Hello everybody
I’m new to Stage 32 and am finding my way around it bit by bit. I’m also a composer from the UK and have been involved in the music business for many years… mainly teaching music technology but also working with my post-punk and fairly non-conventional band, Normil Hawaiians. We’ve certainly remained a rather ‘niche’ outfit (in other words, very low sales!) but we’ve had some nice reviews in Mojo, Wire and The Quietus etc. I’m in the process of mastering our first new album for several decades, again, quite a genre defying thing, which we hope will be released on the Upset the Rhythm label fairly soon.
But, now that I’ve decided to stop teaching (or at least not quite so much) I am very keen to find work with moving image makers, particularly where’s there’s an interest in the unorthodox or the exploration of themes of human understanding and communication (rather than action/high octane stuff). Here’s a link to some musical ideas that I’ve recently put together that would, hopefully, go some way to illustrating what I can and enjoy doing… I would greatly appreciate any feedback from Stage 32 members if they were able to find the time to have a little listen :-)
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That's a cool band name, Simon Marchant. What's the story behind it?
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You're welcome, Simon Merchant!
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Good question Maurice. It's actually taken from a track (We Are Normal') by the 60's British experimental group 'Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band'.
https://youtu.be/KZXI9RJSgok
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Nice to meet you Simon. Let me know if you'd like any tips on getting hooked up to the film composer scene here in the UK!
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Thanks, Simon Marchant. I've never heard of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. That's a strange song. In a good way.
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It is, indeed, Maurice Vaughan. We sometimes use it at the start of our set. The Bonzos were quite avant-garde and surreal. They had links with the Monty Python crew.
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The "Monty Python" movies, Simon Marchant?
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Indeed, Maurice, as well as the Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV series which were cult viewing from the late 60’s to the early 70’s.
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Cool, Simon Marchant. I've heard of the "Monty Python" movies, but I haven't seen them. I need to check them out. The TV series too.
Your comment didn't show up, Simon Marchant.
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Sorry, Maurice. It was just a thumbs up emoji…
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Welcome Simon! Loved to hear what you have... Thanks!
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Welcome to Stage 32 Simon! Great to have you a part of the community!
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Thank you, Sherri and Sam, for your kind and welcoming words :-)
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Nice to meet you Simon - welcome!
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Thank you, Morne :-)
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Hope you're already feeling the support of this amazing community, Simon Marchant. When you get a second, check out the Composing Lounge. That's where many of our 40,000 composers spend their time.
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Good to have you here, Simon!
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Thank you, Marion :-)
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Simon, I have the feminine spelling of Marion which is MARIAN. Most Americans don't know of the difference, but my brother and I were named after Robin Hood and Maid Marian - no kidding!
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Apologies for my mistake, Marian. My aunt’s name is Marion and I know several other women who use the same spelling… but that’s no excuse!
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No worries, Simon! I am British where there is a difference in spelling. I've gotten used to the other spelling now. But I do love to tell the story of how my brother and I got our names. My parents were Pioneer missionaries to Sudan. There weren't a lot of books available, so my three older siblings grew up on Bible stories. When Mum was expecting her fourth child, she suggested that Jessie, the oldest help name the baby. Jessie was delighted and started choosing names. When she added Zephaniah, Zachariah and Zerubbabel, Mum asked in amusement why the last one. Jessie: "So I can call him Rubber Ball!" Mum quickly found some books to read to her. The first one was about Robin Hood. Jessie fell in love. The baby would be named Robin, of course! And the next would be called Marian! My brother and I obliged.
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That’s a lovely story, Marian. Thanks for sharing it. I’m British too, by the way :-).
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Welcome Simon! Nice tomeet you. Glad you're here.
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Great to know a fellow Brit on here, Simon!