New Whisperer Trailer

I've been remiss in updating the blog - what has been occupying my time?  Composing the score for upcoming feature film, THE WHISPERER IN DARKNESS and also working towards my Master's as a Physician Assistant at the University of North Dakota.  Quite the juggling act indeed.  The score is all but complete with some adjustments to be made here and there, but it will be completed by the end of January and ready for the post-audio team to mix it all up and give it that final sparkle.  In the meantime, if you haven't seen it already, here is the new and improved trailer:

The Whisperer In Darkness - new trailer

I just recently returned from another recording stint in Los Angeles.  I've been back and forth from Los Angeles working as set-recordist, audio designer and set-Paramedic for this film (whew! that is a lot of hats now that I type it!).  Now that we're in the final stages of editing, my role as composer for the film begins.  After I have a 'mock-up' score that I will have created in my studio, I begin the process of enlisting musicians.  Once an ensemble is formed, we then begin recording them performing the music for the film.  Exciting and busy times are ahead!  

Enjoy!

The Whisperer In Darkness

So I spent about a month and a half running around the U.S. (from ND to Los Angeles to Vermont and back again) as part of the production crew for the upcoming 'The Whisperer in Darkness'.  If you haven't checked out the blog over at HPLHS, I recommend you do so! ( http://www.cthulhulives.org/Whisperer/twid-blog.html
 )
All of the crew wore numerous hats during the greater part of the principal photography session.  My function was primarily as set-sound recordist.  The duties included recording dialogue of the actors, whether through using hidden microphones in their clothing (lavaliers) or my Boom operator ( Robyn Heller - Los Angeles unit, Barry Lynch - Vermont unit) would capture audio with the microphone while I monitored and mixed it to the camera.  Robyn and I also spent a good deal of time at Universal and Warner Brothers, sorting through furniture, props and other set-dressing materials.  It was great fun.  I also exercised my paramedic skills on several occasions for minor incidents on set.

I'm back home in the studio now and all of the above mentioned experiences have inspired me greatly.  I am currently working on music sketches for the score to the film.  When I receive segments of the film, I'll start composing to picture.  As of now, I have a lot of still shots from the set that I am using to get a feel for the instrumentation I will use.  Invoking a mysterious aural accompaniment to the film will be a great challenge and I look forward to it.

Because this HPLHS production has sound and dialogue, a film composer has to find a balance between dialogue, sound effects, ambiance and music.  I can tell you from being on the set, the actors' performances were astounding and coupling music with them will be extremely rewarding.

As I am writing now, there are several principal photography scenes that need to be shot.  I anticipate going back out to assist with those soon.  Follow along at the blog linked above for more frequent updates than I publish here.  When I start to score the film and begin to work with orchestra, I will be posting more frequent updates and, possibly some video links.  Stay tuned!

2009 BSC Rising Star Alumni Award

I recently had the honor of being selected for the 2009 Bismarck State College Rising Star Alumni Award. The award ceremony was held May 14, 2009 with a dinner and program. Much to my delight, Arlene Gray (my piano teacher of many years) did an introductory speech for me. I was also asked to do a short acceptance speech. It was an incredible night, sharing that moment with my mentors, friends, colleagues and family. I shall cherish the memory. I've included the video below along with the program in pdf format. Thank you BSC Alumni Association - and to all of my mentors, friends, colleagues and family.

2009 Rising Star Alumni Award Brochure

Fischgaard Film Festival

I've recently been collaborating with Aberdeen, South Dakota-based production company Labyrinth Films.  Labyrinth Films is run by Shaun O'Connell (director) and Matt Klundt (DP).  I've worked on (2) 48-hour film festival creations along with a third short and am currently working on a film short as well.  Recently, we participated in 'Fischgaard 2009' a 48-hour film festival-style filmmaking festival in Aberdeen, South Dakota.  

