Category Archives: Projects

The Second Time Around – Song Video

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As promised here is the video presentation used at the CD launch of “The Second Time Around” a song written by myself, Heather Frahn and members of the Community Re-Entry Program at Flinders University as outlined in a previous post.

Here it is for you to enjoy.

Here is some more information about the Musical Brainwaves project from the YouTube page…

Musical Brainwaves was a group song-writing project with members from the Community Re-Entry Program at Flinders University in 2011. Collaborating with songwriters Heather Frahn and Corey Stewart the members contributed their own song lyrics, voices and artwork expressing positive viewpoints about their lives.

The creation of the song “The Second Time Around” brought much celebration of the things that inspire life and wellbeing.

CRP Members: Ben Howell, Cherrie Almond, Ron Brooks, Bernadette Circtzki, Joelene Schmerl, Adam Houston, Ralph Kloss, Zeke Langsford, Peter Coulter, Gary Irons, John Weston, Peter Guidera, Joanne King, Andrew King, Jayne Linke, Darryl Thompson, Cele Richardson, Meg Bartel, Luna Aboulhosn, Janma Gazmere, Jasmine Grace, Matthew Thomas, Karina Wight, Margaret Ellis, Christiana Wu, Louisa Schettini 

Musical Brain Waves was facilitated by Corey Stewart and Heather Frahn, with visual art assistance from Jasmine Grace. Recording and Music Production by Corey Stewart and Heather Frahn © 2011.

With thanks to Charmaine Mahar, Jaime Gardner and Roger Rees for their support for this project.

Let me know what you think.

Peace,

Corey :)

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Creating Ambient Music

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Relaxation music, meditation music, ambient music…

Call it whatever you like, I’ve always wanted to create, record and perform this type of music ever since my ears heard Brian Eno’s “Music For Airports” and “Music For Films”.

For a start I love Brian Eno and anything he touches however, I was always entranced by his notion that music could be created specifically for the background but, it was artistic at the same time.

A muzak free zone of beautifully blended ambience in which you can say goodbye to the Kenny G inspired Soprano Sax melodies.

I recently completed a project for Pam Mitchell, recording and doing the graphics for a series of five Guided Meditation CD’s. It was a lot of fun and it gave me the opportunity to really muck around in my home recording studio composing some ambient music of my own starting from scratch.

I also did all of the CD artwork as well which turned out pretty well if I say so myself.

Below are some music samples. It’s not Brian Eno, but it’s a start…

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You can find more information about these guided meditation CD’s at Pam Mitchell’s website – www.relaxationforhealthandwellbeing.com

Watch this space, more is coming…

Peace,

Corey :)

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My Involvement With “Musical Brainwaves”

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I wanted to let you know about a project that I’ve just become involved on with my very good friend and award winning singer/songwriter Heather Frahn. It’s called Musical Brainwaves and it’s a group songwriting project with members of the Community Re-Entry Program (all who have acquired brain injuries) held at Flinders University over a period of six Fridays between May 6th and June 3rd.

Over a period of six weeks Heather and myself will conduct a series of five creative sessions with the participants of the program in which the end result will be:

  • A song written by Heather and myself based on contributions from the programs participants
  • A professional recording of the song
  • A CD of the recording with an accompanying 6 page booklet including photos and artwork made by the programs participants
  • 50-100 copies of the CD distributed among participants, carers and community networks
  • A CD launch (of sorts) for participants, carers, community networks and interested parties

It’s hoped that the finished product can be used as a promotional and educational tool for the Community Re-Entry Program and its members on the Internet, in CD Format and on Radio

The (as yet untitled) song that Heather and I will be working on will have the duel themes of “expressing positive viewpoints about (your) life” and “celebrating what inspires and motivates (you).”

For me, working in the community music and arts field with Heather is an exciting development in my professional music career. It adds another string to my bow and it’s an invaluable opportunity to experience new ways of collaborating on and creating new music.

It’s also such a rewarding experience to be working in the company of such amazing and inspirational people. Both Heather and I started the project last Friday and can’t wait to get into it again this coming Friday and every Friday until June 3rd.

I’m constantly amazed at where the music takes me.

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #15 – Swedish Keyboards

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I’m pleased to report a couple of exciting new developments on the CD recording front for this week.

After a bit of a stop-start beginning to this year I’m going back into the studio tomorrow for the first recording session for 2011. I hope to finish off all of the main vocal parts.

The exciting part though is that the next day (February 10th), I’ll be recording keyboard parts at Chapel Lane Studios using Swedish producer and keyboard player Stig Lindell.

