PGrxM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fRnNf5PGrxM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/67028412021-07-30T19:21:10-07:002021-07-30T19:21:10-07:00TMBP Compilation!<p>I was invited to collaborate with a bunch of fabulous people to create a high quality compilation of one of my favorite band's music! Right now I am not 100% sure what will make it on the compilation album, but I have already contributed bass and drums to 2 covers (<em>Mr. Me</em> and <em>Spiraling Shape</em>), bass and guitar on a cover of <em>Welcome To the Jungle (gym)</em>, will be contributing the music and vocals for a Latin version of <em>Birdhouse in Your Soul</em>, and also a 100% all me cover of <em>Destination Moon</em>. This will be available in limited supply for physical release as well as on streaming services!</p>
<p>The most important aspect of this is that it is a benefit compilation to help a young boy with cancer. All proceeds go to his family to cover healthcare costs. Here is the kiddo - Garett is on chemo and has been feeling pretty sick lately, but was still game to get this picture with</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/d3ecfd5a077a29193d1bef944ff4eef037b7aa1c/original/tmbp-compilation.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>PreOrder to support Garrett <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/li53DfHi6gw" target="_blank">here</a></p>
<p>And here is a preview of some of the more famous bands involved in the compilation:</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="li53DfHi6gw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/li53DfHi6gw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/li53DfHi6gw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/66778732021-07-03T00:22:15-07:002021-07-03T00:22:15-07:00KO Theory: Lay Down Music Video<p>I finally had time to take footage captured months ago and create this music video for my music collective KO Theory. I'm very pleased with how it turned out. It's always a mixed bag when you get footage from multiple sources - especially when you collaborate with people all over the world!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="rz0ptWZfP8Y" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/rz0ptWZfP8Y/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rz0ptWZfP8Y?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/66778582021-07-03T00:15:02-07:002021-07-03T00:15:02-07:00This Might be A Podcast: Saxes<p>I had the great pleasure of speaking with some fellow They Might Be Giants fans on one of my favorite podcasts, This Might Be A Podcast, hosted by Greg Simpson! Become a patron of the podcast to hear this exclusive episode where we talk about sax motifs, arrangements, and just generally nerd out on one of the greatest bands of all time.</p>
<p><a contents="To Listen to the Podcast, go here and become a Patron!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.patreon.com/ThisMightBeAPodcast/posts" target="_blank">To Listen to the Podcast, go here and become a Patron!</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/831239d3b68fc3172f273d99a0311394e056eeae/original/sax-episode.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/67028282021-07-02T18:00:00-07:002021-07-30T18:54:00-07:00Roman Songs: Cover EP<p>I was invited to contribute to an extremely cool project! John Linnell of They Might Be Giants fame (you may or may not know that they are one of my favorite bands of all time) has released a four song EP - and all the songs are in LATIN. I know,... I heard an interview he gave and he said it was purely for fun. He basically didn't want to inadvertantly appropriate someone else's langauge, but wanted to stretch himself as a songwriter, so he chose to write in a dead language. Very funny and exactly what the kind of surprise that isn't surprising if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>As soon as we learned about it, we started recording the songs and they are done! I am very happy with how mine turned out. To change it up, I decided to sing mine in English. All of the covers turned out amazing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>TECVM CIRCVMABVLARE NOLO - Greg Simpson </strong></p>
<p><strong>NVNC AVT NVMQVAM - Ky Fifer </strong></p>
<p><strong>HAEC QVOQVE EST RES - Cari and Carli Hearn </strong></p>
<p><strong>CATENAS MEAS AMISI - Darrell Till </strong></p>
<p><strong>Cover art by Abi Bash</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here is a link to the full EP on youtube - my song is track 2, but all of them turned out great!</p>
<p><a contents="ROMAN SONGS Tribute EP" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/7o0ATOZoUlY" style="" target="_blank">ROMAN SONGS Tribute EP</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/fc224dc8a3a19c0a73c64f366b450dfb71bb4982/original/romansongscover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><a contents="Here's John Linnell's original:" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/XPkO_WP87hE" target="_blank">Here's John Linnell's original:</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/10ca4d70b8b7fe0b1e96e36a210cb37831f4ddfc/original/roman-songs-cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/66585732021-06-13T21:06:02-07:002023-12-10T08:33:01-08:00Wedding 6/12/21<p>Such a privilege to be asked to provide music for someone's big day! We played a full Catholic mass. We played Moon River and Can't Help Falling in Love as well as some Catholic classics.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/c8f8a2acd14b3d180fcef67a908752cca12842d7/original/wedding-6-12-21.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/66585722021-06-13T21:04:36-07:002021-06-13T21:04:36-07:00Wilson Fifer Rose: June 8, 2021<p>The band finally got a chance to play live! A super fun gig.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/1dcb7fa38c4f7884016e30cc62686c866ef285af/original/wfr-trio-june-8-2021.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/213eb0ef222e062f9ff4c58b1674fdc73e116e78/original/wfr-june-8-2021.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/66077192021-04-18T17:43:07-07:002022-05-12T22:54:56-07:00I got to be a guest on This Might Be A Podcast!<p>I got to be a guest on one of my favorite podcasts to talk with host Greg Simpson about our favorite band They Might Be Giants. We discuss the awesomely under-rated song Music Jail Part 1 & 2. You can listen to it on Spotify by going <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6nn9MpG4DoO6t1tUV6oPt6?si=hudOPhEgSFi-C8pW4MX7Gw" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>Also, here is my cover of that song:</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="MddKNNBQ3so" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/MddKNNBQ3so/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MddKNNBQ3so?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/66077182021-04-18T17:36:43-07:002021-04-18T17:36:43-07:00Lucky Ball & Chain - TMBG Cover<p>I did a sad cowboy version of this excellent They Might Be Giants Song.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="8ZAfDVHLSxQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/8ZAfDVHLSxQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8ZAfDVHLSxQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65714522021-03-11T19:45:01-08:002022-05-10T02:16:50-07:00Scarborough Fair (Pop-Punk Version)<p>A group of people I met on reddit have been doing cover songs to get us through the pandemic. Here is our latest:</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="isZejfgcN8I" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/isZejfgcN8I/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/isZejfgcN8I?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>The arrangement of this took some time. Those time and feel changes were tricky. Lots of Bad Religion influence in there. The harmony and backing vocals are a variation on the Simon and Garfunkel original. It turned out peachy.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354502021-02-05T06:40:00-08:002021-02-05T06:40:03-08:00Music Jail - TMBG Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="MddKNNBQ3so" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/MddKNNBQ3so/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MddKNNBQ3so?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Hey all! This is one of the songs I was asked to record for the THEY pay tribute album, a tribute to They Might Be Giants. The organizers actually chose my recording to open the album because they liked it so much! </p>
<p>I love this song. It's got so many great things going on! I am super happy with how my cover came out too! Enjoy!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354482021-01-28T21:40:00-08:002021-01-30T23:47:35-08:00Fun Assassin - TMBG Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="mbMsoFfq60Q" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/mbMsoFfq60Q/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mbMsoFfq60Q?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Here is a lyric video I made for a cover song I recorded. This is another song by one of my favorite bands They Might Be Giants. I was asked to record this cover for a Podcast. Love the lyrics. Ever known somebody that just isn't a good match? They just kill all your fun?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65294392021-01-24T16:28:47-08:002021-01-24T16:43:22-08:00Creep - Radiohead cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="2JHHnvNfRsU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/2JHHnvNfRsU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2JHHnvNfRsU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I met some random strangers online and we decided to do this cover of Radiohead's Creep. OH THE ANGST. Great song - but watch out for F-bombs :)</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65294612021-01-05T14:35:00-08:002021-01-24T16:35:11-08:00Kiss Me Son of God - TMBG Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="PGBH73aE8Ww" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/PGBH73aE8Ww/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PGBH73aE8Ww?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>An a capella one for you. Kind of old-timey, don't you think?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551272020-12-31T15:00:00-08:002021-02-21T21:34:33-08:00The Ineffectuals<p>I've been working with a stranger over Reddit on an album. It's kind of mid-fi/lo-fi. Super happy with how it turned out. Tracks available on this site and most streaming services.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/9ef864ae5d4cd33e38cfa16c28f8685bcbd21e8b/original/zero-progress-banner.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>2:09Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65294632020-12-23T14:45:00-08:002021-01-24T16:42:46-08:00Just Another Day - An Original Christmas Song<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="5RSfUk3gbKg" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/5RSfUk3gbKg/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5RSfUk3gbKg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>An original Christmas tune. A guy on Reddit asked me to sing this song he wrote. I like the tune and, despite being a huge fan of Christmas, sometimes we all feel a little like a Scrooge :)</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65294682020-12-22T14:50:00-08:002021-01-26T21:16:46-08:00Always Come Home - Original Christmas song<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="3tTAdLJBCVw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/3tTAdLJBCVw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3tTAdLJBCVw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I wrote and recorded an original song with strangers I met on the internet. It was supposed to be a total throwaway - an exercise in songwriting - but it turned out extremely awesome so I'm sharing it with you all! </p>
<p>One guy had a short chord progression and we thought it sounded like a Doo-Wop song. Another guy said we should write a Doo-Wop Christmas song, so I took those 4 chords and wrote a chorus. Then I wrote chords and verses. Then I wrote a bridge. Then another guy came in and co-wrote the lyrics. Then a bunch of other people wanted to play on it. Crazy right? This is the result. It's way better than it has any right to be!</p>
<p>Merry Christmas!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65284002020-08-14T23:25:00-07:002021-01-24T16:17:50-08:00Wings of Eternity with Heylel<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="PbYBBQhufPc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/PbYBBQhufPc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PbYBBQhufPc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I was asked to contribute vocals to Heylel’s re-imagining of their song “Wings of Eternity.” Such a lovely folk ballad with beautiful violin. Heylel is a progressive rock band from Portugal. I met them through my prog band Philhelmon and sang on their album Shades of Time a few years ago. I love how this song turned out too. I very rarely get to sing pretty stuff. What do you think? Should folk prog be my new genre of choice?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65314882020-07-17T18:45:00-07:002021-01-26T20:42:46-08:00One Love - International Collaboration<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="qHeFccxKLHc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/qHeFccxKLHc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qHeFccxKLHc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Here is a very special project in this time of seperation due to Covid and racial tension. I’ve been contributing to this in the last two months… sax, vocals, composition, lyrics, guitar, video editing. I met these folks online and we wanted to do something together and collaborate. The result exceeded my expectations!</p>
<p>Here is the documentary too:</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="EgNOV1cIQZ4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/EgNOV1cIQZ4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EgNOV1cIQZ4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65284012020-07-11T23:30:00-07:002022-02-28T22:14:33-08:00Dance the Night Away (Live/Acoustic)<p>Here is a live version of Dance the night away. It’s a track by my progressive rock band Philhelmon. Enjoy!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="eGdQLwmspXQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/eGdQLwmspXQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eGdQLwmspXQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65315252020-05-05T19:15:00-07:002021-01-26T21:12:07-08:00Protest Songs<p>A live cover of the classic Bob Dylan and Buffalo Springfield song. Still appropriate given the times we live in. I’ve been pushing myself to post things that aren’t perfect. This is a live performance sweetened with a little reverb. The way I see it, even Freddie Mercury hit some bum notes. People can forgive a few of mine.</p>
<p><strong>The Times They are a-Changin':</strong></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="dMGWQ-O5Oow" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/dMGWQ-O5Oow/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dMGWQ-O5Oow?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><strong>For What its Worth:</strong></p>
<p><strong><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="tBIeLSeFM64" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/tBIeLSeFM64/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tBIeLSeFM64?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></strong></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65315272020-05-01T19:25:00-07:002021-01-26T21:24:17-08:00Come Together - Beatles Cover by Philhelmon<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="KIf6a_65rgk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/KIf6a_65rgk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIf6a_65rgk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I have a confession to make... I actually started this recording in 2016! That’s when the footage is from. I’ve got a huge backlog LOL. Lots of great things started that I need to dig into and finish.</p>
<p>For those of you who don’t know, my progressive rock band is called <strong>Philhelmon</strong>. We have two albums out. The last one is called <em>Perpetual Immobile</em> and I think it’s my favorite thing I’ve ever put out. I’m very proud of it. It’s very much a collaboration with the gentleman in this video - Henk Bol. Henk lives in the Netherlands and we met online years ago. We then started collaborating. When he came to visit in 2016 we did quite a few video projects. This is the last one’s that hasn’t seen a release until now. We recorded the vocals and rhythm guitar parts to a really bad karaoke track in 2016. Then he and I finished out the instrumentation ourselves (really, the karaoke track was bad!). I added some guitars, harmony vocals, and played the drums. He played the bass guitar and that extremely cool keyboard solo. Then I mixed it and had it mastered and… I think it sounds really great!</p>
<p>I love that he used the living room footage where I was restringing my guitar as we played along to a karaoke track version! Too funny. A great visit. We are working on new original music currently. Hit me up if you’re interested in hearing our last album. Fair warning - it’s pretty deep stuff. Progressive Rock isn’t for everyone :) And what can be said about the song? It’s the Beatles. It’s John Lennon painting an abstract picture using wild imagery. I love the song. ‘Nuff said.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354512020-04-30T18:50:00-07:002021-01-30T23:46:47-08:00Streets - U2 Cover (Live)<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="7N4MOAQpuPo" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/7N4MOAQpuPo/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7N4MOAQpuPo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A live version of U2’s where the streets have no name. I’m trying to do more live things like this. I love the studio so much be because I love to arrange for other instruments! There is only one of me live, so it can feel so limiting. Plus I love Margie and Liz’ harmonies on my studio version of this. however, there is a certain charm to just a voice and a guitar. Which do you prefer?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354532020-03-30T21:50:00-07:002021-01-30T23:51:22-08:00The Weight - The Band Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="CeBLySIVoOc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/CeBLySIVoOc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CeBLySIVoOc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A timeless song about people helping people. I’m not completely sure, but I think it was written about the great depression. I felt it was pertinent given all that is happening in the world right now. Take care of each other and stay safe. <3</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354642020-03-01T10:15:00-08:002021-01-31T00:16:26-08:00Suite: Judy Blue Eyes - WFR covers CSN (Live)<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Csx1ik_JGTY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Csx1ik_JGTY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Csx1ik_JGTY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I was cleaning off my phone and found this video from a rehearsal the last time Wilson Fifer Rose had a gig. I don’t get to play with these guys as much as I used to - it’s a shame because we have great vocal chemistry. Here’s us doing one of Crosby, Stills, & Nash’s epics. Enjoy!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354652020-01-30T10:20:00-08:002021-01-31T00:21:04-08:00Birdhouse In Your Soul - TMBG Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="QbbqNT-bZZw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/QbbqNT-bZZw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QbbqNT-bZZw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I have greatly enjoyed being a part of various TMBG fan pages on Facebook. These fan pages are really quite active, so as a result, they are always doing fan-made cover albums! I did participate a little for the John Henry cover album by doing a cover of the Flansburgh penned “Out Of Jail”. You can find that on youtube as well.</p>
<p>They Might Be Giant’s most popular album is Flood, and it came out in 1990… 30 years ago! So to celebrate, the moderator of one of the sites decided to open up submissions. I participated in three of the covers, though to be honest I would have enjoyed doing just about any song! I did my own cowboy chill version of “Lucky Ball and Chain”, a techno pop collaboration with another Facebooker of the song “Twisting” and this cover of Birdhouse in Your Soul. To me, Birdhouse is one of the stand-out songs on the record. It’s a little atypical in it’s chord structure which made it a lot of fun. I took the usual liberties with the arrangement. Mostly more guitars and horns, less keyboards. Lots of fun. Enjoy!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354662019-12-25T05:25:00-08:002021-01-31T00:25:49-08:00Wonderful Christmastime - Paul McCartney Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="4ej1eUzXgrM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/4ej1eUzXgrM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ej1eUzXgrM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Merry Christmas to all! I was derailed pretty badly this month and wasn’t sure I’d get this one done in time for Christmas! Well - here it is! And it’s only after 3am on Christmas morning! But - the problem with Christmas covers is if you’re late getting it done, you have to wait a whole year for the song to be in season! </p>
<p>Deadlines at my day job, extra curricular/holiday related events, and the fam getting sick right before Christmas definitely contributed to that! I had already recorded footage and most of the music before this week, but was not able to be productive at all this past weekend due to how sick we all were! </p>
