Andrew Fisher Music

Busy busy. Again.

2011-09-25T21:15:00.003Z

I seem to have written that as a blog title before now. Am reaching white heat hectic-ness (which I love - who doesn't really) of juggling uni and film/TV and musical theatre careers simultaneously. Plate spinning metaphors spring to mind. Suffice to say am busy and will remain so for the foreseeable so the blogs may become scant-er. But great to be working for a fab music department and with a fab fellow composer Richard Blair Oliphant.

Wedding in cornwall

2011-09-04T15:50:00.003Z

Just got back after driving just under 5oo miles in two days. I went down yesterday morning to the breathtakingly beautiful Prussia Bay in Cornwall, close to Penzance to see my friend Jimmy Hay marry Sara. It was a beautiful wedding - very emotional - and good to see a number of old friends, including Jimbo Gillingham who gave a riotously funny Best Mans speech. On the way back today it has become clear that my car is in serious trouble - sounding very ill. Time to take it for a service methinks.

New Website!

2011-08-31T14:48:00.001Z

My New website is launched!

www.andrewfishermusic.com

Many thanks to Matthew Milnes who designed it, Tony Reeves who helped with the content and Richard Barr for taking the photos.

Photo shoot

2011-08-26T21:57:00.002Z

Today I had the comparatively new experience (for someone not used to it) of having my picture taken. A lot. It was a shoot for new professional pics for website/ headshot/professional etc purposes. As someone who is fully reconciled to my composing career having very little to do with how I physically look, it took a bit of time to get over my severe self consciousness, but in the end I actually rather enjoyed it all, and this was entirely due to my photographer Richard Budd (www.richardbudd.co.uk) was was utterly terrific. He was a real pro, put me completely at my ease, and may have managed to achieve a feat I had thought hitherto unfathomable - make me look half decent on film. I would strongly recommend him to anyone. I'll put the pics up on my new website...

Thanks very much, Richard.

ooooops

2011-08-23T17:32:00.002Z

Yeeeeesh. Am painfully and shamefully (it half- rhymes!) aware of disgraceful neglect on my part on my bloggage since... ye gods... Oct 2010!?. He he. Sheepish grin. I did try once or twice but had trouble logging in (lame lame lame excuse). I've been reaaaaally busy. No excuses. Fail.

It actually HAS been a v busy year work-wise - additional composition on a couple of Discovery channel series, and workshopping a new musical - Dido Queen of Carthage, which I will be showcasing on Saturday 14th September at 3pm at the Soho theatre, directed by my great friend Tim Ford, and starring the incredible Olivier nominated actress and singer Emma Williams, who has been a joy to work with.

There are also some other projects in the offing, so work promises to keep me honest. I will ry much harder and blog more regularly, I promise. Hope my (one? two?) readers are well.

Busy busy busy

2010-10-31T20:50:00.002Z

Ooops. Just realised that I have not blogged for many months. Yeesh. Which is a sign of ultra-busy busy-ness which I have been experiencing since mid September. Lots of ongoing uni work at the moment (marking, prep, admin) combined with composing music for a new project, which is fun but leaving time for little else.

My work/life balance has recently become rather skewed and I am just realising that I will need to re-read my 'time management for complete idiots' before my ambitious food baby takes over the world. I went for a jog today and the fresh air hurt my skin. A bad sign. What's happening to me?! And since when did I start to sound like that character from Dostoyevsky's Notes From the Underground?! Argh. Time to count my blessings.... of which there are many.

One wedding, One funeral, and 10 million hits

2010-08-27T22:50:00.002Z

Cough! Splutter! Sneeze! Self pitying whimper. August has been a BUSY old time of bits "n" pieces.... My Grandfathers' funeral for a start, which given being a difficult time for the whole family, at least reminds one of what DOES matter in life and what doesn't. It has been good to become re-acquainted with a number of cousins, some I hadn't seen for nearly 20 years!

THis was shortly followed by my doing Best Man duties at my best friend Simon and Sabri's Wedding in London. Didn't lose the rings, and acquitted the speech I think okay - many lovely people said lovely things afterwards, more than politeness called for. Simon's family is truly wonderful - so obliging, welcoming and generous.

Shortly after that I have developed a truly spectacular summer cold which has given me a hacking cough, and truly virulent sneezes, so am drugged up on Lemsip and sipping hot ribenas. Therefore pleased to lift my spirits with the discovery the the Tome and Jerry clip has now passed 10 million hits on you tube and reached No 6 in the all time UK most popular Youtube chart for animation. Otherwise I have three different musicals on the go and a uni term to prepare for. And I really ought to take that weeks holiday before I burn out properly....

Tragic News

2010-07-28T17:32:00.003Z

My grandfather Alexander Crockett OBE died peacefully in his sleep yesterday. He was 89. Though he has been frail for a long time it's always a difficult time for a family and we all feel the sadness. These events always put the other parts of our lives into perspective, and I reminded of the many people whom I love and owe so much to. I was also reminded of the song from Cymbeline by William Shakespeare.

Fear no more the heat of the sun

Nor the furious winter's rages

Thous thy wordly task hath done

Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages

Golden lads and girls all must

As chimney-sweepers, come to dust

Billy Bow Recording

2010-07-24T13:43:00.002Z

We were fortunate enough to be very generously donated some seed money at the end of Billy Bow to create a recording of the show for promotional purposes. I have spend every hour since then preparing and recording the orchestral back and the chorus parts for this,and we should hopefully have a CD by the end of next week.

It has been very exciting to have this opportunity straight off the back of the production and I am hoping that this means we can continue to gather interest in this amazing story. The recording sessions with students were a lot of fun and I have one more coming next week with the professional actors - it will be so nice to see them all again as they are such generous and likeable people. After that I am looking forward to a little time off to recharge the batteries......... and write some more music.......

Billy Bow

2010-07-07T12:41:00.002Z

http://www.whatsonstage.com/reviews/theatre/southwest/E8831278495369/Billy+Bow+%28Southampton%29.html

Billy Bow, a workshop version of my latest musical is on at the Nuffield Theatre Southampton. See the review above. Tuesday night was the first performance and went very well indeed. Two more nights to go, and I think the whole show is sold out! Yay!

Story first then background. The show tells the true story of a young black woman who disguises herself as a man and serves aboard a warship in the Napoleonic era. Ian Friel, my collaborator (Book and co-lyricist with yours truly) is an eminent local maritime historian (and thoroughly lovely man) approached me a few years ago with the story which I thought straight away would make a terrific musical. We tinkered with it over a few years, but things really took off when the CCI (Creative Campus Initiative) sent out a call for responses to the 2012 Olympic games, looking for arts collaborative arts projects that reflected regional sports (sailing in this instance). We found some very terrific and enthusiastic project partners in the Nuffield Theatre and Solent University, and were granted funding to put on a workshop show at the Nuffield.

We have four professional actors: Amanda Wilkin as Billy Bow (an utterly spellbinding portrayal), David Burrows as Borrow the genial foretopman (a wonderful character actor and human being, possessing the widest array of hysterically funny and diverting stories - David knows EVERYONE in Britain - he MUST write a biography), Jon De Ville as the troubled Standing (also playing the geordie sailor Brady) (John may well be one of the nicest men I have ever worked with - a true professional, and good God what a beautiful voice - his scene and song is my favourite of the show) and the amazingly talented and (terrifyingly) intelligent Stephen Fewell as the racist slaver Miller - an awesome actor giving a great performance - bring nuanced layers of fascinating contradiction to his character. Stephen's insights into the show have been some of the most helpful to me personally.

We also have 15 student actors from Southampton and Solent universities all of whom have been incredibly impressive for their talent, professionalism and commitment. To give them their dues they are: Stephanie Prior, Stephanie Amies, Liberty Buckland, Bella Barlow, Michaela Bennison, Sarah Ellard, Amy Leach, Hayley Tutton, Louise Dhillon, Teddy Clements, Matt Ronchetti, Peter 'Pee Wee' Ward, Jake Snowdon, Hamish Ritchie and Mikey Porter. Libby, Hamish, Teddy and Matt all have major scenes which they carry off with enviable composure and aplomb.

It has been a hugely enjoyable experience developing material with these actors and with Ian whom is a generous and genial collaborator. The input of directors Tim Ford and Russ Tunney has also been utterly crucial and they have both brought rare insight, new perspectives and incredibly positive energy into the questioning and development of the material which is so much better for their input. The scenes of physical movement are really tremendous.The actors and students have responded really positively and enthusiastically to their guidance and suggestions. Sharon Lawless, producer has also been a miracle presence, managing to juggle a million things with composure, charm and tremendous grace under pressure. The production support team at the Nuffield, Charles and Emma on costumes, Julie stage managing, David on lights and Alex on sound have also been true professionals - easy and positive company, missing nothing. I am blessed in the band with the presence of old chum Baz Terraz on Bass and new chum Ed Denham on violin - both of whom agreed very willingly at short notice to do pick up the reins and are playing with enviable accomplishment.

