Your Custom Text Here
Following their successful 30-city North American tour, Alter Bridge are currently now venturing on their summer 2023 leg of the “Pawns & Kings” tour: with support acts of long-time friends SEVENDUST and recent tour-mates MAMMOTH WVH. The Stone Pony Summer Stage was the second date of the month-long tour, and it was such a pleasure to capture some of the magic and write-up a report on my experience and takeaways.
Read moreOn September 16th, Nebraska band 311 performed at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. 311 was started by Nick Hexum, Jim Watson, Aaron "P-Nut" Wills, and Chad Sexton in 1988 and is known for its mix of alternative rock, rap rock, reggae rock, funk rock, and alternative metal. Lead singer Nick Hexum was featured on the newest studio album of reggae/hip hop/funk band Tropidelic, which 311 shared the stage with on September 16th. Photographer Greg Ludwig was on the scene to capture the show…
Read more
By Gregory Burrus | Posted Friday, March 11, 2022
Through an exciting collaboration between photographer/artist Christine Keeley and collage/mixed media artist Maria Estrela, the idea of Equinox: The Birth and Rebirth of a Woman, a celebration of Women’s International History Month, was born. The exhibition will be on view at The Jewish Museum of New Jersey in Newark, New Jersey from March 6th to April 3rd.
We caught up with Maria Estrella and Christine Keeley to understand the exhibition and more importantly the connection between the artist and their work. Take a listen.
The work focuses on the connection between women and nature; how women’s spiritual, emotional, and psychological being changes through the seasons. Equinox comes from a response to those changes. It's the yin/yang, the dark/light, black/white, sun/moon, past/future. We need to feel deeply the importance of our ancestors and what we are creating for the future generations. As we make those connections we understand that Equinox can bring moments of happiness, warmth, and love. Even in the midst of the long, dark days, we can still find happiness.
“Christine has a natural gift for capturing the human form and spirit.”
Christine Keeley is a studio owner and independent photographer based in NY and Summit NJ, best known for her bold and emotive imagery. Christine’s lifelong passion for the visual and performing arts is reflected in her unique photographic style, capturing the natural movement and expressions of her subjects. Inspired by feminine strength, she uses the camera as a tool to elevate and inspire her subjects.
Christine developed her keen eye for visual storytelling at a young age, influenced by her father and maternal grandfather- both physicians and avid photography enthusiasts. Her large extended Irish-American family became her own visual time capsule of the complex moments in time of human love, innocence, joy, sorrow, hope and contradiction.
With a lengthy corporate career and the rise of digital art, Christine was able to envision a path to a successful business as an entrepreneur. After raising her two young children, she made the bold career move to the visual arts, where she naturally felt the transition to photography. She invested heavily in fine-tuning her craft, shooting in the studios of some of the world’s top fashion and beauty photographers. A year later, Christine’s instagram @christinek_nyc led to her first commercial shoot - and she never looked back. In 2018, Christine was invited to join a boutique art gallery in New York as Associate Art Director which led to a position on the board of Summit Public Arts. From there, Christine embarked on her own exhibition projects in NYC and NJ. You can learn more here:
Christine Keeley Photography
Instagram: @christinek_nyc
I make art to heal and inspire myself and to transform the resilience and strength women carry in themselves into a visual form that encourages and empowers all women, from young to old. My collages reunite women with nature by placing them in landscapes, decorating them with found objects, and re-contextualizing their power. I want to emphasize the beauty of nature and the natural beauty of all women. By paying attention to the changing seasons, I understand more deeply the seasons in my own life and connect the world around me to the phases in a woman’s life.
Maria Estrela was born in Cascais, Portugal and raised in a large extended family from Cape Verde, West Africa. Settling in Newark, NJ in 2002, she attended The Newark School of the Arts in 2008, where she was able to further develop, explore, and broaden her interest in digital photography. Estrela’s photographs of nature and scenes from independent travels serve as a means of self expression, escape, and self-healing. Photography is where she finds stillness, freedom, and a doorway to connect to her inner self. Maria’s interest in collages started when she met Artist Mansa Mussa in 2018 in one of his collage workshops. Since that first experience, collages and mixed media have become part of her artistic development. You can learn more here: IG @estrela37_ and www.mariaestrela.com
This wonderful event will contain a performance by up and coming singers Marilyn Castillo and Nedelka Sotello.