<p>But here it is - My own version of Paul McCartney’s 1970’s classic “Wonderful Christmas Time.” Such a jaunty little number isn’t it? I am so very grateful to have you all along on my musical journey this year! Merry Christmas from my family to yours!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65354672019-11-08T10:30:00-08:002021-01-31T00:30:49-08:00Can You Forgive Her - Pet Shop Boys Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="74nDv8Moey4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/74nDv8Moey4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/74nDv8Moey4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A great song in 12/8 time originally done by the genius techno band The Pet Shop Boys. Really, these guys are criminally underrated in my opinion. Check out their melodic and quirky album “Very.” Great song craftsmanship. Any of their songs on this album can be redone in almost any style, and they would still translate. Surely a testament to their ability to write great hooks, melodies, and lyrics! </p>
<p>I saw my version as a great excuse for a Redtop Medusa reunion! Redtop Medusa was my college band with my now wife (then girlfriend) Margie, sister Tiger and friend Greg West. Look for our album on streaming services!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65359692019-09-30T16:35:00-07:002021-01-31T18:33:16-08:00Out of Jail - TMBG Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="JWv8xa0kS-E" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JWv8xa0kS-E/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JWv8xa0kS-E?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Hey. I covered a song by one of my favorite bands of all time, They Might Be Giants. I made it my own and added horns. In fact, there is steamy hot sax all over this sucker. This is an excellent song about a guy who falls in love with someone who is awful. It has absolutely no bearing on my lovely wife. She is not awful. Lol. </p>
<p>Anyway, I hope you like this one.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65359702019-09-13T16:40:00-07:002021-01-31T18:39:23-08:00Live @ Influence Music Hall<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="2-Y1g5ZzO-U" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/2-Y1g5ZzO-U/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2-Y1g5ZzO-U?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I entered an original song performance competition… and we won our bracket! A big reason we won is because of the awesome harmony from Margie and Liz! Thanks so much you two! </p>
<p>Just competing is actually a really big win for me. Getting something formal together and performing is really a big step towards trying to promote myself. I’ve always been more of an “accompany this person” or “record the instruments for that person” kind of guy. Don’t get me wrong, I like doing that too, but honestly, I just love singing and performing so much that it’s nice to prioritize my own stuff for a change. The songs include: </p>
<p>I’ll fly away (just the sound check) </p>
<p>Maybe She Will </p>
<p>Full Speed Ahead </p>
<p>Lost at Sea</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65359712019-08-28T16:50:00-07:002021-01-31T18:48:56-08:00Golden Slumbers - Beatle Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="1WLZKFJkHjA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/1WLZKFJkHjA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1WLZKFJkHjA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I recorded this live on my phone about a year ago. Stumbled across it just recently. With the remix of Abbey Road being released soon, I figured, “what the heck? why not post it?” This is one of the greatest ballads of all time. I am no Paul McCartney - few could sing like Paul in ’69 - but I gotta say, I really like singing this one!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65359722019-08-25T16:55:00-07:002021-01-31T18:55:26-08:00Flee As A Bird - Philhelmon<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="6iycIKiL1OM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/6iycIKiL1OM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6iycIKiL1OM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>My long time collaborator for my progressive rock band Philhelmon and I have finished a new video! This is something that was being worked on at the same time as our last album Perpetual Immobile, but we chose not to include it on that album. I can’t speak for Henk (from Philhelmon), but I think it made sense since this didn’t quite fit the narrative of Perpetual Immobile. We decided to finish it and put it out since we are both quite pleased with how it turned out! </p>
<p>The hymn “Flee as a Bird” originates in the 1800s of USA. Henk did a great job making it unique. This may be on the forthcoming Philhelmon album that Henk and I are currently working on. What do you think of our reworking of this classic hymn? </p>
<p>Here is a little history on the song - impressive since this woman is known for writing these hymns in a time where women were more repressed than they are now: </p>
<p><em>“In 1839, beset by the recent deaths of her husband, brother, sister, and infant son, twenty-seven-year-old Mary Dana began to pour out her grief in verse. Although her diaries do not record when she first conceived of writing songs as such, she had expressed her disdain for the repertoire heard at an 1835 sacred concert in no uncertain terms: “Deliver us from such Music.” That deliverance came, in part, through th esix song collections sh ewould publish before her own death in 1883. Those songbooks would brilliantly document in music the wedding of American religious life and the antebellum of reform impulse. While she faced difficulties common even to the relatively privileged women of nineteenth-century America - physical illness, widowhood, and economic hardship - her career represents a remarkable triumph: transforming love songs into sacred lyrics, she produced engaging compositions that are performed to this day, living links to the musical and reform cultures of her time.” </em></p>
<p><em>- From Patricia Woodard’s “Flee as a Bird”: Mary Dana Shindler’s Legacy</em></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65359772019-08-17T17:00:00-07:002021-01-31T19:00:58-08:00You and I - Ashly Will Cover (Live)<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="rfyyW-iPWD4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/rfyyW-iPWD4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rfyyW-iPWD4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>This cover is a bit different in that it’s stripped down, under-produced, and totally live. I don’t usually do very simple videos and I’m not sure why, so I think I’m going to throw more of these live and “off the cuff” style videos and performances at you now and then. I was going through my phone and deleting old videos because it had filled up completely, and fogot that I had recorded this. I’ve got a lot of these odds and ends just sitting on my phone so I figured… why not share?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65359782019-07-03T17:10:00-07:002021-01-31T19:07:22-08:00Rocket Man - Elton John Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="djCqNStK9-4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/djCqNStK9-4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/djCqNStK9-4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A cover of Elton John’s Rocket Man just in time for the 4th of July. I had fun coming up with the arrangement on this one. I slowed it down just a tiny bit and gave it more of a groove. I especially enjoyed recording the harmonies and the bass guitar. Enjoy!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65360002019-05-22T18:00:00-07:002021-01-31T20:00:23-08:00You Just May Be The One - Monkees Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="h9FbqUDLY4E" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/h9FbqUDLY4E/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h9FbqUDLY4E?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>One of my favorite Monkees songs you’ve probably never heard! Funny story, Margie’s drum parts were recorded 5 hours before she gave birth to our son Oliver! She was having labor pains but wanted to do something to stay busy an dkeep her mind off it, so we opted to have her record tehse drum parts! She’s an animal! </p>
<p>Oliver makes his film debut at the very end!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65360012019-05-05T18:05:00-07:002021-01-31T20:06:19-08:00Epitaph - King Crimson Cover (Acoustic)<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="1lwGe-ifHDI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/1lwGe-ifHDI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1lwGe-ifHDI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A stripped down version of King Crimson’s Epitaph. The acoustic guitars were played by Poor Li who I believe is from France. When I recorded Philhelmon’s version of this song, one of my youtube subscribers directed me to Poor Li’s version. I reached out to Poor Li via his youtube channel and asked him if he minded my adding vocals to his classical styled version of the song, and he said yes. </p>
<p>As for the video itself, I wanted to try something different and went with Rotorvideos.com - honestly, the experience left me with a lot to be desired. Their interface was frustrating and buggy. I had a tricky time demoing their clips. I went this route to save time, but ultimately it took longer than if I had just filmed and done my own. That said - it is nice to have some more atmospheric clips as opposed to the usual footage of me playing the instruments. </p>
<p>Anyway, special thanks to Poor Li for his super cool and vibey version of the song. Lots of fun to collaborate with people this way! We live in an amazing time!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65360022019-03-30T18:10:00-07:002021-01-31T20:10:13-08:00No Matter What - Badfinger Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="vtLx5jxocf0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/vtLx5jxocf0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vtLx5jxocf0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I finally had a chance to record my own version of the one of the greatest pop-rock songs ever written. Bad Finger’s No Matter What came out in the late sixties and has everything I look for a in a good melodic rock song: Harmony, a cool riff, and a great beat. What many people don’t know is that The Beatles are the ones who discovered this band and signed them to their label, Apple. </p>
<p>Special thanks to Alex Arrowsmith and Justin Radford for joining me on this one! I met Justin Radford when I answered an add he posted on craigslist looking for vocalists for a musical he had written himself! He still writes musicals and plays out in bands, not the least of which is his band Rock GaGa. His band covers Lady GaGa songs with a rock asthetic. </p>
<p>Alex and I have have been friends since 6th grade where I sat at the same table as him in math class. We were in a couple bands together in and after highschool too. He was a better guitarist then than I’ll ever be, and graciously agreed to play bass and sing some tasty harmony on this cover. He puts out solo music regularly which, if you like melodic and quirky pop, I highly recommend.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390242019-02-13T16:30:00-08:002021-02-03T18:28:19-08:00Run - Snow Patrol Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="2qsLEMW9liU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/2qsLEMW9liU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2qsLEMW9liU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>My all acoustic version of Snow Patrol’s “Run” from their album Final Straw which came out in 2003. I completely missed this song when it came out. One of my patron’s asked me to cover it and I was delighted to take a swing at it. I used my Breedlove 6 string, my 12-string Taylor, and a cheap little auto-harp. I added harmony too because… why not?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390452019-01-31T16:35:00-08:002021-02-03T18:32:01-08:00Epitaph - King Crimson Cover (by Philhelmon)<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="hBKBtM4sLpI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/hBKBtM4sLpI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hBKBtM4sLpI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>My progressive rock band Philhelmon finished our cover of the epic King Crimson tune “Epitaph” and we’re quite proud of how it turned out.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390462018-12-31T16:35:00-08:002021-02-03T18:35:46-08:00The Hawaii Five-O Theme<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Ynf22FG_i8g" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Ynf22FG_i8g/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ynf22FG_i8g?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I was asked to record this as a favor for my local community theatre. They wanted to use the original recording, but can’t since it costs money to do that. The composition is ok to use, but the recording is owned by someone else who wants paid each time it’s used. Their solution? Have me record it! </p>
<p>So yeah, it was great fun dusting off the old bari and alto saxophones and tracking 20 or so takes. The surfer drums were especially fun and for me make the whole thing work. I’ve heard the song all over the place. I think I first played it in pep band in highschool. Anybody ever watch the actual show?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390702018-12-15T17:30:00-08:002021-02-03T19:29:49-08:00Snow - From White Christmas<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="lfIvHwRtcJ0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/lfIvHwRtcJ0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lfIvHwRtcJ0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Every year I try to do a christmas song. I do this in place of a christmas card! I’m a little late finishing our Christmas song this year. That’s because this song is more complex than it sounds. Margie and I spent a lot of time arranging the vocals, and I spent a lot of time recording the instruments… I’m not typically a jazzy chord kind of guy but I feel like I did ok making this one my own! This song is from teh 50s so the progression isn’t as obvious. </p>
<p>That said - super fun video to make! We all went up to government camp on Mt. Hood last weekend and then shot some additional footage out our house. Malcolm had a great time! Special kudos go to Emily who helped keep the kid under control all the while helping out with some technology issues! Thanks Em! Enjoy and… Merry Christmas!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390492018-10-04T16:50:00-07:002021-02-03T18:52:07-08:00It's My Life - Bon Jovi Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="TRD-Lpx-xO0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/TRD-Lpx-xO0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRD-Lpx-xO0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I think my favorite thing about this video is that it gave me an excuse play Mario 3 from beginning to end for the time lapse portion without using any warp whistles. Also, I always thought it was funny that this song is basically about teen stubbornness or putting yourself out there and living your best life, but my definition of living my best life is often a very strong desire to stay home and be a slob. </p>
<p>This song is totally a guilty pleasure - most Bon Jovi is. They wrote some fabulous pop songs with uplifting choruses, but for my age group, they were always perceived as extremely dorky and uncool - a perfect fit for me really LOL. I lost my voice this month and barely got these vocals recorded. Not the hardest song to sing, but a struggle when you have a cold. It turned out ok regardless. Let me know what you think!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390512018-09-21T16:55:00-07:002021-02-03T18:58:16-08:00Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper Cover (With Luis Ventura)<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="TUPPfE5Txtk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/TUPPfE5Txtk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TUPPfE5Txtk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A long over-due collaboration with my friend Luis Ventura. He played the doctor in the musical Next to Normal at our local theatre. I’ve always liked this song. Cyndi Lauper’s performance was so melodramatic and so is the original music video. We tried to infuse that into our video, but I think our version of the song itself is more Beatle-y pop and obviously less 80s. Super fun to take a crack at this classic song. Enjoy!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390632018-09-02T17:10:00-07:002021-02-03T19:09:48-08:00Where the Streets Have No Name - U2 Cover (with Margie and Liz)<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="u3e_KFz3NEE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/u3e_KFz3NEE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u3e_KFz3NEE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>So many delays on the vocals and the guitars! Super fun putting my own spin on this U2 classic from my favorite album of theirs, the Joshua Tree. Special thanks to Margie and Liz who’s awesome vocals and wind blown hair game was totally on point!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65390692018-07-22T17:30:00-07:002021-02-03T19:27:43-08:00Marvelous Things - Eisley Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Vb4lpLsCgNk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Vb4lpLsCgNk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vb4lpLsCgNk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A song by one of my favorite “modern” bands - Eisley. Funny story, I actually started recording this song years and years ago. My acoustic guitar is in the shop and I thought I might as well finish this one since the guitars were already recorded. Fortunately Tiger was in town to add to the vocal parts she recorded 6 years ago and film the video! I like the lyrics to this song because it’s about finding beauty in the odd or grotesque of the world or your own imagination.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65416882018-06-30T16:10:00-07:002021-02-06T18:07:18-08:00I Won't Back Down - Tom Petty Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="MyXub3UYJQ8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/MyXub3UYJQ8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MyXub3UYJQ8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I always loved this song. I remember seeing the original music video and noticing that Tom Petty had half the Beatles playing with him! I mean, you know he had to have something going for him to have George and Ringo back him up! Jeff Lynn’s no slouch either! But seriously, Tom Petty had a knack for writing some excellent songs. Great hooks, lyrics that most people can relate to, done in a way that only Tom Petty can pull off. Here’s my version of this excellent song for the recently deceased Tom Petty. He was one of the greats.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65416752018-06-30T15:45:00-07:002021-02-06T18:00:18-08:00The Neverending Story Theme - Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="BQLoqQ6H1qY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/BQLoqQ6H1qY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BQLoqQ6H1qY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Ok nostalgia freaks, have I got one for you! Why did the eighties have so many weird yet awesome fantasy movies? Here’s Margie and I doing our best to rock the Neverending Story Theme!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65416902018-04-29T16:15:00-07:002021-02-06T18:11:59-08:00Bus Stop - Hollies Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ToOoYRkZETk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ToOoYRkZETk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ToOoYRkZETk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>How is it that so many great songs came out in 1966?! Most people don’t know, but this song was actually written by Graham Gouldman (from the band 10cc), and not by the members of the Hollies, though their version was a hit. I decided to do this cover because it’s my parent’s 50th wedding anniversary and my mom has said this was their song.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65416932018-03-28T16:20:00-07:002021-02-06T18:17:31-08:00Don't Stop Believin' - Journey Cover<p>My own take on the Journey classic.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="em8y5tHrpY8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/em8y5tHrpY8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/em8y5tHrpY8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65416942018-02-28T16:25:00-08:002021-02-06T18:25:38-08:00Eleanor Rigby - Beatle Cover<p> </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="R3cPetYX0N4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/R3cPetYX0N4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R3cPetYX0N4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>To me, The Beatles are the greatest of all time. Eleanor Rigby, written by Paul McCartney with the help of some particularly fabulous string arrangements from George Martin, is a brilliant composition. Lyrically it’s a beautifully tragic song about loneliness. A lonely woman and a lonely priest only come together when she passes away - their loneliness may have been avoided had they only known. I think people forget how brilliant this song is because it’s been around so long that they don’t think about it anymore. </p>
