Spring is here ….
Posted by: | CommentsJust thought I’d bring you upto date with everything that’s been happening at RAJ HQ.
I’m currently working on the first album with my band ‘Marble Hill’. The lead track,”The Tailor” is already at Youtube & Vimeo. The album is probably about 75% done right now. I actually started working on it at the same time as I started my solo album (”This Is What I Live For”), way back in 2006 !! So I really, really, want to finish the album in the next few months and release it late Summer.
After that I’ll start work on the follow-up to “This Is What I Live For”. I already have some ideas and I know where I want to go with this album.
I’m listening to lots & lots of great music right now and my credit card is starting to buckle under the strain of all these CD’s (I still buy CD’s because MP3’s sound BAD, BAD, BAD). As I type I’m listening to Villa Lobos’ “Bachianas brasileiras”. Great stuff ! I’ve also just bought every CD by French composer Jean-Philippe Goude that I could find. I really love his stuff and his ensemble are superb musicians. There is a ‘best of’ album just released, called “Pour l’instant” but it leaves out lots of good stuff and is not particularly representative of his various styles I think. There isn’t much on Spotify either.
I’ve also been tracking down every non-Choral piece by Arvo Part that I could find – “Summas” is still my favourite though. Just pre-ordered the new Johann Johannsson album: Fordlandia was stunning. I’m looking forward to seeing him next month in London.
I’ve put together another Spotify playlist (which you can access here) with what I’m listening to now, along with a classic track from the great Ennio Morricone whom I sadly missed when he was playing at the Royal Albert Hall this week :( Come back soon maestro …..
Lots of airplay around the world :)
Posted by: | CommentsThe list of shows and radio stations playing ‘This Is What I Live For’ continues to grow.
Highlights include …
US: KPFK, WWSP, KTEP, WSCS, WPRB
UK: BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 6 Music
If your favourite radio station isn’t listed here and they have a show that you think would play my music, please let me know !
Contemporary Classical music on iTunes
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s often quite difficult to find interesting new artists, working in the same genre as me. Whether you call it Post-Classical, Ambient Classical, Contemporary Classical or whatever !!
So, I’m going to start putting together small playlists of some favourite tracks and artists on iTunes. If you’re an iTunes user, please click here to listen to my first playlist featuring Max Richter, Michael Nyman, myself and other artists you may not know.
If you like the playlist, please give it a 5-star rating: it will help other people find these tracks.
‘Milan’ chosen to celebrate Independents Day 09
Posted by: | CommentsVery pleased that ‘Milan’ has been chosen by we7 along with 19 other artists, as a celebration of indie music at this years Independents Day celebrations. I’m the only classical artist amongst other, more mainstream genres …. so the track really stands out ! By special arrangement with we7, the entire album will also be made available for unlimited streaming this week, 6 weeks before it’s release date.
“Washington Subway” on BBC Radio 3’s ‘Late Junction’
Posted by: | CommentsJust found out that the short solo violin track off my album, “Washington Subway” was on the 16th June episode of BBC Radio 3’s ‘Late Junction’. Nice of presenter Verity Sharp to namecheck the violinist, Sarah Brandwood-Spencer, who did a fantastic job on it.
‘Milan’ on Tom Robinson’s 6Music “Introducing”
Posted by: | CommentsJust a quick note to say that “Milan” from my album ‘This Is What I Live For’ will be featured on the BBC 6 Music show “BBC Introducing: Fresh On the Net”, next Tuesday, with host Tom Robinson. If you’re in the UK, you can hear the show on-demand for 7 days after broadcast by clicking here
Richard Anthony Jay on TheSixtyOne
Posted by: | CommentsI’ve just added some tracks to TheSixtyOne. It’s an interesting site with some great music on it. If you’re already a member, please stop by my page and “heart” a track or leave a message
