Seven questions... with Todd Elliott aka @Toddbert

I like Todd Elliott aka Toaster's music. I like the fact we met on Twitter and can interact directly. I see this as being the future for the music industry... the music "cottage" industry.

I caught up with Todd via email and asked him my seven questions:

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1) Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Todd. I do a lot of things, but I'm mostly answering these questions because of my musical leanings as 'toaster' (toaster.bandcamp.com).


2) What are you working on at the moment?

I'm learning how to use the Octatrack, in the hopes of taking some of my tracks outside the studio and to cafes to play in front of indifferent patrons. I'm also slowly working on new patches and sounds which I'll eventually develop into the follow up to "The Banging Process". I also have plans to release a drone/ambient thing, probably under a different name.

I get bored by using the same approach over and over, and so I am always 'working' on learning some new piece of software or devising controllers or something-- this approach is inspirational, but I also need to be able to replicate things if I want to do a performance, so I am assembling things into a more 'live' context.


3) Who inspires you?

- Name an artist who has inspired you.

John Cage. He really redefined what music 'meant' for me, in a great number of ways- he was the first artist I heard of who seemed to hear music the same way I did. I don't make music that's 'Cageian' in any real way, but his approaches and philosophies loom large in a lot of things I do.

- Name place that has inspired you.

Places only inspire me when I have experienced something cool in them. I lived in Edinburgh for a time, and used to MC a singer songwriter night there, for example-- while Edinburgh was an amazing place, it was only amazing to me because there was this circle of people who all gathered around to be creative, who invited me into their homes when I was homesick, and so on.

These days, the chair I sit in in my home studio is as inspiring a place as any, insofar as I do all my musical work there, and most of the 'creative people' I know I know through the internet, so…

- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.

Without trying to sound too much like a commercial, Ableton Live has proven to be a great, helpful blank canvas on which to paint my bleeps and bloops. I've used it since version 1, and have strayed only a few times.


4) What drives you to do what you do?

I'm fascinated by sound. I'd love for there to be a deep, complex answer to this, but that's all there is to it.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?

None, really. Or none that I would communicate out-- I figure once I have released something, it's up to the listener to decide what it means to them, and I'd hate to muck it up for them by telling them that I had a different intent when I was recording it. My songs find their meaning in the ears of the listener.

Don't get me wrong; there is lots of 'message' music that I think is great, but it's not what I do.


6) What role does community play in what you do?

A slowly increasing one. Originally, I more or less decided to release things so friends and a few others could hear it, and eventually I decided I'd like more people to give it a try; the internet has been a wonderful place to connect with other people who do or like similar things, and it's been nice to slowly discover a group of 'personal musicians' interested in listening as well as creating.


7) What is next for what you do?

As I mentioned above, I'd like to try playing a show or two. I'll probably dive a little deeper into Plogue Bidule as I work on the 'drone/ambient' thing. But mostly, I plan to keep playing, and see what develops. Not knowing what's next is sometimes a wonderful thing.

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Thanks Todd! Please check out his music: http://toaster.bandcamp.com

I need to concentrate… cont (1)

I think this idea on cnet reviews could have potential. I'm going to give it a go tomorrow. Only downsides I see are:

I need to repeat what I've typed into Things
It looks like I'm fidgeting... even though I'm *technically* not.

We'll see if it works.

Stay curious & keep productive
Tx

Seven questions... with Lloyd Kinsley aka @lard

Lloyd is an artist who I have never met but consider him a friend and a constant inspiration. He probably doesn't even realise that he has inspired me with some of the things he has said... like chastising me for apologising for not blogging/tweeting because I was spending time with my family. He's a family man and a very good dad at that... his balance is fab as is his artwork. He used to do tees and I regret not getting one.

Anyway... I caught up with Lloyd and asked him my seven questions.

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1) Who are you and what do you do?

Lloyd Kinsley - Designer working currently at February London


2) What are you working on at the moment?

My day job keeps a good balance of web, print and other design projects, working for a mixture of high profile clients and also in the non-profit sector.

On a more personal project level I have a to-do list of creative tasks that I seem only to add to and not tick off, but I am working on some illustrations and some merchandise work currently. Ideally I'd have new paintings, sculptures and art projects filing up the hallways of my home but time is not always available.