In a 48-hour film festival, you basically have 48 hours to write, shoot, score and edit a film.  The entries are then screened at the festival and various awards are distributed.  In past years each team would randomly select their genre from a hat, a line of dialogue was issued and was to be used somewhere in the film as well as a character and prop.  This year, they mixed things up a bit.  Genres were thrown out and, instead, a line of dialogue from a famous film was drawn.  That line of dialogue was to help determine the thematic material of the film.  It could be literal, figurative, symbolic, whatever interpretive take you wanted to execute.  Ours was from SUPERMAN, 'fighting for truth justice and the American way.'  The result was a tongue-n-cheek look at an individual doing his part as a citizen and living the AMERICAN WAY to the best of his ability.  The result was as is linked below - and we won best film!  Of course, I scored the film within the 48 hour block as well.  Labyrinth Films was a hive of activity during those 48 hours - it's certainly a wonderful exercise - I'd recommend participating to any filmmaker or anyone part of a filmmaking team (composers, this is a true test of the "I needed it yesterday!" scenario).

AMERICAN WAY

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: The Shadow Over Innsmouth NOW AVAILABLE!

The Shadow Over Innsmouth CD

You want to know what the real horror is, hey? Well, it's this—it ain't what them fish devils have done, but what they're a-going to do!

Cover artwork by Darrell Tutchton ©2008

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: The Shadow Over Innsmouth brings Lovecraft's tale to life as it might have been adapted for radio in the 1930s. In the style of The War of the Worlds, The Shadow and our own At the Mountains of Madness,The Dunwich Horror, and The Shadow Out of Time, Dark Adventure Radio Theatre dramatizes HPL's story with a huge cast of professional actors, exciting sound effects and thrilling original music by Troy Sterling Nies (composer for The Call of Cthulhu). Discover what fate has in store for you as you delve into this cherished tale of ichthyic horrors.

In addition to the full 77 minute radio drama on CD, you'll get these carefully made props from the story to enhance your listening experience:

• A clipping from the New York Evening Graphicdescribing the government raid on Innsmouth

• A genuine matchbook from Innsmouth's historic Gilman House Hotel

• A souvenir postcard from the Newburyport Historical 

• A souvenir postcard from the Newburyport Historical Society with a picture of their prized Innsmouth tiara. The illustration was created for HPLHS by noted fantasy artist Keith Thompson

• A hand-drawn map of Innsmouth on the wrapping paper of the First National grocery chain. And yes, it really is "scratch-n-sniff". Ew.

And of course it's beautifully produced and packaged with the same deranged attention to detail that you'll find in other HPLHS products. Maybe even a little more than usual.

In a hurry? Don't want the props or a CD? Click here for the downloadable MP3 of the show. Or click here for info on our deluxe Innsmouth Combo.

FREE BONUS: Some of our friends overseas have asked if we'd provide a script to the show, so they could read along as they listen. We love the idea of people learning English the Lovecraft way. Free download coming soon!

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Price $19.50

Above: the CD, matchbook from the Gilman House hotel, a postcard of the Innsmouth Tiara, a page from the New York Evening Graphic and a scratch-n-sniff map of Innsmouth (mmm, cod).

Ascension - Video Game Soundtrack

Richard Whitwell of Decklin's Demise asked me to score his upcoming PC RPG, ASCENSION.  Ascension harkens back to the vintage PC RPG style paying homage to Bard's Tale, Wizardry and Ultima RPG game series.  I've been working on the score for some time now and will be nearing completion soon.  Game release is early 2009.  A game soundtrack release will occur shortly thereafter.  In the meantime, enjoy some samples from the game soundtrack:

Ascension - Exploring

Ascension - Guard Room

Losing an Icon: R.I.P. Richard Wright

Pink Floyd was and always will be my favorite band.  My dad raised me on a number of bands while I was young including Jethro Tull, Led Zeppelin, Yes, Tangerine Dream, Moody Blues and many others.  Pink Floyd always impressed me the most.  Through my years of musical development, playing in rock bands and the like, it was Pink Floyd that also inspired me most.  Rick Wright was my keyboard hero through highschool and college and into present day.  Of course, Rick Wakeman was also high on the list, but Mr. Wright always mesmerized me with his choice of sounds, keyboards use of piano and so on throughout the albums.  Probably my most favorite tunes by Floyd also include Rick Wright singing lead or sharing lead with Waters or Gilmour.  The tune that immediately comes to mind is 'Echoes'.  His voice always added a very day-dream-esque quality which I believe help define their signature sound.  