<p>I’ve always wanted to do my own version of this song. Having heard a few too many metal or overly dark and heavy rock covers, I thought it might be neat to use horns to replace the strings. My voice is so different than Paul McCartney’s that I feel my version is very different - I’m quite pleased with how it came out. The completion of this one was particularly difficult due to the fact that I moved in February! But it’s done, and it’s here. I hope you enjoy it.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65416952018-01-28T16:30:00-08:002021-02-06T18:27:54-08:00Heroes - David Bowie Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="sOPQiPkRkwA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/sOPQiPkRkwA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sOPQiPkRkwA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I am not over David Bowie’s passing even though it has been 2 years. Why is the death of a celebrity still on my mind? How does somebody I don’t even know still make me sad when I think about the fact that he’s no longer on this planet? His music and just general oddness has always appealed to me. Playing, recording, and paying homage helps me feel better about it. This will not be my last David Bowie cover.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65416972018-01-01T16:30:00-08:002021-02-06T18:30:48-08:00I Want to Break Free - Queen cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="RHBrJwZkHbw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/RHBrJwZkHbw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RHBrJwZkHbw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I met Kate Barret this past year in production of Jesus Christ SuperStar that we were in together. We became fast friends and promptly decided we needed to collaborate on a Queen song. Now, you don’t just cover Queen - nobody does Queen better than Queen. Besides, I personally hate covers that are identifcal to the orginal. I mean… what’s the point of re-doing exactly what’s already been done?!? </p>
<p>So here you have our own unique rendition done as a duet. I had a great time working with Kate who was game for any harmony or over-dub that I threw at her. She brought some hilarious props and a mini lazer light show which really set the tone for the video. I’m also especially proud of the bari sax solo which - let me tell you - that keyboard solo in the original is impossibly fast. Especially for a guy whose saxophone skills topped out in highschool band. Still, I always have a fun time playing horn parts. This is my first foray into playing an actual solo on the bari sax!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65417152017-12-25T17:05:00-08:002021-02-06T19:02:04-08:00Lo How a Rose - Christmas Carole<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="MrFeRAXTrS4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/MrFeRAXTrS4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MrFeRAXTrS4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>My family’s Christmas card isn’t usually an actual card. Instead Margie and I like to record a Christmas song and make a video. This year we went with Lo How A Rose Ere Blooming - a slightly lesser known song, but still a classic! </p>
<p>My son Malcolm makes his film debut and steals the show.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65417162017-10-29T17:10:00-07:002021-02-06T19:07:32-08:00Five Years - David Bowie cover by Philhelmon<p>We finally finished our most recent video tribute to David Bowie. Believe me, I will probably do more - I am a huge fan of David Bowie! This time around, we (Henk Bol, TigerBrooke, Greg West, and Margie Fifer) decided to do the song Five Years off of, what is probably his best known album, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="FAkYqKU2lJQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/FAkYqKU2lJQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FAkYqKU2lJQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>We recorded the song and filmed this video a year ago! The reason for the delay is that we have been busy working on <a contents="Philhelmon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.philhelmon.com/" target="_blank">Philhelmon’</a>s new album. I have to say, it feels really good to finish this up. As a matter of fact, we still have more covers for you to hear thanks to that very productive visit from Henk Bol to the USA - we just need to take the time and edit it all together. Stay tuned!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/20a450bc409324f6dff92f9dedf457b6bcca434e/original/drums-five-years-10-2719-18-03.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/8dc38804234680095dfd51620efc83f5d7492a66/original/five-years-piano-hands-10-2719-12-36.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65417172017-09-30T17:10:00-07:002021-02-06T19:10:47-08:00Say Say Say - Michael Jackson & Paul McCartney Cover<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="rwZEQvxBlKQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/rwZEQvxBlKQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rwZEQvxBlKQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I recently finished another fabulous collaboration, this time with my friend Ali Luey. I’ve known Ali since the year 2000. We have been in numerous musicals together over the years and I just knew her voice and vibe would be perfect for this cover of Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney’s song Say Say Say Say. </p>
<p>Enjoy!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485592017-09-24T11:00:00-07:002021-02-14T19:44:04-08:00Mouse in House<p>Mouse In House is a series of four stop-motion animated shorts by Portly Pig Studios. These stop-motion videos utilize taxidermy mice (don't worry they died of natural causes) in an 1800s-esque setting. Portly Pig did a fabulous job creating custom made clothing and set pieces to give the vignettes a consistent and detailed world to reside in. The idea of re-animating something that has died may seem morbid to some, but this concept of creating life with taxidermy creatures is a unique and exquisitely adorable concept! </p>
<p>I had a great time creating sound and music for these shorts! </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Mouse In House 1: Fitzwilliam - "Tea Mouse"</strong></span> </p>
<p><em>Margie Fifer: Composition & Performance of "Tea Mouse" </em></p>
<p><em>Ky Fifer: Voice of Fitzwilliam, Musical Arrangement, Audio engineering, Sound Design </em></p>
<p><em>TigerBrooke: Taxidermy, Prop Creation, Clothing Creation, Set Creation </em></p>
<p><em>Greg West: Animation, Camera Work, Editing </em></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="232107458" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/653085882_295x166.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/232107458" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Mouse In House 2: Caroline & Lousia "Gossip Mice"</strong></span> </p>
<p><em>Margie Fifer: Composition & Performance of "Gossip Mice", Voice of both Caroline & Louisa </em></p>
<p><em>Ky Fifer: Musical Arrangement, Audio engineering, Sound Design </em></p>
<p><em>TigerBrooke: Taxidermy, Prop Creation, Clothing Creation, Set Creation </em></p>
<p><em>Greg West: Animation, Camera Work, Editing </em></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="232181678" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/653178336_295x166.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/232181678" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">Mouse In House 3: Charles "Organ Mouse" </span></strong></p>
<p><em>Margie Fifer: Performance of Beethoven's "Ode To Joy" </em></p>
<p><em>Ky Fifer: Voice of Charles, Audio engineering, Sound Design </em></p>
<p><em>TigerBrooke: Taxidermy, Prop Creation, Clothing Creation, Set Creation </em></p>
<p><em>Greg West: Animation, Camera Work, Editing </em></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="232261742" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/653277610_295x166.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/232261742" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Mouse In House 4: Anne "Sleepy Mouse" </strong></span></p>
<p><em>Ky Fifer: Composition & Performance of "Sleepy Mouse", Audio engineering, Sound Design </em></p>
<p><em>TigerBrooke: Voice of Anne, Taxidermy, Prop Creation, Clothing Creation, Set Creation </em></p>
<p><em>Greg West: Animation, Camera Work, Editing</em></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="232397495" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/653450707_295x166.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/232397495" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485652017-07-29T15:00:00-07:002021-02-14T19:55:09-08:00Wilson Fifer Rose: Live Summer 2017<p>Wilson Fifer Rose had some fun gigs this summer:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ea1522947bb99db708f032297438c24dddc12664/original/wfr-grey-and-red.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="4ukzxb2maj4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/4ukzxb2maj4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4ukzxb2maj4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/cd941aad36184adccd9273bab7749bbf42afb803/original/wfr-live.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485662017-07-27T15:10:00-07:002021-02-14T20:04:52-08:00Become A Patron!<p>Yes, I have finally succumbed to getting a Patreon account and am happy to say that I already have a few patrons! </p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.patreon.com/kyfifer"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b657c17a5bdceee3ce14d427bbf93a259006b2ea/original/patreon-image.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="Click Here To Go There" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.patreon.com/kyfifer">Click Here To Go There</a></p>
<p>It's a great way to support artists you like! I have a few that I am supporting simply because the work they create brings me great joy. Even if you don't want to support me, I suggest you check it out and support somebody - making great stuff for you to enjoy on the internet, though it may be fun, it is a surprising amount of work and many artists are forced to stop doing it because honestly, it's almost like having a second job! </p>
<p>I have fans and friends who have asked me how they can help support my music - In response to that, I have created this Patreon page! If you like my music you can help me continue to create by giving me a dollar (or more) each month too. If this isn't your thing, that's fine! I will continue to release music on YouTube regardless. You'll still be able to see and listen to what I make there for free. However... If you decide to support me here, you will receive extras that won't be available anywhere else! </p>
<p>Extras Include: </p>
<ul> <li>Behind the scene videos and photos </li> <li>Downloadable songs </li> <li>Early access to videos & content </li> <li>The ability to influence song choice via vote </li> <li>The ability to choose the next song I produce </li> <li>Your name in the credits as a producer </li> <li>The ability to suggest other extras</li>
</ul>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485642017-07-07T14:00:00-07:002021-02-14T19:48:02-08:00Shine - Collective Soul Cover<p>I finished my cover video for July. This is a version of Collective Soul's "Shine" which was a fixture on the radio as I was growing up in the grunge era. I am very happy with how this turned out and I owe a lot to Margie, Liz, Tracy, and Karen who provide some stellar backing vocals!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="QXGMdE_0oww" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/QXGMdE_0oww/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QXGMdE_0oww?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485672017-07-04T15:00:00-07:002021-02-14T20:10:48-08:00Shades of Time - Heylel Collab<p>Heylel and I joined forces and completed a music video to go with our recording of "Shades of Time." Please check out the rest of their album! Their album is gloriously moody and epic.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="mv0eas-JFs8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/mv0eas-JFs8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mv0eas-JFs8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485702017-06-14T15:00:00-07:002021-02-14T20:32:44-08:00Philhelmon: Perpetual Immobile<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/d22d77b1d358ae7caf11c6116a33ff853216cd10/original/perpetualimmobile.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Philhelmon's upcoming album "Perpetual Immobile" is going to be SO GOOD. The music is very high quality and just let me tell you: this thing rocks hard and is delightfully weird. </p>
<p>For a more in-depth Philhelmon experience check out the website: </p>
<p><a contents="https://www.philhelmon.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.philhelmon.com" style="" target="_blank">https://www.philhelmon.com</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/d79a2c8628a2feba9fc1c362e242fe3402fd2028/original/philhemonwebsite.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />A few things on Philhelmon: </p>
<ul> <li>The album is 90-95% "in the can" and just needs mixed </li> <li>Ron Hurst from John Kay and Steppenwolf liked his contribution on my song "To The Water" enough to request I have some CDs printed off to give to Steppenwolf's super-fans: The wolf pack.</li>
</ul>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/6837e256eb142c7ba298a148b9c0ba334a02a672/original/ron-hurst.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<ul> <li>We have a lot of launch material including a few music videos as well as some very cool merchandise.</li>
</ul>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b9969d0d569deb63f165b5d90945e22c3ee21235/original/philhelmon-merch.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Expect a winter 2017 release!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485712017-05-07T15:00:00-07:002021-02-14T20:38:45-08:00Jesus Christ SuperStar<p>I try to do a few theatre shows a year and my most recent was Jesus Christ SuperStar at Theatre in the Grove. This is my second time playing the role of Judas Iscariot - one of my favorite roles in all of musical theatre.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/c834f9c7db8ab41354ccb6cc557c86911d129fe3/original/judas-far-off.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/688637105db3fa9bc8a14e6787ecdc9639b6b3fb/original/jcs-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/6296a7a2a74f02282cfdc142eeaf523e236c3d7b/original/jcs-collage.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/41d578c776eed7fc62091b0e378b3afef151c42f/original/jcs-collage-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/f2841d00db189e26cc8f1daf3775ae7c54105085/original/jcs-4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/866c12820706792e1c03102bc69234d980562847/original/jcs-poster.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485742017-04-10T16:00:00-07:002021-02-14T20:49:05-08:00Shades of Time: CD Release Party and Availability of Album<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b77002908e34cf2cb28d0a9dcd99a39ad02d3bb6/original/heylel4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Heylel's album, Shades of Time, has been officially released and sounds fabulous. I should know, I have been playing it on a continuous loop at high volumes in my car. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b04426e5f0110cda5293d9d68659ba747918a89c/original/heylel1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The album is now available on Spotify for streaming: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/1b4b9cb731e3cfdca4af0c6e4c90cd29caed7b27/original/heylel2.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>If you're old-fashioned like me, you can order the physical CD so you can appreciate the album art, credits, and list of musicians (where you'll find my name on the title track as the lead vocalist!). </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/17d1857c9be0030f6b100d2d7697e7dbcaa2d8e4/original/heylel3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Also, I am currently putting together a concert film to be utilized during the album release show. Although I can't fly to the CD release party, you can still see me playing with the band on April 21st, 2017.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485752017-02-11T15:00:00-08:002021-02-14T20:50:18-08:00Heylel<p>It was an honor to be invited to sing on Heylel's new track "Shades of Time." Their manager, Kathy Keller, is the same manager as my other band, Philhelmon, which is why I came to be asked. The song has a great "prog meets early Sabbath" vibe. I'm very much looking forward to hearing the rest of the album as well!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b04426e5f0110cda5293d9d68659ba747918a89c/original/heylel1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485832017-01-07T15:10:00-08:002021-02-14T21:08:10-08:00Philhelmon: Visits, Videos, & New Album<p>A lot has been happening on the <a contents="Philhelmon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.philhelmon.com/" target="_blank">Philhelmon</a> front. Henk Bol came and visited us here in Oregon, USA and we did a lot of work for the forthcoming album Perpetual Immobile: Epistemic Impossibility.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/f6ceef322923423df12fb34bb42445e14e85cd37/original/philhelmon-album-cvr.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>We shot a lot of video, did some recording and jamming, and basically just had a great time!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/218383b47f277cfc90bf87208054bdff4e485691/original/philhelmon-henk-and-ky.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ab952f951100594ddc7cf64c235f9fa699e15ae2/original/philhelmon-tv.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Here's a video we shot where we collaborated with Portly Pig Studios. </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>Sympathy</em></span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="I1dvgpxJkZk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/I1dvgpxJkZk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I1dvgpxJkZk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Sympathy was originally recorded by Rare Bird in 1970 and was very successful in Europe. I had never heard it until Henk suggested we record it. Lots of fun shooting this video at my farm house with Greg West and Tiger Brooke.</p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">I Talk to The Wind</span></em></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="JpKKzuDreoM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JpKKzuDreoM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JpKKzuDreoM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I Talk To the Wind was originally written and recorded by King Crimson. We shot this video at the Oregon Coast at the Wreck of the Peter Iredale and Fort Stevens. </p>
<p>I would be remiss if I failed to mention Philhelmon's new website! Check it out - there's a lot to explore: </p>
<p><a contents="Philhelmon.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.philhelmon.com/" style="" target="_blank">Philhelmon.com</a></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485772017-01-07T09:05:00-08:002021-02-20T22:20:57-08:00Next To Normal - Theatre Production<p>I've been cast as Henry in Theatre of the Grove's production of Next To Normal. Check out my gig calendar for show dates and times.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/a6cee7904f13d81cc545c5cac08c5684fd66e429/original/n2n-promo.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/2eb042798f3c589dfd9a2a3f95bfe99fe9fe2883/original/n2n-stage.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/6c97dc65829895ba33ebddad36e3fbd054bda566/original/n2n-poster.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545642016-12-31T16:00:00-08:002021-02-20T22:27:24-08:00Philhelmon - Henk's Visit<p>A lot has been happening on the <a contents="Philhelmon" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.philhelmon.com/" target="_blank">Philhelmon</a> front. Henk Bol came and visited us here in Oregon, USA and we did a lot of work for the forthcoming album Perpetual Immobile: Epistemic Impossibility. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/f6ceef322923423df12fb34bb42445e14e85cd37/original/philhelmon-album-cvr.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>We shot a lot of video, did some recording and jamming, and basically just had a great time! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ab952f951100594ddc7cf64c235f9fa699e15ae2/original/philhelmon-tv.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/218383b47f277cfc90bf87208054bdff4e485691/original/philhelmon-henk-and-ky.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Here's a video we shot where we collaborated with <a contents="Portly Pig Studios" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://portlypigstudios.com/" target="_blank">Portly Pig Studios</a>. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">Sympathy </span></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="I1dvgpxJkZk" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/I1dvgpxJkZk/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I1dvgpxJkZk?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Sympathy was originally recorded by Rare Bird in 1970 and was very successful in Europe. I had never heard it until Henk suggested we record it. Lots of fun shooting this video at my farm house with Greg West and Tiger Brooke. </p>
<p><span class="font_large">I Talk to The Wind </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="JpKKzuDreoM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/JpKKzuDreoM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JpKKzuDreoM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></span></p>
<p>I Talk To the Wind was originally written and recorded by King Crimson. We shot this video at the Oregon Coast at the Wreck of the Peter Iredale and Fort Stevens. </p>
<p>I would be remiss if I failed to mention Philhelmon's new website! Check it out - there's a lot to explore: </p>
