* MARCH 9TH 2018 – NEW WORK FOR DANCE, THEATRE & VOICE
*** UPDATE:  New Photo Gallery HERE

* TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21ST – EX NIHILO

* WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 11TH – BUS PROMO VIDEOS
This weekend I went out with my choir and filmed some videos to promote my Bus Opera. 
Check one or all of them out.  They are all short.  One is a promo collage, one is a chant and the other a duet.  Don’t forget the performance is on the 11A culture bus in San Antonio on Oct. 21st!   

 

7 months of brainstorming and preparation resulted in an hour of musical avant-bliss. A few photos are starting to trickle in and soon I’ll share the footage we filmed. Time to rest for a few hours before I start to dig in to the next grand production

 

 

So here we are again. After an intense filled week of rehearsals and experimenting in search of the right tuning, the 6-piano concert was finally here. It brought me joy to see this special crowd in Barcelona closing their eyes and getting lost as the piano sounds from all corners enraptured them. I leave hoping everyone found something special from their viewpoint. My body as always gave everything in presenting a work and I’m burnt to a crisp but again filled with great emotion. It’s time to relax but my mind is already thinking of new grand ideas. The photos below show the process from meeting with the conductor, to rehearsing, to promoting on the radio, to partaking alone at the dress rehearsal and alas the concert. Thank you Fabricarte and thank you to all that flew in from Texas and Europe to share this experience with me. Until next time…

* JANUARY 28TH 2017 – BLANTON MUSEUM OF ART
2017 is off to a great start.  I wrapped up my first concert of the year with my most experimental composition to date.  The concert was at the Blanton Museum of Art which I have been going to since I was a teenager.  The Blanton curates unique and inspiring music in it’s gallery, so it’s wonderful to partake in the tradition.  For this concert, I was asked to write a new piece to go alongside works I curated for my Keep Composers Weird residency in 2016.  Btw, applications are still being accepted for the 2017 residency, so if you are composer please have a look HERE.  For my piece, I experimented with lights as cues for the players with the goal of exploring music in motion.  I tried various ways of mixing blinking signals and using colored lights for certain cues (as seen here in rehearsals).   Ultimately I ended finding a switch controller where I could manipulate the speed of blinking lights and turn lights on and off.  Each player reacted different to each signal as discussed before the performance.  During the performance the audience actually went inside one of the layers!  I was pleased with the performance as the audience participation meet my expectations of having this be an interactive piece that gave off the feel of an installation.  Performance photos and videos coming soon… 

 

  

  

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* FEBRUARY 1ST – ASIA
I am off to China and Mongolia for the month of March!  Why you ask?  For music!  In China I’ll be playing guitar and singing with my band The Noise Revival Orchestra.  This will be our 3rd tour in Asia and 2nd in China.  Here is video montage of our 2012 tour in China (CLICK HERE).  Then, I’ll be traveling to Mongolia to work the Mongolian Philharmonic Orchestra as they prepare to perform my 1st symphony, The Curse the Cross & the Lion in the cities of Ulaanbaatar and Darkhan.  I have a lot on my plate leading up to this trip and even more when I get back.  But I have to follow the music and it’s on it’s way east!

* DECEMBER 10TH 2015 – MINNESOTA VIKINGSTHRILLED to share a music project I just finished for the Minnesota Vikings featuring Blair Walsh. When I was a kid, I often imagined how exciting it would be to my music featured or used by a sports organization. I think I even emailed Mark Cuban once, but that’s for another story! Special thanks to those who helped in the recording; Aron Frank & Jeff Elliott on violins & Amber Nepodal on horns. Soooo it’d mean a lot if you took a minute to check out this video and bask in the epic-ness of kicking.Go Vikes!

 

 

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I’m back from my Denmark trip.  It was intense.  Lots of meetings, speeches, and hanging with artists.  Hopefully some new collaborations will come out of this trip.  Here are a few photos from my trip to a castle outside of Copenhagen.  It was actually the first place I visited when I first went to Denmark in 2009.  To think, 7 years ago I stumbled on a place that is now considered my 2nd home and the home of some of my best friends in the world. 

“As part of the first Austin Music Festival, hoping to stick around annually, I went out to North Door on Sept. 18 to check out Christian Bland & The Revelators, Milezo, Three Bones and a special performance of a piece from Nathan Felix‘s upcoming symphony Neon Heaven. The piece included a choir ensemble, a pianist and an electric guitar played with a violin bow. This performance was weird, in a good way. A refreshing twist to psychedelic–the choir made faint noises while playing instruments I’ve never seen before called handchimes. The performance had audience members transfixed, laying down in front of the screen showing some incredible visuals by Bob Mustachio. Three Bones also had some wicked visuals and lighting that left them in the shadows, with just glimmers reflecting on their faces and occasional smoke. Milezo and Christian Bland closed the night in their heavy fashion, putting a pretty bow to what was a really psych time.”
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* SEPTEMBER 1ST – SOUTH TEXAS