3) Who inspires you?

I tend to source a lot of my inspiration from a vast amount of RSS feeds from design and art sites. This has a sadistic mix of making you look at how much more people are doing than you are at the same time as stirring you to achieve something of significance yourself.

- Name an artist who has inspired you.

Not an easy one to pick one person specifically. I enjoy the expressive nature of Banksy but not always the work itself, the idea of putting a political/religious statement into your art should inspire us all. Illustrators like Olly Moss and the likes of Matt Stevens inspire me from the point of view that you can see in their work that they have genuine joy in the product. I've always been a comic nerd so Alex Ross never fails to impress. With all things in my life I am ridiculously eclectic so I love both the extravagantly complex art and the subtle simple pieces with equal measure.

- Name place that has inspired you.

No one location has ever been a reason for inspiration and although it will sound sickly sweet and cheesy, I am most inspired when I'm with wife and kids. My children make me believe in the unbelievable and to see the things I used to as a child when I fell in love with art, design and creativity as an ideal. My wife is an amazing painter and she inspires me with her passion for the journey of art. Her happiest moments are in the painting and not the painting itself. Because of my profession I tend to aim to hard for the finished product she inspires me to enjoy and revel the journey taken to get the spark that started it and also to be ok with pasting everything over and starting again.

- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.

My iPhone. Needs no explanation.


4) What drives you to do what you do?

I love doing what I do. I think if you're an artist or a designer and you fall out of love of doing it, it's probably time to jog on. I'm driven by the moment of 'getting it'. If you're starting a personal project or you're getting a brief from a client and you will just 'get it', have an idea and run with it and enjoy it.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?

Fun and thought. Artwork that has clear thought put into it become a visual version of a play on words. If people see something and smile because it has a clever meaning or intention in it. That's a winner for me.


6) What role does community play in what you do?

Loads. I get a lot of feedback and inspiration from being involved in so many circles of artists and designers at home and overseas. I love that I can share the frustrations of software and personal limitations and also be stirred to try something new that's been recommended. Things like Dribbble and other avenues of visual sharing allow creatives to see the working process of others projects and learn.


7) What is next for what you do?

I want to do more of two things in particular. Firstly illustration, I want to do more computer illustration (vector etc.) but also throw myself into ink and the like and get messy with some portraits and concepts. I also want to jump into more merchandise and art based projects, something that mixes art and craft, maybe something etsy'ish. Maybe a kids book too. Oooh, and maybe a few iPhone apps ... and some stencil work and wood sculpture. In short ... lots.

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Thanks Lloyd... I look forward to your next.

Follow Lloyd on Twitter :: @lard  and check out his work :: larddesigns.com

Tx

I need to concentrate…

Here’s a question for you… how do you gain/keep your concentration?

I have a very short attention span. I’m like Doug in ((squirrel)) the film “UP” ((squirrel)). If you haven’t seen the film… and you know you should have… Doug is a dog that talks… and is often distracted by movements and noises. When he is distracted he shouts “Squirrel”. That’s me.

Except the things that distract me aren’t squirrels… although if a squirrel were to appear in front of me whilst I was typing away… I do think it would distract me. No, the things that distract me are Texts... Tweets… Facebook comments… interesting design blog posts… games on "words with friends" and trying to find the perfect song that matches my present mood.

In essence, I am distracted by the “figital” nature of my iPhone4 and my iPods.

I also find instant messaging a distraction… and the ping of an email throws me off course too. Oh and don’t get me started with people… I’m a people person and consider it rude not to respond when I am asked a question.

Whilst the toys maybe new… and the questions are always varied… this isn’t a new occurrence for me – I’ve always had a poor attention span. I wish I could self-diagnose ADHD or something… but I can’t.

So here’s the thing… what do you do to aid your concentration?

I’ve found four things so far that help:

1. Removing all “push” alerts on my iPhone4 or iPad. I keep the badges but not the pings. This helps. It means my electronic comfort-blankets are NOT ping, ping, pinging me all day long… demanding my attention. I go to them when I want to see if there’s anything new… which is far more figital, if I am honest.
   