<p><a contents="Philhelmon.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.philhelmon.com/" target="_blank">Philhelmon.com</a></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65485792016-12-25T15:00:00-08:002021-02-14T20:55:17-08:00Ave Maria<p>Instead a Christmas card, I like to record a classic Christmas song each year as time allows. This year I went with Ave Maria by Schubert.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="fZljC0ahZzg" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/fZljC0ahZzg/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fZljC0ahZzg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Merry Christmas all!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545652016-07-31T17:00:00-07:002021-02-20T22:29:31-08:00Johannon Reunion: "Uh Oh, Here We Go!"<p>The Johannin gig was super fun. I picked one of my favorite performances form that night and added the lyrics to the video (since they go by pretty fast). The camera audio is pretty rough, but it's still a good representation of the gig.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="eHeO5pojN7s" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/eHeO5pojN7s/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eHeO5pojN7s?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545662016-03-31T17:00:00-07:002021-02-20T22:31:51-08:00David Bowie - Live On Mars Cover<p>Few artist's passing have made me sadder than that of David Bowie. I've loved his music since I discovered him in the 1990s. When grunge was all the rage, I was listening to his tripped out electronic album Earthling thinking to myself, "This is so much more creative and interesting than Nirvana." That then caused me to remember him from Labyrinth. After I bought every album of his I could find, I found myself delighted with each album as they came out in subsequent years. Here's my stripped down version of Life On Mars? from his stellar pre-Ziggy album, Hunky Dory.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="CH2wHe4dOtY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/CH2wHe4dOtY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CH2wHe4dOtY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545672016-02-23T16:00:00-08:002021-02-20T22:33:19-08:00Johannon Reunion Concert<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/8a4ab139e0be7111ab46a2f4e63f498eb1dd8cb4/original/johannon-reunion.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>This is gonna' be a ton of fun.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545682016-02-12T16:00:00-08:002021-02-20T22:35:32-08:00Hello - Adele Cover<p>I like to do covers. It helps me hone my craft - that is, recording and playing instruments. I get to play the instruments that I don't always get to play when I put out music with my bands. I get to learn how to record things like midi drums... which I did in this video for the first time. Sometimes I even do songs that people recommend! Which is the case with this video. Watch. Comment via youtube. Subscribe. Pass it around if you feel motivated.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="EzA6Y-TbQIw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/EzA6Y-TbQIw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EzA6Y-TbQIw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I also have a gig tonight helping Dustin Rose of Wilson Fifer Rose fame. I'll be singing and playing guitar with him and his very talented wife. Come check it out.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/3bf1e01a559c0e630d8e01a459c7b88a9056b83b/original/rose-fifer-rose.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545692015-12-23T16:50:00-08:002021-02-20T22:37:59-08:00Philhelmon Radio Interview<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ad29e9c462efc2adf9c6ff58f85a5415f4d0b914/original/pi.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I was recently featured on Kat's Corner along with my Philhelmon collaborator Henk Bol on Canada's prog-core radio. This two-part show features Henk and I talking about our musical histories, how we came together, and music from various parts of our careers. For part one, click below!</p>
<p><a contents="Listen Here!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.mixcloud.com/katskorner/philhelmon-up-close-and-personal-with-henk-bol-and-ky-fifer/" target="_blank">Listen Here!</a></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545702015-12-04T16:00:00-08:002021-02-20T22:40:23-08:00Riu Riu Chiu & What Child Is This?<p>I've always liked the Monkees' version of the classic carol Riu Riu Chiu, so I took a swing at my own arrangement.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="8WgmR7xq19M" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/8WgmR7xq19M/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8WgmR7xq19M?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I was first exposed to this song via my high school music teacher in zero period madrigals. It's one of my favorite Christmas carols. As far as the video, I've always wanted to try the whole "cloning" effect for one of my videos, so I went for it this time. Timing my entrances as well as learning the film editing software took a little while, but I feel like it was worth it. As for the arrangement, I wanted to make it my own - Hence the percussion and big climactic ending. I'm very happy with how it came out! </p>
<p>What Child Is This? </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="w9QvKv2SzJM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/w9QvKv2SzJM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w9QvKv2SzJM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Wilson Fifer Rose recently completed a great version of another classic Christmas carol, What Child Is This? </p>
<p>I had a lot of fun recording this cover with Dustin and Austin. They came over to my farmhouse where we decorated my barn with christmas lights and shot the footage in the freezing cold. Austin has gotten quite adept at filming and editing, which means our music videos should start becoming more interesting than the usual "film ourselves recording and edit it together" kind of thing that we've done up until now. It's actually the final incentive reward from our very successful Letters from Cornelius Kickstarter campaign. One of our contributors requested that we record this song - which worked out quite well!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545712015-10-30T11:55:00-07:002021-02-20T22:48:10-08:00Redtop Medusa - No Excuses Cover<p><a contents="Redtop Medusa" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://redtopmedusa.com/" target="_blank">Redtop Medusa</a> got together and covered one of our favorite bands from the 90s, Alice in Chains. This song and their music was in constant rotation for my sister and I growing up. They are a seriously underrated band with unique harmonies and great musicality. Our version of the song is quite different, but I really like how it turned out. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="teL0te6RPxg" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/teL0te6RPxg/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/teL0te6RPxg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I've always wanted to hear Alice in Chains with female vocals since their music is so focused on harmony and has a haunting quality to it. We took the song up a key and a half, and had Margie sing the melody up an octave. Then Tiger sang the harmony part in the original octave. Greg played bass and added backing vocals, with me taking care of percussion, guitars, mixing, backing vocals, and mastering. </p>
<p>The concept was primarily Tiger and Greg with some input from Margie and I. Greg did all the filming and editing of the footage. They have lots of practice being as they own their own film company called <a contents="Portly Pig Studios" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://portlypigstudios.com" target="_blank">Portly Pig Studios</a>.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545722015-10-20T17:00:00-07:002021-02-20T22:46:32-08:00FourFiveSeconds & Fare Thee Well<p>I recorded a fun cover of the recent hit FourFiveSeconds by Paul McCartney, Rihanna, and Kanye West. Isaac Jones and I laughed and laughed while making this, hopefully you will too. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="SO8pLd8NTIM" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/SO8pLd8NTIM/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SO8pLd8NTIM?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>In other news, I was involved in the filming of an official video for the Dustin Rose song "Fare Thee Well (Peter Iredale)." </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/481607b41b41a0d8c40d03c62ae18df4632567a4/original/faretheewell5.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>This song is about the Peter Iredale shipwreck on the Oregon Coast near Fort Stevens. Specifically, it's about spending summers at the coast and how awesome it is to play in the wreckage as a kid. You can find this song and many others on Dustin's album Oregon available on dustinrose.com and iTunes. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="jKCEI-JmF8o" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/jKCEI-JmF8o/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jKCEI-JmF8o?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Both Austin Wilson and I (of Wilson Fifer Rose fame) were involved in the recording of Dustin's solo album. You can hear me playing rhythm guitar, singing harmony, and adding some auxiliary percussion to the song "Just Like the Sun" on this album. Check it out. It's the best thing he's ever put out! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b9601347bc7f461f607565a90d1e2848b0265875/original/original.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545732015-09-18T12:00:00-07:002021-02-20T22:47:47-08:00The Way I Feel Inside - Zombies Cover<p>I recently finished a cover of "The Way I Feel Inside," which is a great song originally written and recorded by The Zombies.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Kgtmjv0yMVA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Kgtmjv0yMVA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kgtmjv0yMVA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545742015-07-22T18:00:00-07:002021-02-20T22:50:55-08:00I'm A Believer & Summer Gigs<p>I'm A Believer </p>
<p>I recently recorded a super fun cover of the Monkees' song "I'm A Believer" with a group of friends on a beach trip. It was an interesting exercise in recording a whole lot of people in one night! Seriously, there are like 11 people singing this thing! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/9ff899c3ec81f4e4438118a98b6ee6ba27074fe2/original/beachgrogs4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The group of people I went with are the kind where the fun of the trip soaked right into the recording. You can hear us cracking up. Check it out by going to the Free Music page or clicking on the picture above! </p>
<p>Summer WFR Gigs </p>
<p>We've had a few really fun gigs so far. Some that are of note include the fourth of July block party we played as well as the annual Damascus Days</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/15daf0255f3e142c99d0e750a76622b89b4df3e0/original/wfr-damascus-2015.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/92fe21cf9fb1b042279dc0995fec43538e4a6bff/original/wfr7-4-15.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545752015-04-23T18:00:00-07:002021-02-20T22:52:14-08:00Paradise Lost - Philhelmon/Just Vera Collab<p>Philhelmon has collaborated with JustVera on a very cool song called Paradise Lost. It's a thoughtful song about the current trajectory of the planet and how our presence here affects the other creatures living with us. This one was lots of fun to sing.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="124197248" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/513842125_640.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/124197248" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545762015-04-16T18:00:00-07:002021-02-20T22:57:48-08:00Philhelmon Updates & More<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="bC-d-zjibLo" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/bC-d-zjibLo/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bC-d-zjibLo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>A Wilson Fifer Rose & Philhelmon collaboration, this cover came about as the result of the very successful Wilson Fifer Rose kickstarter campaign. One of the rewards offered through this campaign was that the band would record a song of the bidder's choosing. Much like our cover of Africa, this is another request from one of our backers. However, when Austin and Dustin heard these covers, they decided that they were too good to remain unreleased, so I put a little bit of additional work into it, that is, recording real drums, spending some extra time on the mixing, and compiling the footage into this "making of" style of video.</p>
<p>With as much fun as we had including Henk Bol on recording Africa, we wanted to have him back for this cover. He brought Pjotr Jurtschenko with him to play some very impressive rock flute that Ian Anderson would be proud of! </p>
<p>Personally, Jethro Tull is one of my favorite prog bands. I've always wanted to do a proper cover of Locomotive Breath, so this was a good excuse to do it and have my bands come together in an international recording project (for those of you who don't know, Henk and Pjotr are both from Holland, while Dustin, Austin, and myself live in the USA). </p>
<p>On a sidenote, Wilson Fifer Rose will probably release these tracks with some other covers we have been working on in the future. No word yet on whether that will be a download, a formal cd, or just in the form of youtube videos.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="lvAm4rAc_kA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/lvAm4rAc_kA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lvAm4rAc_kA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>The next Philhelmon album will definitely feature some Wilson Fifer Rose harmony parts. Those two are just too good not to include on Philhelmon's next album. Henk has been very busy working on the tracks for the new record and these two video sneak peaks illustrate the process a bit. I especially like sneak peak 5 where it shows Henk and John Havermans recording in an old church on a massive pipe organ! </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="HU4bCQ2Z4Q0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/HU4bCQ2Z4Q0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HU4bCQ2Z4Q0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>This video also features one of my songs which I co-wrote with Rick Kallen, Cosmic Argonaut. This song was originally written as part of a musical I was composing a few years ago which stalled out. Henk added some extremely cool sonic ideas and musical interludes. Now I can't hear it any other way than as a Philhelmon song!</p>
<p>It was also a lot of fun to record Randy Gerhart this past week. For those of you who don't know, Randy played bass guitar on Wilson Fifer Rose's Letters from Cornelius album. He was a member of a band I used to play drums in called Johannin, and Puddy, the guitarist of that band, wanted me to record Randy for a project he's working on. Since the members have spread out a bit geographically, it's fun to get together with these guys when I can. Randy will be joining Wilson Fifer Rose for at least one live gig where we will play with a full rock band instead of our usual 2 guitars and 3 voices combo.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/397cb87cc487dd1850d994f5c303e9242c163f94/original/randy-and-ky.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545782015-02-17T17:00:00-08:002021-02-20T23:00:13-08:00Dirty Pig App<p>This was a super fun project. I am always up for doing sound design and music taylored to creative projects like this. Dirty Pig is an app available for iPhone that I was commissioned to do for Portly Pig Studios. You can interact with the pig. Make him dance, pet him, poke his nose, rotate him, change the backgrounds, have him dig for food, and poop. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="iyXwtOXu8_I" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/iyXwtOXu8_I/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iyXwtOXu8_I?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Sound design was super fun and rewarding. For the music I did some free-style beat-boxing and had my classically trained wife rap over top of it. I told her "You're a happy pig. Go!" And this was the result. Download it from the iTunes store.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545772015-02-04T17:00:00-08:002021-02-20T22:58:54-08:00All My Loving with Tyler Gould<p>It's been a very busy holiday season regarding video projects. On top of continuing my work with Philhelmon for our forthcoming album, I was able to squeeze in this fun video collaboration with my friend Tyler Gould. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="DBrAs_EucXc" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/DBrAs_EucXc/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DBrAs_EucXc?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>We did our own version of the Beatle's All My Loving with a bit of a shuffle and made it uke-centric. I'm quite pleased with the results. I plan to do one-shot videos whenever I can. I'll upload them to my youtube channel and also put most of them on the Free Downloads page of this site!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545792014-10-22T18:15:00-07:002021-02-20T23:04:07-08:00Many Updates<p>People may not be aware of the fact that I am a huge Beatles fan. I am a huge George Harrison fan as well which should be obvious to anyone who knows me! With the release of the new Apple Years box set and all the promotional stuff they've been doing, I really wanted to get involved by doing a cover of one of his songs. Fortunately Henk was willing to humor me by helping me record a pretty fun Philhelmon version of What Is Life off of George's All Things Must Pass album. Check it out: </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="10jC24_xi6c" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/10jC24_xi6c/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/10jC24_xi6c?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Special thanks to Margie and Tiger for contributing their backing vocals! Not to mention Henk for doing the lion's share of the work on the arrangement and backing track! I really enjoyed this cover because I got to play sax which Henk mixed wonderfully utilizing the recently released Abbey Road mixing plug-in. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/d135a12715892d4def4c32c3046e37f4b97fa593/original/sax-what-is-life.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>You can also find our cover located on the map from the promotional site for George's Apple years box set. I thought this was a pretty neat promotional idea getting listeners involved and showing their location on the map. I have to wonder if I shouldn't have placed the location in Holland being as Henk lives there! It truly shows how George's music resonates with people from all over the world to see all of these covers. Check it out the site here. Also, here is a screen shot just in case they decide to discontinue the site someday. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/6b4659ee1849d4bf027b5aea33626e9a278ad188/original/george-harrison.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>In other Philhelmon news, we have been steadily working away on the new record. Henk is a titan of productivity and I am thankful to be involved. I'm also thankful that he has the patience for my graduate school and other musical activities that often keep me from working on music as often as I'd like. He recently released another little teaser video that showcased an extremely cool and very proggy track that he's been working on. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="SSatEYM-WU0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/SSatEYM-WU0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SSatEYM-WU0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Portly Pig's scene from Stars Wars Uncut: The Empire Strikes Back was chosen for the final edit! For those those of you who don't know, this is a fan-made re-imagining of the film executed by multiple "studios" who have taken sections of the film and produced them individually. Check out this very watchable and hugely entertaining undertaking here. </p>
<p>I designed the sound and also performed the voice of Luke Skywalker in this very short segment. </p>
<p>To see Portly Pig's contribution by itself, check out this vid: </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="53831028" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/371969065_640.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/53831028" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545812014-09-03T18:00:00-07:002021-02-20T23:07:51-08:00We Can Work It Out - Cover &More<p>Up-Close and Personal Interview with Kathy Keller </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ee3eb743e8cf958e4d469b1d7bc0622491b88d54/original/kytree.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Recently I was interviewed by Kathy Keller, an independent journalist/ author from the USA now residing in The Netherlands. During the interview we discuss all-things Philhelmon including the follow-up record to Enjoy... which Henk and I are currently working on. We also delve a bit into my thoughts on music in other mediums and the idea of touring to Holland. Austin Wilson and Dustin Rose' involvement on the new Philhelmon record is mentioned as well as other meandering thoughts about writing and Wilson Fifer Rose. Kathy maintains a blog where she posts her interviews. Check out the interview by clicking the picture or <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://kjkeller-author.blogspot.com/2014/09/philhelmon-up-close-and-personal.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p>Also, be sure to check out Henk Bol's interview as well! </p>
<p>We Can Work It Out Cover Vid </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="pPLvbrrJ084" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/pPLvbrrJ084/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pPLvbrrJ084?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I like to cover the songs of those who inspire me, and few have inspired me more musically than the Beatles and, specifically, Paul McCartney. Having seen Paul during his Out There tour in Seattle, I wanted to take a swing at the song We Can Work it out. As usual, I think it's more interesting to give the song my own unique take. My favorite aspect of the cover is probably the lady backing vocals included on the recording. What can I say? I get by with a little help from my friends. I've always got a few videos like this on the back-burner, so expect more in the future. </p>
