Blog for blog sake.

Oh the procrastination. Seriously folks, life is really manic. Full time employment, saving up to master the record, taking on too many projects on the side (short films and dance works and gigs - what am i crazy?).

Today Adam Rudegeair and I are having the first rehearsal for a little live radio experiment for a film music radio show called The Score (106.7PBSFM). It comes as an extension of our set for the Thereminstrosity Festival, this time we're arranging movie themes into psychedelic rock jams, with theremin thrown in for good fun, and we're calling it Theremin Will Be Blood. All things going according to plan, the line up for this show will also mark the beginning of a new (heavier) direction for my music. There's potentially a new EP in the works to follow up if you go (I'm always working ahead of myself), with a more collaborative band feel to it, and I'm hoping to pull some of this out on stage mid way through next year or so.

Besides that, there are a bunch of solo gigs coming up, where I'll be reworking my songs to perform them without the band, which will mean some longer soundscape/beat improvs, live remix style, some songs I've not played live before, and some covers for fun. (For dates check out my myspace gig guide.
I'm also hoping to take these solo renditions on the road very soon to promote the new record, so stay tuned for that too.

That's pretty much the jist of it all for now. Thanks for reading.
j.

Absinthe Music artwork draft preview

So in the end working with Ben Templesmith didn't happen (hopefully in the future though), so i've resorted to producing Absinthe Music's artwork myself. This kinda means that it's release date is now TBC and probably not for ages due to my slow drawing skills. but hear is a preview of what has come so far.



On another note, if you go... rough mixes are just about done, so mastering etc pending, we should still be looking at a March release.Also, I've started writing some new stuff, probably for an EP to follow the LP up late next year. Expect a heavier sound to hit the stage next year post album release.

thanks for reading
j.

if you go... artwork by nathan j & Andrea Kang

Here's a little teaser of the album cover art for the up coming record.
Don't get too excited, there's still the absinthe music and requiem single to come first. but i have to share this with you.

new lullabies

coming soon...

I'll be returning to the "new music to fall asleep to..." project as a live solo performance/installation/exploration.
Using electronics, acoustic guitar, and a mix of other random instruments, and performing a mashup of compositions from the album, plus some lullaby arrangements of new/other compositions, with some themed covers and traditional lullabies from around the world thrown into the mix.

This time around the venue will be your bedroom (or lounge room if you'd prefer).

Invite your friends, get into your pjs, and sip some wine on the bedcovers (or under them), with me and my gear in the corner providing a nice long soundtrack to the evening.

If you're interested, just respond to this message at lullabies@justinashworth.com
My performance is free of charge, so all need to do is pick a date, and organise it with your friends.

So drop me a line and let the (slumber) parties begin (again).

Justin.

rough mix

Thus far I've been a lazy musician. I took 2 months off. A very much needed break. I've been back at the mixing desk (so to speak) for a bit now, and the rough mixes are coming together really nicely. I'm about halfway. Then I'll be sitting down with various collaborators to do the final mixes. So I'm happy with the pace still.
Also , drafts of the artwork Nathan has done so far are awesome.

So anyways, i thought I should write something about the developing of the project, if anything it keeps me focused.

I'll be composing some new music for contemporary dancer Susan van den Ham later this year, and a new short animation is on the cards too. Some other stuff floating around. i'll post as it comes together.

thank for reading.
j.

more crap about the recording process.

if you go... is practically tracked and rough mixes in the works. Absinthe Music is finished and mixed and sitting around. Both albums have artwork in production. Both albums are on track for release either later this year or early next (distro pending).

I'm writing new stuff and working on remixes for fun.
There is still a video for Requiem and a single release planned.
all is well.
i'm hungry.

Paintings

I've been painting lately just for some meditation and sanity. Haven't finished anything in ages, so i'm excited that i "finished" this one.



I hope to finish a few more images over the next few months while i take a break from gigs, in between mixing sessions for the record. Will definately share with you.
j.