Cardboard City

Mike Southworth a friend of mine gave me a call and asked if I would be into building a set for a video. “Sure”, I said not knowing what I was getting myself into. The idea was to build a cardboard City on top of a cardboard life size Grand piano. My main job was to build the Grand Piano and put some buildings together and help establish a look for this project. I was there for the first part of the project while Mike and Hilary with help from some friends chugged along. After many days and hours of cardboard addicted work, in-between tours and summer the video is finished. Enjoy!!!

Hilary Grist – Tall Buildings (Official Music Video)

The Making of ‘Tall Buildings’ by Hilary Grist


Buy on iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/imaginings/id384516084

||||||| Credits |||||||

Directed, filmed and edited by Mike Southworth for Collide Entertainment.
http://www.collideentertainment.com

Set construction and design by Adam Thomas, Mike Southworth and Hilary Grist

Additional building construction by Cory Lake, Adri Lake, Tim Cyr, Dawn Pemberton, Kathy Fitzpatrick, Alison Maira, Mike Zobac, James Scholl, Steph Jackson, Ryan Grist, Charmaine De Los Reyes.
Clothing by Motel http://www.motelrocks.com/shop/
Clothing supplied by Brooke Roth at Skout
Lighting by Toby Gorman, Mital Gorman and Mike Southworth
Additional styling by Dani Barnes http://danibarnes.blogspot.com/
Funded in part by the generosity of 100.5 The Peak, Music BC and The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group

Drummers pt1

As most of you know … I’m a huge Fusion fan. I want to share with you some of my Favorite Fusion Drummers that totally bring me to awe. The next couple of blogs will follow some videos I found on Youtube that show you just how great these drummers are I will also try and fill you in on what Albums I would recommend.

1. Dennis Chambers – Open Solo

Dennis’s Hands disappear at time cause his technique is so fast and precise. What I find amazing about Dennis is how he can keep it musical still even with all those lighting chops he has.

Get the DVD on Amazon:


I also love Dennis with John Scofield, especially in the Pick hits CD. Below is a video of one of the tunes on that CD. Trim Part II. There is a killer drum solo at 4:05.

Here is a Link to the CD on Amazon:

Japanese music

It seems today I am checking out the Japanese artists that I find amazing. Since I have a great connection to Japan I thought I would expose some who might not be to familiar. I have found a lot of Japanese music to be quite over produced and too clean sounding for my ears, it sounds too fake to me and since I can not understand all the lyrics I am only judging this on the music. I feel the artist below have something really cool going on. Cheers!

Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence (ryuichi sakamoto)

I love the chord progression and the way the song builds. Starting with very high tinkly sounds to mid range beautiful chords and then ending with low thunders of expression. Have a listen below … this is a live version of the song.

Yellow Magic Orchestra – Rydeen

These guys are awesome I feel they were so far ahead of their time. If you like this song I would encourage you to check out more of their stuff. My other favorite song is “fire cracker”. Also ryuichi sakamoto is in YMO. Below is a video of the song Rydeen. Enjoy!

Tei Towa – Happy

One of my favorite producers by far. he was also a member of Deee-Lite.

久保田利伸 Toshinobu Kubota – Indigo Waltz

I feel when I listen to a lot of Japanese pop that the vocals do not really blend in with the music which seems to be really important to me. This might be a little harsh but I feel when I’m listening to Japanese pop I feel I’m listen to Karaoke with a canned band and the singer on top of the mix. This guy … Toshinobu Kubota’s voice blends amazing to the music and I do not even realize he is singing Japanese sometimes. He is a great singer! Plus He has sweet bangs and a sweet sax solo in this song … gotta love the 80′s.

And another just cause…

Recording Experiencing Experience

Mike Southworth mixed my Album and during the Mix Mike had to take a very important call so, I started taking pictures.

the phone call
The phone call
vu-meters
mixing pic 1
Mixing album
Mixing Experiencing Experience

Welcome to Oscars Stream.

This is a project by professional drummer, songwriter, producer, and recording artist, Adam Thomas.

Recording Experiencing ExperienceDrawing extensively from his formal training as a musician, and his love of Classical, Electronic, and Rock music, Adam attributes his wide variety of experiences with other songwriters as a refining process for his own unique creations. Adam continues to grow and explore as a musician, and has developed a style which works well with the soundtrack industry and the New Age market.

Moving out from behind his drum kit, Adam takes center-stage with his new project, Oscars Stream, where he combines his wide range of experiences as drummer, songwriter, and producer, and brings to life the music as inspirational and creative as he is.