"Marilyn is a rising Latin Diva with a soulful voice" - Ilana Martin, Vocal Workout
Marilyn Castillo is an independent Chicana singer-songwriter who comes from a long lineage of musicians and troubadours who passed on the passion for fine, bold and moving music that make both her singing and songwriting exotic and glamorous.
She is currently co-producing her first solo album “Chicana en Nueva York” with themes of her authorship, her first single “Todavia” granting her the Latin Artist Revelation of Premios Latinos Fama in 2019. In 2020 she released her second single "Noche de Marzo".
Born and raised in El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juarez, México her love for these borderlands and in order to take her music career to another level Marilyn moved to New York in 2014 and has lived there ever since. She has shared the stage with Bobby Cruz, Richie Ray, Arturo Ortíz, and Latin Grammy winners Samuel Torres Flor de Toloache among others. In 2018 she became the female lead singer of Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. She is also the lead singer of Mexican Latin Alternative band Adderesound.
Nedelka Sotelo is a performer/teaching artist born and raised in Mexico City. Currently living in New York acting with different theater companies (Teatro SEA, Mexico Beyond Mariachi, etc) and singing with her Mexican Reggae Band "Nedelka & Latin Roots".
Won’t you join us, March 13 - 2-5 PM. Let us know you are coming.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/whm2022-art-exhibition-featuring-the-latin-jazzy-sounds-of-marilyn-castillo-tickets-288314084187
Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, producer, promoter, event planner, and community partner. Gregory Burrus combines his extensive corporate business and technology expertise with his love of live music and being a strong community advocate.
I love writing about it all. My mission is to help community groups, live music bands, and local nonprofits, reach their goals and accomplish their missions while enjoying the day-to-day process of life.
https://www.jerseyindie.com/ji-blogger-gregory-burrus
https://patch.com/users/gregburrus
Closing out a beautiful night of great photography and live music.
By Gregory Burrus | Posted Saturday, February 26, 2022
Encountering photographs and artwork directly — as opposed to viewing online or in a book — is important and enriching. An exhibition invites visitors to slow down and to experience work as the artist/photographer and curator intended. When one is viewing this South Orange Performing Arts Center Black History Month exhibition and are viewing the photography of local photographer Patrick Hilaire, your first impression or instinctive reaction might be like many others, “Wow he captured all of ‘this’ within one click of the camera.” Yes, some amazing shots were on display at the Patrick Hilaire LIGHT [+SOUND] Photography Exhibition. As explained in an earlier post, Patrick has a detailed preparation process, and these shots clearly demonstrate that Patrick, when working on site, is working within the moment.
“The exhibition showcases 25 stunning black-and-white portraits of Jazz musicians. Every portrait in this exhibition tells its own story,” says curator, Jeremy Moss. The Haitian-born self-taught photographer’s ability to capture compelling musical moments by renowned artists has brought Hilaire widespread acclaim. “Musical events are the intersection where the rhythm of the performer and photographer get to meet,” says Hilaire. “It’s really moments that I try to capture, and those moments only happen once.”
Patrick Hilaire talks about the motivation behind the photography.
During this reception’s artist talk, Patrick took the time to explain more of the motives and feelings behind his shooting process. Patrick discussed the musicians and their impact upon his process, which is more than just the shot. He also reflected on their commitment to the music and their history.
Take a listen.
You can also learn more here in a prior Jersey Indie post - Celebrate Black History Month with Patrick Hilaire.
John Lee and Friends perform at Patrick Hilaire’s LIGHT [+SOUND] Photography Exhibition.
During the exhibition, jazz could be heard across the exhibition floors. The mellow swinging sounds were waffling through the air. Folks actually were able to listen to the music, view the photos, and actually see one of the artists photographed in the gallery exhibition playing the music. A pretty cool move. The musicians performing also have an extensive musical history across the industry, which their bios reflect, and it makes the photography process even sweeter. Check them out.