<p>Philhelmon Tour with Wouter Van Hal </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/7b29e2ca90ad9ab2ef67117e3151de19de4b581b/original/enjoy.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Recently Mr. Wouter Van Hal, a friend of Philhelmon who has promoted us in the past on his radio show the Dutch Treat, stopped in to check out Henk's home studio. He had this to say about his experience: </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>I have had such an amazing afternoon visiting Mr. Henk Bol aka Philhelmon together withy dad Paul. <br>Henk told us all about his new project which is in progress now. Great to hear all stories behind the tracks. But the most fun part was to listen actually to a few of the new tracks. Some of them are finished or almost finished. So we now have a good idea of what the new album will be like. Great to hear that a big group of very talented people will feature on it, and of course the voice of Philhelmon Mr. Ky Fifer. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>One of the reasons we visited Henk was the fact that i am attending a lot of gigs throughout the last year with my dad. The first Philhelmon album is called "Enjoy it while it lasts". The title says it all. I am enjoying every minute i can spend with my dad, so i really enjoy while it lasts. And the title was on Henks mind when he recorded the album. So i am enjoying just as the thought behind the album. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>After listening to tons of storys about his cariere, my dad got the first album from Henk. What a great present. </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>So on behalf of my dad, I want to thank you Henk for an amazing afternoon!! </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>The first album is available through his bandcamp. Be sure to check it out!! </em></span></p>
<p>http://philhelmon.bandcamp.com/ </p>
<p>Thanks Wouter!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545822014-08-08T18:00:00-07:002021-02-20T23:11:57-08:00Dance The Night Away Unplugged, Live Gigs & More<p>Lots to report on the Philhelmon front. </p>
<p>Henk and I were interviewed by Kathy Keller, a Journalist from the Netherlands originally from my side of the US. Check out the first interview featuring my friend and collaborator Henk Bol where he discusses his process, Philhelmon's inception, and his background. You can read it <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://kjkeller-author.blogspot.com/2014_08_01_archive.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="2Htw-ucG-CQ" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/2Htw-ucG-CQ/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Htw-ucG-CQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>As a special request, Henk and I did a stripped down version of our song "Dance the Night Away" from Enjoy... since it's her favorite song on our album. Check out the video of Henk and I (seemingly) performing the song together. <br>In addition to that, here's a fun little review from a magazine in the UK called Rock Society. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/8dc18f008978677e0e9628386c0763f4d12411bd/original/rock-society-uk-magazine-2014.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Also, Philhelmon's song "Keep the Faith" was featured on a radio show called Rocklive in Germany. Give it a listen! </p>
<p>Finally, Wilson Fifer Rose played a rousing set at Insomnia Coffee on 8-8-14. A Pleasant time was had by all, especially the band who was joined by Ron Hurst on djembe in proper impromptu style! Ron Hurst is the current drummer for John Kay and Steppenwolf. If you don't know who Steppenwolf is, I feel sorry for you.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/3260b2598e7235c85022f08e6b6c499d23c7eb16/original/wfr-insomnia-banner.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/754e970d1c0ae9b1824c99c8dfd753b2074deb0e/original/wfr-ron-hurst.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545852014-07-14T18:00:00-07:002021-02-20T23:15:36-08:00WFR Life and Philhelmon<p>Live Gigs: </p>
<p>This is the time of year where I get out there and play live. Wilson Fifer Rose has some gigs on the horizon as does the slightly different incarnation of Rose Fifer Rose. Recently Rose Fifer Rose played the 43rd annual Folk Life Fest in Seattle.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/df2a4e968f2b267fd72eaec45ac6fab318cd53f5/original/rose-fifer-rose-folklife.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Wilson Fifer Rose played a private party on a farm... </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b468dee41207c64739f1673e52fe1ae8d7a4d85e/original/fifer-farm-wfr.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Both groups have more gigs on the horizon for summer. Rose Fifer Rose will be playing the day in Damascus on July 26th, Wilson Fifer Rose will be playing at Insomnia Coffee on August 8th, and in Hood River on August 16th. See my gig calendar for details. Others will crop up as the summer progresses. </p>
<p>Philhelmon: </p>
<p>Henk and I have been working on the next Philhelmon record, and I'm extremely excited with how it sounds so far! He has done some networking and the guest musicians on the project are more numerous and just as talented as they were on "Enjoy..." </p>
<p>Here is an article from a German Progressive rock magazine called Empire Music. This favorable review (at least I've been told it's favorable... I don't speak or read German) was in issue #106. Evidently, hard copies of this issue is being sold widely during the "Night of the Prog" festival in Europe this weekend. How cool is that?</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/aac98c371ce14ec910ce7dabbe951674bc163de2/original/empire-music-reviewgerman-magazine-july-issue.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545862014-04-27T12:30:00-07:002021-02-21T21:28:49-08:00Just Pretend Cover & Philhelmon Givaway<p>Wilson Fifer Rose recorded and filmed a video for our cover of a song originally done by the Bens (Ben Folds, Ben Kweller, and Ben Lee). If you don't have their 4 song EP, I suggest you give it a listen! </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="UJJoHg39D0U" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/UJJoHg39D0U/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UJJoHg39D0U?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>This cover gave me an opportunity to do some recording with two of my favorite people as well as dust off the old alto sax, and take my craigslist bari-sax for a test recording sesh. I haven't done much sax playing since highschool except for the little bit that I got to do on Real Nights, the record I did with Alex Arrowsmith as one of his Pugs (I was one of the pugs). So be warned: lots of steamy, hot, sax in this video. </p>
<p>Also, Henk, myself, and many other rotating members of my prog band Philhelmon are working away at a new release titled Perptuum Immobile. While we enjoy the process of bringing you new music, you can still get the last album by going to our official website located here. </p>
<p>Also, check out this little givaway contest featuring our album! Very cool!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b6556879224fd314159e9e40e2e3e89a0a5953e8/original/win-philhelmon.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/a7cee04dcbb17c17b5cb0461224425e0f3f3bed9/original/win-philhelmon-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545872014-03-14T18:00:00-07:002021-02-20T23:19:18-08:00Philhelmon Teasers<p>Henk has been extremely productive making these little video teasers of some of the work we've done for the new Philhelmon album. Check 'em out!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="Yj51AlOE6cA" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/Yj51AlOE6cA/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yj51AlOE6cA?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="GOQct8ukIho" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/GOQct8ukIho/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GOQct8ukIho?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545882014-02-05T17:00:00-08:002021-02-20T23:22:46-08:0060 Frames Per Minute & Philhelmon<p>Here's a pretty spot-on analysis of a game I wrote the music for with Portly Pig Studios that qualifies as "Software Art." The writer discusses the concept and purpose of the game and aptly concludes,</p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>"Sixty Frames Per Minute” breaks many of theconventional rules of gaming, and forces us to reconsider its production as something other than entertainment, as part of a discourse of art and as part of an experience that requires thoughtful participation in order to fully engage with its unique virtual space."</em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/596c34606101c3db9ed1a20da39bbb37ef4a7be8/original/gymmi-5.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/42f464fbe54ccd4449e16098f937434792baf728/original/gymmi-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></em></span></p>
<p>You can read the rest of this blogger's thoughtful post by clicking <a contents="HERE. " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://mwilmink.wordpress.com/2013/12/02/case-studies-glitch-generative-software-art-sixty-frames-per-minute-2011/" target="_blank">HERE. </a></p>
<p>In other news, I've been working away on Philhelmon's new album to be titled "Perpetuum Immobile" with Henk. I've been intent on using some of the other talented friends and musicians that are at my disposal, and have managed to get them on the first song already.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/db37f065e1bcaa1f8c43994b1abcdee3a6c509d8/original/austin-jared-regan-liz-emily-philhelmon-1-23-14.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545902013-12-05T17:40:00-08:002021-02-20T23:29:48-08:00Wilson Fifer Rose - My Christmas Gift<p>It's a Christmas miracle! <a contents="Wilson Fifer Rose" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://kyfifer.com/2011/10/29/wilson-fifer-rose/" style="" target="_blank">Wilson Fifer Rose</a>'s Christmas single "My Christmas Gift" is now available on <a contents="CDbaby" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-christmas-gift/773520904?i=773520907&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">CDbaby</a> and <a contents="iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-christmas-gift/773520904?i=773520907&ign-mpt=uo%3D4" target="_blank">iTunes</a> for a mere 99 cents! You'd better go download this instant classic! Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmas Time" has nothing on us.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/2bbc0fa5f4a3e35537ce5478b82b4f9405459fea/original/wfrchristmas1-copy.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65545892013-12-02T17:00:00-08:002021-02-20T23:24:36-08:00Timeshift Compilation<p>Philhelmon's song "Golden Days" was featured on Progstravaganza's compilation which they've titled "Timeshift." </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/c8b088ce4cc825f55dbd153c4d8682643d8ee391/original/timeshift.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>It's an honor to be included on a compilation with so many talented progressive bands. The best thing about it is the entire compilation is free! You can download it HERE. </p>
<p>Philhelmon has begun working on the follow-up for "Enjoy It While It Lasts" which we're hoping will be done sometime in 2014. More news on that to follow.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550412013-10-11T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:02:49-08:00WFR on Radio Groesbeek<p>Radio Groesbeek: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/96cfc8b76a0a33689148d4d682c9632d5c6c1c74/original/radio-grosbech.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Holland Radio personality Hans Koning played a handful of my songs on his program “The Kingdom Crown Album” on Monday night, October 7th, 2013. Hans was kind enough to call me on the phone and included the phone interview at 22:55. I have edited the show for you to listen to. Here’s the running order and approximate times since many of you don’t speak Dutch and may want to skip around: </p>
<p>Intro to show by Hans (in Dutch) 00:00-2:29 <br>Silver Rain – Wilson Fifer Rose, Letters from Cornelius 2:29-5:34 <br>Intro to Philhelmon by Hans (in Dutch) 5:34-6:40 <br>In the Forest – Philhelmon, Enjoy it While It Lasts 6:40-12:03 <br>Intro to Henk Bol’s band Precious Time (in Dutch) 12:03-13:32 <br>Close My Eyes – Precious Time, If the gods Knew 13:32-18:10 <br>Intro to Ky’s interview by Hans (in Dutch) 18:10-19:18 <br>To the Water – Wilson Fifer Rose, Letters from Cornelius 19:18-22:55 <br>Interview with Ky Fifer (in English) 22:55-30:48 <br>Addiction – Redtop Medusa, The Redtop Medusa Project 30:48-33:55 <br>Redtop Medusa discussion – Hans (In Dutch) 33:55-34:57 <br>Your Name - Wilson Fifer Rose, Letters from Cornelius 34:57-38:25 <br>Closing: Hans (in Dutch) </p>
<p>You can listen to the show here: </p>
<p>Hans has been very supportive of both Henk and I, being as he’s played Philhelmon in the past. I was especially glad that he included Wilson Fifer Rose, Philhelmon, and Redtop Medusa this time around! I edited out the other songs in his radio show only because I don’t own the rights to them, but I highly recommend you check out his show if you get a chance! Special kudos to Henk for recording the show for me! </p>
<p>Check out the radio's site here: </p>
<p>http://www.omroepgroesbeek.nl/ </p>
<p>ProgMetalZone: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/7fd9c0bf5387a431f1e91ecc3e4c43eca97bbbf3/original/progmetalzone-com-10-9-13.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>They mentioned us on their site! You can visit their site by clicking here. Just in case they change their site, here is a graphic:</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550422013-10-05T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:04:34-08:00Black Sheep of the Family - Quatermass Cover<p>Philhelmon just finished a hilarious video-cover of the Quatermass song Black Sheep Of The Family. Very "I am the Walrus" in style, don't you think? Special kudos go to Greg West and Tiger Brooke over at Portly Pig Studios for their involvement, not to mention our other contributing white sheep! </p>
<p>Between videos, and collaborations with Wilson Fifer Rose, Philhelmon is working on the follow up album to Enjoy it While It Lasts hopefully due out in 2014 sometime. I personally can't hardly freekin wait.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="ZFEMihnYMco" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZFEMihnYMco/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZFEMihnYMco?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550432013-09-28T17:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:06:22-08:00Destroyer - Redtop Medusa<p>It's finally done! After slaving away for a very long time, Tiger and Greg over at Portly Pig Studios have finished a very striking and artfully done stop-motion video to Redtop Medusa's song "Destroyer." </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="75690137" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/450312435_640.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/75690137" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>
<p>RedTop Medusa - Destroyer from Portly Pig Studios on Vimeo. </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550442013-09-16T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:12:24-08:00Africa Cover + Radio Interview<p>Wilson Fifer Rose was featured on an entire episode of De Smaak Van Kraak, a radio personality in Holland. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/e204ed2977449388f2b6957c64e4d4e3d14e010f/original/wfr-farm-pic.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>He was a very gracious interviewer and it was a joy being on the show. He also plays a Philhelmon song at the beginning of the show. </p>
<p>You can listen to the show below. Keep in mind I did some editing and took out the long Dutch language portions (Rob had to translate what we were saying for his listeners!). </p>
<p>Or you can check out my host site <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://alonetone.com/ginchy/tracks/wilson-fifer-rose-radios-special-aired-9-9-13-in-holland" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p>I should also add that our video for Africa is nearing 900 views at the time of this blog post! Please watch it and comment!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="GsOyKFp4mRo" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/GsOyKFp4mRo/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GsOyKFp4mRo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550452013-09-13T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:14:05-08:00Africa - Toto Cover<p>I finally finished editing the footage of our cover version of Toto's Africa. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="GsOyKFp4mRo" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/GsOyKFp4mRo/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GsOyKFp4mRo?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>As you can see, it turned out really great both musically a visually. We garnered 600 views in the first 2 days, which is always good thing! </p>
<p>This was a collaborative effort initiated by Wilson Fifer Rose with the help of my other band Philhelmon. Wilson Fifer Rose wanted to do this little video as a thank you for our friend Irene who, among many others, pledged toward our very successful kickstarter campaign that enabled us to mass produce our album Letters From Cornelius. </p>
<p>We've got a few other videos in the works as well as some other cover songs we're producing as reward incentives for our kickstarter backers, but we won't be revealing what they are or when we'll be releasing them just yet. </p>
<p>Stay tuned for that news in the future!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550472013-08-27T09:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:22:10-08:00WFR Live 2013 & Philhelmon<p>Wilson Fifer Rose: </p>
<p>Unfortunately the summer of 2013 is coming to end. This means less frequent gigging opportunities for Wilson Fifer Rose... and we definitely had some very fun gigs this summer: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b5a48deee688c05e05673c7059baf3964832fed4/original/wfr-2013.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/3f492018cf15bf8d66fb902ccb5365db64a24c80/original/wfr-2013-live-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/3a2764764ab5d35add2bd2aeaab63600ff7716b0/original/wfr-live-2013-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Since Wilson Fifer Rose will be moving into a different phase (with more of a focus on studio work) I can take solace in the fact that Rose Fifer Rose will still be gigging once in a while: </p>
<p>Philhelmon: </p>
<p>Henk Bol has been working like a man possessed on more music for the next Philhelmon record. As we speak my dropbox is full of ideas and demos. We have a loose release date for the next album which will be sometime in 2015. I'm really looking forward to tackling some new stuff! The "prog bug" has really been buzzing around inside my head lately. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/992efb713d4214e4428b7347145ab5aadbc8b142/original/henk-and-pjotr-working-on-perpetuum-imobile-may-2013.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>On top of that, I've been fortunate enough to include some fabulous musicians from the Philhelmon camp on some Wilson Fifer Rose/ Philhelmon collaborations lately. More on that soon!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/eb2669fcfbec8b6dd09359c4fc610189cdc55024/original/rose-fife-rose-2013.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550482013-08-22T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:26:05-08:00Once Upon a Matress at HART<p>I recently played Sir Harry in HART theatre's most recent musical Once Upon A Mattress. It was a fun little departure from the last time I was in Mattress since I played the Minstrel in MHCC's production. I have to say this show had one of my favorite cast of people that I've ever had the pleasure to work with. No drama. No arguments. Tons of positivity. All great people that I hope to remain in touch with. </p>
<p>Here are a few photos from the show: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/2af095921b61053168e9b2be7f75c8623b61d7d8/original/mattress-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/39f887c3b2686028ab5f16568f4b9eda071ccace/original/mattress-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/8b0df389da41207f77696c7efa0b1dd548cb2432/original/mattress-6.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/7818cbe29b2fcb7c3775f83237cd15d34d1be68e/original/mattress-4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/6e1ad256fee106c73a17defe86e35e6161d38a4c/original/mattress-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/0d921683e7120ae99de5618a11e7c34ffa0660db/original/mattress-5.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>We also received a few favorable reviews during our run - </p>
<p>A snippet from the Hillsboro Argus/ Oregonian: </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>Fifer has perhaps the strongest voice of the troupe, heard as he and Barrett perform a series of duets that tell the story of their growing love. </em></span></p>
<p>A snippet from Westside Theatre Reviews (click on the link to read the whole thing): </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>Ky Fifer (Sir Harry) handles the transition from arrogant sexist to sensitive lover with aplomb, and his superb delivery of “Yesterday I Loved You” adds a touching romantic interlude to the show’s comedic tone.</em></span></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550602013-08-01T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:31:24-08:00WFR & Philhelmon: Live Gigs/ Radio<p>Wilson Fifer Rose had Diamond Eyes and To the Water played on the excellent radio show "Smaak Van Kraak" (which translated from Dutch means, "The Taste of Kraak", Rob Kraak being the host of the show). Imagine being played next to Pink Floyd and Supertramp on the radio! We were featured right next to them! Pretty exciting for sure. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/a67bfc3606d1566d64c4014929f0b57de4de7779/original/wfr-live-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I've edited the two segments that include our songs and a bit of Rob talking about a full feature which will include an interview with me and songs by Wilson Fifer Rose as well as Philhelmon on August 4th, 2013! </p>