In short it has bee a terrific experience and I am very much looking forward to tonight's show!

End of Term, new musical

2010-06-19T09:42:00.002Z

My fabled busy-ness has reached a new level of the heady sensation of 'flying-by-the-seat-of-ones'- pants' (what a great expression). May to June has been filled with end of term uni marking and admin, and has lead straight into a new musical that I have been working on for a wee bit which will be workshopped on 6th, 7th and 8th of July 2010 in the Nuffield Theatre. More on this to come. It is a really exciting period involving a LOT of hectic project juggling, and this morning I find myself wondering where the next kick of adrenaline will come from. Ah Caffeine.... friend to my mania, companion of my premature grey hairs.....

Momentous Day.....

2010-05-11T21:43:00.003Z

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8676413.stm

This clip - a montage of todays historic events - is accompanied by the full length version of Richard Blair Oliphant's ace score to the General Election 2010. The temptation to simply add the subtitle - 'orchestrated by Andrew Fisher' is strong indeed....

Birthday Boy

2010-05-10T09:57:00.002Z

Today is my birthday!! Yay! The big three-four. I learn that I share it with Fred Astaire, Bono, the lovely Odette Yustmann and several film composers: Dmitri Tiomkin, Max Steiner and Debbie Wiseman. Good company then....

Have spent a wonderful Sunday with friends, and have consumed WAY too much food and drink...

BBC 2010 General Election Theme

2010-05-04T22:18:00.003Z

Quick heads up for polling day on Thursday: the BBC programme giving the results as they trickle in will have music orchestrated and arranged by yours truly, composed by my good friend Richard Blair Oliphant. It has already been on the TV for the last debate last week - it was pretty strange watching the political leaders stood their behind their lecterns waiting for the music to finish! I'm looking forward to it...I think I'll get a credit at the end...

At east I can say with some accuracy that I have orchestrated the 2010 general election. Just not the result mind you ; )

Busy busy. Again. Yeah!

2010-04-25T19:54:00.002Z

Am just beginning a new additional composition project for Discovery Channel - a film about dinosaurs which is a lot of fun to do. Also juggling uni stuff and the new musical so a hectic few weeks for yours truly. I should make it with a little help form Dr Caffeine.

Just seen that the Tom and Jerry clip on Youtube has passed 8 million hits (woo hoo!).

Concerto, Hols in Tunisia, Orchestration Work...

2010-04-11T19:55:00.003Z

.... yes, I do pack it in. One of these days I will write a blog about NOT being maniacally busy....

Oops. I also notice I seem to have not blogged for March. Chuh. Quick recap....

Following a two day break in Budapest with one of my oldest and bestest of friends Simon, I was REALLY hectic in March with Juggling uni stuff and a concerto commission for Tenor Horn and Brass band. Finally completed that just yesterday - a big job of work, but very pleased to write something in 'my voice'.

Also had a weeks holiday in Tunisia - I was staying in Sousse (third biggest city - beach resort-y type thing) but took a two day trip out to El Jem (Huge Amphitheatre where they filmed Gladiator) and to the Sahara where I rode a camel! Called Mohammed. Also saw Tunis and Carthage - I will claim it is research for a piece I'm working on.

Also in March I did some orchestration stuff for the BBC working with the BBC Concert Orchestra - good band and always great to work for the lovely and talented Richard Blair Oliphant whose writing was really brilliant - a really fun project.

I have a TON of catching up domestic admin to do, so I will have to steel myself and get into it.

Next up is a musical theatre project for the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton which I am really looking forward to. I an knackered but I do love my life!

Busy busy

2010-02-12T08:49:00.002Z

Am in the midst of a HUGE pile of ongoing work. A ton of uni marking and lecture prep; orch and arranging work for the BBC; a TV movie in the offing' a musical and a concerto. And trying to update my samples etc (prob not the best time to do it but somehow one finds a way). It's a nice problem to have but I am very much burning the candle at both ends at the moment, and am back to unhealthy caffeine levels.

Am v much looking fwd to Spring (my favourite season).

Snow!

2010-01-05T22:51:00.003Z

Heavy snow round where I live which is unusual for my part of the world. Quite unusually huge snowflakes falling thick, fast and silently. Had a quick evening stroll in the serene beauty: a really transcendental experience. Looked and felt like a movie set: just needed a soundtrack and some well-timed comedy one-liners and it could be a Nancy Myers/Nora Ephron movie.

Am finishing off the semester at university for the coming week , and doing more REALLY glamorous maintenance things (tax returns, lecture prep, buying new samples- yes it IS a Nora Ehron movie... hang on..). My flat is still icy cold (big room no double glazing) so getting up in the sub-zero mornings requires the the most determined stoic will-power I can muster.

Coming back to it has felt a tad surreal after a welcome few days off where I visited my home from home in Devon as I do each new year: spend a lovely day with Jimbo and his family - my thanks to Nigel and Anne for making it so wonderful as they always do. You guys rock.

I have some exciting projects looking through the new year - as ever more on these to come, but it will be a busy Jan/Feb/March.

If you are reading this in a blizzard, do take care in the snow. I had my car brakes fail on me this evening on the ice (and I was doing all of 7 miles an hour on an empty un-gritted road on a very mild slope and yet the vehicle still skidded and hit the curb - nothing dented, no one hurt but a warning nonetheless...)

Christmas Hols

2009-12-13T20:08:00.002Z

Time really flies. A cliche but it feels so true. I can't believe another year has flown past. The last few weeks have been really hectic with a LOT of juggling university work with various exciting composing projects. I find myself with what feels like an inordinately large backlog to marshall before I can even begin on the next project.

It's been exhilarating and the adrenaline has got me through but now I realise I am tired and a holiday is quite overdue. Back to the coffee-fueled existence for a bit I think. So it will be a rather work-filled Christmas , but lots of composing projects is a nice problem to have! A wise friend of mine once said - 'how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time'.

Into The Storm on BBC2

2009-11-03T12:39:00.002Z

Into the Storm the HBO/BBC film I contributed orchestrations for was on BBC2 last night. Amazing performances from Brendan Gleeson as Churchill and Janet McTeer as Lady Churchill, and also from Ian Glen as George VI. The score by Howard Goodall won a best score award at the Emmys this year!

Work, work, work

2009-10-18T08:27:00.002Z

Achoo! All work and no play makes Andy a dull/ill/monastically self-disciplined/self-pitying/enviable boy (enviable to other workaholics). I think the self pity comes from a flu-like cough and a cold which I have picked up from University, where I have been working very hard of late. Achoo! Usually there is a period of 'adjustment' in early October as the terms kicks in, and this year I have more to juggle than usual. Still, can't complain. Achoo!

I have also been working on the score (additional music) for a Discovery channel series which has been a lot of fun. Yesterday and today, I have been able to sit down and do my OWN composing! YES! Cough, cough. A musical which I am excited about. All the work of late has made me realise that actually what I really want to do with my life is compose, and sometimes the other stuff can be rather distracting.

I am also trying to improve my film knowledge at the moment and am attempting to work through the canon of certain auteurs (I've just worked through about 5 Kurosawa film which I LOVED, and at the moment its Gilliam - Brothers Grimm last night (really good in places but uneven overall), and Dr Parnassus is out at the moment so I may have a shufti at that). Then some Jeunet, Allen, Herzog.....

I set up a film club at the university, with the mission of showing a film a week where the score is of interest. Last week was Moulin Rouge, one of my favourite films - and a total of three people came. Hah! Weaklings! This weak it is another fave of mine - Steve Kloves' wonderful The Fabulous Baker Boys (particularly looking at diegesis - Dave Grusins' awesome score is pretty fascinating in its diegetic levels).

What else to report? Um. Cough! Tom and Jerry is now 9th in the all time Film and animation category for the UK on You tube (4.3 million hits). I need to buy some better samples at the moment - a toss up between LASS and the forthcoming East/West strings both of which have fantastic reviews. I'm reading Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamasov, which, like so many nineteenth century classics I found hard to get into, but utterly unputdownable after 200 pages.

Emmy!

2009-09-23T18:45:00.002Z

Into The Storm, the film about Churchill in WWII, won an Emmy for Best Score for Howard Goodall on Sunday, which I contributed a few bits of orchestration to. Many congratulations to Howard who wrote an excellent score and thoroughly deserved to win.

Otherwise I am prepping for the the new term at Southampton University and also contributing a few cues for a forthcoming Discovery Channel programme. Am still juggling my schedule madly but am enjoying myself hugely.

Other bits of info....I rarely say anything personal on these blogs...I have just got into the singer/songwriter Nick Drake and am listening a lot to his albums. I think he is utterly fantastic. Pink Moon is still my favourite, although I do love Five Leaves too.