Bassist John Lee — A Grammy-winning recording engineer/producer, has performed as bassist with legendary Dizzy Gillespie for 10 years and with other luminaries such as Aretha Franklin, Paquito D'Rivera, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Larry Coryell, Gregory Hines, Claudio Roditi, Arturo Sandoval amongst many others. John Lee runs from Dizzy Gillespie to Aretha Franklin and into the stars of today. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lee_(bassist))
Drummer Gerry Brown — Was Stevie Wonder's drummer for 14 years, helped create the legendary world-famous jazz tune "School Days'' with his friend Stanley Clark, is an ex-member of Chick Corea's iconic world renown tune "Return To Forever", performed with Kool and the Gang, and is currently touring with Diana Ross. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Brown_(drummer))
Pianist Alex Collins — A New York City-based pianist, composer, arranger and vibraphonist, made his debut at the Tanglewood Jazz Festival with the Brandon Wright Quartet, has performed with Ronnie Burrage, Micelle Coltrane, Big Funk, Gerry Gibbs, Karl Latham, John Lee, Lonnie Plaxico, Lenny White, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars amongst many others. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-collins-9ba56b4)
It made for some beautiful music, and you can read more about the musicians here on JerseyIndie — https://bit.ly/jazzyNightswJoh...
Swinging with John Lee and Friends.
The music portion of the night was enjoyed tremendously. Here are a few comments from reception attendees:
Patrick’s black and white photography was aesthetically sexy. He captured the passion of the musician behind the drums and the commitment of the hornist on the Asbury Park boardwalk. And the smooth sounds of jazz were just the right compliment for the night. — CC M
Had a marvelous time with great music and wonderful photography.
It was a wonderful event and the photo exhibition will remain up, so come by and you won’t be disappointed! — Linda C.
Fantastic! Patrick Hilaire is my favorite photographer. — Charlie A
Exhibition promotion and other shots not on display.
While this exhibition ends on Feb. 28th in The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC, we hope you get to see it.
We also advise you to continue to view even more Patrick Hilaire photography. You can stay up to date here on his IG, @l1stener. If you like what you see at the exhibition, know that his art will be available for purchase as these will be museum-quality archival pigment prints on Bright White Velvet 100% rag paper.
Photo Credit: Patrick Hilaire
Gregory Burrus is a local live music producer, promoter who captures, and records live music performances, community events and private engagements. Gregory also loves to write and blog about the art and entertainment scene across New Jersey and New York.
My mission is to help artists, live music bands, community groups, and local nonprofits reach their goals and accomplish their mission while thoroughly enjoying the day-to-day process of life.
Learn more at:
https://www.jerseyindie.com/ji-blogger-gregory-burrus
http://gregoryburrusproductions.com
http://24hoursofmusicjamboree.com
https://patch.com/users/gregburrus
By Gregory Burrus | Posted Wednesday, February 2, 2022
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. You can read more about The Man Behind Black History Month.
For Black History Month 2022, the theme is Black Health and Wellness, and in a recent recap article “2021 Live Music Year In Review” I opined about the health and mental benefits of the art of live music:
“For listeners, a live music concert is a pleasurable social event that is among the most visceral and memorable forms of musical engagement. It's the same for musicians, with the added note that for many it’s not a side business, it’s their lifeblood and the thing that keeps them alive. With that in mind, we all pushed on through the year making music and great memories.”
After seeing the absence of music and art during this COVID pandemic and the slow recovery we are all going through, there is no doubt that Art and Music have a major effect on helping us feel better, recover, survive, and even thrive during the current state of the world.
Photo Credit: Clements Place Jazz by Patrick Hilaire Photography
Exposure to art and music along with participation in creative activities creates positive brain changes. That's according to a new report from the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH), an AARP-founded working group of scientists, health care professionals and other experts. Their latest report, “Music on Our Minds,” highlights research showing music's positive effect on emotional well-being, including improving mood, decreasing anxiety, and managing stress. There is creativity in making the music and there’s creativity spawned from listening to music. In an upcoming event, we will encounter exceptional creativity from a preeminent photographer who listens to the sounds and is inspired by the light.