When I learned of his passing, I immediately had to listen to some Floyd and I must admit, shed some tears.  

A friend of mine and I had always hoped to see Pink Floyd in concert.  When they held their Division Bell tour, we did everything we could to attend and eventually secured two second row tickets for their concert in Minneapolis (1995?).  I may not remember the date clearly, but I will never forget the concert and doubt I will see another concert remotely of the same magnitude.  

Over the years that followed, I was pleasantly surprised to see Wright's solo album 'Broken China' and his later appearances with David Gilmour in concert and his recent album, 'On an Island'.  Wright sings backup (and is easily heard) on the tunes on the hammond 'On an Island' and 'The Blue' (hammond and vocals).  Both of which give me chills.

And then, ultimately - when all hope of Pink Floyd reuniting had all but vanished, they appeared on stage for Live 8 - I watched - stunned - and then wept with join as they played.  And now, as I write this and think of Mr. Wright's passing - I'm finding it harder and harder to hold back the tears and vanquish the lump in my throat.

Wright had recently completed touring with Gilmour on his 'On an Island' tour - I just picked up the 2 disc CD and am holding off to listen to it until I have a blocked-out uninterrupted chunk of time.  Yes, I take listening to anything Pink Floyd or incarnations thereof that seriously.  As the 2 disc cd release has every song from 'On an Island' and many of Pink Floyd's earlier tunes - I am looking forward to hearing it a great deal.

According to some sources, Wright was working on an album and there's a possibility of it being released in instrumental form.  I will most certainly purchase this.  I'm assuming Guy Pratt (bassist for Pink Floyd projects after Waters exit) will have a large hand in it as he is married to Wright's daughter, Gala.  

I owe a great deal to Mr. Wright.  His part in Pink Floyd has greatly influenced me throughout my creative and waking life.  There are few artists in this world that I feel have actually improved  my quality of life.  It may not be a physical thing that can be measured, but many a moment in life has been underscored and enhanced by the sound of Pink Floyd and Rick Wright's ethereal keyboard presence.

Thank you Mr. Wright.  I'll miss you.

Richard Wright (28 July 1943 - 15 September 2008)

Quotes from the members of Pink Floyd in regards to Wright's passing are listed below:

(from wiki)

Also - on Sept. 23, 2008 David Gilmour played Pink Floyd's 1968 song, 'Remember a Day' - in memory of Richard Wright.  It is notable that this piece had never been performed live before:

In Search of Lovecraft world premiere at H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival!

I've just received word that IN SEARCH OF LOVECRAFT, a feature film that I scored last year, will receive it's world premiere at the H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival.  The festival is in Portland, Oregon at the Historic Hollywood Theater.  More information on the festival and tickets are available at the link above.  I'm in the process of finalizing the film score CD to be available for purchase at the festival.  I'll be happy to sign your purchased copy at the festival!  See you there!

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: Behind the Scenes

One of several upcoming projects that I am composing music for is Dark Adventure Radio Theatre's third & fourth episodes: 'The Shadow out of Time' and 'The Shadow over Innsmouth'.  An interesting 9 minute video of 'behind the scenes footage' can be viewed at the following link.  More information on the D.A.R.T. series can be found here.

More information and release dates to follow soon.  

Also, help support the creation of new music by purchasing some of mine at the Snowcap Store above.  Signed CD copies are available for purchase by contacting me.  Help fuel the muse!

Diabolical Tales Trilogy now available to surface dwellers

Diabolical Tales 1,2 and 3 are now available for purchase as a complete DVD set to all surface-dwelling beings.  

