Eight Track
Kidz Eight Track comment policy:
Please keep in mind that the Kidz Eight Track was created to encourage young musicians to share their genius with Richmond. Any mean comments will be deleted. Let's keep it posi, folks.
Andrew
Andrew is a wonderful student, curious and very talented - this is just the beginning of a body of work that is already increasing and improving greatly. The most rock and roll of any of the tunes submitted, Andrew deftly embraces the genre while creating a voice all his own. Keep an eye out for this guy - he has all of the tools to be making great music for a long time.
- Track: Untitled
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Sam
Sam is a very talented young musician who has created some truly wonderful tunes. He is my longest-running student and our fantastic relationship is seen in a variety of producer/musician gems that crop up through out his compositions. Always ready to try anything, these tunes have all kinds of effects, weird edits, experimental techniques, and even a woodwind and string section supplied by his sisters.
- Track: Jasper
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- Track: Untitled
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- Track: Untitled
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Caleb
Caleb is back for an encore!! This is a John Cage-ian composition that he WROTE! I play it, but he wrote it. He also decided on the beautiful noise crescendo that occurs midway. Beautiful!
- Track: Caleb composes
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Mitchell
Mitchell's track is the only track that has zero input from me. His level of creativity is extremely impressive, and I look forward to hearing what he comes up with every week. Extremely informed musically, his innate creativity and developing technical ability are an exciting combination.
Check out his stop motion films here.
His myspace here.
- Track: The War Through Time
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Alec
Alec has been playing guitar for a few years now. Spurred by the ever-present influence of games like Guitar Hero, Alec has taken that inspiration and used it to write his own material. His song "Buffering" grew organically from one simple chord progression on his uncle's old Ibanez electric into a fully structured instrumental - complete with dynamic tonal shifts! Unlike most pop structures, he plays the intro five times before turning up the volume and unleashing his own sweet riff. He continues to work on new material, which promises to be great - particularly exciting coming from a composer who's love of "RockStar" status is matched only by his need to make fun of "RockStars!"
- Track: Buffering
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Sonia
A wonderful student who is as pleasant a singer/songwriter to work with as I've ever met. She wrote this melody, all the words and I showed her the chords. She plays and sings everything herself. The musical interlude is an excerpt from another song she wrote - an instrumental. She's not so sure about it but I convinced her it is genius. A budding pianist, lyricist and singer, we are fortunate to get a glimpse of such a charming young talent.
- Track: This is the Life
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Caleb
Caleb is the youngest of all the participants as well as the most prodigious. This is just a drop in the barrel of this guy's recorded output. A supremely curious little mind, Caleb seems to understand and organize sound in a way that is, not only, very unique to him but also mature beyond his years.
- Track: Caleb the BitCrusher
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Idoia
Idoia is a budding guitar player who actually plays both guitar and piano on this track. Very creative and willing to jump into anything, she came up with this gem this summer and is looking forward to trying to write another one. Fortunately, she has a wonderful foundation of skills to work with - a bright young mind, nimble fingers, and an ever-present curiosity.
- Track: Summer
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Evan
Evan is a last second entry into this thing but thank goodness we got him. This is a week's worth of work and one of the only tunes to have very little "production" (save the loop he insisted on at the end). Very smart and intentional, Evan throws himself into his work with an honesty and undiluted curiosity that in enviable.
- Track: Herbalife
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[...] Ladies and gentleman….Kidz Eight Track I [...]
Guys, you are all so talented and courageous that I can’t believe it. I want to bake each of you a thousand cakes. It’s entirely possible that each of these songs brought a tear to my eye.
I think every one did a great job! I hope you never stop playing music. Tip: play music with your heart!
These guys rule! I can’t wait to hear what they do next. Composers like these don’t come around too often.
Brilliant! We can all learn heaps from these young minds. (Evan was right on the money with that loop)
i know. its amazing…you tend to write it off but there are bits of really insightful ideas going on there
[...] 2008 For all interested parties, the future of music is currently being exhibited in the form of Kidz Eight Track over at RVANews. Kids writing great original and highly unpredictable music that is as challenging [...]
HOW DID ALL OF THE PEOPLE BECOME SUCH GENIUSES? Seriously. Last time I tried to write a song it was about the Waffle House and wasn’t nearly as thoughtful as any of these.
THIS IS SO AMAZING!!!!
All these songs rule!!
[...] KIDZ EIGHT TRACK WEEK 2!!! [...]
oh my gosh! god bless all those young avant garde minds, keep it up guys! i was just wondering where i could pick up sonia’s album/when she is opening for the mermaid skeletons? because i’m pretty sure that’s the next step.
and also…does mitchell have a girlfriend? you better keep that little heart breaker away from the ladies mattwhite.
Dude….Mitchell’s videos are sweet!
yes. mitchell’s videos are amazing.
These kids make you realize how boring and trite adults can be…
Go Caleb go!
and holy crap, those videos are awesome
These kids are owning it! Keep it up!
this is REALLY great. awesome work from the kids, awesome idea from the teacher.
Bravi, kids! It’s refreshing to hear some creative music coming from young people.
Wow!! Truly impressed with all of this amazing young talent…