"I am excited about the upcoming Light and Sound Exhibition at the beautiful SOPAC Gallery. This show gives me a chance to share and explore the deeper elements of my passion when it comes to understanding the intersection of sound and light in any live music performance. There's beauty in the moment and capturing it ‘just right’ amongst all else that is going on during a live performance is a challenge that I enjoy." — Patrick Hilaire
Around the Jersey NYC area there are many live music performances and, of course, numerous photographers. One notable local photographer that stands out from the pack is the professional photographer known as @l1stener or Patrick Hilaire. Over time, Patrick has compiled a remarkable collection of photographs of live music performances, the musicians, and the environments associated with the Greater New Jersey and New York live music scene. One of the things we notice is that whether he’s at a live music performance, a wedding, or he’s strolling down the street, he’s keenly aware of the details beyond what we normally see. While we see the daily activities of life moving around us, Patrick sees the details in one leaf amongst the leaves blowing in the wind, the formation of the icicles occurring on the side mirror of a car and, yes, while we listen to the music he sees the lights emanating from the sound.
Patrick is also known for capturing not just the music and the musicians, and if you stare in one direction too long, you may find yourself captured by Patrick. And the funny part is folks who say “No, not me,” end up loving his images of them. Since we get to hang out and be around him at times, we get to see firsthand his working process and how it unfolds. Sometimes he shows up, grabs a beverage, turns his hat around backwards, pulls out his camera, and starts shooting and the results are like this gorgeous one of our buddy Boz, RIP, 2020.
Jazz Advocate Lee “Boz” May by Patrick Patrick Hilaire Photography
At other times, he shows up, eyes the environment, sets up all his equipment, pulls out his camera or cameras, adjusts the settings, turns his hat around and starts the shooting session. What we don’t see is that he believes, in preparation before the event, spending time getting to know his subjects and his environment. He thinks about posing and positioning of his subjects and then deliberately chooses camera settings that ensure the final result will look fantastic. Sometimes the preparation is all done in the blink of an eye, yet it’s all very professionally done.
From the archives Patrick Hilaire Photography.
The results speak for themselves as Patrick sees the light and more, in addition to the sound that comes from the musicians. If you've been in the presence of Patrick at any of our events, you can tell he sees more than we do, so we are very happy to see an exhibition of his work being put on display at the beautiful South Orange Performing Arts Center.
The South Orange Performing Arts Center describes this wonderful event about the photography of Patrick Hilaire as follows:
“His life’s work has focused on capturing the relationship between images and sound. Known as the man behind the camera at many Jazz happenings, Hilaire has been a staple in the local music scene for years. Hilaire has photographed performers from SOPAC’s Jazz & Blues in the Loft series as well as the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Band at the Blue Note in New York City. Hilaire has exhibited at several galleries, was featured at the South by South Orange Festival, and shot performances at the John Coltrane International Jazz & Blues Festival as well as the South Mountain International Blues Festival.”
The Haitian-born self-taught photographer’s ability to capture compelling musical moments by great artists has brought him widespread acclaim. “Musical events are the intersection where the rhythm of the performer and photographer get to meet,” he says. A Jazz lover since childhood, Hilarie was first moved by the genre when his older brother Max Hilaire, also a noted photographer, brought home Herbie Mann's “The Glory of Love.”
Add to the above, Patrick has captured and documented numerous Jazz events at clubs and jazz venues all over Northern NJ and New York City, from Morristown’s Shanghai Jazz to Jersey City’s Brightside Tavern and Moore's Lounge. In between, you will see his beautiful captures from West Orange’s South Valley BBQ and Bar, South Orange Summer Saturdays Stages, Jazz On Sloan at the South Orange Gazebo, Papillon 25, The Fox and Falcon, Montclair’s DLV Lounge, Newark's Clements Place Jazz 973, NJPAC and, of course, SOPAC’s most prestigious Giants of Jazz Program. In New York, he’s covered just about every jazz venue, from North Harlem’s SMOKEs to the Village Vanguard, Blue Note, Small's, and Birdland in Southern Manhattan, along with venues in Brooklyn.
According to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) website:
“SOPAC is an accessible cultural destination located in the heart of downtown South Orange that presents world-class artists in an intimate and welcoming environment […] Through visionary leadership and an unwavering commitment, SOPAC has become a cultural centerpiece for the region, an economic driver for the community and a catalyst for artistic opportunity.
The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC showcases a wide range of artists bringing contemporary art to a broader audience […] With the support of the Gallery’s Art Advisory Committee, art exhibitions are selected according to the vision of the Curator, Jeremy Moss. Exhibition themes, artist selection, even placement of artwork is meant to lead visitors through the Gallery exhibition while telling a story, instigating questions and provoking conversations […]
The Gallery is located on the second and third floors of SOPAC. It hosts 4-5 art exhibits a year.”