Produced by Brandon Kane and Don Gerron - COSMIC CONTROL PRODUCTIONS

Original Score by Troy Sterling Nies

Click here to purchase.

Click here for official DIABOLICAL TALES website.

FULLY MASTERED SCORES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE SOON...

***WARNING***SPOILER ALERT****

DIABOLICAL TALES 1: Genesis of the Men from within the Earth

November 1952.  The United States of America.  When rookie FBI Agent Cooper has a near-deadly brush with a mysterious man dressed in black, he is selected to team up with a cryptic U.S. Government agent known as Operative-132 on a top-secret investigation called Project AGARTHA. (Not rated, 42 minutes, Black and White, 2005)

Inspired by low-budget sci-fi films of the 1950's, this epic schlock/comedy series begins with DIABOLICAL TALES: PART 1 

DIABOLICAL TALES 2: Vengeance of the Men from within the Earth

December 1954. When FBI Agent Cooper and Operative-132 recover a mysterious relic from the underground civilization of Agartha, the evil Master Zun sends a new emissary of doom to the surface to retrieve it. (Not rated, 47 minutes, Black and White, 2007)

DIABOLICAL TALES 3: Betrayal of the Men from within the Earth

July 1955.  When the evil men from within the earth kidnap his wife Kate, FBI Agent Cooper is pitted in a race to find the Sapphire of Agartha and save the entire world.  Meanwhile, the maniacal Zerrath has started his own evil plan to conquer the surface of the earth. (Not rated, 54 minutes, Black and White, 2007).

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: The Dunwich Horror

It's complete and available for purchase:

CD or MP3 download 

"The hills of western Massachusetts contain dark and terrible secrets..."

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre: The Dunwich Horror brings Lovecraft's tale to life as it might have been adapted for radio during his lifetime. In the style of The War of the Worlds,The Shadow and our own At the Mountains of Madness, Dark Adventure Radio Theatre dramatizes HPL's story with a huge cast of professional actors, exciting sound effects and thrilling original music by Troy Sterling Nies (composer for The Call of Cthulhu). Relive the excitement of 1930s radio with one of the most popular tales of the Cthulhu Mythos: The Dunwich Horror.

In addition to the full 75 minute radio drama on CD, you'll get these beautifully made props from the story to enhance your listening experience:

• A clipping from a 1917 copy of the Arkham Advertiserdescribing the Whateley family and the strangeness of the Dunwich region

• A vintage map of Dunwich, Sentinel Hill and the surrounding region

• A page from Wilbur Whateley's diary with its bizarre occult cypher

• A replica of a key page from the Whateleys' copy of John Dee's Necronomicon

And of course it's beautifully produced and packaged with the same deranged attention to detail that you'll find in other HPLHS products.

In a hurry? Don't want the props or a CD? Click here for the downloadable MP3 of the story.

NOTE: The Dunwich Horror will start shipping on 6/13/08.

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Price $19.50

N.D. Music Teacher Association Commissioned Composition Premiere

I had the good fortune to be selected as the commissioned composer for the 2008 N.D. Music Teacher Association conference this year.  The new work is now completed and the ensemble will begin rehearsals next week.  The piece is entitled, 'The best laid plans..." written for Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano.  The work was inspired by the writings of John Steinbeck ('Of Mice and Men' and 'Winter of our Discontent').

The Concert will be held Thursday, June 12 at Bismarck State College, Bismarck, North Dakota.  The concert begins at 8 p.m. central time and will also feature a performance by Hannah Porter, flute (District 2007 winner).

'The best laid plans...' will be performed by an ensemble of the following musicians:

Arlene Gray, piano; Tonya Mertz, oboe; Rhonda Gowen, clarinet; and Sara Boyd, bassoon.  

A recording of the work will be posted here after the concert.

'Of Mice and Men' music preview

As promised, incidental music from Theatre Banshee's production of 'Of Mice and Men' can now be heard here. Music composed by Troy Sterling Nies, music performed by 'Trio Apollo' woodwind trio: Tonya Mertz, oboe, Michelle Kiec, clarinet and Sara Boyd, bassoon.

