Chaotic Content proudly features accomplished and talented music composer Christy Carew in this issue’s Artist Spotlight. Christy received a Master of Arts in film scoring and composition from New York University and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Loyola University New Orleans. Since then, she has scored or arranged music for countless feature films, shorts, documentaries and TV shows, including Sex in the City: The Movie. We were able to catch up with the busy composer and musician to chat about her childhood obsession with Star Wars music, her musical influences, and her upcoming projects.

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: My Dad is a musician, so as I was growing up music was a big part of my life. I saw Star Wars when I was six, and immediately knew I wanted to make music like that someday. I started my training as a classical pianist at age 8, and I enjoyed it so much as the years went by that there was never any question that I would pursue a different career other than being a pianist, composer and musician. It wasn't until I was 17 or so and auditioning for colleges and conservatories in NYC that I was told my music sounded very filmic - I did get sidetracked a bit in college when I joined a band and had a blast touring and being a rock star! By the time I headed to NYU for my masters I was very focused on building a dual career in film and concert music.

 Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: My sound is still arriving! Finding a distinctive voice as a composer is huge. I feel like my music has evolved most from interacting with the musicians playing it. Living in so many different places, being exposed to so many different types of music, and having an unusual cultural background have helped my sound evolve too.

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: In the realm of film music, it's definitely Michael Nyman, Elliot Goldenthal, John Williams, Rachel Portman, Sharon Farber, Jerry Goldsmith, Shirley Walker and James Horner. Classically, I've always been obsessed with Brahms, Beethoven and Mahler - and my favorite new composers are Eric Whitacre and Jocelyn Hagen. Another huge musical influence of mine is Bjork. 

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: My creative process is a daily ritual. It's not about sitting and waiting for inspiration to arrive - it's about working even when you DON'T necessarily feel inspired! It's about committing fully to whatever project I'm working on, and connecting authentically with what I want my music to express.

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: I think it's not one single moment or accomplishment - it's the sum of many different awesome, inspiring moments that keep layering and building as you grow as a musician. Knowing that I am making connections with people through my music - knowing that I am touching people emotionally and inspiring them, making something that will last long after I'm gone. That's the coolest part.

Q: How do you prepare for your live performances? Do you have any rituals or techniques that help get you into that zone?

A: I perform often as a classical pianist. Often the pure pressure of the moments leading up to the performance, and the intensity of walking out on stage are enough to put me in the zone! I thrive off the energy of the people I'm performing with too. 

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I just finished scoring an independent feature and I'm gearing up for the next one to start. There's a lot of exciting library and commercial work coming up, and I'm also writing a piece of concert music for my hometown orchestra.

Check out Christy's website at http://www.christycarew.com.

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Chaotic Content is excited to introduce Blindfold Sound, a boutique music composition and production library. The prolific production team has amassed credits that include NBC, E!, Animal Planet, Bravo, Nike, and Clif Bar to name a few. Their refined, commercialized sound is ideal for commercial spots, corporate videos, and TV shows, and includes a wide range of styles and moods for almost any situation. Check out our interview with Blindfold Sound to learn more about their creative process and future plans.

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: Like a lot of musicians, playing in bands as a teenager, and it just became more and more serious and took on different forms.

Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: When you build up your own little studio, your “sound” is part necessity – you work with what you have and what you can afford and you make the most of it by using your ear and your taste to guide you. My sound is guitar-based rock mostly, but there are certain instrument blends that I gravitate towards, like acoustic and electric guitars blended with strings or piano.

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: I actually don’t listen to a whole lot of music because I’m making it all of the time.

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: The process really starts with something from within, like an on the fly chord progression, a simple guitar part, a drum beat - building on something simple most of the time. Sometimes the first idea is the best and you flesh it out.

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: There isn’t a single moment really – more of pride in the overall career.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: Just keep trying to get better at composition, production, and performance.

Keep up with Blindfold Sound at their website http://www.blindfoldsound.com.

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Chaotic Content is proud to feature The Clinton Johnson Band, a country music duo from Vancouver, Washington. Consisting of vocalist Danny Clinton and songwriter Vince Johnson, The Clinton Johnson Band released their inaugural album, entitled Behold a Pale Heart, in 2008. They continue to create new music, and Chaotic Content was able to catch up with the duo to find out more in our exclusive interview. 

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: I have been involved with music ever since I was a child. It was true then and it's true now - no other art form, literature, films, etc. moves me as much as a great song.

 Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: Our sound is a combination of rock, country, soul, whatever the song calls for. Why limit yourself or trap yourself into one genre/sound?

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: As far as influences man, there are too many to mention. From Dylan to Elton John and Merle Haggard, to every one hit wonder.

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: What inspires me is the need to write and share if I think that most people will also find it to be something cool or meaningful.

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: One of our proudest moments was the release of the film "Nude Nuns With Big Guns" in which we had 10 songs placed. We have been getting emails and calls from fans in the UK, Denmark, Japan, etc. It's really nice to know how a song, regardless of who wrote it or where you live, can effect people around the world.

Q: How do you prepare for your live performances? Do you have any rituals or techniques that help get you into that zone?

A: Live shows are just fun to play. As long as our flies are up, we are ready to go.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: We are about half way done with our new CD "Rivers Of Regrets" which will be released in the summer.

Follow The Clinton Johnson band at their MySpace page. Feel free to contact Vince Johnson at vincejohnson@q.com.

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Chaotic Content is excited to feature Beat Chamber, a prolific music production team established in 2005 by partners Danny Osuna and Jonathan Merkel, both of whom are accomplished composers and producers in their own right. In the few short years since Beat Chamber’s establishment, the production duo has already garnered writing credits for their work on Marley & Me, Mr. Brooks, CSI Miami, CSI New York, MTV’s The Real World, Burn Notice (13 placements during the last season), and Keeping up with the Kardashians among many other projects. Chaotic Content was able to catch up with the busy producers for some insight into their music, creative process, past successes and future goals in our exclusive interview.

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: Danny - I got involved by accident. At 11 years old I went to a school camp and the parents were going to show up after 2 weeks of us being there. There was no acting, crafts or sports available spots so I turned to music. I’ve liked it ever since and haven’t missed a beat.

Jonathan – I was interested in live performance but then got drawn to recording, writing and producing. Doing music for placements and producing artists is much more satisfying to me than playing live. Beat Chamber was Danny’s idea and I’m really glad that he approached me with it.

Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: Danny - I think the initial part of Beat Chamber was to create a contemporary sound. We then started to write and write until we found what we were good at.  

Jonathan – I think Beat Chamber evolves with every project that we do. We mix a lot of styles together and we are always looking to try new things and add them to our catalog.

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: Danny - Too many to name but I really love listening to Jazz and Latin music. Most of what I like comes from those genres.

Jonathan – I like a lot of different music, too much to name. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Dubstep artists and Meshuggah.

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: Danny - I love challenges. If I hear a type of music that is intimidating, from a writers view, I tackle it. My approach is to study and listen a lot to those who are the best at what they do. 

Jonathan - Hearing something fresh and unique for me is very inspiring. Deadlines can be inspiring too because you have to figure something out fairly fast. 

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: Danny - My proudest moment was having one of my songs featured in a Miller Lite commercial. I co-wrote the song but I was singing on it and also played all the instruments.   

Jonathan – We had some really cool placements in 2010, one of my tracks was featured on Burn Notice in a scene with Burt Reynolds which was awesome. We also placed a song on Blue Mountain State that Danny and I wrote and produced featuring our friend Greg Hanna from The Dickies on bass and vocals. Personally I had 2 orchestral pieces on the last Devine Heresy record (Century Media Records) which was pretty cool too. 

Q: What’s next for you?

A: Our first project of 2011 is a Dubstep/Latin project.  

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Chaotic Content is excited to feature Los Angeles Latin jazz and salsa musician Ben Conga in this issue’s Artist Spotlight. Ben Conga started out in the late 70’s playing with jazz and Latin bands in the LA music circuit, collaborating with renowned musicians such as Poncho Sanchez, Luis Conte, Jimmy Sabater, Papo Conga and Julio Matta. He continues to create and evolve his music to this day, and remains a vital part of the Los Angeles Latin music scene. Chaotic Content caught up with Ben Conga in an exclusive interview to find out what he’s been up to and what’s in the works.

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: I always knew I had a good rhythmic sense so I saved my meager spending money in college and bought a set of congas. Then I approached the percussion teacher at Pomona College, Hal Rees, about studying with him.  After some soul searching, he decided to take me on even with my limited piano background, to study mallet instruments, i.e. vibes, marimba, xylophone. After about a year, I started siting in with local musicians every chance I could get, mostly playing Jazz and then Latin music (salsa).

Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: I started out with Jazz and then started my own group doing straight up Salsa working with people like Luis Conte, Poncho Sanchez, Papo Conga, Julio Matta and other very knowledgable players who got me schooled in what you would call “Tipica”. It is very structured and organized and you don’t mess around or you’ll get cursed out right on stage! My sound now comes from a flavoring of Urban and hip hop sensibility fused with Afro Cuban elements as well as Jamaican Dancehall. 

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: Joe Cuba, Jimmy Sabater, Louie Ramirez, Cal Tjader of course. I love Herbie Hancock for his harmonic sense and voicings.  Also, groups out of Cuba playing a progressive Timba style

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process

A: I’ll get an idea in my head that comes from just anywhere, put it on a small digital recorder, get home, jump into the studio and start with the piano track.  In a couple hours there will be a song fleshed out.

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: I think it was in 1996 when I got to produce an entire album for MC Skeey from Warner Mexico. It’s a good record, it was just too new, too ahead of its time as Latin Hip Hop had not really emerged into the mainstream of Latin music.

Q: How do you prepare for your live performances? Do you have any rituals or techniques that help get you into that zone?

A: Nothing really, I just play. I love playing live but it’s so hard because all the cats I know are working professionals and have to get paid. There's no pay for the live scene in LA so I don’t play clubs too often, mainly private affairs. 

Q: What’s next for you?

Europe.

Keep up with Ben and learn more about him at benconga.com.

Follow Ben on Facebook and MySpace.

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Chaotic Content is proud to feature Seattle-based piano man Aaron English, whose music and voice capture a beautiful range of emotions and story-telling. His music has been placed in the Fox TV drama “Bones”, and last year he released his latest independent album, “American [Fever] Dream” in June. Chaotic Content caught up with Aaron English to ask a few questions about his music, philosophy, and find out what the talented singer-songwriter has in the works in our exclusive interview.

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: I know I’m not alone in this: I started singing and writing songs when I hit adolescence and I realized that girls dig pop and rock stars. Fortunately I found that I loved the music itself – otherwise I wouldn’t have stuck with it. By that point, I knew that a career as a singer and songwriter was what I wanted. It’s been a long upward climb ever since.

Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: My sound is world-beat-inspired piano rock. I play piano; that’s rare enough, so already it helps to distinguish my sound. And the musicians I’ve connected with over the years here in Seattle are deep into various varieties of world music – they’re either from other countries or they’re Americans who have deeply studied other traditions. So I often use an African rhythm, or a Middle Eastern mode, the melodic limitations of a particular folk instrument as the point of inspiration for writing a song. 

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: I’ve noticed recently that the aesthetic of Daniel Lanois’ productions sounds as fresh to me now as it did when I was a kid. When I think of the artists he’s best known for working with – U2, Peter Gabriel, Emmylou Harris – I think, yeah, that’s a musical world I’ve always been very happy to inhabit: part world-beat, part anthemic rock, part rusty Americana.

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: I usually start with immersing myself in some chaotic situation, knowing that my brain will strive to make order and ‘sense’ out of it.

For example: I’ll walk into a cafe or store where music is playing, but I’ll only kind of hear the music because of all the foreground noise. My brain will fill in the blanks in what it hears…and, voila, I’ve got a new melody to work with. It’s the way our brains work – when they’re given incomplete information, they attempt to complete it. It’s a survival mechanism. In this case, it comes in quite handy for kick-starting my creative process.

(I imagine this is how fortune tellers work, by the way, when they search for patterns in a scattering of tea leaves or a draw of cards).

Brian Eno is known for creating games in the recording studio that inspire his artists to generate order out of chaos. My favorite is the famous “Oblique Strategies” deck of cards that he invented in the ‘70s.

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician? 

A: My most-recent victory is always the one I’m proudest of, because it represents my growth as a musician. I remember an interview with Paul Simon that I read in which someone asked him what his favorite Paul Simon song was and he said “the last one I wrote”.

Q: How do you prepare for your live performances? Do you have any rituals or techniques that help get you into that zone?

A: I’m still looking for something that’d leave me feeling grounded and get my voice warmed up before hitting the stage. Any suggestions? I certainly do notice the difference between playing a gig in that ‘zone’ and playing one all unbalanced after having sped through traffic to a gig, unloaded too much heavy gear, waited around in a smoky bar eating some greasy food, and struggled to get a good monitor mix in a too-brief sound check.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: I’m putting together a U.S. house concert tour for the fans to remind them what live music can be like. Live shows in taverns and clubs have become an alienating event: the venues are noisy and impersonal, there’s lots of smoke and a heavy emphasis on selling alcohol and watching football instead of listening to the music. House concerts are in the fans’ living room, shared with their family and friends, to bring that intimacy and enjoyment back. I've just mailed my fan list with the idea and am also pursuing leads in the circuit of established house concert venues. I hope that we get a positive response and I get to play a whole bunch of them this year.