Admission to the Gallery is free. Visit www.SOPACnow.org/gallery.
Celebrate Black History Month with the photography of local notable, Patrick Hilaire.
On Display: Showcasing Patrick Hilaire’s stunning black-and-white portraits of Jazz musicians.
Where: The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC
When: February 1 – 28, 2022
Hours: Monday-Saturday, Noon – 6 PM.
Admission: Free
Reception: Thursday, February 17, 5 – 8 PM, plus live jazz music.
The art will be available for purchase, as these will be museum-quality archival pigment prints on Bright White Velvet 100% rag paper.
Learn more: https://www.sopacnow.org/events/light-sound-reception/
Curator Jeremy Moss. Photo by Kevin Coughlin.
Having studied photography and graphic art in the U.K., Jeremy Moss’s journey to the artist of today has been a combination of fine art shows and editorial assignments. His photographic, fine art limited editions have been shown throughout the greater New York metropolitan region in solo shows, juried fine art shows, and group shows. His work is held in both private and corporate collections, domestic and international. Jeremy is also a painter and mosaic artist. His paintings are mostly abstract textural pieces that have a definite relationship with his fine art photography.
In 2016, the South Orange Performing Arts Center appointed Jeremy as the curator for the Herb & Milly Iris Gallery. He is an experienced and visionary arts non-profit leader with over 19 years in arts and arts management, skilled at building exceptional teams focused on collaboration and results. He was brought on board to oversee the strategic direction of the gallery, as well as bring new exhibits to the South Orange landmark that reflect the mission of the Herb & Milly Iris Gallery — to encourage emerging artists and to bring contemporary art to a broader audience.
Jeremy is a native of Leicester, England and currently resides in Orange, New Jersey.
Gregory Burrus is a local live music producer, promoter who captures, and records live music performances, community events and private engagements. Gregory also loves to write and blog about the art and entertainment scene across New Jersey and New York,
My mission is to help artists, live music bands, community groups, and local nonprofits reach their goals and accomplish their mission while thoroughly enjoying the day-to-day process of life.
Learn more at:
http://gregoryburrusproductions.com
http://24hoursofmusicjamboree.com
https://patch.com/users/gregburrus
Photography by Nick Kiefer.
By Sonia Schnee | Posted Sunday, December 8, 2019
If you don’t know who David Ross Lawn is… you should. He composes and performs gorgeous melodies on the piano (including for Idle Wave, who we interviewed here) and is also an accomplished vocalist, photographer, model, and more. His work has been featured internationally, and his collaborations with other artists have often crossed genres.
On January 18th, you can see David perform live as part of Asbury Underground Light of Day Music Crawl. When he’s not out performing, modeling, photographing, and the like, David teaches music theory, composition and performance in Asbury Park.
Check out our interview with David Ross Lawn, below, to learn more about the inspiration behind his work.
That is all correct, yes!
I am an emerging composer, performer and visual artist with a penchant for interpreting essences of the human condition. My compositional output and performance aesthetic cultivates my training in classical ideals with an intrinsic contemporary twist that has always felt authentic to me.
My photography and modeling follow suit with my music, in the sense of aiming to depict notions of the human condition and interaction. I love collaborating with other artists on an intimate one-to-one moment in time, with the camera lens as my vehicle of archiving and interpreting the transactional energy.
I also model actively for life and figure drawing modeling sessions in the surrounding areas, posing nude or clothed for people of all ages and abilities. I find a lot of beauty and enjoyment when I get to share contemplative moments on a day to day basis in my multitude of art forms.
My training in piano has been fairly sizable with two degrees, distinctions and childhood awards in my performance of the instrument, however, my approach to my own solo piano creations does not always display such vivaciousness or tenacity. I have always felt a deep resonance towards archiving contemplative moments of interaction in my piano compositions. Thus, my output not always ‘flashy’ but rather dim-lit, contemplative and intimate.
I pride myself in the timbral quality of my melodies and voicing, and I seek to always create works that can take a listener somewhere nostalgic, or somewhere they have never been before. That, to me, is musical magic: and it is what I aim to give an audience in any facet of performance or composition.
