Updates from the Curtain

It's been quite a while since we've written. So what's up in the CyNar world?

A lot actually. Looks like we'll be shooting some work for Hanan in the coming weeks. Plans are sounding good and it should prove to provide some beautiful imagery to go along with their amazing music.

Our podcast is starting to gear up. Trying to decide on a title and other details to help frame it, but the project is happening and should prove to be a pretty cool peak behind the curtain.

Work on our label is starting to make the rounds quite a bit in podcast land with the oral history project SisterStory making heavy use. A new episode of Curve Riders by the St. Catherine University student Alexa Harnagel featured the track Parts Hopeful.

And an episode of Set Apart by St. Catherine University student Lily Jacobson was released today featuring two tracks from the American Residue Records Presents: arrangement.

So, yeah. Things are kicking in this world. We also have a few things on the negotiation table that might happen this year and would be really cool so stay tuned. We will keep you informed.

In the meantime share with the world. Help keep us going. 

On the Horizon

Brief bits of news.

First off, the Hanan shoot is delayed. Rather than create a video for something already released the band is back in the studio working away on something new. The great thing about this is we can develop the video together as the music comes along for a really unique collaboration and experience.

We're going to be shooting some footage of the band performing to provide you all a taste of what's to come. So, look for that in the coming months.

Secondly, CyNar is going to be venturing into podcast land for the first time. We've been thinking for a while what kind of podcast we might do and the Yokai Trilogy has provided a perfect conduit. We're going to develop a look into the process with John as our guide. Talking about each song in depth and the project as a whole. From initial discussions before putting this on tape it's an incredible process and one that will make for good radio.

So, our first adventure into the art form will be a mini-series of sorts. Test the waters with a 15 to 16 episode run. After that, who knows. We'll see where the wind takes us.

We also may have a film up our sleeves...

Weekly Recap - Minnesota Public Radio

This week was really busy in the land of Minnesota Public Radio with new interviews coming out every day. Monday brought about an interview with the great Daniel Hart whose work was covered last year in a piece about under-recognized scores of 2013. His upcoming work, both for the film and the record, is fantastic and he offers great insight into how he does what he does.

On Tuesday we put out an interview with Christopher Lennertz whose work you have almost certainly heard. As discussed in the piece, he has worked with an incredible amount of gold standard composers and it offers great insight into how his stylings are becoming entwined with modern-day comedy.

Wednesday was a surprise with a really quick interview of Mark Henry Phillips from Serial fame. His work is a huge part of why that podcast series has become so popular. With insanely fast production on every episode, he didn't have time to try and make things 'perfect' and that restriction adds to a sensibility that greatly benefited the show's reception.

Lastly, something different. Our friend Silas Hite was in town last year and we were able to get him to sit down for a terrific interview that became the newest episode of Top Score; Emily Reese's terrific podcast that is working really hard to broaden how we think about video games and music. Please take a listen and share it around.

Next week we should finally have three new films for the John Barner album (sssh, don't tell him. we have as yet to let him know) and Hanan is kicking into high gear with shooting of the music video taking place shortly.

Stay tuned. Keep a look out over at Minnesota Public Radio and Happy New Year to everyone! It's so far gotten off to a great start at CyNar. 

Location Scouting

The music video for Hanan is moving forward quickly. Script is almost finished, props have been bought, and now locations are being found. 

This is always the best stage of production. All the ideas on the table, everyone's excited, and nothing has been extinguished.

Soon enough we'll start shooting and reality intervenes. It's the place where truth often derails ideals. All the amazing dreams come crashing down on time of day, length of shoot, and whether or not someone remembers the camera.

It's where the film takes shape and everything you inevitably capture is what was supposed to be. The difficultly capturing something worth capturing - a moment in time that talks to you; makes you feel lucky for all the work that brought about singular beauty.

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Hanan - No Face (and those records/films by John and Garrett)

So, what's next on the CyNar docket? 

We are still working on what's becoming an impressive art collaborative between Garrett and John with John's in development trilogy of albums (first with Aokigahara, second with Hikikomori) . So far each album has inspired a film/music video for each track. We were lucky enough to release each visual with the song of the day release for Aokigahara, but Hikikomori has been a bit tougher. The songs have evolved and and by default the visuals must. Two films are available now, but the other three are in production and should be available soon.

We'll use this developing blog scenario to let you know first hand.

In addition to this though we've recently made some new friends at Inspirus Records and are happy to announce a union! The band Hanan and Inspirus are teaming up with CyNar to produce a music video for their song No Face off their terrific new album Sonder! This is really exciting and the idea being developed is top notch. A bit weird, a bit beautiful; totally the playground where CyNar digs.

Along with the new album we'll be covering some more documentary style filming of them in studio to help provide a glimpse of their workplace. To what end we are not yet sure, but something will arise.

We are really excited about this developing collaboration and look forward to sharing the results as soon as they are available. Until then, cheers!