I love visiting San Antonio. There is something special about the developing arts scene that I can’t quite put my finger on. Austin gets all the hype but the magic that Austin use to have has migrated south to SA! Believe me! I spent a weekend kickin’ it with my buddy, Fern, this summer after I got back from Europe. Eight weeks in Europe had me missing the Texas heat and Mexican grub. Fern lives in a complex that I can best describe as an arts compound in downtown San Antonio that at times feels like a ghost town for downtown standards. It’s a dream of mine to spend a significant period of time in a place that is similar. It’s also the headquarters for Fern’s work with The Renewable Republic which specializes in solar installations. The campus is littered with modified school buses, an organic garden, a wood shop, an art gallery and a yurt in the massive back yard! They have a view from the yurt on their site in the about section. Click HERE to see it. Friday night is spent hanging in the court yard and catching up and everyone talking about projects or galleries they have coming up. All the talk is extremely inspiring. I talk about my 6-piano party and everyone gets excited except for Fern. He says he’ll never go to another party of mine because of the infamous hernia-incident from my water-balloon extravaganza over 10 years ago! You gotta hear the story from Fern. You’ll laugh your heart out!

  

  

Next we decided it was time to take a load off and have a few drinks. Jorge insisted we go to Gloria’s and I’m glad we did. The place smelled like it hadn’t been cleaned in half a century but it had a killer jukebox. Fern asked the waitress to bring us their three coldest beers and then blasted out old mexican folk classics. We talked about Jorge’s upcoming trip to Cuba and discussed different parts of Mexico that were great to travel to. Again it was inspiring! Despite being worn out from months on the road in Europe I was conjuring up that adventurous spirit. (Note: I went home and bought tickets to Tulum the following week for a September trip!) After Gloria’s things got out of hand. I remember being in the darkest bar/speakeasy in the world, some tasty food, going to First Friday and then tons of people partying back at Renewable Republic.

  

Sunday was a slow day to just recap on the night and recover…with beers of course! I was headed off to float the river and go thrifting in Wimberley but before I left Fern had to show me some of the best coffee in their hood. We walked a few blocks and what seemed like in the middle of nowhere was Merit roasting company. That’s what is fascinating about the area is there are little local shops spread out on each block that you feel like you are in a neighborhood with a strong sense of community that is not overloaded with people. Trust me it’s charming. And I know it will change. So I’m enjoying it while I can. I’ll be back in October to celebrate a gallery from another one of the Renewable artists!

 

Hungary
Serbia
Kosovo
Macedonia
Germany
Spain
PortugalTired…

* JUNE 22ND 2015 – ANDRE THE GIANT
Do we have any control over what happens in life or are we just pawns in a grand scheme or a game? Or do we have control yet in hindsight justify the results of our actions as fate. Just as we have no say in where we are born do we have a say in who comes in our lives? To some degree we can force it I’m sure, but may I believe that a common energy attracts one to another? In 2011 after years of writing grants and begging any orchestra to play my first symphonic composition, I was ready to give up. Looking back, I’m really glad some second-rate Texas orchestra didn’t steal my money and put forth a half-ass performance. But it’s easier to feel comfortable when looking back but when you are in the moment, damn it can hurt. So here is a quote from Andre in one of our first email correspondences …

 

 

* MAY 29TH 2015 – J5

 

 

* MAY 25 2015 – BDAY
My birthday past and present. Today I find myself in Pristina, Kosovo.  It’s my birthday.  I’m
not big on birthdays and I usually get away from my hometown for the occasion.  But I’m

sitting here realizing the two memorable birthdays for me are ones I spent with loved ones. By far the best birthday moment for me came three years ago in Wuhan China.  I was on tour with my group, The Noise Revival Orchestra, and we had trouble at the train station. Half of the group made the train and four of us were left stranded.  We had to book a flight a few hours later and taxi it across the city just to make the flight!  We rushed and barely made it to the show.  I actually still wonder how the others members that made the train got to the venue because Wuhan was a chaotic city and few foreigners compared to Shanghai. None the less we blasted through our set with an

Click to see video

amazing energy. But what came next will last with me a lifetime. I walked off stage and the   crowd called for an encore and then…the band busted out with a rock version of Happy Birthday.  The crowd joined in and some came on stage and danced.  Afterwards there was an insane line of fans wanting a photo with us and then we danced the night away!  It was so special.  And I spent it with my then girlfriend whom I had only been dating for five months (center of photo).  We were thrown in to a whirlwind of intense traveling and we realized we were at our best as travel companions.  Our theme for the night was throwing up the “W” with our hands and you can see the band demonstrating this in the photo.  In the back with a beer bottle wedged in his mouth is Tyler our drummer and translator!  Standing to the left of Anita is Vince! And on the right of the photos with his head cut off (wearing a tie) is Josh. So here I am in Kosovo.  The sun came out after weeks of the rain following me