   
2. This is where the second aid comes into play… I forward calls from my iPhone4 to my original iPhone. This means I can put my iPhone4 out of reach, physically and mentally, and just have my phone for calls and texts (that reminds me… I need to make sure Olly know this number for texts). My original iPhone has a pay-as-you-go SIM that has a zero balance. This means it doesn’t have a data subscription and, as such, can’t access all the tweets, comments and alluring design posts that act as Sirens enticing me to my productivity doom.
   
   
3. My last point is music… I am a firm believer in music… its my golf! I find listening to certain types of music helps me to concentrate: orchestral movie soundtracks (especially John Williams & Howard Shore)… long-form ambient electronica… deep ambient techno mixes from mixotic… music that doesn’t demand my attention with lyrics or breaks in theme.
   
   
4. Setting short-term goals with rewards helps me too: “do this by 10am” or “do that before I have a cup of tea”… these wee challenges keep me active. I might even reward myself with a wee peak at PSFK.com or my iPhone4 if I meet my challenge. Sometimes.

Hopefully, these tips will continue to work for me. But I am eager to hear if you have anything else that may work? Leave a comment or “@” me.

Tx

What we do hasn't changed... how we do it has

Yell have just remade a classic ad... and I really like it!
Tx

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Everything is a Remix... parts 1 & 2

Food for thought! For more go to www.everythingisaremix.info.

I'll post the 3rd and 4th parts when they become available.
Tx

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Ira Glass on Storytelling

Thanks to JD for the heads-up.
Tx


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Yesterday's events

Above is a copy of the poster I was commissioned to created by Katherine Sonntag, prior to her return to New Zealand. This was the third poster I had drafted for her for distribution throughout the West of Scotland division of the Salvation Army.

All three posters have attribution to me and all were done "pro bono" as a means to help a sister out and gain Photoshop experience (please remember I'm a business analyst by training, not a graphic designer).

I took the main picture (its Alex Ramsay's Cornet) and received the picture of the Irish Youth Band from Katherine.

The poster had journeyed through various drafts and approvals from certain members of staff within the Divisional Headquarters (DHQ) prior to its finalisation. Above is what I considered to be a final copy.





That is until Olly sent me through the above picture. You should be able to see the fact that my attribution has been defaced with black marker pen.

Upon hearing this, I immediately contacted the person responsible for approving the poster in DHQ to understand if this was something they were familiar with... so I could eliminate whether it was an action sanction by them or it was vandalism within the Corps.

I received the following response:

"Yes I took the decision because as far as I am aware Chris asked you to do it. We never send material out with the persons credit on it we usually do our own."

The response then goes on to ask whether or not I wish the poster to be removed.

The Chris in question is my dear friend Chris Shanks who leads the West of Scotland Youth Band. Whilst Chris had been involved in the design, it was Katherine who had commissioned the work. Not once was I informed by anyone that attributing design credit was an issue. This includes the number of redrafts the poster went through.

I then responded as follows:

"Yes, I am offended by your actions.

Before I continue, please let me explain the context, as I see it:

First off, the poster was created for Katherine Sonntag and Chris Shanks, which by inference, means it was created for DHQ.

Secondly, you have been party to at least one, if not more, reviews of the poster and have had, at these points, the opportunity to state DHQ's policy of not attributing credit for work undertaken. You did not use any of these opportunities to approach me &  request the removal of my name.

Now, my offence comes not because of the fact you have erased my attribution to the work I have undertaken for you (for free, may I add?) but the manner in which you removed my name.

Your approach can be best described as cowardly & Machiavellian. You were given opportunity to request my name to be removed and didn't take it, resorting instead to defacing my work by blanking out my name with black marker pen.

Did I not, at the very least, deserve notification of this action so I wasn't faced with the shock of seeing it firsthand on the notice board at Bellshill? Instead, I faced the shock of seeing my work defaced in this manner, without explanation.

If I hadn't asked, I would have never known. This is a ridiculous situation to be in, especially from a Christian organisation.

The crazy thing is I would have probably acquiesced to your request... if you had asked me and explained your reasoning.

As for the poster, I would prefer you kept it in situ as I think destroying it would be a waste of resources and, as such, poor stewardship on the part of DHQ.

However, please be aware that I will not do any further pro bono work for you, nor will I volunteer for any divisional activities (I will honour my speaking engagement in March).