<p>Listen to Wilson Fifer Rose being played on Smaak Van Kraak from July 30th, 2013: </p>
<p>Here is an add for the full feature: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/fabe5e4b492e49fddc85ca8ef15a069c2586566a/original/rob-kraak-upcoming-radio-show-for-the-fourth.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Here is a translation of the above picture: </p>
<p>WILSON, FIFER AND ROSE SPECIAL. </p>
<p>AUGUST 4th YOU CAN EXPECT A SPECIAL EPISODE ABOUT THE FORMATION OF WILSON, FIFER AND ROSE AND THEIR NEW ALBUM "LETTERS FROM CORNELIUS" THAT WAS RELEASED IN EARLY MAY. WE HAVE AN EXTENSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SINGER, COMPOSER, AND GUITARIST KY FIFER WHICH, AMONGST OTHER THINGS, DID ALL THE LEAD VOCALS ON THE ALBUM "ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS" BY PHILHELMON. <br>WILSON, FIFER AND ROSE IS A BAND WITH A UNIQUE SOUND CONSISTING OF A VERY INTERESTING MIX OF PROG AND POP ROCK. <br>THE BAND COMES FROM PORTLAND OREGON, USA. <br>THE EXACT BROADCASTING WILL BE AUGUST 4th. </p>
<p>We also have enjoyed a few live gigs recently. Here are some pics from some of our shows:</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/52bfde3fdbf0b2477b0c7eb80b92df76a8f9dfeb/original/wfr-live-4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/52457a2a31d34b2247fba6ddd3f5ff31d849d013/original/wfr-live-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/dceb88025fc4e6774cbfdb96e4bfcb75fc4b38ba/original/wfr-live-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/dd053aa16a653ff1e0cc5f69449f9fe30e54c498/original/wfr-live-5.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550612013-06-07T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:35:47-08:00WFR: Letters From Cornelius<p>This beast of an album is finally finished and ready to purchase! You can get physical copies and digital copies from CD Baby (see the link below!), or you can go the iTunes route if you prefer. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/cc2c54dd71851b652d950f94d8cc43ec808da5d7/original/wfrpostersmaller.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The album sounds fabulous and has been flying off the shelves. We've been mailing our incentives to our kickstarter backers like crazy. Did I mention how great the album art looks?</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/27cfe7eddfdf2158c7bc15d7c5abf9628b491f0f/original/wfr-album-art.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Want to give it a listen first? Click the link below or check out your favorite online listening services like Spotify.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550652013-04-16T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:41:12-08:00Liveprog Review of Enjoy...<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="g2Sn9UvZsZY" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/g2Sn9UvZsZY/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g2Sn9UvZsZY?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>The guys over at LiveProg did a video review of Philhelmon's album "Enjoy It While It Lasts."</p>
<p>It was both humbling and exciting to listen to someone give such a detailed critique of our record. Special kudos go to Marcel Haster for taking the time. We really appreciate it! </p>
<p>If you are interested in new Progressive Rock music and like an immersive, detailed, and entertaining analysis, I highly suggest you check them out! </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550632013-04-03T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:38:31-08:00Philhemon: Enjoy it While it Lasts<p>Another day, another review of "Enjoy it While it Lasts." Definitely not as favorable as most reviews I've read, but still very complementary. Check out Prog Archives' review <a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.progarchives.com/album-reviews.asp?id=40279" target="_blank">Here</a>. </p>
<p>Here's Tyler Gould wearing the new T-shirt design! For those of you who don't know, Tyler is the photographer that took the cover photo for the album. Thanks Tyler and Enjoy your shirt ;)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/7f6e63dbee986ff301f08550ab6a346acf0e9b44/original/enjoy-tshirt.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550672013-03-21T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:44:31-08:00Enjoy T-Shirts<p>Henk edited the cover art to "Enjoy it while it lasts" and created a really cool graphic-tee that you can buy <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.shirtcity.nl/US_us/shop/philhelmon" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>Check it: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/2908b40f2806eec5403156b5e22bb0df41629e60/original/enjoy-tshirt-add.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I got mine!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/884e41e781a436bc400feccbcfc0b6fe5aa49aaf/original/kyenjoyshit.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550702013-03-14T14:00:00-07:002021-02-21T19:48:08-08:00"She" on iTunes + Plus German Magazine Review<p>Henk from my prog-pop band "Philhelmon" wrote a very touching song for his wife which we recorded a few months ago, and it's now available on iTunes. I sang the song, and Henk played all the instruments so it's technically a Philhelmon track, but I also managed to get Dustin Rose and Austin Wilson to sing harmony since they've been out to my studio a lot finishing the upcoming Wilson, Fifer, Rose album! So I guess this could also be considered a Wilson, Fifer, Rose recording! Buy the song <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://music.apple.com/nl/album/she-new-recording-single/614613643" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/c2d416cd06e2a1c26edde2bae141035b1d893964/original/she-itunes-release-photo-3-12-13.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Henk also sent me a scan of a German Progressive rock magazine where "Enjoy it while it lasts" got a quick write up! I'm sure there is something lost in translation since it sounds sort of abrupt - I'm not sure that the quote "With singer Ky Fifer, Bol has certainly made no bad choice" sounds as complimentary when directly translated to English, but hey, I'll take what I can get! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/a1bd8e5fda29ece28c686673f34f9da7bb87f2e6/original/progressive-newsletter-3-12-13.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>TRANSLATION (provided by Henk because he actually speaks German and google translator is an absolute disaster!) </p>
<p><em><span class="font_large">Philhelmon is the Dutch multi-instrumentalist Henk Bol. What this name means must not researched, it's simply his second first name. However, you won't get Instrumental work in the style of Mike Oldfield. "Enjoy it while it lasts" acts as a great multitude of guest musicians on the album. Sometimes Philhelmon's album reminds me of the music of his fellow countrymen Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon). There are a lot of musicians playing on this CD, but the only name on the long list of collaborators I know, is Cleem Determeijer on keyboards (ex-Finch and indeed was also involved on some Ayreon Albums). The nearly 8-minute opener "The Final Frontier" offers solid, mainstreaming rock with prog tendencies. With singer 'Ky Fifer', Bol has certainly made no bad choice. Up-tempo songs where sometimes fine guitar- and synthesizer solos are represented as well as ballads, the latter sometimes for my taste a little to sweet. The Prog-factor is not too high, but to be fair one should say, as the artist writes in the liner notes, he refers to it more as a Progressive Pop. That said, with the rich guitar work there is quite a lot of rock to offer. And so is my review not written from the prog view, rather an overall impression without progressive ulterior motives. JM</span></em></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550742013-02-21T14:00:00-08:002021-02-21T19:53:26-08:00Paperlate Cover and In Out Pages Review<p>Philhelmon has recorded a fun cover of the Genesis song "Paperlate" which was included on this radio show! Feel free to download the mp3 of this fun little oddity <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://kyfifer.com/uploads/2011/10/Paperlate-Genesis-v7.mp3" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/9c830019b3eb0d2a324c672d54fa05eb9f229630/original/philhelmon-i-o-pages-article-2-8-13.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Also, Henk sent me a copy of I-O pages, which is a very high quality prog-rock magazine from Holland. I posted a picture and translated it for you previously in this post, but now I actually have a copy! I can hardly believe this magazine's composition. It's extremely well made. Shiny, glossy, pages, larger than standard dimensions. What an honor to be written up in it! Thanks Henk! </p>
<p>Since I've had so many requests for it, I've managed to find an app that allows me to post upcoming performances. So many gigs are last minute, but I'll do my best to let people know about them from now on. In the upper right corner of my page, on the menu bar, you'll see it says "Upcoming Performances." This is where I'll be posting future gigs, whether they be Wilson, Fifer, Rose, Musical theatre, or whatever else I'm doing on any given day. It's a good way to keep up!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550752013-01-25T14:00:00-08:002021-02-21T19:56:58-08:00Dutch Radio<p>Philhelmon continues to hit the airwaves in the Netherlands. I've managed to get my hands on some of the radio shows, and edited them for your listening pleaseure! </p>
<p>Click the show's icon to listen to each snippet from the radio show. List <a contents="Here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://alonetone.com/ginchy/tracks/radio-groesbeek-january-2013-golden-days" target="_blank">Here</a>.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/be548df93c6500799d728211f8a40507741d2848/original/paperlate-logo.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Paperlate 750th Anniversary Show (Jan 2013) </p>
<p>1. Henk interview (in Dutch) </p>
<p>2. In the Forest (off of Enjoy...) </p>
<p>3. Ky's Pre-recorded message </p>
<p>4. Dance the Night Away (off of Enjoy...) </p>
<p>5. Ky's pre-recorded message </p>
<p>6. Paperlate (Genesis cover song recorded for the show) </p>
<p>Xymphonia (Jan 2013) </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/8e3997028beee5aa1e0f53b92c18fb89c776ac93/original/xymphonia.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>1. Brief introduction (in Dutch) </p>
<p>2. Warchild (off of Enjoy...) </p>
<p>3. Ulumka'an (off of Enjoy...) </p>
<p>Radio Groesbeek (Jan 2013) </p>
<p>1. Breif Introduction (in Dutch) </p>
<p>2. Golden Days/ Strange Kind of Song Revisited (off of Enjoy...) </p>
<p>I'll post more as I become aware of them!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550812012-12-28T14:00:00-08:002021-02-21T20:02:22-08:00WFR Kickstarter/ ProgRock Magazine/ Redtop Medusa Vid <p>December is upon us! As most musicians know, it is the most busy time of year! I for one wouldn't have it any other way! Interviews, music videos, new songs and albums... all these things have been brewing. Check it: </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Wilson, Fifer, Rose: </strong></span></p>
<p>Well, the final talley for our <a contents="kickstarter" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kyfifer/wilson-fifer-rose-first-album?ref=card" target="_blank">kickstarter</a> campaign was:</p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>$4,226!!!! </strong></span></p>
<p>Not bad considering we only set out to get $2,500. Rest assured, all the money will be used to ensure that we get a better product. </p>
<p>Yes, that's a lot more than we thought we'd get. Naturally, we're absolutely ecstatic. What next for the album? Well we are currently in the process of auditioning mixing engineers. Sounds exciting doesn't it? Hopefully we'll have that sorted out before Christmas. Then once the tracks are all mixed (ideally by January) we can send them off to be masted, and then comes production, album art and so forth. </p>
<p>Austin and Dustin and I will be meeting over break a few times to fulfill our promised incentives to our backers which include things like cover songs and so forth, not to mention tidying up a few tracks for the album that need some finishing touches. More on that soon! </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Philhelmon: </strong></span></p>
<p>The members of our little internet Prog-pop project have been very busy doing radio interviews and a few new recordings here and there. Here's the latest review of our album from ProgRock Magazine's IO pages - Can't read Dutch? No Problem, we translated it for you (see below): </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/c1b39a8fba3a68d5aa20de1ed8a5dc9dca463a30/original/i-o-pages-snip.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Philhelmon is kicking ass with Enjoy it while it lasts. What do you do when you become sixty years old? Maybe make a deposit for a shiny new walker? Start polishing the old walking stick for later use? Purchase a new pair of slippers for sitting in front of the fireplace? No, there'll be none of this for six-decade-young Henk Bol who released this piece of homecraft to the world on the very day of his sixtieth birthday. Together with his righthand vocalist Ky Fifer, a crowd of musicians he met over the Internet and old friends like Cleem Determeijer (Finch, Ayreon), this album suprasses similar projects. Surfing the internet on websites like V-band, Henk searched for people who shared his musical ideas. Sending back and forth audio files over the internet can give awkward results - I know all about it, it's a stumbling block - but the music that all these musicians created sounds like it was recorded simultaneously in one studio. Undoubtedly Henk's productional background played a role in this case. Henk himself, prefers to call this genre "progressive pop," maybe because the melody lines are accessible, there are uncomplicated drums, and an especially fine voice in Ky Fifer. A shortened version of 'How Wrong' once on the radio as a kind of alternative Time Bandits would be great. The next song 'Dance The Night Away' can be released as a single. The uptempo "You Never Look Over Your Shoulder" sounds like it might come from the Buggles repertoire, 'How I Love My iPad "in which the song is sung thru a horn in pure Trevor Horn-style. Henk, if you read this review I have a point of criticism: the album is a little too long to hold our attention. You want as many songs as are months in a year? Try a year with the four seasons as Vivaldi did! You obviously thought it would be your last project, but it tastes like more are on the way. 'Never change a winning team', so I would most definitely maintain your musicians and especially Ky Fifer. On to more recognition ... Grandpa! </p>
<p>Want more info on ProgRock Magazine? Check out this link: https://www.iopages.nl/indexnl.html </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>Redtop Medusa: </strong></span></p>
<p>Greg and Tiger at Portly Pig Studios have finished a video combining stop motion and flash animation to one of our songs from the Redtop Medusa Project. Check it out: </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="54650084" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/382530025_640.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/54650084" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>
<p>RedTop Medusa - Nothing At All from Portly Pig Studios on Vimeo. </p>
<p>This is hopefully the first of many videos to come for the Redtop Medusa Project... I know of at least one other one in the works, so stay tuned!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550822012-11-25T08:00:00-08:002021-02-21T21:25:55-08:00StarWars Uncut, Progworld Top 10, WFR recording and more... <p>Philhelmon: </p>
<p>We’ve been voted number 6 on Progworld’s website! </p>
<p>Here's the link if you want to check out Porgworld: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/bd2540fd10ee4682907dff832ffab99d008f2c5b/original/progworldtoplist.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>http://www.progwereld.org/cms/de-wereldse-10/ </p>
<p> Wilson Fifer Rose: </p>
<p>Our kickstarter, as of the time of this writing, has reached $3,724. Despite the fact that we have one week until it expires, I am extremely thankful to everybody who has supported us. It’s more than I expected and I’m very humbled. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/27b2640e0c16bb8fe7397229d9dca298bba2b042/original/wfr-7-days-to-go.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I added Ukelele this week to one of Dustin Rose’s songs and have been tweaking arrangements quite a bit. My goal is to have everything done (as far as recording) by the end of November. Most recently, I’ve been recording Randy Gerhart’s exquisite bass guitar. He adds a great deal to our songs and we are thrilled to have him. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/745d907066f2e40eaa28d6d78351cebaa9676da3/original/randy-wfr.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The goal for December is to find a mixing and mastering engineer, finalize album art/ design/ layout and get this thing produced. More on that as things develop! </p>
<p>Star Wars Uncut: </p>
<p>I’ve been working with Greg West and Tiger Brooke at Portly Pig Studios on a scene from the new Star Wars Uncut project. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the project, you can read about it here: </p>
<p>http://www.starwarsuncut.com/ </p>
<p>Basically they’ve cut the movie Star Wars into 15 second pieces. Each piece is then assigned to/ chosen by an artist who re-imagines it in any style or medium they choose. For our scene, Portly Pig Studios chose stop-motion animated paper puppets. My task was to record the vocals for the updated dialogue and add all the sound. If our scene is chosen to make the final cut, they’ll then overlay the original score. A super fun project that was short and easy. It’s been a while since I’ve done one of those! </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="vimeo" data-video-id="53831028" data-video-thumb-url="https://i.vimeocdn.com/video/371969065_640.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/53831028" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320"></iframe></p>
<p>"Yoda surprise", Star Wars Uncut Scene 182 from Portly Pig Studios on Vimeo. </p>
<p>I’ve done a few live Gigs with Dustin Rose and his lovely wife Andrea. Here are a few pictures: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/19a0a661985218343e1354219191f79f38c94d7c/original/kyandreaduddy-sept2012.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/5ea1f73ad35384f8b8407da6de9efe23812d604a/original/kyandrea-duddy-sept-2012.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>More to come soon.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550832012-10-11T15:00:00-07:002021-02-21T20:12:20-08:00WFR Kickstarter/ A Winery Gig/ DRTV & RTV Radio Interview <p>WILSON FIFER ROSE: </p>
<p>The Wilson, Fifer, Rose kickstarter has launched with great sucess. Here's the documentaary style video from our k<a contents="ickstarter site: " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kyfifer/wilson-fifer-rose-first-album?ref=video" style="" target="_blank">ickstarter site.</a></p>
<p>We met our modest goal of $2,500 within the first 7 hours of launch thanks to a few very generous backers. We are extremely grateful to everybody who has pledged so far. I want to make it clear to all who will pledge and have already pledged that every dollar we get will go towards making the best product we possibly can. Specifically, the guys and I would love it if we could put more money towards mixing and mastering. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/e204ed2977449388f2b6957c64e4d4e3d14e010f/original/wfr-farm-pic.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Fortunately (and unfortunately) there's a plethora of affordable companies of varying quality that provide these services. Any money we have will go a long way in paying for a better sounding album. To say we're stoked is an understatement. </p>
<p>Although we've technically met our goal, we were planning on having to cut all kinds of corners just to keep the goal of $2,500 so low being as that's only about half the cost of making an album the way we're trying to do it. I'm so suprised by the support we've already gotten. It really means a lot to us. </p>
<p>Naked Winery Gig: </p>
<p>No, we wont be naked! That's the name of the venue! Dustin Rose, his lovely wife Andrea, myself, and possibly some other friends will be playing at the Naked Winery in Hood River on Friday 10-26-12 from 7pm to 10pm. Come check us out. We'll be doing originals as well as covers with as much vocal harmony as we can possibly squeeze in. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/0bd9732a4b57bc5484eef9d59e6287db2357f223/original/duddy-and-ky-2012.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Philhelmon - Radio Interview/ Record Stores: </p>
<p>I've been contacted by Rob Kraak from DRTV and RTV radio in Europe for an interview! Henk's been pushing "Enjoy..." to radio stations with much success. Evidentally Mr. Kraak works for two regional radio stations in the NL and he's doing a program on the making of our album! I'll be inverviewed over Skype with Henk sometime in the next week or two! As soon as the program airs I'll try to post it. </p>