'Someday'

Someday’ is the prelude piece - as I thought of Lennie’s vision of a simple way of life, the rain in the winter, living off the fat of the land. George’s vision is in there as well although a bit more melancholic. The uplifting part in the middle is where they both share the vision for a fleeting moment, but perhaps George’s vision is a bit jaded by the realism of their situation.

'The Machine'

‘The Machine’ isn’t a literal musical interpretation of Lennie crushing Curly’s hand. Rather, it’s the representation of working on a ranch, a farm, with the machinery, the threshing machines, the routine. There is a bit of an unsettled undercurrent that suggests trouble ahead - this was suggested to be used as a lead-in after intermission.

'Tending Rabbits'

‘Tending Rabbits’ is a musical interpretation of another of our duo’s vision of their paradise. The Rabbits are musically represented by the melody line that is interwoven between the three players. There is still a somber, almost naïve tone with a melancholic resolution to the end.

Theatre Banshee's 'Of Mice and Men' tickets and information can be obtained at http://www.theatrebanshee.org/

'Of Mice and Men' incidental music

(Burbank, California) Theatre Banshee's production 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck will open Saturday, March 8 at The Banshee and run through April 13. Make your reservations today by calling 818.846.5323. (click here for online reservations)

Incidental music for 'Of Mice and Men' composed and recorded by Troy Sterling Nies, performed by woodwind trio Trio Apollo. Examples of the music will be linked here after the show opens.

'In Search of Lovecraft' feature film score completed!

I recently completed the score to feature film 'In Search of Lovecraft'.

ISoL is scheduled for a mid 2008 release. Updates on film festival screenings and distribution information will be posted here as it develops.

Examples from the film score:

'In Search of Lovecraft' title sequence

'In Search of Lovecraft' score excerpt

The score will be available for purchase mid to late summer, 2008.

'The Call of Cthulhu' to be screened at Fargo Film Festival March 4-8

I just received word that 'The Call of Cthulhu' will be screened at the March 4th-8th Fargo Film Festival, in Fargo, North Dakota. The festival is held at the historic Fargo Theatre. I will be attending the festival and look forward to meeting filmmakers and all involved! Pictures will be posted after I return.

I scored the lion's share of 'The Call of Cthulhu' film score. Ben Holbrook and Nicholas Pavkovic also provided music for the film.

CD's & DVD's will be available for purchase - so if you would like one, hunt me down at the festival or order them from here.

'The Whisperer In Darkness' Teaser Trailer

Music composed by Troy Sterling Nies - performed by members of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra.

Studio Upgrade & Film Scoring Update

Well, I have officially taken a huge step closer to the 'darkside' that is Mac.  I purchased a MacBook Pro 17' and am now running Digital Performer 5.12.  This will be a nice addition to the PC setup I currently run (Sonar Pro 5).  Instrument and sound libraries will include the same libraries I have been using (East West, Native Instruments, etc.). bul will soon include the MOTU Symphonic plugins soon as well.

With the new MacBook Pro, I'm finding it to be a very intuitive OS (Leopard).  I've been exploring 'widgets' and am actually typing this blog entry using a handy little blogger widget.  Grreat stuff!  

'In Search of Lovecraft' is in full swing - scoring is going well as I continue to work with Todd Hartman and David Hohl.  The score, so far, can be described as a combination of organic instrumentation and electronic sounds - certainly stuff to send a chill up the spine.  Check back for more updates and clips soon.

'In Search of Lovecraft' Music Preview

I'm currently composing music for the upcoming feature-film, 'In Search of Lovecraft' by Hohlograhic Productions. I've been working with Director David Hohl and Audio Engineer Todd Hartman.
A sample of the film's music is included here - this is the 'In Seach of Lovecraft' title sequence:
'In Search of Lovecraft' title sequence composed by Troy Sterling Nies (MP3 format)

Check back soon for more updates!