Blog by Jon Brooks specialising in Logic Pro X templates, music articles, Youtube videos, music production for film and TV, musical analysis and all things regarding audio production. Apple music and iTunes products are also featured within the blog. Jon is a British composer scoring music for film, television and advertising.
'An American In Hollywood' (Comedy/Drama) features one of my music tracks 'Army of Doom' and has it's World Premiere in New York on 20th September 2013 at the 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival, presented by BET Networks and HBO.
It's directed by Sai Varadan and is edited and produced by Jason Pollard. Richard Carroll Jr. stars alongside JD Williams and Hassan Johnson (from HBO's 'The Wire').
SUMMARY: “A talented young filmmaker from New York who sets off to Los Angeles in pursuit of the Hollywood dream, only to discover through his relationship with a beautiful feisty young actress, that Hollywood is not all that it seems.”
An American In Hollywood
The world premiere is at the Urbanworld Film Festival on Friday September 20th at 10:30pm, AMC Loews Theater, 34th Street, New York, USA.
The following Youtube video, 'Army of Doom', is the track licensed for use in the feature film 'An American In Hollywood'...
July 4th 2013 (Manchester, United Kingdom) - Music producer, Jon Brooks, teamed up with Clive Farrington (lead vocalist - 'When In Rome') to co-write and produce Clive's first solo album 'Independence'.
The official release date 'Independence Day' is significant as 4th July also represents Clive Farrington's independent release outside of 'When in Rome'. When in Rome had a No. 1 hit single in the USA called 'The Promise'. It was released in 1988. In 2004, 'The Promise' was used as the end title theme for the successful movie, 'Napoleon Dynamite'. Due to unfortunate legal issues over the name 'When In Rome', Clive decided to go ahead with a solo album.
The new album exhibits a fusion of styles; blending classical orchestral elements with a modern day electronic sound... as an addition to this, 'Independence' also boasts a hint of the 80's too! It's already receiving extensive radio play and TMR Records have just negotiated and licensed two of the tracks to GAP (Mexico) for use on their latest compilation CD. Some of the album's tracks could be classed as a cross between the 'Pet Shop Boys', David Guetta, Scott Walker and Robert Miles. The songs are honest, suitably original and highly emotive.
Please comment, like, share and subscribe to be notified of future uploads. Thank you!
Music and lyrics written, performed, arranged and produced by: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington (TMR Studios)
Vocals: Clive Farrington
Piano / Strings: Jon Brooks
Ibanez Acoustic Bass: Clive Farrington
Drum Programing: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington
Mastered by: TGM Audio Mastering
Clive: "I met Jon whilst working as a Technical Install Manager at Castle Rock Studios in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK. The CRS studio was being built by the fabulous TSP (The Studio People). At the same time, and unbeknown to me, a smaller version on the same design level as CRS was being built right around the corner from my home in Stockport, Cheshire, UK! The builders on that project would come by CRS and tell me about Jon Brooks and how he's into film score projects... Right up my street, I thought!!! Jon has a Masters in Composition for Film and Television. He had just relocated back to the UK after spending six years working as an in-house composer for one of the best audio post-production studios in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He specialised in music composition and audio production for film, television and advertising. I wanted to get to know him and maybe put something together. I dropped by Jon's studio and left my card with his father. Jon called me a week later, and now... just listen to the new album and breathe in the fabulous results!"
The new album 'INDEPENDENCE' was released on TMR (Tough Monkey Records) through Kobalt Label Services / AWAL on July 4th 2013.
INVISIBLE: Clive Farrington and I wrote the music and lyrics. The song highlights cyber bullying abuse, fake profiles, spammers, internet trolls and malicious virus writers. It features the amazing voice overs of Steve Benz (WSDI Worldwide) and DJ 1Love (Paul Todd). Please help to spread the word!
The new album 'Independence' exhibits a fusion of styles; blending classical orchestral elements with a modern day electronic sound... as an addition to this, 'Independence' also boasts a hint of the 80's too! It's already receiving extensive radio play and TMR Records have just negotiated and licensed two of the tracks to GAP (Mexico) for use on their latest compilation CD. Some of the album's tracks could be classed as a cross between the 'Pet Shop Boys', David Guetta, Scott Walker and Robert Miles. The songs are honest, suitably original and highly emotive.