I’ll be releasing an EP single in February: an epic medley of Norwegian Wood and Kashmir that has been a live favorite for my band and I for years now. We finally did a studio version and accompanying video. Check it out in February and let us know what you think!

Visit Aaron's website at http://www.aaronenglish.com to learn more about him.

Follow Aaron on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

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Composed and produced by our very own Woody Pak, "Live from Planet B-Boy" has been released worldwide on iTunes. Featuring IAMISEE, Mowg on bass, and Woody Pak on guitar, this is the official single from the acclaimed documentary, Planet B-Boy directed by Benson Lee. You can purchase the track from iTunes here! Please direct any licensing inquiries to info@chaoticcontent.net.

"With compelling characters and vibrant dance sequences, PLANET B-BOY is set in the international world of B-boying - the urban dance more commonly known as 'breakdancing'.

Weaving in between the vivid backdrops of Osaka, Paris, Seoul, and Las Vegas, unforgettable images frame the intimate stories of dancers who struggle for their dreams despite being misunderstood by larger society and even their own families.

An American dancer in Vegas looks for his big break; a Korean son seeks his father's approval; a twelve-year-old boy in France confronts his family's racism - all the b-boys lives collide in Germany where their skills are put to the ultimate test: the 'Battle of the Year' finals, with crews from 18 nations vying for the title of World Champion.

PLANET B-BOY features electrifying dance performances and astonishing displays of power and grace, showing how a street dance from New York has evolved into an inspiring art form for a new generation around the world."

-from the Planet B-Boy website

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If you’re in the NYC area, and especially if you’re a fan of K-pop music (who isn’t a fan of this guilty pleasure these days), then you won’t want to miss the kPOP Fest Presents: 90’s kPOP event on Thursday, December 2^nd, sponsored in part by Chaotic Content. DJs Peter Rocks and DJ Denkym will be spinning your favorite 90’s K-pop hits all night while you struggle to awkwardly replicate old school dance moves you haven’t seen in over 10 years! To find out more information or purchase tickets, visit www.kpopfest.com. 

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Chaotic Content is proud to feature accomplished singer-songwriter Alfa Garcia, whose distinctly raspy voice perfectly complements her catchy “smart-pop” songs. Alfa’s music from her album “Second Skin” has been licensed on MTV, and last year, Alfa took home grand prize in Kollaboration’s Acoustic Talent Competition in Hollywood. Additionally, her uplifting piano-pop song, “Supergirl”, received honorable mention at the New York Songwriters Circle’s Songwriting Competition.

Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: I started playing classical piano when I was 5, then I took on classical violin and joined an orchestra. I began writing songs on guitar and piano when I was 13, though it really began to evolve into a career in college.

Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: I’d say my music is introspective, story-telling, smart-pop with a generous glaze of folk and rock, and some of my classical essence mixed in.

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: Early on, I got into a lot of silverchair (this rock band from Australia), and as odd as it sounds, they actually got me into songwriting. I think it was because the songwriter in that band was very introspective, and that tied into a lot of journal-writing that I was already doing.

Another big one is Jewel. Also Fiona Apple.  I get inspired by Joni Mitchell, Ingrid Michaelson and definitely Sara Bareilles – I appreciate how she can turn a good melody.

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: Everything, really. But I think a good story always hits me in a good way. Whether it’s my own story or someone else’s, that helps get the ball rolling, at least lyrically. 

The creative process is sort of a case-by-case thing. Sometimes I’ll write a song in a few hours, sometimes it’ll take five years (as is the case with one song). Sometimes the melody comes first, sometimes the words.

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: There’s a lot of really great moments that stand out to me, especially in the past year. I think being able to perform at The Shrine in L.A. for Kollaboration was great. And winning Kollab Acoustic with Mike Isberto the year before. Oh, and working on my first Music Video was pretty stellar too..

In my younger life, I got to do a musical tour with my church group in the Philippines  – we toured a bunch of churches and raised funds for whichever church we played for. We didn’t earn a cent – that was a really great experience for me, and we all bonded over that.

Q: How do you prepare for your live performances? Do you have any rituals or techniques that help get you into that zone?

