Lots of News about SoaSN!

Scenes of a Sexual Nature (which will be my first feature film credit!) will be released nationwide in the UK from Friday 3rd November 2006, playing in about 40 cinemas across the country. It has also been nominated for Best UK Feature Film at the Raindance Film Festival!

I wrote the music for the trailer, which should be appearing soon, so look out for it!

They've set it up on MySpace, so you can be the film's friend, if you are so inclined.

Phew! Too many exclamation marks in this post!!!! I'm off for a lie down in a darkened room!!!!!!

Two Families

I've recently finished orchestrating another film project for composer Dominik Scherrer. This one was a mafia film entitled Two Families, and was directed by Romano Scavolini. This was the first feature film project where I was the sole orchestrator, so it was all quite exciting (and a little bit nerve-wracking at times!) (Oh - and hard work too!!)

The score features the wonderful cellist Philip Sheppard. As well as playing 'straight' beautifully, he also gets some incredible sounds and special effects from his cello. It's really exciting to be working with great musicians like Philip.

Not sure when or where this film will come out - watch this space..

My Dad's 75th

Yesterday was my Dad's 75th birthday party, and he held a birthday lunch for family and friends at The Albert on Victoria Street in London. We had a very fine lunch, with either roast beef, turkey or pork to choose from, plus all the trimmings. As you can see from the pictures, Dad received not one but two very chocolatey cakes.

I was starting to panic that I might have to do a toast, and was frantically asking my family near me for good jokes for such an occasion - all I got was one about poor Steve Irwin from my nephew, Chris, which didn't quite seem to fit the bill. Happily for me, one of Dad's colleagues took it upon himself to do the toast so I was off the hook.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to apologise to Aunt Ruth, who was arriving at Paddington where I was supposed to meet her, but unfortunately I was late. After much wandering around the station, and phone calls to my Dad, I eventually got the message that she'd decided to make her own way to the pub. So I did the same - and then by chance met her on the bus! This seemed like not a bad result, only then we failed to get off at the appropriate stop, and ended up having to get another one back. Navigation has never been my strong point. Sorry Auntie. (I might add that she was very forgiving and wasn't in the least bit cross with me.)

Steve and Eileen's wedding

Congratulations to Steve and Eileen who got married on Saturday! The weather was very good, and the location was beautiful: King's College Chapel, and then Elphinstone Hall in Aberdeen.

There was a wide variety of music played by the bride and groom's many musical friends and family. There was a piece by Eileen's late grandfather, Charlie Hunter, played during the service and later the Aurora Brass Quintet entertained us as we sipped champagne on the lawn. There was also a piper, and at the end of the evening a great ceilidh band. (Dancing at a ceilidh is just about my favourite thing - but I do need to have a very understanding partner as I haven't got a clue about any of the moves.)

I used to live in Aberdeen (in my previous life as a software engineer), so I know the city very well. Unfortunately, this had to be a very short visit for me as I am very busy at the moment and had a gig in London the next day. So sadly there was no time to catch up with old friends who are up there - except those who attended the wedding, of course.

Here are some terrible photos I took with my (shiny new) phone. At the top is the best (sorry) I have of the happy couple, then there's a young loun running about in a kilt. Then there's Elphinstone Hall looking a bit like Hogwarts, and King's College Chapel at night. The last picture shows how everything looked to me towards the end of the evening..

Righteous Rage..

Todays' Telegraph contains an article by my dad entitled 'Righteous Rage at the Parish Pump', about the trials of editing the local church magazine. It's also available online.

My mum's not going to be at all happy, I fear..

SoaSN in today's Evening Standard

Just seen that today's Evening Standard contains quite a large article about Scenes of a Sexual Nature, which I orchestrated for and played trumpet on. The article mainly focuses on Ewan McGregor's appearance in the film, and has a few nice pictures from it. According to the Standard, it'll be released in late October or early November.

A Pint of Brains

Oh dear, I haven't blogged for ages... I've been really busy with a TV project (which I'm not allowed to talk about I think), and have been playing a bit here and there with Riamba, the Rugs and the John Ongom Big Band.

For the first time in my life I went to Wales at the weekend. I was visiting a friend who's teaching on the Jazz Summer School at the University of Glamorgan. The course is run by Simon Purcell and Dave Wickins, and this year the tutors include Bobby Wellins, Liane Carroll, Martin Speake and Chris Batchelor.

I didn't get to sit in on any of the classes, but I went to the jazz club which they run in the student union every evening and I must say, it was a really great atmosphere. I met several of the tutors, who were really friendly, and several students, who all seemed to be having a whale of a time. Felt slightly strange asking for a pint of Brains (the local brew). It was very nice - and a lot more malty than actual brains.

Went down to Porthcawl to stay with my friend's parents for a night. Went swimming in the Bristol Channel in a pair of swimming shorts borrowed from her dad (it could have been worse: I was initially offered a pair of speedos). All very invigorating (I mean the sea and the air).

I was sorry to have to return to London on Monday - I was really envious of everybody who would get to hang out there on the course all week and just play music. Oh well...