"It is being reported that over 40% of new internet profiles are actually fake. Why are so many people setting up fake profiles?"
VERSE 1:
It's time to dance
Like no one's watching
Trust yourself
And no cross talking
Believe in love
No bad religion
Fool no one
Your dreams fulfilling
CHORUS:
Out of all the places we could be
We lose ourselves so easily
Do not mistake identity
INVISIBLE
There are times when fortunes favour me
And times that I no longer see
But all the way, I find the game
INCREDIBLE
NARRATIVE 2: (STEVE BENZ -- WSDI Worldwide)
"Fake profiles are set up by a combination of either spammers and virus writers, or people attempting to say malicious things without the risk of being caught... They believe they are so called -- INVISIBLE -- They're about to find out they aren't INVISIBLE, any longer...
I-I-I—I—I-I-INVISIBLE
I-I—I-I-I-INVISIBLE
INVISIBLE"
VERSE 2:
Take yourself
To the top of the mountain
Breathe the air
Like no one's counting
Now it's time to rise
Above the bar now
You will reach
The furthest star now
CHORUS:
Out of all the places we could be
We lose ourselves so easily
Do not mistake identity
INVISIBLE
There are times when fortunes favour me
And times that I no longer see
But all the way, I find the game
INCREDIBLE
NARRATIVE 3: (DJ 1LOVE -- Paul Todd)
"Only 1 in 10 victims will inform a parent or trusted adult of cyber bullying abuse...
Cyber bullying abuse is the use of the internet and related technologies to harm other people in a deliberate, repeated and hostile manner...
Why are so many people setting up fake profiles?"
NARRATIVE 4: (STEVE BENZ -- WSDI Worldwide)
"Fake profiles are set up by a combination of either spammers and virus writers, or people attempting to say malicious things without the risk of being caught..."
I co-wrote 'Breathing' with Clive Farrington for his new solo album 'Independence'. July 4th 2013 (Manchester, United Kingdom) - Music producer, Jon Brooks, teamed up with Clive Farrington (lead vocalist - 'When In Rome') to co-write and produce Clive's first solo album 'Independence'. The official release date is significant as 4th July also represents Clive Farrington's independent release outside of 'When in Rome'.
I'm walking down your street, I can't stand the atmosphere
A few small steps away, and then I'll be out of here
I'm walking back to freedom and I'm walking in the rain
I'm moving so my head is clear, 'cos I can't stand this pain
CHORUS
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
When I think about her...
Breathin' in but only breathing thin air
Talking all the time but not getting anywhere
Falling for and in and out of love
The breaking heart comes always hand in glove
CHORUS
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing... when I think about her
I'm barely breathing...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Music & lyrics written, performed, arranged and produced by: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington (TMR Studios)
Vocals: Clive Farrington
Piano / Strings: Jon Brooks
Ibanez Acoustic Bass: Clive Farrington
Drum Programing: Jon Brooks and Clive Farrington
Mastered by: TGM Audio Mastering
When in Rome had a No. 1 hit single in the USA called 'The Promise'. It was released in 1988. In 2004, 'The Promise' was used as the end title theme for the successful movie, 'Napoleon Dynamite'. Due to unfortunate legal issues over the name 'When In Rome', Clive decided to go ahead with a solo album...
The new album exhibits a fusion of styles; blending classical orchestral elements with a modern day electronic sound... as an addition to this, 'Independence' also boasts a hint of the 80's too! It's already receiving extensive radio play and TMR Records have just negotiated and licensed two of the tracks to GAP (Mexico) for use on their latest compilation CD. Some of the album's tracks could be classed as a cross between the 'Pet Shop Boys', David Guetta, Scott Walker and Robert Miles. The songs are honest, suitably original and highly emotive.