I am inspired by music that takes me to a place deep within myself. I find sanctuary in the dreamy impressionism of Claude Debussy’s output as well as other composers that harken to impressionism in their work: Lili Boulanger, Isaac Albeniz, Yann Tiersen. If you are reading this and interested in music that feels like a dream sequence, those composers will help take you there.
When it comes to music by living creators, I feel a strong resonance to songwriters that speak of the human condition in ways that compel the listener: Keaton Henson, Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers would be my top three artists on repeat lately. I’m also a massive fan of art song (Vaughan Wiliams, John Dowland, Tom Cipullo) French melodie (Duparc, Faure, Gounod) and of course opera and musical theatre (Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Puccini).
I’m so excited to hear you felt a resonance with my debut release! It’s always lovely to hear a listener’s take on my work. This collection was all composed in a series of one takes at The Strand Theatre in Lakewood on a beautiful Steinway piano that I immediately felt a deep connection with.
I composed the track ‘Flying, Floating, Falling’ at a fairly young period of my life, and revisited the sketches for this first release. It is the most streamed track, and I feel it has a lot of connection to my journey. The title of the piece is a nod towards the deeper significance of where my heart was when I wrote it: I was discovering, or rather uncovering, nihilism for the first time in my life. I was actually watching a scene from the movie Toy Story with my mother: Woody and Buzz sharing a dialogue as they fell from the sky together: “Are we falling?” “No, we’re just flying with style”. I felt, for some reason, a nihilist parallel between this scene and my outlook on life and death. Are we all just falling, flying with style? I recall asking my mother this at a young age, and the fact that she never really had an answer, and the notion that none of us really do: is what the track explores— the tragic beauty of the human condition.
Correct! I discovered the label upon realizing a significant number of my favorite ethereal and neoclassical composers were signed to them with initial releases. I sent the team a demo of the already-released debut EP, and they excitedly offered to distribute it under their company, and work hard on getting it into some media placements (which has been going very nicely).
After one more release with Kning Disk, I intend to spread my wings even further out with more record label distribution agreements with interested teams. I love that more corners of the world are hearing my piano output, and the more people I have on my team that believe in my sound: the better.
My goal when it comes to my music is to have it in the background of some high end media: perhaps short film or advertisement: fashion, blog videos, etc. I’ve been fortunate enough to already have ticked off quite a few of these boxes and I remain excited for what future releases will hold for me and my journey.
I found deep appreciation for art song and opera while pursuing my masters degree at Westminster Choir College in Princeton. Although the degree was primarily in theory and composition, I was sitting in on as many vocal courses as I possibly could: from learning about German lieder, French melodie, audition prep and pedagogy, to observing student recitals with stunning explorative repertoire many nights of the week.
I spent a lot of time off in the library absorbing as much knowledge as I could on composers and their stories. It was like my undergraduate degree in Scotland, but focussed far more on what I truly wanted to be studying. Being surrounded by such vocal talent allowed me to explore my own parameters and inspirations. I’m so thankful to have went to such a magical school that prides itself in classical vocal and musical training. It is a big part of the fibre that makes my composition and performance the way it is to this day.
I enjoy photographing portraiture of fellow artists far and wide, whether in or out of performance. I would describe my style as fairly individualistic and imaginative, as I form my images based more on my personal vision than necessarily from the realism of a scene being displayed.
I let my feelings take hold of a color palettes and enjoy creating my own dream world in the frame. I take visual inspiration from lomography and slide films, though I shoot using a digital camera. I’m very fortunate to get regularly hired by friends and friends of friends to interpret a show, or simply take photographs for social media posting. The interaction and time I get to spend with people making visual moments is always incredibly enjoyable.
As a composer: My highlights with my output definitely would be having my piano music in Scottish Television, and high fashion media campaigns. The entire collection is also featured in a high-profile branding company video (1924US) and will continue to be in more, as well as Air New Zealand relaxation in-flight music.
I’ve been fortunate enough to have won a number of call for scores where I enter music anonymously into competitions and get picked to create for a professional ensemble: my most recent commission was writing a full work for performance by Verdigris Ensemble: a professional vocal group in Dallas TX. My work had coverage from many media teams including NBC, Soluna Festival, Art&Seek and Texas Theatre. I’ve been selected to compose for other various companies over the last year: including Twin Cities Opera on Tap, Vortex Winds Marching Band, Diamonds from the Dust ensemble and Kansas City VITAS Choir.