How all this came about was through a fortunate set of events that to me, demonstrates perfectly the power of networking.

Over the last week I’ve been laying down some bass tracks at Chapel Lane for good friend and amazing singer/songwriter Jay Jaxson’s new CD of which Stig is producing. Jay told me that there was some free time (as in availability not cost) in the studio coming up and that Stig was willing and able to do whatever music work was required.

After experiencing first hand Stig’s keyboard playing (he played some guide keys while I was recording) I jumped at the chance of using him. I asked and he said yes.

It’s amazing what happens when you just ask.

I know that getting the keyboard parts out the way will take a huge load off my mind as finding a good keyboard player with time on their hands to do some recording has been a very challenging task indeed.

What’s left are just the Electric Guitar parts of Darren Zaza plus some extra overdubs such as backing vocals and perhaps some percussion to do and that’s it.

It feels so good to get back into recording mode again. It’s been far too long.

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #10 – Sailing Into The Great Unknown

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I know it’s been just over a week since my last post and with recording on hold because of Anthony being on tour for a couple of weeks (lucky bugger) I thought I’d take the opportunity to outline what’s been happening.

Last Wednesday’s recording session saw electric guitar overdubs completed on “Half Hearted Man” and “Back Of My Mind” which made the day a long, slow process.

I’m surprised how drained I felt at the end of the session (and I didn’t even pick up the guitar once).

There have been times of late where I felt that all the songs should’ve been recorded live in the studio at the very beginning but then I listen to the finished takes (especially the finished version of “Billboard Angel”) and I’m reassured that the decision to do everything separately was the right one.

What I am realising is that this CD is going to take much longer than I anticipated and I don’t know how to feel about that. Do I have the patience needed to see this through? I was kind of hoping that the CD launch could coincide with my birthday in January but I’m not so sure now.

Hmmm, all this sounds like I’m perhaps getting cold feet or, having second thoughts about the whole CD project.

Not at all… I think I’m feeling the venerability that almost all songwriters feel when creating something that will project their innermost thoughts and feelings out in the real world for mass consumption.

It seems that now that a finished CD is becoming more and more of a reality with every recording session, I’m becoming more and more aware that I’m sailing into uncharted waters of the great unknown.

In essence, this CD is pushing me way out of my comfort zone and that scares the hell out of me.

This is a question I pose to anyone who has done this before:

  • What has been your experiences with recording your CD?
  • Am I going mad here or, is what I’m feeling normal?
  • Is there any advice you can give me?

Please let me know what you think as I’d love to hear from you all about this but in the meantime I better start learning how to swim in case I get thrown overboard.

Peace,

Corey :)

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CD Project Update #9 – Mixing The SCALA Exclusive Song “Billboard Angel”

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I just wanted to thank all of you who passed on feedback regarding which song should become the “SCALA Exclusive” release. I’ve now finally decided and the winner is Billboard Angel.

As Darren wasn’t able to make it to the studio to do his guitar parts yesterday I took the opportunity to finish off the vocals, minor tweaks and final mix-downs on the song.

I now have a CD of the final mix of Billboard Angel for me to review over the weekend and it sounds fantastic. I’m very happy with how the song has turned out.

Billboard Angel is a song that I co-wrote with a dear friend of mine and amazing instrumentalist/studio producer, Jeff Smith. The song is about a man who falls in love with a picture of a woman on a sexy billboard hence the title of the song.

The concept of the song was Jeff’s idea which demonstrates beautifully his off the wall sense of humour.

Doing the vocals was a bit touch and go at the beginning as I hadn’t properly warmed up before attempting the take but after a few run-throughs and a hot lemon and honey drink to help the vocal chords along I was able to complete the vocal tracks and do some harmonies in the bridge section.

Personally, the mixing process is a fascinating one for me to witness but one where I have no real clue as to what really goes on. My hearing is not that flash at the best of times so it’s wonderful to have Anthony’s ears working on the job at hand.

With every session I’m learning something new. It’s back to overdubbing electric guitars and keyboards next Wednesday.

Peace,

Corey :)

Guitar Tuition With Corey Stewart

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A variety of guitar picks

Image via Wikipedia

After many, many enquiries from interested folks I’ve finally decided to get back into teaching guitar again.

What does this all mean for you?

Well, have you ever wanted to:

  • Play the guitar but you didn’t know where to start?
  • Seek out and learn your favourite songs on guitar?
  • Write more songs using the guitar as a songwriting tool?
  • Learn more chords and get more out of your guitar?
  • Play your guitar for relaxation or, maybe as a profession one day?

If you said YES to any of these questions then consider me as your guitar teacher.