Clive: "I met Jon whilst working as a Technical Install Manager at Castle Rock Studios in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, UK. The CRS studio was being built by the fabulous TSP (The Studio People). At the same time, and unbeknown to me, a smaller version on the same design level as CRS was being built right around the corner from my home in Stockport, Cheshire, UK! The builders on that project would come by CRS and tell me about Jon Brooks and how he's into film score projects... Right up my street, I thought!!! Jon has a Masters in Composition for Film and Television. He had just relocated back to the UK after spending six years working as an in-house composer for one of the best audio post-production studios in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He specialised in music composition and audio production for film, television and advertising. I wanted to get to know him and maybe put something together. I dropped by Jon's studio and left my card with his father. Jon called me a week later, and now... just listen to the new album and breathe in the fabulous results!"
The new album 'INDEPENDENCE' is released on TMR (Tough Monkey Records) through Kobalt Label Services / AWAL on July 4th 2013.
I was surprised to receive messages thinking people thought I had died today. However, it is a different Jon Brookes. My thoughts and love go out to his friends and family at this difficult time. RIP Jon.
LONDON – Jon Brookes, drummer with British indie rock band The Charlatans, has died. He was 44 and had been treated for brain cancer. The band said on its website that Brooks died in a hospital Tuesday.
Lead singer Tim Burgess tweeted that the band was “torn apart” by Brookes’ death.
Brookes was a founding member of the band, which drew on funk, rock and psychedelia and came to be associated with the early 1990s “Madchester” scene. The Charlatans’ multiple British hits include “The Only One I Know” and “Can’t Get Out of Bed.”
Brookes was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2010 after collapsing onstage during a concert in Philadelphia. He had been working on new material with The Charlatans this summer.
Peoples Problems: Introducingwww.peoplesproblems.org An online community dedicated to supporting those with personal problems across a diverse range of topics. This advertising feature sets the theme of the site, and we'd really really appreciate it if you could 'like' this video, so that we can gain further support for those experiencing difficulties - every little helps! (This is my brother's website - Please do check it out and share, thanks.)
Video Editing: PeoplesProblems.org Music by: Jon Brooks PEOPLES PROBLEMS: Our Vision: To be the leading relationship forum and free of charge self-help internet resource, facilitating the exchange of advice in an anonymous and welcoming environment. Site Overview: You can discuss your relationship problems in our confidential discussion forum, or read and relate to other peoples problems. Our visitors often seem unsure whether to consult with a relationship counsellor or not, so we'd like to think that our forum is the first port of call for any problem, but not necessarily a substitute for professional help. If you have a Twitter account, please follow us. You'll be featured in our Twitter universe (below), and we'll automatically hyperlink back to your Twitter account to help give you some exposure too! Miles Franklin said "someone to tell it to is one of the fundamental needs of human beings" - and we like to think that our site facilitates this basic requirement. Therefore, if you just listen to people's problems, you're actually helping them to overcome them to a certain extent. As mentioned above, the main feature of the Peoples Problems website is the advice forum, so why not share your problems, and see whether our visitors can offer their support. In addition to the community based problem forum, we have an evolving business directory, so if your company is dedicated to helping people with problems (especially relationship advice), then don't just rely on Yahoo and Google to drive referrals - we'd be delighted to host more information about your business for free! Click here for details In fact, there's quite a lot going on here, so you might like to bookmark us so you can keep up to date with all the new content being contributed by our users every week. If you're not here to look for help, or to read other peoples problems, then you might like to take part in our on-line poll, or create your own poll for others to vote on. Another popular feature you may be interested in is our survey which enables you to compare your profile against other people who have already taken part. If you would like to post your own topic and get advice about a problem or even create a new poll question, you can register for free. On our site, the main problems that people encounter, are to do with their relationships, emotions and sex. Once registered, you can post your problem or poll question, and then it will be available for others to view and offer advice (using the alias name you provide, as your e-mail address is not displayed). Other people with problems are also looking for guidance, so please assist wherever you can to help build up this community resource. We reckon it is best to be as open as possible when it comes to discussing relationship problems, as lack of communication is the root cause of many a problem. We hope that you are able to support this site by contributing to the discussion topics - particularly those which haven't yet received a response. Peoples Problems: www.peoplesproblems.org Feel free to check out my website too:www.jonbrooks.co.uk YouTube Channel:www.youtube.com/jonbrookscomposer
I wrote this music for a Coca Cola TV advert supporting Visa and the Beijing Olympics 2008. It features Yew Tuck Seng and I on vocals. Doo do doo do do... It was a fun one to work on. Wow, how time has flown! :-)
A can of Coke (12 fl ounces/355 ml) has 39 grams of carbohydrates (all from sugar, approximately 10 teaspoons), 50 mg of sodium, 0 grams fat, 0 grams potassium, and 140 calories.