What else... A lot of my friends and family have had babies recently (not a huge surprise following the batch of weddings a few years ago!). I find it totally awe-inspiring... babies are such complex miracles, and I am so impressed at how my friends as parents cope with all the pressures. Jim and Marie seemed to be so serene and tranquil when I saw them the other day.

I don't know how I'd do without the sleep.

Bits 'n' pieces

2009-08-28T19:17:00.002Z

August has been something of a 'bitty' month where I have had a series of small-ish projects to do (e.g. recording the demo for Moon On a Stick the musical for future promotional purposes, finishing draft 1 of City Girl (working title) a new musical I'm working on, doing a cue for a Discovery channel series (more on this later on), working in London with a pop producer, and doing a few dead glamorous domestic things and future planning. It's been a lot of days here and days there without too much focused time of one thing. In such circumstances I tend to find it hard to feel like I've accomplished a lot even though I have actually worked quite hard. My friends tell me I'm too harsh on myself, but privately I have found this sort of bittiness tends to bring out a (perhaps unnecessary) sense of failure-to-do-anything-at-all. Must be some strain of acerbic puritanism in my DNA.... however, Emerson said 'it's dearness that gives everything its value'. Memo to self.... read more optimistic transcendentalist thought....

As a cheer-er-up-er-er (good word, that) tomorrow I'm off to Manchester for a couple of days to visit my brother Dave which should be ace, as it is over a calender year since I was last there.

Another bit of good news... the Tom and Jerry clip has just passed 3.5 million hits on youtube, and is now 13th in the all time Film and Animation You Tube clips for the UK! (Before I get carried away I should say it is up against other clips like 'World's Strongest Boy' and 'Pancakes II', and it's presence is ENTIRELY due to the fact it's a Tom and Jerry cartoon). However, I will draw what solace I can.

Some other good news: a fellow composer and good friend of mine Richard Blair Oliphant was recently nominated for an Emmy for his score for the NASA documentary. Well done indeed to him: very richly deserved - congratulations Richard!

Behind the scenes....

2009-08-08T20:55:00.003Z

I- yi-yi. (Eye - yeye - yeye?) Or something. I have just spend three days solid at the computer prepping material for the Moon On A Stick demos for a recording on Monday. Yeowsa. Sore shoulders and neck and head - have been sat in the same position for too long and am beginning to sense that my brain may be telling me to stop for a wee while...

I will manfully wrestle with what self doubts/ shock last minute remembrances occur to me (spare printer paper and toner... dammit!). After I get these demos done and get them Mastered (next week) I will hopefully get round to doing those really glamorous admin and behind the scenes-y things which are simply nose-bleedingly exciting (tax returns, teaching planning duh duh duhhhhh) which, in a movie are simply handled with a music montage. Cue Team America: World Police montage song.....

New Website!

2009-07-30T12:15:00.002Z

Finally, after months of prep, I have a new-look website launched! Check it out:

www.andrew-fisher.co.uk

I'd like to thank Peter Sampson the designer who has done a marvelous job and has been an excellent collaborator - thanks Peter you are a star! You've done an amazing job.

Thanks also to Marky and Lorenzo who are my hostmeisters - you guys define cyber cool.

Most of all I should thank Jimbo Gillingham who designed the last two sites and has been the one who brought me kicking and screaming into the cyber world. He has done all of this for free for many years, out of sheer friendship and goodwill, and has proved to be the most generous, patient and tenacious friend. Thank you Jim.

Moonshot on ITV1 20th July 10.50pm

2009-07-20T20:51:00.003Z

Moonshot, the high quality drama about the Apollo 11 moon landings is on the television tonight (ITV1) at 10.50pm; the excellent score by Richard Blair Oliphant was I was fortunate enough to work on, providing the orchestration and conducting. Go see!

Holiday in New York

2009-07-14T15:23:00.003Z

I've just returned from a weeks holiday in New York City, which has been fabulous. I saw many of the sites (Central Park, Empire States Building, SoLib and Ellis Island Ferry trip, MOMA etc etc) of which my fave was probably the Met Museum, which I was v sorry to leave. Beyond the main sites (and goodness there were SO many I didn't get to see), I also played jazz piano at a jam session at the Cleopatra's Needle club, laughed myself silly at a stand up comedy revue, saw Harlem and Brooklyn from an open topped bus tour and saw two musicals (one of which, the fantastic Toxic Avenger was along similar satirical lines as my own Jazzed Tales).

It has been a wonderful time (if expensive - too many awesome bookshops and such a weak will) - really good to get some time away from my life in Blighty. I love New York and can't wait to go back. Am now rather jet lagged..... am hoping to sat the distance and keep awake till this evening, but am now getting on for too many hours without sleep.....

New baby

2009-07-04T11:21:00.002Z

I am thrilled to report that I am now an Uncle! My wonderful sister Lizzie gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this morning: Mum and baby doing well, name to be decided. We are really excited as a family as this is the first young 'un we are blessed with - Mum and Dad are now proud grandparents, and Dave and myself doting uncles. It is a wonderful thing and we are so happy.

Ahem.. correction...

2009-06-29T20:02:00.002Z

My wonderful brother in law Andre has pointed out that the actual website for the Moon On a Stick production is in fact http://www.moononastickthemusical.co.uk/

Oops. So sorry. The current heatwave has deep-fried all circuitry in my brain. Sheesh. Many thanks Andre - you are a legend. Final performance is on tomorrow night! At Waterman's Theatre in Brentford London. At 7pm. Rush to buy your tickets.

Also have noticed that The Tom and Jerry Youtube clip has now clocked 2.5 million hits. Woo hoo! My friend Jimbo did remind me that it may have more to do Tom and Jerry than me....

Moon On a Stick The Musical

2009-06-26T15:01:00.002Z

Have just returned from witnessing 2 (of 5) performances of Moon On A Stick at Ellen Wilkinson School For Girls in Ealing. It was a triumph - the girls performed brilliantly executing a complex story and some tricky characterization (not to mention some demanding songs and dance routines) with aplomb, conviction and tremendous enthusiasm. James, Rupert and Myself (the writers - we all did the lyrics, I did the music and James and Rupes the book) were thrilled with the result and so, so proud.

There will be one more performance on Tuesday 30th June at Brentford theatre at 7.30pm. check out the school website www.moononastickthemusical.com for more details. In the meantime I have two days of improvised comedy singing workshops to teach in London over the weekend (which I'm really looking forward to), and then (very exciting real life stuff this) a car to put through its MOT.

Moon On a Stick The Musical

2009-06-17T09:53:00.004Z

Having finally shaken off a contagious 'common' cold of fiendish stubborn-ness (I felt like a zombie carrier monkey for weeks) I am now looking forward to the summer. Tonight I am playing in Covent Garden with the improvised comedy group Sprout with whom I have bashed the keys for on and off for 10 years now. It's so much fun to do, and a real thrill with Sprout as they are the very best impro singers I have worked with. I am also doing some of the arrangements once again for cabaret sensation Abi Roberts for her Edinburgh Festival show this year.

Next week I will be in London for the premiere of my latest musical for schools called Moon On Stick co-written with my collaborators James Gillingham and Rupert Waring, which is taking place at Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls in Ealing. It is a sci-fi parody, a sort of Star Wars meets Reggie Perrin: Jim and Rupes have written a very funny script and I'm hoping my 'big' tunes will go down well. You can get a sense of the labour of love it has become for the pupils at the school on the website and blogs they have created: www.moononastickthemusical.com

Check it out. It promises to be a lot of fun.

After that I intend to book a long overdue holiday. It will probably be a last minute thing but I hope I can nab on of the exotic-but-not-too-expensive-or-naff variety. It's a lottery....

Summer colds

2009-05-29T18:37:00.002Z

Being hectic recently with Southampton University things as well as another project in London I will reveal more about later on. I am currently struggling with a really nasty summer cold and and have hacking cough and a throat that feels likes it been sand-papered. Urgh. I have a number of projects to look forward to in the summer so I hope to shake it off soon. I hate being ill (I think almost everyone does) especially when we have a bright sunshiney day....

More orchestration work

2009-05-08T20:52:00.002Z

Yee hah! I LOVE spring. My favourite season really. I love the gentle arrival of early summer, and the quality of morning sunlight in May here in the south of England. The longer days. The smell of cut grass... It may also be I feel this way because I have a birthday hereabouts (the big 33 this year.... eek).

I have some orchestration work on at the mo - something for a film (more on this to come) and some pop music orchestration and some writing stuff which is taking me to Londinium next week. And hopefully a couple of longer term projects will begin to brew too...

2 million mark

2009-04-25T09:04:00.002Z

I have just noticed that the Tom and Jerry clip I scored back in 1999 when I was a young thing at the RCM, and posted on YouTube in October 2007 has now passed 2 million hits! Type in 'Fisher Score to Tom and Jerry Clip' (I know it's a REALLY unpromising title so I feel pretty chuffed to get to 2 million) and you can see it. The last 500,000 have in come in the last 3 months!