Bill Clinton statue in Kosovo

through Europe. It’s an interesting city. The economic situation is grim but people  here talk about hope.  I met a  woman that shared with me how she love America because her children can grow up without an on going war. But you still see the remnants of the war.  So many buildings are tattered and torn. It really makes me stop and think about my life and how we all come from different environments and how they play a role in our lives.  I got choked up when the lady was expressing her feelings. And as I walked away I began to wonder what I would take home with me from this trip to Kosovo. Would it be like a great movie or book that inspires me but then also deceives my emotions?  When I get back home or back working with the orchestra in Portugal will I feel

the same or will I be distracted?  Whatever it is I know I’m changing and growing.  I feel foolish and ashamed to barely realize the important people and blessings in my life that I have taken for granted.  But that’s life right? We only get one of them and we can’t go back in time to fix things.  The trail is behind me but my decisions have surely altered my course.  But we do get second chances sometimes.  In my case I may need a fifth or sixth chance for some things.  I would at least like a last chance…
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* MAY 18TH 2015 – PARIS
I’m in Paris at the moment.  I’ll be honest as I told myself I would for this blog.  I wish I was

Click to go to Gaiam TV

sharing these moments together.  But here I am alone in my thoughts.  Reflecting.  Always dreaming. Trying to accept who I am.  But anything I accept I will eventually rebel against. And so the cycle continues.  I wish to cease thought but this week I was reminded of a time when I was at a different crossroads seeking more for my musical soul.  The connection I want with someone in my experience in Paris and in life is similar to the connection I wanted in my musical journey.  I decided to take a risk.  The result?  The story is still being told.  But the beginning phases of writing a symphony despite no formal training were captured in a documentary, The Curse and the Symphony. What began as a personal dream is something I was afraid to believe could turn into a full-fledged career.  After a year long film festival run that included screenings at over

Click to view Trailer

25 film festivals and winning awards for Best Documentary and Documentary of Merit, The Curse and the Symphony is now in the hands of Gaiam, who will feature the film on their channel.  The company’s streaming video subscription service, Gaiam TV, features films dedicated to yoga, fitness, conscious media, personal growth and spirituality and most importantly it lines up with my values.  So as I dream up the next portion of my life, go visit GaiamTV.com for more information on checking out The Curse and the Symphony and other inspirational films (Gaiam TV is available on a variety of platforms including Roku, iPad, and iPhone).  And maybe next time my special someone can enjoy my adventure with me.  At least I’ll dreaming so!!!

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* MAY 6TH 2015 – PREMIERE


I first came to SPOT FESTIVAL in 2010. I lived in a castle for 4 days to connect and write with songwriters from different parts of Europe (Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, US). We performed newly written songs a few days later at the festival. It was an interesting experience but less so for the music. It reemphasized and motivated me to push myself even more into orchestral explorations because I was disappointed that with so many different artists thrown together from exotic countries, that all the music and ideas were bland. I felt that I was lying to myself by saying I had interesting ideas. Plus it was a bit corny and cheesy…like summer camps can be. But what I took advantage of was being 

Click for photo gallery

at SPOT.  I made a point to meet as
many new people as I could which have now led to some of my most amazing
friendships.  Some are musicians
and music industry related but not all.
I have even helped a lot of them with artistic and logistical matters in
Austin when they have reached out.
But I have never expected anything in return, so when I received the
letter from SPOT with support to record and premiere my 2

^nd
symphony, NEON HEAVEN, I was blown away!
I remember sitting at a café in Minneapolis a few hours before my film, The Curse and the Symphony, was going to
have it’s film premiere, not feeling particularly well.  I was stressed out about many issues
with finding a venue (wait until I blog about the venue fiasco), orchestra, and
funding for NEON HEAVEN.  Then I
got “the” letter.  Wide-eyed and
drunk with laughter I looked in the sky and sat in awe and rang up my Mom to
share the excitement.  And a lot
can fall apart or not come to fruition, but now – 14 months later here I
am.  In Denmark.  At SPOT.  Learning to let life unfold organically.  Thankful.  Excited.
Ready.   

I stumbled on it one night when I ran out of steam and booked into a dingy hotel room in the middle of nowhere.  I woke up to a ghost town and almost picked up a grave digging job!  Ghost towns like Van Horn are beautiful.  Now I stop every time I head west.  That’s the beauty of Texas.  The open roads and the big blue sky.  They have this junkyard out in Van Horn…also known as an “antique store” that I always go in and look at.  I love rummaging through the old books, mason jars, cactus inspired art, and their Pepsi machine from the 1950’s!  If you haven’t been to Van Horn you can learn all about it on the PBS episode of Daytriper.  And when they get to the haunted house…yep!  That’s my song. 
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* JANUARY 12th 2015 – GRIND
Nothing is easy. Every day is a struggle and I often feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. Every day I get some email or call with someone canceling on me or shifting gears. I often get down when hearing any initial bad news. But I adjust. I calm down and shift gears when necessary. I don’t know if it’d be better or as gratifying to have everything fall into place the way I imagine it? All I know is there is no turning back…

JAPAN

      

SUMMER 2014 (Blog Post 1)