In addition, my membership of the Salvation Army in Bellshill is in question because I am struggling to serve an organisation that lacks transparency and even basic levels of accountability to the people it is meant to serve."

The reason I have published this is because I want to be completely transparent with all my family and friends... who have shown a level of support and encouragement that has far exceeded my wildest dreams. I want everyone to know the truth and I do not want any void that could be used to propagate gossip or half-truths.

Personally, I don't think it is too much to ask to be credited for work done. I never sought any other compensation. I didn't want to... my work was "for the public good" (pro bono publico) to help out a mate and to help out the organisation to which I identified with.

That said... my point is not that my name has been removed... I'm not that bigheaded to be offended by that. As I said in my response, if they had asked me to remove my credit, I would have probably acquiesced.

My point is the way it was done... with such unscrupulous cunning and lack of consideration for my feelings. This is what has offended me. Did they really think I am myopic enough not to notice their vandalism?

So far... the only response I have received is:

"I acknowledge receipt of your e mail and your comments."

I have made my point and, for me, the situation is settled. I would love an apology and to continue to contribute to the work of the Salvation Army in the West of Scotland... but this seems impossible now. If my poster is taken down and another one replaces it then be assured this wasn't by my request. I wouldn't waste resources like that.

For those of you who have followed my faith journey of late... will know I have not be happy nor settled in the Salvation Army for a while now. I am wondering if this is the final straw?

My sincere thanks to everyone who has supported me in the last day or so. I do not take your love and respect for granted... at all. Please be assured that I will not do anything rash and will seek God's guidance for my life.

Tx

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Seven questions... with Emma Boyd aka @emmsy

Three people have seriously influenced my photography... Marc de Ridder, Laura Bridge and Emma Boyd. I have had the privilege of spending time with all three.

Emma is a storyteller whose heart shines through in each and every picture she takes... and I am proud to call her a friend!

I caught up with her (unfortunately via email rather than over a coffee in Glasgow) and asked her my seven questions...

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1) Who are you and what do you do?


I am a messed up person in the process of redemption. But you can call me Emma. I'm a visual storyteller with a passion for social justice. Mostly I play this out by taking photographs, writing on a blog, and designing bits and bobs.


2) What are you working on at the moment?

I'm inspired by (moving) film a lot, and currently I'm working on learning Final Cut and how to edit video well. In terms of photography, I'm trying to get a handle on off-camera lighting.


3) Who inspires you?

- Name an artist who has inspired you.

Makoto Fujimura [ http://www.makotofujimura.com ] I'm inspired by how he mixes the ancient techniques with the abstract, and by the space it leaves for me to find myself in it.

- Name place that has inspired you.

Chicago. Hands down. The whole city is full of incredible architecture, great museums, people that challenge me, and music that provides the soundtrack for my life.

- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.

Story Conference. The few days I spent at their first conference blew me away with the creativity of a God who made us in his image.


4) What drives you to do what you do?

The belief that art can change things - first and foremost me.


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?

Risk, love, hope.


6) What role does community play in what you do?

Community is my grounding. Art doesn't exist in a vacuum; it grows out of a specific context - one that is shaped by the people around me. Community also plays the vital role of encouraging me to pick up the pieces and keep creating when I hit creative lulls!


7) What is next for what you do?

Pushing myself to see a bigger picture in my work. I'm drawn to the details that we normally miss in our daily rush. But I want to be adapt at seeing the bigger picture too - the vast landscapes, the wide crowds, etc.

In closing, here are two videos I've created recently...





Cheers, mate!
E

www.emmaboyd.co.uk

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Thanks for sharing Emma!
Tx

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Seven questions... with Drew Miller aka The Northern Hemisphere

Drew Miller aka The Northern Hemisphere is a interesting chap who I got speaking with on Twitter after downloading his album Everest a wee while back. I find his music compelling and his output inspiring.

I also appreciate his willingness to collaborate. I had the pleasure of working with Adam Howie on the artwork for Drew's recent album Quiet Songs for a Loud Generation. Drew was very receptive to the ideas communicated in the artwork and very grateful too... which, for someone like me, is greatly appreciated!

I caught up with him recently via email and asked him my seven questions...