BBC Lifeline and more

2009-04-24T14:31:00.003Z

I have just written some music which will be used for the BBC lifeline appeal for a fundraiser for International Medical Corps whom are doing amazing work in Somalia with victims of the terrible civil war. I've had to write the music blind (ie without seeing the film) which has been a real challenge - but one which I feel privileged to be involved with.

Next up - I'm off to London or the weekend to work on some orchestral arrangements for some pop songs... more on this to come. It should be a lot of fun.

New Project

2009-04-09T12:00:00.002Z

I am about to start a very new short term project for the BBC which I will work on through the Easter weekend. More on this to come as usual. Also have several other irons in the fire (including a new website) and a couple of other composing projects which are keeping me busy.

Short Holiday

2009-03-28T09:14:00.002Z

I have just returned from a lovely few days away with my family in Somerset. We rented a Landmark Trust property and had a really relaxing and fun time; highlights included an easter egg hunt, and a fancy dress party (Prioresses, puritans and other piety - I went as Mr Collins the parson from Pride and Prejudice - my brother Dave did a fab job making the hat).

Am now returned to my life back here; a musical to finish and various really glamorous admin tasks to do this week.

Film recording in Budapest

2009-03-13T15:49:00.002Z

Have just returned from Budapest where I was conducting the orchestra for the score for Rocket Men, with music composed by Richard Blair Oliphant and myself, which I had been spending the last few weeks orchestrating. The session went really well - the orchestra did a fantastic job, and we were really pleased with the result.

Am now back in Blighty, alternating time between the mix in London with teaching an improvised comedy workshop on Saturday, and doing an impro comedy show on Sunday evening which I'm really looking forward to.

1.5 million mark

2009-02-28T19:21:00.002Z

Phewee. Am still at it - one more week to the recording, once again in Budapest.

Have just noticed that my YouTube Tom and Jerry clip has passed the 1.5 million mark! Not bad going for 16 months....

Lecture at Keble College Oxford

2009-02-20T22:39:00.003Z

I had a brief few hours away from film scoring and orchestration to give a lecture at Keble College Oxford today as part of their Music festival week. I was talking about professional life as a composer, and I found the session enjoyable and the audience very polite, with some interesting discussion following. My thanks to Tom Hooker (and extraordinarily talented and pleasant young man) for his generous and genial hospitality and to him and Barney for a few convivial hours in the Lamb and Flag afterwards.

Now am back with nose to grindstone, and back on coffee, red bull, pro plus, amphetamines... Ay currumba..

Still hard at work....

2009-02-19T08:00:00.002Z

Over 2 weeks have passed since my last blog and the [only] difference between now and then is the lack of snow. Otherwise am still working v hard for this film score (additional composing and orchestration) which is recording in Budapest in early March. Still drinking v strong coffee.

Hard at work

2009-02-05T09:00:00.002Z

Ah coffee. Friend of the morning. Mainstay through busy periods. What would I do without it?....

Am in the thick of it - a lot of work on at the moment (this film which I am really enjoying), which goes on till early March (when I am back to Budapest for orchestra recording). Hence a lot of caffeine in my diet....

Unfortunately that means my contact with the recent (and unusual for where I live) snow showers has been restricted to (i) looking at it (ii) walking past it (iii) falling over on it and (iv) developing a cold from it. Alas, no (v) playing in it. My inner child (whom loves snow) is in high dudgeon. Too much self discipline. Memo to self: winter holiday. Go ski-ing.....

New film

2009-01-28T08:38:00.002Z

Have started work on a new film project which will keep me busy through February and into March. I'm really looking forward to it.. I know it will be a hectic time as there is a lot of work to do...

Happy New 2009!

2009-01-06T14:32:00.002Z

Happy 2009 to my reader(s). The two of you.

Am back in Southampton (following a particularly pleasant time with friends dotted around the country) and am back to the grindstone. More uni teaching, and some composition projects underway. I feel a headcold beginning to flourish, no doubt the result of these unusually low temperatures....

Happy Christmas!

2008-12-23T19:07:00.003Z

I've spent the last week or so having some welcome time off after several months of intense and ongoing work, and have spent some enjoyable time with friends in Reading, Guildford and Farnham. I will spend Christmas with my family in Southampton before heading to York for a family birthday, and then going to London. Thereafter I will see the New Year in once again with my dear friends the Gillinghams in their lovely home in Devon.

So it will be quite a bit of too-ing and fro-ing, probably too much to eat (I already know my new year resolution- lose some weight!), and I hope some good times with family and friends, which I am really looking forward to!

And Merry Christmas to you! If anyone does read my blogs...

More orchestration and composition work

2008-12-07T21:23:00.003Z

Yeowsa. I've had a busy ol' time of it recently . I am doing orchestration for a new film project and prepping material for some composition work which will commence in 2009. I'm also seeing the last week of uni term through and writing my final Masters lecture of the term (on Sting's 10 Summoners Tales) It's very exciting to be so hectic, but I am looking forward to a couple of days at Christmas with my family. 2009 looks very promising so far.

.. and rest

2008-12-01T10:07:00.002Z

Phewee! Last week I was in Budapest doing the recording for a film score, and have returned to hit the ground running with more uni marking and teaching. The last three/four weeks have been a very intense period of work where I have been short of sleep most of the time. I hope to catch some up now (please God)...

Still burning that oil...

2008-11-17T13:04:00.002Z

Am still at it. Now orchestrating. All work and no play...

Burning the midnight oil...

2008-11-08T23:48:00.002Z

Am still at it, composing like a fury. It is a very hectic spell at the moment which is a good thing. Will say more as and when. Yawn!...... back to it.... ay carumba....

One Million Mark

2008-10-27T15:32:00.002Z

Wow!!! I posted a YouTube clip of the score I wrote in 1999 for a Tom and Jerry Clip (when I was but a youngster doing a Masters at the Royal College of Music) on YouTube just over a year ago. It has now had over a million hits! That's not bad going since it has the rather unpromising title of 'Fisher score to Tom and Jerry Short'. I have now added sound effects and will hopefully display it on my website soon.

My thanks to Jimbo once again for helping me post it.

Bish bash bosh

2008-10-21T21:47:00.002Z

Am under the bosch at the moment with lots of work on... uni teaching and composing for different TV and film projects. Not a lot of sleep sustained by a lot of coffee that Dad (retired GP) says is bad for me. Assume stoical voice... Bring it on.

What's that line from Airplane... "looks like I picked the wrong week to quit amphetamines..."

Autumn Leaves

2008-10-14T08:03:00.002Z

Have spent the last couple of weeks reacclimatizing to the new uni teaching schedule following my sabbatical, and am now hopefully in the teaching 'groove'. I also have some exciting composition projects lined up in TV, film and music theatre which I will talk about as they happen.

Am also enjoying, finally, some sunshine here in the south. The summer really has been indifferent weather-wise and this last week (mid October no less!) has had some of the best days of the year. Weird.

Moonshot Recording

2008-09-23T22:02:00.002Z

I've just returned from conducting my orchestrations of Richard Blair-Oliphant's score for the ITV/History Channel programme Moonshot which will be on the telly next year. The sessions went really well, recording at the beautiful British Grove studios in Chiswick (built by one Mark Knopfler) and once again it was a privilege to work with musicians of the very highest calibre, drawn from the best of London's orchestras.

In particular, working with David Pyatt, a legendary horn player with the LSO was a real treat: as well as being a player of wonderful technique and ability, he was really friendly, approachable and chatty. We discussed at length some of the scores he's played on with a whole host of Hollywood legends: yes it's him doing the horn solo at the end of John Williams score to Revenge of the Sith! I was really geeking out as we were talking about some of the scores he's played on and the film composer legends he's worked with: Williams, Goldsmith, Newton Howard, Zimmer, Horner. Wow - a real pleasure.

It has been a privilege to work with Richard Blair-Oliphant the composer, whose score works terrifically well for the film, and who is so enviably talented, as well as being a generous, genial and disarmingly modest person. All in all I feel usual mixture of euphoria that the project has gone well mixed with the regret that it's finished and the tiredness now I my adrenalin has stopped. I now am starting some other projects (more on these later), and hope to have half a day off at some point! Busy times!

Moonshot

2008-09-16T12:46:00.002Z

I can say something about one of my current projects: it is orchestration for Richard Blair-Oliphant's score to Moonshot which a (truly amazing) series about the moon landings for ITV in the UK, the History Channel in the US and for TV in France and Germany. I think it will be broadcast in 2009, and it is a real privilege to work on it. Richard's score is top notch and working with him has been fantastic: he is an extremely talented composer, as well as a generous and humble man. It is a project I am really excited about.

More orchestration and composition work

2008-09-15T07:41:00.002Z

I am going through a very hectic spell at the moment, with orchestration and composition work on several projects for TV, film and theatre. (McDonald's jingle: duh-duh-duh-duh-daaaaa )I'm loving it, but it IS hard work. I will say more as I can, but for now there's a lot of caffeine in my diet....

