RECORDING ARTIST
RECORD PRODUCER
COMPOSER
MUSICIAN
FILM MAKING
COACHING & MENTORING
SCULPTURE
WRITING
ARTWORK
GRAPHIC DESIGN
I've had a long career as a music maker, working as a recording artist, composer, session musician, record producer, live and touring musician,and artist mentor.
Now I'm back where I started working as a solo recording artist while also exploring other mediums as you can see in the headings above..
PHOTOGRAPY
BIOG & CONTACT
2009
30 min documentary film
This is a documentary I made after I found myself immersed into the unlikely world of Australian sheep farmers dealing with a crippling drought.
How did I get to this..?.. making a film about sheep farmers...!
Very strange to find my self making a documentary....It really all happened by chance.I had never set out to make a film. It started as a music commission from an arts company ‘BighArt’ . They asked if I would be interested in composing music in some form that might act as a voice for farmers dealing with the issues of drought in Australia. I was curious and up for a new challenge but felt completely in the dark, in terms of subject matter, culture and country. So I took my guitar and a camcorder for personal use and went to spend time living and working with the farmers. The music didn’t come easily, but my ‘video diary’ did, and over time it transformed from personal journal to full documentary. I had never made a film before but It just seemed to be the best way to convey the issues. I did however write the music for the film which for me was the easy bit.
It was a transforming and enlightening experience and I learnt many things about life out there but more importantly learnt that there are creative people in all walks of life...... Contrary to my expectations I discovered an inspiring farmer , Graham Strong , who was finding ways to adapt to the changing climate. With amazing insights and great wisdom Graham raises questions about the meaning of drought and points to a need for cultural change and adaptive strategies in farming practice.
This is the fist film I have ever made and its worth giving some context. I had just arrived in Australia and was looking for work when a strange offer came my way. I was commissioned to compose music that might articulate the issue of drought the farmers in NSW where dealing with. I was totally out of my depth and so asked if I could spend time on a sheep farm so I could learn somthing of their world. I happened to take a cheap little camcorder with me so I could document this strange new experience. It wasn't supposed to be a 'proper' film I just wanted a video diary for my self. But gradually I realised that the story I had unwittingly caught on camera would speak more honestly than any music I could compose. If I could piece it together and learn to edit the footage I might able be tell a story that says something about the issues through film. It was an extraordinary experience to make something without setting out to.... A great lesson for me all round and an experience I will never forget. The film has gone on to be used as a show case item for many environmental organisations. Funny thing is I'm not an environmentalist and I know nothing about farming !... one of those moments when you say ' how the hell did this happen!'
MY ROLL : CAMERMAN
PRESENTER
EDITOR
FILM : WELL BEYOND WATER
This is the trailer for the film.
Click on link below for the web site were you can see the whole film
WELL BEYOND WATER