As well as being a songwriter I have also been a guitarist for just over 25 years and I reckon in that time I’ve picked up a thing or two about playing the guitar and how to get the best out of it. My experiences and what I’ve learnt on my journey is what you will learn from me.

You’ll also learn everything you need to pick up your guitar and play your favourite song, jam with others, expand on your own chordal and theoretical knowledge or write your own songs using the guitar as your primary songwriting tool.

Each lesson will be customised for you and for the goals you want to achieve, whether it be to play for relaxation or as a step towards playing music as a profession.

You’ll learn at your own pace with someone who is patient, understanding and very knowledgeable.

That would be me!

To make a booking or for more information about my fees and/or what I can do for you and your guitar playing please contact me.

Peace,

Corey :)

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The Synchronicity Police VS Pure Blondie – The Day After!

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Today I’ve been in recovery mode after the TSP vs Pure Blondie show last night. Recharging my batteries so to speak.

I want to personally thank everyone who braved the incredibly shitty weather and turned up. I know you wouldn’t have been disappointed.

For me, the whole night was fantastic and there were a lot of people there enjoying both bands and getting into the spirit of the US vs UK new wave tribute concept.

We started off proceedings at 10pm and for just over an hour we gave the crowd a little bit of a Police history lesson, going through all their hits and a few of their well known album tracks.

People were dancing, singing along to the choruses and getting into the audience participation and the duet that Lisel (from the Pure Blondie show) did on “Wrapped Around Your Finger” went down with the crowd really, really well.

I had a lot of fun…

I managed to catch a little bit of the Pure Blondie show from side of stage while I was waiting for my turn to get up and do my rendition of “Rapture Riders” with the band and I was impressed with the way that all of the band members really got into their collective roles and also for their use of props to really drive the Blondie concept home for their fans.

Personally, I learnt a lot from them in terms of band promotion and merchandising (they had t-shirts for sale at the gig) and at the same time made some friends along the way.

There is another TSP vs Pure Blondie show planned for later on in the year but it’s not confirmed as yet so watch this space.

Now, another working week beckons…

Peace,

Corey :)

The Synchronicity Police VS Pure Blondie

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As you would’ve read in my last post Help! I’m Paralysed By Too Much Choice on August 10th, I was having a hard time moving forward and you would’ve also found out that I come across these types of challenges from time to time.

Thankfully this latest challenge was very short lived.

It’s amazing what a chat and a good old fashioned arse-kicking from a close friend can do for you (thanks Romana). I now feel like I’m back on track and much less paralysed by the choices I have to make.

At the moment I’m busily preparing for an upcoming show. The Synchronicity Police at The Arkaba Top Room with the Pure Blondie Tribute Show this coming Saturday August 14th. It’s a kind of UK vs USA new wave band type of thing which should prove very interesting.

The singer for Pure Blondie came up with this crazy idea (so crazy that it just might work) that I do a duet with her in their set and she do a duet with me in our set. The interesting part is the choice of song I’m doing with Pure Blondie…

It’s a remix of “Rapture” called “Rapture Riders” and it has Jim Morrison singing “Riders On The Storm” superimposed over Blondie’s musical backing.

Love the song, here’s the video of it

Hmmm, must see if I can find my leather pants for that one ;)

Peace,

Corey :)

The Synchronicity Police vs Pure Blondie at The Arkaba (Top Room) Saturday August 14th. Tickets $15, doors open at 8:30pm with TSP starting at 9:30pm.

FIGJAM – You Know What It Stands For!

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FIGJAM (you know what it stands for) is a semi acoustic covers duo consisting of myself and guitarist Darren Zaza (my partner in crime for the Open Mic Network) in which we present other peoples songs in a very different way. We base what we do on a simple formula…

Real Music + Real People = Real Fun!

We don’t sound like the original recording (well you can’t really with an acoustic guitar, electric guitar, two voices and not a sequencer and/or drum machine in sight) we instead want to pay proper homage to the music that shaped our lives no matter what era it comes from.

Most of the work that Darren and myself undertake as FIGJAM is as a duo however, we are able to easily morph FIGJAM into a trio or quartet depending on what is required for the task at hand.

The emphasis of FIGJAM is having a great time and musical spontaneity. Both Darren and I love taking a well known song and making it our own and taking a song that might have been forgotten and reinventing it for a new audience.

We pride ourselves on our sonic versatility. We can be used either as a volume savvy acoustic outfit for those laid back Sunday afternoons all the way to a sweaty Friday and Saturday night pub-rock electric experience

If you have any questions, feedback or you want to book FIGJAM for your venue/function please feel free to contact me.