Korea Trip

2008-08-31T10:20:00.003Z

The day after the parachute drop I went to Seoul, South Korea for a week on a business trip I will tell more about as I can. All I will say for now is that it was a really useful and exciting professional experience, and I am extremely grateful to my Korean hosts for their incredible generosity, warmth, kindness and goodwill.

Long-haul flights do tend to impact on one's sleeping pattern, and so right now I am recovering from jet lag but will be bright and bushy tailed in no time.

Paracuuuuuuuuuuuute!

2008-08-23T14:04:00.003Z

Whoo-hooooo! Done it! Completed the tandem skydive at 12.000 feet this morning. Rather oddly I was dressed as a cow. My super-professional instructor Micky seems to favour a distinctive white and black jumpsuit whose pattern can only really be described as bovine. I realised I was expected to don one just like it. Sartorial alternatives not offered. Excellent. Two men dressed as cows strapped together hurtling through the ice cream air of a incredibly clear day over deepest Wiltshire, on what was one of the most beautiful and sunny mornings of the year.

"How heavy are you" Micky asked as we chewed the fat before take off.

"Fifteen stone" I replied. ('Fifteen stone and half a pound last night' I thought ruefully)

"A ha" he said, not with quite the ring of confidence I was counting on.

Eeeeek.

"It will be fast drop then" he said.

"That's about as heavy as I'm allowed on a Tandem".

Oh. Great.

There were 10 or so of us huddled into the plane, and Micky and myself were the last to go (simply by virtue of being at the back of the queue, not by choice). It IS an odd experience when they rattle open the hatch and wind and noise fill the plane. Being a smallish plane we were all sat down on the floor packed like sardines (first shock) and had to shuffle forward on our bottoms to the hatch (second shock). No dignified salute, exchange of meaningful looks, quick handshake, stirring trumpet fanfare like in the movies. Just shuffling towards the hatch sat down, legs akimbo, tied to another man also dressed like a cow. Watching everyone else drop like stones out of the hatch makes it all suddenly rather real. I sort of came to at that moment and started beginning to realise that what had seemed like a good idea at the time from the comfort of my desk, from the admiration of my friends in the pub was unrelentingly, terrifying about to happen in the next three seconds. And I was dressed like a cow.

We reached the hatch. The colossal plain of Wiltshire stretched 12,000 feet below us as far as the eye could see, houses like minature toys on the ground. The wind shreiked in my face. My heart pumped wildly, I felt the terror rising in my chest. A sudden epiphany, much, much too late. That extra half a pound would surely kill us both.

"Could I just er..." I was about to say... and we jumped.

Micky's advice (whilst on the gound) had been to yell as soon as, to make sure you breath. Frankly I couldn't do much else. I didn't even manage to swear. The wind was SO noisy and so powerfully in my face, I simply can't hear anything. I yelled. How I yelled. I think, appropriately, I may have even mooed. It was simply, a euphoria like nothing else I've ever experienced. That intense somatic sensation that screams "we're alive! gloriously alive! Hhowever temporarily".

We somersaulted initially and my view was simply a rapid alternation of blue (sky) green (earth) blue green blue green. I briefly glimpsed the plane above us hurtling away from sight to a dot at a terrifying speed. Then we righted, belly to the ground, and I formed the figure I was told to: head back, arms out at right angles, ankles crossed and bent back. 'Like a banana' Micky had said. A cow banana in fact, like those chairs that are really popular po-mo things that for some reason Liverpudlians currently have inexplicably dotted around their city as statues/objet d'art/ climbing frames for kids (European city of culture thing I'm guessing, but I haven't got to the bottom of the relevance of the Cow-Banana-Liverpool semiotic nexus).

All notions of bovine indignity forgotten, we whistled towards the ground at 120mph. Dave the cheerful and sanguine camera man, there to film my progress, briefly sped into view alongside us, his camera in my face. I think I waved. In my head I was trying to do the 'pretend-to-smoke- and-very-cooly-say "jazz"', but I probably screamed like a chimpanzee. A banana chimp cow. This is getting weird. I looked down. The tiny toy houses below grew larger. Very quickly. And then...

A flap of canvas, a short jolt, and the canopy opened. And happily we slowed. It actually nearly felt like I was standing still suspended high over the Wiltshire plain on a glorious late summer morning. And Micky, ever the esrtwhile professional started the parchute-fall-industry-schpiel.

"On your left is a saxon burial ground. On your right is the army base...."

A ha. Interesting.

I was half expecting muzac to start when he handed me the grips to steer, almost shaking me out of my contemplative muse.

"Arms up" he said.

For some very odd reason I pulled my arms down. Perhaps its that deeply embedded boat-steering instinct instilled in me since child hood where you move the tiller left to go right.

"No... no... Up"

I pulled down even harder. Perverse.

"WHAT THE F@#$ ARE YOU DOING ANDY" he screamed in my ear.

I came to again. 'Up' means 'up' in the parachuting vernacular. Gotcha.

Ah, okay. Up.

And we started circling, the ground coming ever nearer.

"Tuck your legs in".

It felt terrifically fast. I thought for a couple of seconds it was much, much too fast and I would break both legs. At what felt like the last microsecond, we slowed dramatically, and landed comfortably in freshly mowed Wiltshire field, the smell of cut grass filling my nostrils.

We'd done it. We'd survived. Pride filling my chest, the sense of triumph began to warmly glow inside me. I stood up and the most beautiful morning of the year had somehow become even more stunning than before.

Who'd have thought it? A late summer epiphany.

Two men tied to each other. Hurtling through the sky. Dressed as cows. Magic.

Sponsor Me!

2008-08-21T22:16:00.002Z

PS - Forgot to say. There's still time. Please sponsor me! www.justgiving.com/andrewfisher

PPS Thank you Malcolm for doing so - bless you - you old dog!

Busy busy busy

2008-08-21T22:04:00.002Z

Ah, life. I've moved from my longest spell yet without imminent work to a schedule now which is totally hectic (18+ hour days) , and my caffeine dependency is probably at a medically caution-able level. There are a number of projects on the go none of which I can really state at the moment, all of which are very exciting. For anyone whom does happen to read these blogs.... (or in the unlikely event they gain some kind of historical meaningfulness) rest assured I will say more on them as soon as I can.

And the parachute jump thrusts its way into my imminent schedule with an implacable confidence.... Saturday 23rd... it sits there waiting for me... yikes. Should I have made a will by now....?

Summer Weddings

2008-08-10T21:12:00.002Z

Phewee! Just arrived back from France where I watched my very good friend Jimbo get married to Marie-Cecile. It was a beautiful ceremony, and a large (and extremely long) wedding feast in a spectacular chateau near Nantes. It was a truly wonderful and memorable (and funny) time in what proved to be utterly fantastic weather. It has been great to take a break for a few days and kick back a little with friends I haven't seen for ages, as well as a great opportunity to making some new friends - a lot of good people there. I return with a sun 'tan' this side of painful, and the surprising discovery that Boules, when played with the appropriate participants, audience and commentary can become a sport of truly epic melodrama!

Am back now, to put my sunburnt nose to the proverbial grindstone.....

Summertime

2008-07-29T08:20:00.002Z

The parachute jump has been pushed back to August 23rd 2008 because the army needed to use the base on the 26th. So I have currently yet to do the jump, and so still am trying to fundraise to meet my target of £500. If anyone does read these blogs, I am raising money for IMC (International Medical Corps) who provide emergency medical care for humanitarian disasters, and at at work in Darfur, Iraq, Chad, Sierra Leone and many other countries. Please do sponsor me on www.justgiving.com/andrewfisher

Otherwise I am STILL currently working to get the showreel together (it's a long process, but worthwhile) and am still working with the awesome Tony Reeves who has been simply brilliant through the process. There are another couple of potential irons in the fire, but it's too early to say much - as always, more on this to come....

Throwing myself out of a plane

2008-07-01T07:20:00.005Z

Eek. I usually try and write at least one blog a month and I realise to my horror that I have missed writing anything for June 2008. I have had my head down for most of the month, working hard on getting my showreels up and running, which I am very close to finishing at the moment. I have been working with Tony Reeves, who has been an utter pillar of strength through the whole process. Tony, you are the best, mate, thank you. I have also had musical performance help from Will Lingard who has very kindly shown me the basics of audio recording (cheers buddy I owe you some beers). Then starts the period of promotion...

I have also decided to to fulfill a lifelong ambition of mine and to throw myself out of a plane. I will be attached to a parachute (and another person - it's called a tandem skydive apparently) rather than an anvil, and I will be doing it on Saturday 26th July. I am doing this for the charity IMC (International Medical Corps) who provide emergency healthcare in disaster zones, and are currently at work in Darfur, Iraq, Chad, Sierra Leone among other countries. Should anyone actually actually read these blogs and wish to sponsor me, I have set up a just giving site at www.justgiving.com/andrewfisher

Please sponsor me!