The exact formula of Coca Cola's natural flavorings (but not its other ingredients, which are listed on the side of the bottle or can) is a trade secret. The original copy of the formula was held in SunTrust Bank's main vault in Atlanta for 86 years. Its predecessor, the Trust Company, was the underwriter for the Coca-Cola Company's initial public offering in 1919. On December 8, 2011, the original secret formula was moved from the vault at SunTrust Banks to a new vault containing the formula which will be on display for visitors to its World of Coca Cola museum in downtown Atlanta.
A popular myth states that only two executives have access to the formula, with each executive having only half the formula. The truth is that while Coca Cola does have a rule restricting access to only two executives, each knows the entire formula and others, in addition to the prescribed duo, have known the formulation process. On February 11, 2011, Ira Glass revealed on his PRI radio show, This American Life, that the secret formula to Coca-Cola had been uncovered in a 1979 newspaper. The formula found basically matched the formula found in Pemberton's diary.
Coca-Cola is the most popular and biggest-selling soft drink in history, as well as the best-known product in the world.
Created in Atlanta, Georgia, by Dr. John S. Pemberton, Coca-Cola was first offered as a fountain beverage by mixing Coca-Cola syrup with carbonated water. Coca-Cola was introduced in 1886, patented in 1887, registered as a trademark in 1893 and by 1895 it was being sold in every state and territory in the United States. In 1899, The Coca-Cola Company began franchised bottling operations in the United States.
Coca Cola might owe its origins to the United States, but its popularity has made it truly universal. Today, you can find Coca-Cola in virtually every part of the world.
Global Brands Include: Coca Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Coca Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Fanta, Minute Maid, POWERADE, Sprite, and vitaminwater.
Both Ted and Uncle Bill live in Antarctica. Ted is a cheeky, cocky little penguin who repeatedly tells Uncle Bill his name is NOT Fred. Uncle Bill has always called his nephew "Fred" - but that is not his name! Uncle Bill is a big, old, perverted, smelly, scruffy, simple minded yet wealthy and extroverted penguin. Ted is unable to get the message through to him and is frustrated by his Uncle's ignorance. Hope you enjoy this quirky and catchy song! Let me know in the comment section below what you think.
Some of my musical influences include: Hans Zimmer, Gustav Mahler, John Williams, Bon Jovi, Patrick Doyle, Jerry Goldsmith, Danny Elfman, Wishbone Ash, James Horner, Brian Tyler, James Newton-Howard.
PENGUINS
A penguin is a flightless marine bird, and an iconic figure in the avian world, despite the fact that their range is restricted to the Southern Hemisphere. Many children learn to recognize the distinctive black and white coloration of the penguin at an early age, and the birds are popular attractions in zoos and aquatic parks all over the world. Many adults find the birds endearing because of their waddling walk and engaging faces, and the birds are also used to brand a number of products including the popular Penguin Classics books and the Linux operating system.
All penguins are in the family Spheniscidae, and the exact number of penguin species is a subject of dispute, with estimates ranging from 15-19 distinct species. The largest variety of penguin is the Antarctic Emperor Penguin, which stands an impressive four feet (120 centimeters) when fully grown, and the smallest is the Little Blue Penguin of Australia and New Zealand, topping out at 14 inches (35 centimeters). In all cases, penguins retain essentially the same coloration, with dark backs and pale bellies.
The coloration of the penguin assists it in hunting seafood such as fish and crustaceans, because the dark back camouflages the penguin from predators above while the white belly makes them less visible to prey from below. Penguins also have wings which resemble flippers, having evolved to value swimming over the ability to fly, and they have strong webbed feet to kick with while they swim. In addition, penguins have oily, stiff feathers to waterproof their bodies while swimming in cold water.