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1) Who are you and what do you do?

Hello! My name is Drew Miller and I'm a full time student as well as a musician in my spare time. I work under the alias The Northern Hemisphere. I've had at least 8 or 9 project name changes in the past but this seemed to fit with what I'm aiming to produce.

A little secret: I write, record and produce everything on my own using just Garageband on my wonderful baby. (my macbook pro, in case you're wondering.)! :-D

I play several instruments including the guitar, piano, mandolin and the alto saxophone.


2) What are you working on at the moment?

I am always multi-tasking whether it be 2 in the afternoon or 2 in the morning. I barely get enough sleep due to insomnia to figure those things out. Just look at my eyelids in my Facebook pictures haha.
As far as music is concerned, I'm already starting work on my 2012 albums. Not sure what the concept is yet. However, I can tell you, to picture something similar to Sigur Ros' record entitled " ( ) ".


3) Who inspires you?

- Name an artist who has inspired you.

I'd have to say either Jack White (of the White Stripes) or Andrew Bird. Both of them are in completely different genres of music. I've always admired them because they aim to create such sonic landscapes of sound, all the while staying within the boundaries of rock, punk, folk and or electronica. You name it, they got it all, and as such they produce something new each time.

Oh oh oh... and Imogen Heap. She's simply awesome! If it weren’t for her album Speak for Yourself I wouldn’t be creating electronica. It's practically mind-blowing.

Albums to check out:
* Elephant by The White Stripes
* Noble Beast by Andrew Bird
* Speak for Yourself by Imogen Heap


- Name place that has inspired you.

I've always been inspired by iceland of all things, as well as the universe (planets, comets etc). Both of which have such inspiring boundless opportunities within themselves that it's practically unfathomable. Iceland is also the only play where you can see Ice & Fire mingle together on the same piece of earth at the same time.

It's been a dream of mine to experience such extremes working together in synchronicity.


- Name some "thing" that has inspired you.

hmm, all things really. Without everything else in the world there wouldn't really be inspiration to draw from.


4) What drives you to do what you do?

What drives me? That's a wonderful question. I'm not quite sure to be perfectly honest. I just go with my gut feeling usually. If i feel that the songs I write don't help me as well as others to be put at ease, I'm not doing my job.

If that's an awkward answer another answer would have to be the thought of no boundaries within music. I know there are rules and such, but as an artist; rules should be broken. I know you should pay attention to them but I don't think i'd thrive without breaking the boundaries of music theory or music composition in general. I in the end just hit record and I go from there. If it fits with what i'm aiming for I'll put it up for download and or critique.

Hopefully that wasn't too long of a response, if you'd like the abridged version, have your people talk to mine and we'll sort things out. hehe :o)


5) What values do you wish your creativity to express?

I want to express a sense of relaxation, meditation, calm, and or shoe-gaze like presence to the music i've written. If you don't feel at ease while listening to my music, I'm not doing my job.

Whenever I hit record, after that I spend at least 4 or 5 days, even sometimes 2 weeks. Trying to get everything to sound the way it should in my own eyes. This is why I'd hate to be on a record label. Too much too worry about, in my humble opinion. Plus, If I want a song to sound like a reggae track, that's what i'll spend months trying to pursue and perfect. That's just an example of how my brain works during the recording and writing process.


6) What role does community play in what you do?

Hmm, I'd have to say friendship and life-long connections are what i'm striving for with this current music project. I never thought i'd get so much praise since I started this project last july. I just hope to keep improving and making an impact on society. Even if it means receiving nothing in return.

Little things are what keep me going throughout life.


7) What is next for what you do?

Only time will tell to be quiet honest. As far as life in general, I'll be finishing up my general studies degree this may, my first college associates degree! Woop, woop! After I hope to transfer to another local college, to start on my Music Engineering bachelors degree. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my thoughts behind what I enjoy doing best.

Cheers,

Drew of the Northern Hemisphere

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Thanks Drew... here's his links. Take the time to check out him music... I recommend it.
Tx

http://northernhemisphere.bandcamp.com
http://www.last.fm/music/The+Northern+Hemisphere
http://www.twitter.com/lpdevotee
http://www.youtube.com/lpchatterbox

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