Composition, sabbaticals &c.

2008-05-17T13:54:00.004Z

I'm about to start a short period of 'work', which I'm afraid is of a 'more-on this-to-come' variety... otherwise I'm still busy developing my showreel (whilst on sabbatical) and navigating various family and friend's birthdays (including my own a week ago, the big three-two...) and events.

Also.... I'm please to learn that a score I wrote when I was 22 for a Tom and Jerry cartoon clip I put on YouTube ('Fisher score to Tom and Jerry cartoon') has had something like 277,000 odd hits to date, which is really exciting!

Improvised Comedy

2008-05-05T10:23:00.002Z

Yesterday I was performing with the improvised comedy group Sprout at the Corner Store in Covent Garden, to a full house. It's always so much fun to do this, and it struck me after the show that I have been playing with Sprout since 1999: next years it will be ten years! How time flies.

Otherwise I am still on sabbatical and still working on my showreel (almost there!), and I hope to start more promotion work in earnest soon.

JCK success

2008-04-14T14:30:00.002Z

I've just found out that the score I did with Steve W Parsons for Journal of a Contract Killer was nominated for a DV (Digital Video) award at this years Digital Video festival in Hollywood. The film itself has been doing really well at independent film festivals, winning Best film and Best Actress (for Justine Powell) at the recent New York independent film festival (www.nyvideo.com), and also receiving a nomination for best film at the Milan festival this year.

Showreel

2008-03-23T16:35:00.002Z

Things have been rather quiet of late from me in terms of blogs. I currently am on sabbatical from uni and really enjoying a little down time while I do more behind-the-scenes work like updating my screen showreel and planning future pitches. I do have some new exciting work things coming up which I'm looking forward to.... as always, more on this to come...

More film and TV stuff

2008-02-09T16:34:00.000Z

Some of the mysterious things I've been up to recently include the orchestration for the BBC TV series Robin Hood that the main orchestrator, David Butterworth (an incredibly talented and generous man), put my way in November last year.

In December / January I was involved with the orchestration of the Working Title film Wild Child which I also got from David. It was a huge amount of fun.

Now I am currently on sabbatical from university for the next semester (until June 2008) and I hope to get my teeth into some more composition: I have a series of exciting projects on the boil at the moment.

As I type this I am at my friend Jim's lovely pad where he has so kindly once again provided his comprehensive cyber knowledge to enable me to update the website. Please have a look.

Once again I am impossibly grateful. Thanks Jim.

2008 - bring it on

2008-01-07T22:00:00.000Z

Am cranking into the new year and feeling excited about future prospects. Have just been forwarded the broadcast on Radio 2 of the Spice Girls World Tour including the co-arranging work I did for it with the legendary John Paxman. It's SO exciting to hear it live - wow! They are such great performers. Just recently finished work on the last film orchestration I did over New Year and am now busy making plans for future projects which I will reveal as they emerge. Day to day, I am alternating uni marking/ lecture preparation with various professional trips to London, song promotion, and also some proper composing time which is extremely welcome. I have lots on the boil.....

More Orchestration work

2007-12-30T12:41:00.000Z

Have been enjoying a particularly happy Christmas with my family: Mum, Dad, my bother Dave and my sister Liz and her husband Andre were all there on Christmas day, and it was a real treat: great food, a good atmosphere with a lot of laughter. Grandpa (86 years young) popped in for the meal, and Aunty Marjorie came round Boxing Day. As I look back over previous years, certain Christmases can blur into each other sometimes anonymously, but 2007 I will remember as a particularly happy one.

Am now engaged in more orchestration work for a new film which will last into the new year, which I will disclose at a later date. Also looking forward to 2008, in which I will have a sabbatical from my uni teaching for a semester (Feb - June) which I am very much looking forward to, during which I hope to do a lot of writing.

I wish anyone reading this a very Happy New Year and all best wishes for 2008.

Spice Girls World Tour

2007-12-05T19:14:00.000Z

I think it's okay for me to say this now. One of the mysterious things I was up to in September was some orchestration for the Spice Girls World Tour that I did in conjunction with my good friend and fellow composer/ arranger John Paxman, with whom it was an absolute joy to work with.

More orchestration for TV

2007-11-28T10:21:00.000Z

Things been busy of late with more orchestration for a popular TV series. In addition doing the usual Southampton Uni marking and preparation, and sending pitches for the songwriting.... have started burning the midnight oil once more.

Contract Killers, Pitches, Central heating...

2007-11-18T20:10:00.001Z

.... are not three things one would immediately put together in the same sentence, but they are on my mind at the moment.
Today I went to London to the Curzon cinema, Mayfair to see the premiere of _Journal of a Contract Killer_, a film I co-wrote the score for (with Steven W Parsons) over the summer, which I understand will be shortly out at cinemas on a limited release. It was a great experience to see it on the big screen, and a real privilege to see Tony Maylam (director) and some of the stars in the flesh.

The last few weeks have been taken up with preparing some pitches for a few potential projects (some quite exciting) which I will say more about if and when they come to fruition. Some have involved working with some extremely talented (and impressively young) individuals which is always exciting and humbling. I've also been doing some of the necessary if unglamorous admin and prep for FR music, which is still brewing slowly. Second shameless plug: www.frmusic.co.uk

My central heating is kaput at the moment, and my room is FREEZING. I am wearing a scarf and a jacket as I type this! My excellent landlord promises to fix it asap, but am I beginning to suspect I can see my breath turn to frost... however I just borrowed the _Planet Earth_ DVD from my folks (which I bought them last Xmas) and having witnessed what Emperor Penguins, Polar Bears, and seals go through, I don't feel I can really complain. Amazing, amazing series that... utterly breathtaking, and brilliant score by George Fenton.

Next few weeks see more traching at uni, more composing, prep and admin, some well earned time with friends, and hopefully a new project or two emerging.....

FR Music launched

2007-10-24T15:23:00.000Z

One of the mysterious 'things' I have had in the pipeline recently has been FR Music which is a colloboration with fellow composer Tony Reeves to advertise and promote our collective musical interests in film and TV, Songwriting, games and music theatre. The website has now been laucned and can be viewed at www.frmusic.co.uk and contains profiles of recent work, a showreel and services. Many thanks to Pete who designed the site and to Tony for his patience.

New website updates

2007-10-22T18:54:00.000Z

A lack of bloggage from me recently (remember the fashion when the suffix 'age' was all the rage?). This is due to fairly consistent preparation activity for a few things in the pipeline, notably more pop song writing and prep, some composition for a potential music-theatre project I won't divulge yet, and usual uni teaching/ admin stuff. I'm actually working quite hard, but most of the stuff is worth reporting when (and/ or if) it becomes official. The EXTREMELY glamorous and thrilling behind-the-scenes legwork/ prep/ etc happens fairly constantly although blogs don't tend to give that impression.

One things worth mentioning is that the website (www,andrew-fisher.co.uk) has recently had an overhaul, and is now designed to reflect the kind of work I've been doing recently (TV and Film/ Songwriting/ Jazz etc). This has been accomplished by the talent and generosity of one James R Gillingham, my good friend, collaborator and web monkey who has once again very unselfishly given his time, skill and good nature to the Fisher cause. Once again, thank you Jimbo. Muhammed Ali, was wrong: YOU are the greatest.

A Mighty Heart

2007-09-26T21:18:00.000Z

The Michael Winterbottom film _A Mighty Heart_ (starring one Angelina Jolie) is currently out at the cinemas, with the fabulous score my Harry Escott and Molly Nyman, that yours truly did the orchestration for. This will be my first official credit on the big screen (yay!), and I am really excited to be part of such a great project.

Otherwise, am hectic with fairly domestic things at the moment - uni admin stuff, helping various people move house and doing the odd bit of composition. Am up to Manchester for the weeked (yet more driving) to help my brother Dave move into his fab new pad, and will be good to spend some time with him, as he is a complete dude.

More work...

2007-09-15T09:53:00.000Z

Life's just got hectic again. Seems to be the way of things where everything comes at once, and then nothing... currently working on a orchestration gig (sorry to say this again, but 'more on this to come'), where I've just returned from a day in London, and off, briefly for a friends birthday, then straight back to London today to play for a wedding at the fantastic Le Meridien Hotel in Picadilly, back to Southampton tonight to do some uni work tomorrow, then back to London Sunday night to continue on the orchestration. I also have a couple of other irons in the fire, and will hopefully say more if and whether they come to fruition.

imdb profile

2007-09-06T10:34:00.000Z

I have acheived a (modest) ambition of mine recently - I am now one of the many individuals to work in film and TV to have some imdb (international movie database) listings! (www.imdb.com). Hurrah. I am Andrew Fisher (V) for composing credits as well as Andrew Fisher (VI) ('music department' for orchestration stuff). There seem to be ar least two other 'Andrew Fisher's listed... it's clearly a popular name to have...