<p>Henk's also managed to make contacts in Japan to distribute our album! Progressive rock doesn't seem big in the US right now, but I'm glad to see that it's thriving in other countries because it's always been one of my favorite genres. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/8e8fb29112e14872cf569041cb04ad6078b03439/original/enjoy-in-japan.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>That's it for now!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550892012-09-26T15:35:00-07:002021-02-21T20:25:53-08:00Progworld Album Review<p>Before I forget, here is the album review from the Dutch website Progworld (I had to have it translated, so forgive the slightly odd grammar!). You can scope out the original Dutch version here. </p>
<p>ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS <br>Philhelmon is one of the middle names of Henk Bol - graphic designer and a man with a passion for music (he says himself that he’s addicted to music) and he has decided to use that name as the moniker for his musical projects. Born in Sassenheim (one of the flower cities in Holland) and now resident in Barendrecht, Henk started this extensive music project in 2006 and finished it in 2012. On the 26th of April 2012, the day of his 60th birthday, the album “Enjoy It While It Lasts” was released. The making the album was inspired by global contacts and cooperation with people, both personally and virtually over the internet. The subject matter of this album touches on life in general, but also addresses the life of Henk Bol in particular. He talks about the details in the personal interview Hans Ravensbergen conducted (check out my previous post for that!)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/c4b4175a25b8be953945d9aaee42c0ba178bc9a5/original/ewl-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Henk Bol) </p>
<p>Stylistically "Enjoy It While It Lasts" (a phrase synonymous with Henk Bol’s personal motto) boasts a mix of rock, pop and progressive rock. Henk Bol takes on instruments on all twelve songs, but also leaves room for multiple guest guitarists. These guitarists come from his past, but there are also a few new friends as well. The best known of these in prog circles is perhaps Joop Wolters, but the other nine (!) lesser known guitarists play their instrument extremely well. As a synthesizer freak Henk plays almost all of them himself, however a very striking addition on this instrument is Cleem Determeijer (a longtime childhood friend and the former keyboardist for Dutch prog legends Finch and later, Ayreon). With so many different musicians (there are 25) adding to the mix one might suspect that the album will suffer from too many musical styles and a lack of consistency, but that just isn’t so. Read on. <br>Because Henk Bol is lacking vocal talent, it came out very well that he met Ky Fifer. That meeting took place on V-band, a website for musicians. Fifer’s collaboration with Henk Bol suited them both so well that they exchanged contact information and the Portland (USA) residing session singer asked for other songs to sing. Eventually Fifer also helped in contributing arrangements as well as re-writing some lyrics. <br>With his powerful and diverse voice Fifer makes a mark on the album. This is evident on the first song, The Final Frontier. At nearly 8 minutes in length it’s the longest song on the CD. The the lyrics tell the story of a quest for other planets. You can hear his recognizable voice in a powerful melodic prog-pop song which has good and catchy chorus. This song is further punctuated with sharp guitar solos and smooth keyboard solos. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/cc132c117cf9d8e4dcfc3c36d6711d820353d8eb/original/ewl-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Margie Hodgson & Ky Fifer) </p>
<p>How Wrong reveals itself to be a cheerful and springy pop song. The blissful organ sounds and synth riffs reveal the first symphonic characteristics. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/f948684ec1d618d60eb775676dd03006bad1f486/original/ewl-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(John Havermans and Henk Bol recording "How Wrong) </p>
<p>After these two uptempo numbers Philhelmon slows the tempo for the beautifully sung Dance The Night Away, a song with the atmosphere that reminds me of Space Oddity by David Bowie. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b9d8411e86abc6c1dd3926a69ae9f24211c0911d/original/ewl-4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Margie Hodgson recording Dance the Night Away) </p>
<p>The Forest is also quiet and has a symphonic atmosphere with polyphonic singing. It's one of my favorite songs. The song interweaves pop, rock and prog. Melancholy and moody, the melody comes first and frills are omitted. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/c65401eaca9e8375a07415a4795319c5178df130/original/ewl-5.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Albert Halwouwaart, lead guitar for The Forest) </p>
<p>With Civilization Number IX Philhelmon should be drawing attention from radio stations because it has a rhythm and vocals that nestle in your brain. The song tells of a diseased civilization that will fall by the number of the beast: 999. The song ends with the chorus of voices singing 'Dona Nobis Pacem "(Give us peace). </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/2c8b3fcf5f511051c502f679be22860fe464b65b/original/ewl-6.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Reno De Bruijn and John Geel) </p>
<p>Ulumka'an (Birds Of Heaven), inspired by the Mayan calendar, is completely instrumental and consists of keyboards and two different lead guitar lines. In How I Love My iPad the iPad is honored. This song is an ode to Steve Jobs and his fantastic invention. The synthesizer solos are played on the iPad! This sometimes pastoral sounding song utilizes guitar and piano. </p>
<p>Keep The Faith is about how hard it is saying goodbye. It is a slow, sensitive song, with a hauntingly beautiful melody that completely holds the listener’s attention. <br>Many symphonic fans will enjoy listening to Golden Days (Strange Kind Of Song Revisited). Fraught with farfisa organ, flute, various tempo and feel changes, this is the most authentic and proggy number on the album. The song was originally written in 1972 and has undergone reworking. Memories of Supersister and Soft Machine come to mind. With a little imagination we hear hints of The Tangent. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/1ecf1c22573b66738e14965c01847fdf73fbe41c/original/ewl-7.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Ky Fifer - Golden Days) </p>
<p>In the closing title track Enjoy, we can hear vocals reminiscent of Rikard Sjöblom (Beardfish). With the close harmony vocals and keyboards it sounds like a mix of Beardfish and Moon Safari. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/654a9e1708bbef5e831c97992526a29bc14bce36/original/ewl-8.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>As you would expect from a graphic designer, the 26 page booklet with digi-pack looks immaculate and is very tasteful. The album art features lyrics, information about musicians and instruments, photographs, and personal notes written by Henk and Ky Fifer. Of course it is the music on the silver disc that counts. Based on the above, any open-minded lover of the progpop format can see it’s good. My advice: go there as soon as possible and enjoy it before it's too late. </p>
<p>by Hans Ravensbergen <br>Progwereld.nl</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550862012-09-23T15:00:00-07:002021-02-21T20:17:45-08:00More Radio Play in Europe <p>Henk from Philhelmon has had some great interviews lately! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/112944f0d3416cce5b527f8d5a23de5dff1ca5c4/original/old-henk-photo.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>This recent interview was with radio Groesbeek. You can listen to it by clicking on this link: </p>
<p><a contents="Henk Interview Radio Groesbeek " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://kyfifer.com/uploads/2012/09/Henk-Interview-9-22-12.mp3" target="_blank">Henk Interview Radio Groesbeek </a></p>
<p>They focused on our album Enjoy It While It Lasts for two whole hours! Hans Koning, the interviewer, had a set list that looked something like this: </p>
<p>1. Introduction/ The Final Frontier from Enjoy </p>
<p>2. Songs from Henk's childhood (the Shadows/ Q65) </p>
<p>3. A breif interview with Henk followed by the complete spin of CIV 9 from Enjoy </p>
<p>4. ELP's Hoedown followed by How Wrong from Enjoy </p>
<p>5. A track by YES, then you "Never Look Over Your Shoulder" from Enjoy. </p>
<p>6. Golden Days from Enjoy followed by Ayreon </p>
<p>7. A segment of Ulumka'an from Enjoy </p>
<p>8. The 9 o' clock news Break </p>
<p>9. Another song by Ayreon (from the album Dreamsequencer) </p>
<p>10. More interview with Henk, then Warchild from Enjoy </p>
<p>11. Avanger by Yes, then You Never Look Over Your Shoulder from Enjoy </p>
<p>12. Robert Wyatt from Soft Machine together with Mike Oldfield followed by In the Forest from Enjoy </p>
<p>13. An ELP song </p>
<p>14. Then Hans Koning played the song he most loved “dance the night away” from Enjoy. </p>
<p>15. Then tracks from Majority One, Aphrodite Child, </p>
<p>16. and ending with the title track, Enjoy It While It Lasts. </p>
<p>He played 10 out of twelve songs!</p>24:18Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65550872012-09-19T15:00:00-07:002021-02-21T20:19:46-08:00Philhelmon on Bandcamp<p>Philhelmon's album "Enjoy it While it Lasts" has a band camp site where you can listen to the whole freekin' album for free! Go check it out by clicking <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://philhelmon.bandcamp.com/album/enjoy-it-while-it-lasts" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/93f0ad3d3b3d28aa9dcb32c316dd3d14fdd75ea7/original/banner-enjoy.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551062012-09-16T15:00:00-07:002021-02-21T20:35:50-08:00Radio Play/ Progworld Interview <p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/9f7c6fe59ff8ad64cf88b3686394d383c05e8bfb/original/lazer-0.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Recently Enjoy it While It Lasts has been getting some radio play in Europe and Henk's been busy promoting the album by doing interviews. Special thanks to radiozender.fm for playing "the Final Frontier" on September 9th, 2012! If you missed it, and haven't gotten the album yet you can always give it a free listen on our streaming page which is located here. Here is an excerpt from the radio broadcast from that date - keep in mind that it's in Dutch, but listen for my name! </p>
<p>Laser One Broadcast - The Final Frontier On dutch radio 9-10-12 </p>
<p>We edited out the actual song, but you get the idea! If you want to listen to the song, check out the aforementioned streaming page. </p>
<p>Henk also got a very extensive Interview on the Dutch website Progworld, specifically from interviewer Hans Ravensberger . You can check out the original interview in Dutch by going <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.progwereld.org/progvizier/elke-dag-genieten-voordat-het-te-laat-is-interview-philhelmon/" target="_blank">here</a>. I've translated segments for your reading pleasure below. </p>
<p>Your life philosophy is your motto and also the title of your album? </p>
<p>Yes. Carpe Diem, seize the day because every day could be your last. I am now 60 years old, happy, and healthy, but you never know when you'll die or become seriously ill. When I ponder that I think, "enjoy it while it lasts." I wrote songs about that specifically, like Keep The Faith. The motto of the album is: </p>
<p>Before me is the future, behind me is the past. ?This is the present, enjoy it while it lasts. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/53bcadb4b45eb6c019b2c72af834d68b7daf12ca/original/lazer-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Henk Bol) </p>
<p>I got a picture of Ky Fifer (vocalist on the album) and his wife where he's holding her in his arms. I loved the drama of that picture and asked him if it'd be over the top to use the picture for the cover. He said, "The whole album is already over the top, so go for it!" LOL. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b38d842d65e6770e3899cd067b4dfc84e8d5e856/original/lazer-2.bmp/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(original photo by Tyler Gould) </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/bccfb43ea97ceafe62dd53181e7fe5188713020b/original/lazer-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Album cover for "Enjoy") </p>
<p> After that I got an email from my old buddy and fellow musician Nick Oosterhuis from Germany who looked at the cover and noticed that it resembled an LP cover by the band 10CC. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/113d0efbec8ff65d626f55e077e7bc01c2aaa166/original/lazer-4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(10cc's album Deceptive Bends) </p>
<p>It turned out to be a cover by the famous design studio Hipgnosis (from the album "Deceptive Bends", HR). I had already done so much work on the album art that I decided to leave it that way. Maybe that 10CC album cover was subconciously on my mind when I saw that photo of Ky and Margie. </p>
<p>"Enjoy It While It Lasts" is a major project. Tell me about the origin and how the project progressed </p>
<p>It all began in 2006 when I finished an album of my previous band (Precious Time, HR). In 1985 I made my first solo album (still available on iTunes, HR) and I had been writing and saving up ideas again. So I thought that it was about time. </p>
<p>I wanted at least twelve songs on the album because there are 12 months in the year. I didn't want to work on it forever so I promised myself it would be ready on my 60th birthday in 2012. I'm not that fast when it comes to writing, composing, and making recordings. It consumed a lot of my time. Even then I knew if I worked to that date I would be sixty years old. Actually, it all worked out as planned. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/bccc0cbe9563182a2a1afbdc598a01335a87321f/original/lazer-5.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Henk Bol) </p>
<p>I had already planned to work with various guest musicians. I did that in 1980-1985, only with fewer people. Most people were still around, but I had fallen out of touch with some of them. Nick Oosterhuis and his studio went to Germany in 1985. But thanks to the internet I found them all again. </p>
<p>I wrote almost all the songs. John Geel did a song and co-wrote CIV9. Ky Fifer has done a lot for me. He did some cool arrangements and helped me with lyrics along with a few other people. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/46b59f38bd20821f1317f9ff288bfe2497dc75f1/original/lazer-7.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Ky Fifer) </p>
<p>I originally had one lead guitarist in mind, but he dropped out. Then I found another one on the internet and thought; this is cool! It would be fun to find a virtuoso guitarist for every song. It was a very successful idea. Joop Wolters, Greg den Hartog, Albert Houwaart, Dennis de Bruijn, Michael Samson, Nick Oosterhuis, Bas van Erkel, Ed Bol (not related), they were all excited and have worked selflessly. Only the lead guitar on Dance, You never look, iPad and Golden Days were played by me. I'm eternally grateful to all the 25 musicians who participated. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/2ff54bc9a5ce32ad534c19fa7987b7e8b3885698/original/lazer-8.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Joop Wolters) </p>
<p>What were the highlights in those six years? And the lows ...? </p>
<p>There were no highlights. It's all been an ongoing process. For this last year I've had to do a lot with all the solos and pre-mixes. The exchanging of tracks, including tracks from America, went on endlessly. I also wanted a luxurious 3 panal cover with a booklet inside. That's taken me months to design and implement. </p>
<p>You met Ky Fifer on the internet. Or was it the other way around? Did you both 'click' right away? How did you go about working with him? </p>
<p>That was on a German website for musicians called V-band. Its a forum where musicians can park their ideas and ask other musicians to cooperate. That was what I did with the song How Wrong and I got a response from Ky Fifer. The song worked out very well, and Dance The Night Away followed right after. This pleased us well enough that we continued outside of V-Band. </p>
<p>You should know that I've never met or spoken with Ky in person. Everything was done via e-mail and social networking sites. He asked me if he could bring in his wife Margie "to sing as a background singer." She's a music teacher. Furthermore, I found out that his sister Tiger Brooke and his brother in law Greg West are singers too. I thought that was very cool. They also helped me with writing the lyrics and editing text. </p>
<p>I also came into contact with a guitarist from New York, Steve Vincent and two writers in England via V-band. The rest of the musicians came from around the Netherlands, with the exception of Nick Oosterhuis and Magnus Brandell, a drummer from Sweden. </p>
<p>I was urgently in need of odd time signatures and Magnus sells his awesome loops on the internet. Using the computer I arranged all the loops and finished the songs. They're loops, but the drums sounds quite lively. I used loops because I had to get the album done and Mels Bol and Reno de Bruin weren't always available for drumming. When composing it's a good thing to have some good and inspirational drummers on hand. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ad24edb8f960f37b9a3042aaf59cec617ce5f535/original/lazer-9.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Mels Bol) </p>
<p>The album was mostly done over the internet. Which of the litany of assisting musicians have actually met with you in the studio? </p>
<p>My buddies who helped already came over here regularly. The rest recorded in their own studios. Nowadays almost every musician has a homestudio (after the interview I get a tour in the impressive studio of Henk, HR). </p>
<p>Mels Bol, Cleem Determeijer, Reno de Bruin, John Havermans, Greg den Hartog, Michael Samson, Pjotr Jurtschenko, Arie Noordzij and Evelyne Visser have been here. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b7e4c579512b113d46167131c35c4464d0d21460/original/lazer-10.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Cleem Determeijer) </p>
<p>Talk about your studio. You named that The Sound Art Workshop. Explain that please. </p>
<p>The Sound Art Workshop is my nickname for all the studios worldwide that were involved in this project. I call my own studio the same. </p>
<p>What’s your infatuation with iPads? How did How I Love My iPad come about? </p>
<p>Everything! When you read the text carefully you can see that I make no jokes about the iPad. I'm a fan of Apple and Steve Jobs. You should know that I have used apple devices professionally for years. They've had the best stuff for a graphic designer like myself since 1985. Also for photography and video. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/8535043c5f6ef37d2cdd819ddabba47ab87ebd1f/original/lazer-11.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>(Henk Bol) </p>
<p>You can do anything with their stuff and I think that is a blessing. When Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) actually started to integrate the iPad as a musical instrument I wanted to have an iPad next to all my Apples. I purchased his application MorphWiz as my first app. Today the iPad is a standard tool in many studios for composing and playing music (after the interview Henk give me a demonstration in his studio playing some keyboard solos on his iPad ..., HR). The sound effects, the organ and synthesizer solos you hear on How I love My iPad are all played on my iPad …. I used the apps and MorphWiz, AniMoog (polyphonic synthesizers for iPad, HR). Actually the song is an ode to all Apple products and Steve Jobs who passed away much too early. At the end Ky sings: "All I can say is Jobs, well done." Indeed the work is very well done! </p>
<p>What is the song "Ulumka'an" about? </p>
<p>"Ulumka'an 'comes from the Mayan language and means "bird from the sky." The Mayan Calander and the book "The Gods Were Astronauts" by Erich Daniken were my inspiration. Furthermore, I wanted an instrumental track on the album, like the previous one. The Mayan calendar stops at the end of this year, making people think the world will end. Will we still be around at the end of the year or not? If not, Enjoy it while it lasts. Our perception of the Mayan calander fits the context of the album. </p>
<p>The music on the album can be described as progressive pop. I think the most proggy song is Golden Days (Strange Kind Of Song Revisited) Do you agree? </p>
<p>I agree with you. I composed the song Strange Kind Of Song in 1972 and wanted on the album as a tribute to that time when we are young. The song is along the lines of Super Sister and Soft Machine. I also took some inspiration from the album "Actual Fantasy" by Ayreon. There was a 'revisited' version of a song and I thought that was a good idea. Ky asked if he could write new lyrics and named it Golden Days. That's why I only had my buddies from 1972 playing on this recording. We got together to figure out how we played it in 1972. That was quite a lot of work, but it ending up sounding pretty good. </p>
<p>Can I ask you some questions? Don't think too much and respond quickly: </p>
<p>Henk or Philhelmon?: Philhelmon. </p>
<p>Sassenheim or Barendrecht?: Sassenheim </p>
<p>Past or Future?: Past. </p>
<p>Past or present?: (Thinking long and doubts his answer, HR): I can't choose! Both have advantages and I like to think long about these things... </p>
<p>Prog or pop?: Yesssss, prog! </p>
<p>Like or addicted?: Addicted, haha! </p>
<p>After the interview Henk shows me his studio and played a little on his Moog Voyager connected to a modular synthesizer under construction. Then he gave a demonstration of how a keyboard solo is played on an iPad. Of course there are his collection prog CDs to look at. In the corner of his studio is a soundproof cell where his collection of guitars are kept. </p>
<p>Some time later when as we say goodbye, Henk has a hard time stopping. He concludes with a startling anecdote. "I used to tell my wife before we got married: music was my first love and It will be my last ..." </p>