Penguins feed exclusively in the ocean, surviving on stored fat while on land incubating eggs. Most penguins share incubation duties, keeping the egg on top of the feet and crouching over it, insulating the egg with their bellies. One penguin will travel to the ocean to eat while the other incubates, and then the couple will switch off. Once the penguin chick hatches, both parents participate in the feeding and care until it becomes a juvenile and is able to fend for itself.
Oddly enough, the word "penguin" is Welsh, despite the fact that penguins have never been known to live in Wales. It is a compound of pen for head and for white, and it was originally used to refer to the great auk, a now extinct flightless bird which was native to the Northern Hemisphere. When explorers saw penguins during their Southern adventures, they associated them with the great auk, and began to refer to them as penguins as well. Although the great auk is gone due to human depredations, the penguin lives on.
Computer animation or CGI animation is the process used for generating animated images by using computer graphics. The more general term computer-generated imagery encompasses both static scenes and dynamic images, while computer animation only refers to moving images.
Modern computer animation usually uses 3D computer graphics, although 2D computer graphics are still used for stylistic, low bandwidth, and faster real-time renderings. Sometimes the target of the animation is the computer itself, but sometimes the target is another medium, such as film.
This was one of the music demos I did in 2004 for my application to work at WASP Studios (Malaysia) where I held the position of Audio Consultant and In-House Composer for 6 years. Below are the presentation notes I prepared for the interview of my thought processes and how I composed/produced the music to the visuals:
"The Shaman" Sony Vega
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
- Even though it's a commercial, it's portrayed like a film.
- Visuals contained a dramatic sense of mood so it felt like the commercial demanded a dramatic, evolving musical score to reinforce and enhance the drama.
RESEARCH:
- After researching Shamanism and Far East Asian modes, my intention was to implement the pentatonic scale into the thematic development.
- Subsequently, after incorporating this into the creative process, i then realised the drama required a much darker tonality.
- I then decided to flavour an epic soundtrack style approach with oriental and ethnic instrumentation/influences - such as Chinese violins, Chinese Harps, Japanese Taiko Drums, Vietnamese Bells and ethnic Flutes. (As noted in the handout).
- This was to give the commercial a sense of time and space along with multi-cultural value.
COMPOSITIONAL PROCESS:
- First I worked out an appropriate click track to ensure I could highlight significant hit points.
- I began by setting the scene and mood by means of sound design and a dark musical timbre.
- After a relatively peaceful introduction, the pace of the drama picks up; therefore the soundtrack imitates.
- I planned to portray the Shamen as mystical. My inspiration came from his facial expression and gestures. A subtle scraping on the Tam Tam (as he lifts the lid from the pot) marks the introduction to the Shamen's mystical powers.
- Reverb was added to the ethnic flutes to create an atmospheric sound when we see the clouds and moon. This then leads to a menacing and suspenseful section highlighting the foreboding presence of the warrior.
- The suspense is built up by use of ostinato rhythmic devices, diminished 5ths, rasping trombones and other chromatic features.
- Subconsciously, for the the audience, I paid attention to specific hit points in order to get the message across that Sony Vega produces clear and precise images and sound.
- To concluded the commercial I conveyed Sony and their product with positive vibes by an unexpected, happy major modulation.
INSTRUMENTATION:
(XV-5080 Sound Module was used unless otherwise stated)
- Orchestral Reeds
- Ethno Flute (eLAB)
- Voyager Brass
- Trumpets
- Trombones (Project Sam)
- Zheng Harp (Ethno World 2)
- Wuhan Tam Tam (Ethno World 2)
- Timpani
- Percussion (Cymbals, Snare)
- Japanese Taiko Drum
- Vietnam Bells (Ethno World 2)
- Chinese Cymbal (Wizoo)
- Tubular Bells
- Xylophone
- St. Choir
- Gaohu (Ethno World 2)
- Erhu (Ethno World 2)
- XV Strings
- Violin Section Trills (Wizoo Strings)
- SFX (Various Sources)