Oooh Devon is a place on earth

2007-09-02T22:02:00.000Z

I have just returned from four delightful days in Devon with two of my erstwhile collaborators Jimbo Gillingham and Rupes Waring for a "writing week". We are working on a new musical (I will write that annoying phrase 'more on this to come'), and got off to a good start: I have written about 16 tunes some of which I'm pretty happy with, and the boys were wrangling with story and plot structure. Jimbo was a most generous host (and a really phenomenal cook) and his folks' beautiful home has one of the world's best views looking across Dartmoor National Park. It was a fantastic time, good to be writing again, and great to experience the general bonhomie and generous and genial Devonian hospitality. My thanks to all Gillingha (I'm assuming this is the collective noun....)

I have returned to find myself with several musical irons in the fire (forgive the stretched metaphor): pitches and proposals I think I will elaborate as and if they develop. Some are quite exciting! Otherwise I'm cranking up for the new term at Southampton Uni....

All quiet on the Southern front...

2007-08-24T14:50:00.000Z

Things have felt fairly quiet recently, probably in comparison to recent months, but I have been busy behind the scenes working on some admin for Southampton University and doing various bits and bobs for my songwriting promotion, as well as seeing a few friends. I am off to Devon on Sunday night to spend a few days with Jim and Rupes and hopefully do a bit of writing which will be fun. Come September, things will crank up for the new term, and a few things I am working on will surface.... more on this to come.

Songs songs songs

2007-08-13T22:41:00.000Z

Back from a week in the Balearics with my brother Dave, who is a complete dude. Lots of relaxing, sunbathing and swimming. Am now back working on getting my songwriting material ready for some proper promotion. There is so much more to do in terms of prep than I had at first anticipated: some things seem to take so long to get together, but I am hoping to finish this admin stage soon. I feel keen to get my teeth into some proper composition soon as well....

Two Weddings and a film score

2007-08-02T08:51:00.000Z

July has been a ferociously busy month, and so I have not had any spare time to shake a stick at let alone write a blog. I have been co-composing and orchestrating the score for a British film called _Journal of a Contract Killer_ working with composer Steven W Parsons, whom is a fascinating individual who lives a quite extraordinary life - he has seen and done just about everything. The recording session was in Angel Studio, London once again with session players culled from London orchestras, whom are, quite simply, the finest in the world. A number of the players were familiar faces, as I have worked with them on _Superstorm_ in February and _A Mighty Heart_ in April.

It was a real privilege and an honour to work with such talented artists, especially to meet and watch the great Rick Wentworth at work, whom conducted the morning session (yours truly did the afternoon session - big thrill). Rick is the consumate professional, and it was awesome not only to see someone of his calibre and experience at work, but also to get the opportunity to chat during the break. He was extremely approachable and had a wealth of stories as he has worked with just about everyone in the industry, incluing a number of my heroes (including Williams, Kamen, Elfman etc).

It has also been good to meet the director of the film, Tony Maylam, an extremely talented man whom looks twenty five years younger than he actually is: I now aspire to be as youthful, fit, and articulate when I reach his age.

I have now enjoyed a few less hectic days at home, where I have been working on some of the pop songs I will be promoting as a songwriter, working with friend, genius and uber-engineer Tony Reeves, and I have another recording session today working on some of the backing tracks. Then on Friday I am playing at Jon and Mary's wedding, then I am on holiday for a week with my brother Dave, and then ANOTHER wedding, and then back to the songs for August. Wrong month to quit caffeine......

Film scoring and orchestration

2007-07-10T11:33:00.000Z

I have just returned from five days in London working with Steve Parsons on the score to another movie (more on this to come)which has been a lot of fun. I will now been into the orchestration for the next few days, with the recording happening at the end of July. I have also enjoyed some positive feedback on Jazzed Tales which (quick plug again, shameless promotion!) is still available on Amazon and from 33jazz.com.

Weddings and things

2007-07-02T12:33:00.000Z

Saturday saw my sister's wedding, which was utterly delightful. She was the most beautiful bride ever, and everything went off without a problem. It was great to see the family (I have zillions of cousins whom are all terrific, and when we get together it is a blast...)

I am now about to start another really hectic phase a la February this year. I have a new movie score coming up for which I will be orchestrating and doing some composing for, which I am really looking forward to, as well as finishing off the arrangements for Abi Roberts' cabaret which will feature in the Edinburgh Festival this year. And promoting my songwriting. so busy times ahead....

Olly Green Memorial CD

2007-06-26T15:20:00.000Z

I have just listened with great poignancy to the archive recording of much loved and missed Philharmonia horn player Olly Green (1976-2005), whom was a friend of mine at the Royal College of Music. He and I worked on an album called September Songs which included jazzy arangements I did of tunes byWeill, Gershwin and Rodgers for piano and horn which we recorded at the RCM in 1999. Olly went onto to play for the Hong Kong Philharmonic, before joining the Philharmonia in 2002, and his unexpected death in 2005 was a tragic shock to his colleagues, friends and his family. The CD also contains pieces from the wonderful memorial concert the Philharmonia stagedin 2006, including a particulalry fine Concerto for Horn and Orchestra written by Olly's father Stewart Green, that Olly himself had played in2002. It is great to have Olly's playing recorded on this archive CD, and a real privilege for me to be a part of it. It stands as a fitting tribute to Olly who was a such a good natured, unselfish, funny and thoroughly decent person as well as being an incredible horn player. I shall miss him.

Music Sculptors' Site

2007-06-22T15:04:00.001Z

The Music Sculptors, a fab music media group that I have done some orchestration for, have included me as part of their creative team, and there is a now a brief biog of mine on their site: www.themusicsculptors.com if you click on 'About Us'. It is v. exciting to have a profile alongside such fantastic musicians as Mark Sayer-Wade, Julian Kershaw, David Butterworth and Jon Paxman.

The new Music Sculptors site is extremely impressive, as is their range of media work, and I really enjoyed looking at their showreel.

More orchestration work and stuff

2007-06-14T17:36:00.000Z

I have been a wee bit hectic recently with Uni of Southampton end of term marking, and various domestic issues relating to sorting out my computer. New speakers. Really glamorous, madly thrilling stuff.

I have done some exciting work though - some more orchestrations for Abi Roberts cabaret show, which included me writing my first jingle which was a huge amount of fun. Tony Reeves (an utter diamond geezer) helped a huge amount with the recordings and even sang on the jingle. What a star. Abi (also really nice) is a really talented singer (think a blonde Bette Midler with a better voice) and her fantastic show will be at the Edinbugh Festival this year.

This weekend I will have a chance to relax and see a few friends, and I will also try and practise the piano which I will be playing for my sis' wedding. Brotherly pride this, but she will be the most beautiful bride ever and I want to do it well.

Web page updates and stuff

2007-05-20T17:34:00.000Z

Saturday saw the stag do of Andre, my future brother-in-law who will marry my lovely sister Liz in June. It was a fabulous day, a good crowd of really nice friends all dressed in outrageous 1970s gear, complete with mullets, moustaches and afros!

Today I am feeling ever-so-slightly enterically fragile but have been brightened considerably by the generous help of Jimbo who once more has very kindly put his cyber-genius to the Fisher cause.

There are a number of new extracts of music now available to listen to on both my Myspace and web site.

Jim says that my blog needs a few more pictures and so took this rather embarrassing photo in the garden while we had a coffee with Rupes. Cheers Jim.

Me and Rupes sharing a silly moment.

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

2007-05-09T11:30:00.000Z

Phewee! Just come out of a really hectic few days of tutorials, rehearsals one wedding and a festival. A LOT of driving every day (averaging 150 miles a day), for which I am now grateful for a few days free to sort myself out domestically. The wedding ran smoothly, and was a picture-postcard treat. I accompanied Caroline Corrie (matron of honour) who sang 2 songs during the signing of the register. Sunday saw me playing at the Kandinsky Hotel at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival with the incredible Kate Brown, who is simply a phenomenal talent, and who very professionally put up with learning a considerable amount of new material at the last minute. What a star.

This week sees more tutorials at Southampton Uni, some professional transcription and, and hopefully a moment to compose, which I haven't found that much time for recently. Am looking forward to it.

Weekend in Istanbul

2007-04-30T20:44:00.000Z

Just returned from a fantastic weekend break in Istanbul with my brother Dave. We had a real blast visiting the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sophia, The Topkapi Palace (which I was very interested in, having read about it at length in Dorothy Dunnet's novel Pawn In Franckincense), and the atmospheric underground cisterns. We also took a boat trip across to the asian shore where we drank Raki and watched the sun set over the Bosphorous.... it's been a really welcome break from the routine, and I feel refreshed and raring to go.