A: I didn’t used to have much of a ritual, but ever since I started studying voice, I learned how important it is to do certain things, like vocalize, avoid alcohol and coffee before a performance, drink lots of water, or take in steam if I’m getting off a plane.

Q: What’s next for you?

A: This is still in the works… but I’m hoping to transfer to the West Coast.  Hang tight for more details on that!

Visit Alfa's website at http://www.alfa-music.com to learn more about her and purchase "Second Skin".  

Follow Alfa on Twitter and Facebook.

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Q: How did you get involved in music initially, and later as a career?

A: When I think about “how I got involved with music”, I realize that I owe a lot to musical genes.  My mother [Sumi Nagasawa], a pianist and music teacher, helped start me on piano, violin, then later cello and trombone.  My first professional musical experiences came via one of my first music teachers [Fred Berry], a trumpeter, who hired my older brother and I to play in countless studio orchestras, big bands, and stage orchestras backing up many of the “who’s who” in music [Earth Wind & Fire, Barry White, Whitney Houston, Ray Charles].  All this started happening when I was only 14 years old!

Q: Talk about your sound and how you arrived at it. Has your music evolved over the years?

A: When I’m composing music, I appeal to my love for tasty harmony, escalating grooves, and challenge myself to create from a fresh standpoint. 

My sound is going through constant evolution.  I’ve learned so many new skills (engineering/production techniques, tons of new instruments, constantly study and enjoy new and old music), and takes me and my music evolving is feeding my curiosity. 

Sound, like all of your other senses, can feel good (or bad) and I always tell ‘up and comers’ to chase what they love. 

Q: Who are some of your biggest musical influences?

A: Some of my favorite early influences are composer John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman), producer/lyricists Sean Puffy Combs, Dr. Dre, Notorious BIG, and improvising musical luminaries Miles Davis and Keith Jarrett.  These days, I’m influenced by my peers in New York and globally spanning many artistic disciplines such as musicians: Jason Lindner, Paquito D’Rivera, Eric Leong, Christian Howes, rappers: Core Rhythm, iLLspokiNN, Freestyle (from the Arsonists), UE (Upper Echelon), MoeRoc, The Roots, cinematographers: Florian Giefer, Benson Lee, John M Chu
comedians: Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, painter: Rene Magritte, photographer: Mat Szwajkos. 

Q: What inspires you creatively and artistically? Describe your creative process.

A: I find inspiration from pure emotion.  I find inspiration from pure energy.  I find inspiration from pure excellence.  My creative process comes from a few angles.  I like to write!  Sometimes I approach things traditionally, i.e. pencil to paper.  Other times I play instruments and ‘jam’ to find ideas.  Each instrument has its own character which is great because you’ll write differently each time. 

Q: What is your proudest moment or greatest accomplishment as a musician?

A: There have been so many wonderful blessings which music has afforded me along the way.  Graduating from Manhattan School of Music on full scholarship, meeting my heroes in music and getting a chance to work closely with many of them, starting my own recording facility (LIFE AFTER DARK STUDIOS), representing the USA as an “American Ambassador of Music”, and continuing to pay my bills on time are all great blessings.  One of my most valued accomplishments is to move  people emotionally with music (all over the world).  When someone tells me about how my performance(s) have changed their life, or how they enjoy the music I’ve created and recorded, that is the most rewarding. 

Q: How do you prepare for your live performances? Do you have any rituals or techniques that help get you into that zone?

A: When I was growing up, I didn’t particularly enjoy practicing.  However, through stern encouragement from my mother and teachers, continued constantly.  These days life is almost the opposite.  I would love to have all the time in the world to practice and play instruments but that is certainly not the case.  Therefore, I sneak in playing and practicing whenever I can (literally: airports, tour busses, hotel rooms, in my home office etc).  Now what helps me get in the zone is paying close attention to my health: working out, eating right, trying my best to organize my sleep schedule (sometimes in advance).  Also like an athlete, I study videos and recordings of performances in order to make improvement!

Q: What’s next for you?

A: Tons of great things coming up.  We are quickly adding new domestic and international tour dates to www.danaleong.com.  My award winning Hip Hop / Jazz / Rock band MILK & JADE by Dana Leong is touring our latest self titled release http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/milkandjade2, and I am currently finishing the first LIFE AFTER DARK album, a series of my collaborations highlighting my favorite artists in NY.  LIFE AFTER DARK ep currently is available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/danaleong4.

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