<p>I get in my car and leave via the Music Square in Barendrecht. It's nearly sunset and I spin "Enjoy It While It Lasts" once again in my CD player. From now on I decide to enjoy each day before it's too late. </p>
<p>Hans Ravensbergan - Progworld </p>
<p>September 9th, 2012</p>2:38Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551072012-09-04T15:00:00-07:002021-02-21T20:38:48-08:00Live Gigs?!<p>Live Gigs: </p>
<p>I've had some live gigs lately and a few people have informed me that they would have come if they had known about them. Whoops. My bad. </p>
<p>These gigs have been kind of funny in that I'm not really seeking them out right now. Lately they have a way of finding me, usually because a buddy asks me to sit in with them on short notice. I'll find a way to post upcoming live gigs in the future on this site. </p>
<p>Here are some pics from my most recent live appearances: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/4a1241f77786115e3823c9187b9adcb1138cb086/original/dustin-and-ky-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Dustin Rose & I @ Starbucks 8-10-12 </p>
<p>Alex Arrowsmith & I @ The Party In the Trees (TWO) 8-19-12 </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/984543460955076c2e10941ff293aefd7f53dbf7/original/dustin-and-ky-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Enjoy It While It Lasts/ Henk stuff: </p>
<p>Currently Henk is working on a way of getting the album onto Itunes. For those of you that aren't fans of CDs (tragic in my opinion), this'll be your ticket to score some sweet tunes for download! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/e19cb785f25c96907bfd3f5700b7ba48f13fbad1/original/dustin-and-ky-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Also, Philhelmon hasn't stopped producing songs even though "Enjoy It While It Lasts" has been completed. I'm still doing some musical odds and ends with Henk under that moniker. The man is a fountain of music, and he is still interested in having my input/ voice for some of his songs. The next tune will probably incorporate Dustin Rose and maybe some other rad peeps from my ever expanding circle of musical buddies. Stay tuned for that. </p>
<p>That's it for now!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551102012-08-02T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T20:52:15-08:00Nice Boyband photo, right?<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/feec6b235881f056a44265c96bdc00a140ddde5e/original/aug-2-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>WFR: </p>
<p>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: </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="hSrYRft7Xe0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/hSrYRft7Xe0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hSrYRft7Xe0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>We've managed to do some live gigs as well. There will be more (in some capacity at least) in the future. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/157d6139b7e664ba0288573082b0272934b412c3/original/aug-2-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>Philhelmon: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/6df4a8ad271ce0b89fe22c9dffff16cae1c9e9e2/original/aug-2-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>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. </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="zQvbXaXjRR4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/zQvbXaXjRR4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zQvbXaXjRR4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>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: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ce8ab28ea3a66c92710b7ed717049a73ea425b4d/original/aug-2-4.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> Theatre: </p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/a9ba06aaf52c18ed4be634a446e3776b57c552fd/original/agu-2-6.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/80439906cbd3c6cd4c2237b27b1dac041466fa2a/original/aug-2-7.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Misc: </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551112012-07-19T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T20:56:37-08:00Enjoy is in the Mail!<p>I received my shipment of "Enjoy it While It Lasts" cds in the mail, and have mailed them out to all of my fantastic kickstarter supporters! Expect to recieve them before August 1st!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ba900a14cd927a86fad01a604c677753b014af40/original/mailenjoy1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Simply put, the packaging is stellar. I can't believe how great it all turned out. I've always been a big fan of album art myself. I loved taking out the inserts and reading the lyrics, and seeing who played what instrument, and who wrote what song etc, despite our living in a world of itunes and amazon downloads. I'm a huge fan of album art and physically being able to hold an album. It's very satisfying. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/63376b7be1b55f92f76e4c318ae3cba062757dce/original/mailenjoy2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Did I mention that the CD sounds great too?</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551122012-06-14T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T21:01:51-08:00Nanner Stand and More<p>Enjoy it while it Lasts is being printed right now as I write this post! Those who pledged to our kickstarter (thankyouthankyouthankyou) will be recieving copies in the mail as soon as Henk and I figure out the most cost effective way to have them shipped from Holland. Though I'm glad the album is done, I'm also kind of sad because I enjoyed the process of recording it and seeing it take shape. I'm sure Henk and I will collaborate more in the future. I plan to have him add some keyboards and vintage synth sounds to my Ginchy project for starters! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/14d699d4cb7960b240d7fd3516e1418b6c5e08f7/original/nanner1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The Banana Stand, a house full of recording nerds and music appreciators here in Portland have thankfully appointed themselves chroniclers of the live music scene. I've played their house shows a few times now. For proof you can find Alex Arrowsmith and His Pugs: Live at the Banana Stand in my discography. Recently the Banana Stand released an incredible CD compilation of some of their favorite cuts from their favorites bands, and we made the cut! You can find our live performance of "Freeze Tag" on this excellently produced collection of live tunes (see the cover pictured below!). Check out Banana Stand's website and give them some love. I'm a huge fan of what they do. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/75a12e1708aa73865ebb3fa3094b7ffb9632266d/original/nanner-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Portly Pig Studios successfully completed their installation "Of gods and golems" and you can see the concept explained in the video below [redacted]. It's cool to hear the music I wrote for this stretched out over the course of days. It was also odd hearing my own breathing come over loudspeakers! </p>
<p>I was there over many of the days they animated this life-sized puppet. Here is the completed animation. If you squint and look hard enough, you can see me interacting with the puppet at about the 24 second mark [redacted]. </p>
<p>A cool side note to this project is that the people at I-Am-Bored.com deemed the project worthy of posting! Check it out here [redacted].</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551132012-05-01T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T21:04:16-08:00Of Gods and Golems/ Kickstarter Success <p>I'm currently in LA helping Portly Pig Studios put together their stop motion installation "Of Gods and Golems" for which I composed the music. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/ee7b7bbf905ac4f5dba2846bf3f291651b227d68/original/gods-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>It's sort of a difficult project to explain. Basically it incorporates stop motion animation, large sculpture pieces and explores the concept of the passage of time as a well as our perception of it. When I have something on film I'll be sure to update this site. </p>
<p>In other news, Philhelmon's kickstarter campaign for the album "Enjoy it While It Lasts" has succeeded as of today! We've raised over $2000 in pledges and can now proceed with getting the music mastered and produced on cds with art and so forth! I'm so grateful and humbled that my friends and family have supported me and Henk in this creative venture. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/53709155b1a2a3d887b827e4d0d6638da7b9f88b/original/gods-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>It's hard to articulate just how appreciative I feel... I've noticed that I often feel grateful, but don't always say it. I hope people are aware. Get ready to recieve your pledge incentives/ prizes in the next few weeks! </p>
<p>Wilson, Fifer, Rose is coming along relatively well too. We keep tweaking our album's running order, how many songs are going to be on it, which songs, etc. It's always in flux, but it's also very organic. We recently sent 3 songs to Alex Arrowsmith to mix and master so that we can have a demo cd so that we can hopefully show it to venues for paid gigs. I've been doing the lion's share of the production as far as setting up the drums (mostly djembe and hand percussion because we want something that sounds natural and reproducable live), with Dustin and I sharing guitar duties. We hope to get Randy Gerhart of Johannin fame (I used to play drums for them) to play the bass on most if not all of the tracks. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/40b66ac398f3afc5f911bda1e77b35d1684a2291/original/gods-3.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I'll also be sitting in with Dustin and Andrea Rose for an upcoming gig at Naked Winery in Hood River. If we're lucky we'll get Austin there to do a few songs too! The gig will be on May 18th from 7-10pm!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551142012-04-19T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T21:06:26-08:00Enjoy Kickstarter and Vincent<p>I've enlisted the aid of friends and fans to help Henk and I to produce our album. This process is made easy thanks to kickstarter! Please pre-order/ pledge to get a copy of the album, posters, and many other incentives! </p>
<p>Check out the video <a contents="here: " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kyfifer/enjoy-it-while-it-lasts?ref=video" target="_blank">here: </a></p>
<p>I'm extremely pleased with Henk's film editing skills! He took a lot of miscellaneous "making of" footage and interspersed songs from the album to give potential buyers a good preview of what they can expect. Also, Henk has been shopping for mastering companies as well. I'm extremely excited to hear the final product - It's always fun to collaborate since so many suprises are to be had! Some people don't like collaboration for that same reason, but sometimes it's fun to put control into someone else's hands. It's a good exercise for the ego! </p>
<p>Click <a contents="HERE " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kyfifer/enjoy-it-while-it-lasts?ref=video" target="_blank">HERE </a>to go to my kickstarter page! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/644119661bd2feecb8b0ec6188b5fe905233e797/original/vincent-logo.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Speaking of collaboration, I've recently started work on vocals for another V-bander, Steve Vincent. Steve plays guitar on the opening track for "enjoy..." His music is completely different than anything I've attempted singing before. It falls into the hard-rock catagory... it's definitely sort of metal-ish. For this project I'm developing melodies for some songs, and also singing some completed songs as well. I'm not really contributing lyrics, so in a sense, I'm acting as a session singer only. I've completed 3.5 out of 9 songs that I'll be singing for the project. More on that as it develops!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551152012-03-17T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T21:11:08-08:00Melt With You/ Of Gods & Golloms/ Philhelmon/ etc.<p>Plenty of updates to be had! </p>
<p>For starters, I recently finished the video to another cover song, this time with Margie and Erik. I've decided to make it a goal to produce youtube videos with friends in an effort to collaborate more with all the rad musicians I know, expand my fan base, and stay sharp as a musician. Collaboration stretches you and often makes you travel to different places than you would otherwise. So please check it out!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="vanN1ecYf3w" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/vanN1ecYf3w/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vanN1ecYf3w?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>I've been composing the music for Portly Pig Studio's Gollom Project on an ongoing basis. I'll be going to down to LA in April after I finish the music for the final draft. The project, which is both art installation and stop-motion animation, should be up and ready to run soon enough. Until then, here's a little teaser trailer [redacted].</p>
<p>Enjoy It While It Lasts, the forthcoming album from Philhelmon, is completely in the can at this point. We've started a kickstarter site in the hopes of funding a decent pressing of the album. I'll update this page when it launches so that you can have first dibs on a brand new CD! The official website can be found <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.philhelmon.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. If you want to learn more about the project, check out the Philhelmon link at the top of the page. </p>
<p>Also, keep your eyes peeled for a review of the album from Progworld (or Prgowereld if you're from the Netherlands!). </p>
<p><a contents='Progworld - "Enjoy..." Blurb ' data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.progwereld.org/cms/2012/zonder-rubriek/philhelmon-verborgen-schat-uit-eigen-land/" style="" target="_blank">Progworld - "Enjoy..." Blurb </a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/371065fca5a200f987d7434376cf9fddb0ea97b7/original/enjoy-poster.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Wilson, Fifer, Rose is steadily chipping away at our debut album and it's sounding great. I've also started contributing vocals to another project that got started through a great website called V-band.de but more on that as it develops!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551162012-01-20T15:00:00-08:002021-02-21T21:13:43-08:00Redtop Medusa<p>Here's the online store for the Redtop Medusa Project! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/a5758010493f28975a4c012246ab28d0dbf4d03f/original/redtop-medusa.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>To learn more about the project:</p>
<p>Released in 2010, Redtop Medusa's intent was to write about emotionally potent and somewhat taboo topics, while making an effort to make these topics digestible through song-craft, melodicism, and thick vocal harmony without compromising their meaning. The result is a densely textured, melodic, roller-coaster of an album that may give the listener emotional whiplash.</p>
<p><a contents="Purchase!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://redtopmedusa.com/" target="_blank">Purchase!</a></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551222011-11-23T15:30:00-08:002021-02-21T21:17:13-08:00Eye of the Tiger Cover & new Philhelmon Song<p>I finally finished editing a video that my sister and I filmed together. My goal was to do one of these videos a month, ahhh how naive I was! I've since determined this to be an unrealistic goal because this one was recorded back in May or June! I've had so many computer problems and crashes that it was nothing short of a miracle that I was able to finish this! I've got a few other video covers done in this style waiting to be edited and mixed... I just need to find the time to edit them together! </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="aB4BOJiktq0" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/aB4BOJiktq0/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aB4BOJiktq0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Henk (from Philhelmon) edited together a stellar video of one of the tracks off our upcoming album. It's pretty cool to think that all of the people in this video are thousands of miles away! Tiger and I co-wrote the lyrics with Henk. Enjoy! </p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="oSQwJVB60sU" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/oSQwJVB60sU/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oSQwJVB60sU?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Also, Wilson, Fifer, & Rose have their first gig on Saturday the 26th at some Winery in Tigard. I'll post more about that later... I should probably figure out where that gig is happening anyway!</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551232011-10-29T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T21:20:48-08:00WFR Kickstarter<p>From the Pacific NW, WFR have created a lush smorgasboard of melodic folk-pop seasoned with layer upon layer of vocal harmony. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/5f0dce313756fd01d3e27fd8c8112ab3400a0488/original/wilson-fifer-rose10-27-11.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Having known each other for 10 years or more, Austin Wilson, Dustin Rose, and myself have sung separately and together in choirs, bands, musicals, karaoke bars, on street corners, and in just about any other capacity one can fathom. It really wasn't until the summer of 2011 that we finally decided to officially put some songs down together for a full length album. </p>
<p>We've decided on the album title "Letters from Cornelius" since we do most of the recording in my home studio, which is located in a little farm town called Cornelius. The album is a collaboration in every sense of the word. It will contains songs written by the members of this group (together and individually) with a focus on melodicism and harmony done in a style remeniscent of Crosby, Stills, & Nash, Simon and Garfunkel, with healthy doses of the Beatles and the Eagles as well as a hint of Travelling Wilburys for good measure. </p>
<p>Look for this album to be completed and ready to purchase in April of 2013! </p>
<p>Here's our kickstarter video (which was extremely successful in raising about $4000):</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="RlPUCuvN34w" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/RlPUCuvN34w/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RlPUCuvN34w?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> Here are a few vids of us messing around:</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="iBpzECer568" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/iBpzECer568/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iBpzECer568?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="MpAozOyz2Dw" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/MpAozOyz2Dw/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MpAozOyz2Dw?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551242011-10-27T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T21:23:31-08:00Philhemon: Enjoy it While it Lasts<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/b819b2af71043b72cfbdee50938fe1b216af49dd/original/coming-soon.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>I've been slaving away at the vocals for the album "enjoy it while it lasts" which is a project by the international band Philhelmon that I joined through V-band. Henk, the mastermind behind the project, has been sending me files over the interwebs thanks to a very cool file sharing system called dropbox. We've decided that we're going to try our very hardest to have the album out by March or April of 2012. We're about half way done with the recording process, so it has started to occur to me that I really need to get my butt in gear! </p>
<p>In other news, I've recently acquired a mac since I'm tired of losing my files due to my PC's crashing. I'll be setting it up and recording with that. I'll be switching to Logic recording software (yes, Adobe Audition has way too many limitations) within the next few months. Let's hope the learning curve isn't too rough. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/6cec4be5ed770b6202005e980b639bc895eb072b/original/coming-soon-2.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Wilson, Fifer, & Rose have been meeting at my house on Thursday nights for the past few weeks for recording, rehearsal, song development, and general hi-jinks. We have 2 songs pretty much in the can, and hope to have 3 soon so that we can start peddling our wares to festivals, wineries, and any other place that's willing to pay the price to hear our carefully rehearsed harmonies. </p>
<p>More later.</p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551252011-08-14T16:00:00-07:002021-02-21T21:24:59-08:00Just the beginning...<p>Hello all! I am a singer/ songwriter from the Portland area. I play in some local bands, write music for film, and sing as often as I can. Have a look around and see if there's anything you like.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/543115/e745bd325108b74bf6d77416c31a811e21db41f0/original/belt.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ky Fifertag:kyfifer.com,2005:Post/65551172011-02-05T15:00:00-08:002021-02-21T21:14:53-08:00Movement is Life<p>Hey folks! Just one of the pies I've had my fingers in recently... I got to compose music for Portly Pig studio's installation "Movement is Life". The video explains the project better than I can, but it basically draws attention to the relativity of the passing of time and perception. More to come in the future! </p>
<p>Preview of Stop Motion Game "60 frames per minute": [redacted]</p>
<p>Explanation of "Movement is Life" installation: [redacted]</p>Ky Fifer