Now have returned and hit the ground running with business as usual at Southampton University, a wedding to play for on Saturday (which should be a lot of fun), and the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on Sunday (2-4pm, check the listings). I am really looking foward to working again with Kate Brown who as well as being a supremely talented jazz singer is also a good laugh. I look forward to hearing some of the other acts at the festival, including Groovestone, who are fantastic.

Film Music Recording at Air Studios

2007-04-20T09:17:00.000Z

Wednesday 18th April saw the recording for the strings of Harry Escott's and Molly Nyman's awesome score to Michael Winterbottom's film A Mighty Heart which stars Angelina Jolie, which I orchestrated. It was my first time there, and a real privilege to work at such a legendary venue, alongside such a range of talented people. Harry conducted his and Molly's score superbly well as well as playing piano solos before and after the session, and it was a joy to see him at work. The atmosphere was terrific - and there was a good bonhomie amongst the players, who are simply the world's best, impeccably professional. Harry also asked me very kindly to play the piano for a short sequence, which was an unexpected pleasure. I can't wait to see the film when it comes out; it is a powerful, hard-hitting film, and it has been a privilege to be involved with it.

It was also exciting to see Superstorm Episode 1 on BBC 1 last Sunday, and to see a project I've contributed to actually on the TV. Quick Plug: Episode 2 is on this Sunday at 9pm on BBC 1, and features a lot more of Maurice Murphy, trumpeter extraordinaire.

I am now about to move house, and then am into an exciting arranging project for the fabulously talented singer Abi Roberts, for a show she will take to the Edinbugh Festival this year. Also planning my Cheltenham Jazz Festival feature with Kate Brown, and a weekend away with my brother (probably in Budapest) and my next lecture at Southampton University. So back to the incedibly hectic schedule!

Superstorm on BBC 1 Sunday 15th, 22nd, 29th at 9pm

2007-04-10T15:55:00.000Z

The Superstorm series I did the orchestrations for last month will be broadcast on the telly this week and over the next three weeks:

Episode 1: Sunday 15th April BBC1, 9pm

Episode 2: Sunday 22nd April BBC1, 9pm

Episode 3: Sunday 29th Spril BBC 1, 9pm

Music by Mark Sayer-Wade. I feel very excited to see it on the telly!!

More Orchestration

2007-04-05T10:43:00.000Z

Now the movie has come out, I think I can say that I did some uncredited work on the orchestration of Mr Bean's Holiday that uber-orchestrator David Butterworth (a generous and incredibly talented man) put my way back in February.

I have also just been approached to do the orchestration for the new Michael Winterbottom film A Mighty Heart that composer Harry Escott has asked me to do, for which I will receive a credit! This will start next week, and I am very excited about it.

Impro Comedy

2007-03-28T22:06:00.000Z

Tonight I was playing the impro comedy group Boolia Goolia (apparently it's celtic for "chaotic fun") at the Wheatsheaf pub on Rathbone Place off Oxford Street. The guys did a really good show, and I look forward to playing with them again on Tuesday 3rd April again at the Whatsheaf at 8pm.

Still been keeping busy recently with various bits of admin-type stuff that is really not that interesting to talk about, but I have been composing too, including some new jazz songs that I hope to unleash later in the year....

Cheltenham Jazz Festival

2007-03-15T12:16:00.000Z

I am booked to play at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival this year on Sunday May 6th. I will be in a piano/vocal duo with the impossibly talented Kate Brown, and we will probably mostly do original jazz songs by me. It should be a lot of fun, and I am really looking forward to it.

As is the way with the music profession, periods of intense activity are followed by periods of quietness, and I have been taking it easier recently, catching up with things at Southampton University, and doing a bit of my own composition (I am working on a Jazz Cantata of sorts, but not sure how it's going to turn out yet) and thinking about promoting my songwriting. I (or to be more accurate Jimbo) will be adding new links to the website soon of more examples of my music to listen to.

Abbey Road Session 3 and Greenwich Theatre Performance

2007-03-05T21:53:00.000Z

Wednesday 28th February saw another performance of Face In The Crowd at the Greenwich Theatre alongside the five other musicals that were showcased that night. Tobey, Mike and myself were all really pleased with the result and thought that Tony Berkely and Mary Stockley were both fantastic. My thanks again goes to them, MD Mike Dixon (thoroughly decent chap), and especially to the wonderful Fiona Laird whom directed the show and very wittily emcee'd the evening.

Friday 2nd March saw the final session of Superstorm recording at Abbey Road, once again with the astonishing talent of London session players whom are simply breathtaking, and handled some tricky musical moments with ease. Mark Sayer-Wade's score once again fitted the pictures superbly well, and it was a pleasure to watch the fantastic Julian Kershaw at work. My thanks go particularly to Jon Paxman who has been a rock through this project, and it without doubt one of the most unflappable and phlegmatic characters I have the good fortune to know, and also to charming and good-natured Michelle Spoonly who oversaw how we ran to time with enviable composure. The whole experience has been a blast and I couldn't hope to work with a better group. I hope Superstorm 2 gets off the ground!

New Web Site

2007-02-27T21:32:00.000Z

February has been a blur. Mostly of terrific things. A highlight is the fact that my new web site is now launched, thanks to the adroit cyber super-competence of one James Gillingham who once again is single-handedly keeping afloat my public profile (for free!). Jim, you are a superstar and I love the site. Check it out!

Jazz Ballet Premiere

2007-02-25T15:25:00.000Z

Saturday evening saw the premiere of my Jazz Ballet Fantine at the Turner Sims Concert Hall Southampton, with yours truly conducting the Southampton University Jazz Orchestra. It went really well, especially considering how close we came to not doing it - it came together quite late on in the day. My thanks go not only to the wonderful players in SUJO, but also to the committee for agreeing to do it, and especially Matt Higginson the musical director, whose professionalism and har work saw this horse to the post.
I am now back into Superstorm, orchestrating for Episode 3. Eeeek: lots to juggle next week, including teaching at University and the performance of Face In The Crowd at the Greenwich theatre on Wednesday.

Abbey Road Session Two

2007-02-21T13:49:00.000Z

Wow...... the second session of Superstorm (which I have been orchestrating) happened last night at Abbey Road, and again was a really exciting moment for me personally and professionally. Mark Sayer-Wade's score is really first-rate for this project, and matches the picture very very well, and it is such a pleasure working alongside my old RCM buddy Jon Paxman (a horribly talented man). Again we had the awsome Julian Kershaw conducting (a consumate professional whose birthday is coming up: Happy Birthday Julian!), and an orchestra filled with the world's finest players. I'm not kidding: I had a chance to look at the personnel this time, and just as an example we had on horns Richard Watkins, Mike Thompson, David Pyatt and Richard Berry, and on trumpets the legendary Maurice Murphy and the awesome John Barclay. It goes on and on... the whole orchestra was fabulous. It is a real privilege to be working with these people on this project. Roll on no 3.

I also have to start thinking about my own conducting as well, as my jazz ballet Fantine will be premiered on Saturday 24th February at the Turner Sims Concert Hall in Southampton. then the following week (alongside Superstorm episode 3 orchestrations) I'm back at Greenwich Theatre to see the performance of the ten-Minute Musical collaboration I worked on last week, Face In The Crowd, which will be showcased alongside the five other collaborations. It will be interesting to see what others have come up with. So today is a rare day off amongst all this busy-ness. It's a beautiful day outside. Think I will go for a jog....

Songwriting

2007-02-19T15:55:00.000Z

Besides the work have been blogging about recently, I am also currently working on a few other projects that have ongoing, longer-term time scales which I work on on I have "free time". One of these is a songwriting project where I have been writing songs and recording them in order to place them with recording artists. I had a session in December with the male vocalist Sam James and several in January with Kate Brown, and I am now getting round to working up demos on them, with the engineering expertise of Tony Reeves and Jon Gingell (whom is also playing guitar on them, making a quantum difference). These sessions have been really fun, and I am once again in awe of the talents of others.

Greenwich theatre: Ten-Minute Musical Challenge

2007-02-15T22:07:00.000Z

(Queen riff) dum dum dum... another one bites the dust....
Hoorah, just done my stint as Composer at Greenwich Theatre's Ten Minute musical Challenge, working with lyricist Michael Hobbs ( really nice guy who will be playing Treebeard in the Lord of the Rings the Musical when it hits town) and humurous bookwriter Tobey Davies. It was a hectic day, with me and Mike working right down to the wire on our songs. Our show was called Face In The Crowd and we gave a run though during the evening. It will be performed again on Wednesday 28th September at Greenwich Theatre, by the fabulous Anthony Berkley and the gorgeous Mary Stockley, who also ran it today (quite brilliantly I might add). It was good to work alongside the legendary Mike Dixon (music director and THE world's nicest man, after my Dad) and the fab Fiona Laird (director) who is such a sweetie.
So now it is just the orchestrating on Superstorm Episode 2 for Abbey Road next week that will keep me from my nice warm bed....