As a performer and artist: I’ve had the pleasure of performing in places such as Carnegie Hall, Kimmel Center and other timeless locations with various groups during my time at Westminster Choir College. I’ve been fortunate to be interviewed a number of times by magazines and physical print editions asking me about my craft as a musician and visual artist: including Lomography magazine, Pursuit of Portraits, Peculiars Magazine and Hylas Magazine. I’m always flattered when I am asked to talk about my art to a large number of people reading or listening.
My most recent commission with the Verdigris Ensemble in Dallas, TX was certainly special and will always remain vivid in my memories. I was given the incredible opportunity to set thousands of responses from the general Dallas pubic on their views on the city they live in: the form of “Dallas is _____”. I sifted through thousands of poetic responses: some not so poetic; and created an hour long concert piece out of what was supplied. It was perhaps one of the more challenging works due to the varied responses and the volume of information I had to play with.
The work contained every genre that I could muster in my style: from medieval plainchant through to art song, operatic style soloist moments, all the way through to comedic upbeat musical theatre. I composed and performed piano interludes throughout and the entire work barely stopped for breath. I was flown out to perform with the ensemble, and was overjoyed to receive such high compliments and three sold out performances of the work. Having coverage from such high profiled teams such as NBC DFW and having it part of the Soluna Festival coverage felt wonderful. The entire experience was a massive motivator for me to continue to strive for large-scale works and to keep pushing myself to think outside of the box with opportunities.
That’s an incredibly moving quote, and I agree wholeheartedly. I’ve always felt an authentic call to music and visual arts, and I think my contribution is simply a culmination of the art forms I present. I often hear that my way of doing things is innately ‘different’ to what others do, and I find that to be a compliment. I hope that people can see, hear, and ultimately feel my personal and imaginative ways that I do my art: from the visual art and modeling all the way through to the way I perform and compose.
I always say “if you like it, wear it” and I think this goes far beyond fabric and the tangible— if you enjoy a craft and you want to leave a mark with it: try it, and watch it unfold. Remaining true and authentic as an artist is, in my opinion, the most beautiful impact you can leave with the world.
Success is not necessarily in the wealth of monetary gain for me at all: but rather in the moments of interaction surrounding my art— I love receiving an email, direct message, or face to face communication that my art has left an impact on somebody’s life. I’ve been told that my piano music has soothed a baby crying: repaired an argument; helped with anxiety and aided many yoga sessions. I feel motivated every time I hear that my music has helped the world. To me, that is success for me as an artist: leaving a positive and beautiful impact, and making moments.
Interestingly enough, I have one composer deep within my family tree / ancestry, but my parents and siblings are not musically inclined. I was certainly the stereotypical ‘middle child’ in the sense of being the one that always stood out as different - even to this day, I feel like my wavelength is something that isn’t always shared with the masses.
I grew up with a wallflower-type personality: very much introverted and aware, keeping myself to myself. In high school I found solstice in the other people that considered themselves outcasts, and the musical theatre kids. I worked hard in school and focussed a lot on my music: often running straight home to the piano to practice.
I never realized that music was my path until it gradually came to light— I was winning competitions like the ‘young musician of the year’ in my region: taking on lead roles in the theatre shows, and being consistently encouraged by my teachers. The journey to becoming a musician has always been enigmatic to me: as I don’t think there was a specific moment in time that I looked in the mirror and said ‘yes’ to all of this, but I’d like to believe that music has always been inside of me: I’m now just a lot more intuitive to the sounds of my heart, and far more confident at letting others into the vulnerability.
Performance-wise: I’ll be performing locally on the 18th of January for the Light of Day showcases: a series of vocal work from opera to musical theatre.
Visual-art-wise: There is currently an exhibit of Nick Kiefer’s portraiture of me on display at Motion City Media on Cookman Avenue. I believe it will be there for the next number of weeks.
Horizon-wise: Look out for updates on my second piano EP release early 2020!
Find me on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7crSZLg74nlnSz4eEwHjZr?si=aBEWqglnRt-cm22a5KMPvA
Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidrosslawn
Style blog profile via Lookbook: https://lookbook.nu/davidrosslawn
Website: www.davidrosslawn.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidrosslawn
Youtube: www.youtube.com/davidlawn
and Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidrosslawn
