The making of a video to promote my 'Brightness' remix

Here's a video I (Random Toxy) made to go with my remix of 'Brightness' by Nash Donson.

I'd promised to blog about how I made it so here goes. I'll keep it quick because there's not much to it really. There's a plug-in for After Effects called Trapcode Form and it makes particles in 3D space which can be customised to these cloud-like objects.

These can respond to custom audio input (in this case my carefully crafted masterpiece). Different frequencies can be selected to affect different particle parameters in a various ways. This of course cuts out the need to manually keyframe animation events in time to the audio track which would take forever.

A few camera movements and a bit of colour correction and there you have it – one music video. All made in an afternoon. I'd like to thank my parents, all the guys at Trapcode, Adobe, Apple…

Random Toxy Remix out - 'Brightness'- Nash Donson

Another of my tracks got released on Beatport today - so I thought I'd celebrate by blogging my ruddy face off.

It's a remix this time. The original is a track called 'Brightness' by a guy who records under the name 'Nash Donson' (he's on Soundcloud - you should check him out).

For the remix I took the feeling of the part that I liked best, processed that part a little, then set about constructing a track around that in my own style. The artist got what I was trying to do and liked it, as did the AR (Riley Warren) at Zero Digital which was awesome. It was quite a new experience for me - having to care that a particular person liked a track.

I hope it sells. Thanks for reading, laters, bye.

Plaid and The Southbank Gamelan Players

I imagine it shows a little in my music that when it comes to personal influences, Plaid have got to be top five. So, you can probably understand how thrilled I was to discover that Plaid (in collaboration with The Southbank Gamelan Players) were going to gig, just a half hour walk from my front door, at The Mac in Birmingham.

The Southbank Gamelan Players opened things with "a loud style welcoming piece" followed by six beautiful songs - the last of which was a cover of Actium by Aphex Twin. Watching the performers was fascinating and hypnotic, but distracting, so for long periods I listened with closed eyes. The vocals and flute parts were a little bit 'new age' (what else should I have expected?) but the coarse sounding two-string fiddle (when it featured) was a perfect counter to the warm tones of the rest of the orchestra. I preferred the quieter, sparser parts - they made me feel like I was sitting in a wood, catching the sounds of distant creatures (I thing the 'new age' vibe was getting to me).

As good as things were going, I admit I was waiting for Plaid to join in and when they did, well that's when the music really took off into the ether. This is the collaboration that Plaid seem to have been working their whole career towards. Both bands fit so well. The music was lush without being too safe (I suspect a technical fault cut short Plaid's involvement in one of my favourite trance-like tracks which was a real shame). Programmed gamelan electronics and the real thing wove together with quiet glitches, airy strings and warm bass. The music was uplifting and enthralling. A big 'thank you' to all involved.

Got to go - I feel inspired…

'Artificial Colours' is released today

I'm pleased to announce that a 'Random Toxy' (that's me) track is released today on a compilation called 'Tranquillum'.

It's my first release on someone elses label. So far Zero Records (based in California) seem to be a very professional and friendly bunch so it's going well. I hope for both our sakes that sales go well.

Here's a link:
http://www.zerodigitalrecords.com/fr_zerotranquil

Zero Digital sign up 'Artificial Colours'

Yes, I'm pleased to announce that one of my tracks (on soundcloud) has attracted the attention of Zero Digital. They are planning to include it on an ambient compilation album they are releasing through 300 online download sites.

I won't let myself get carried away until it's actually happened but I am hopeful.

It's pretty ironic that the track title has one of the words that is spelt differently in America - 'colours' - and Zero Digital are an American label.

I have no idea how it will sell. It's got to be difficult for unknown artists like myself to get a sale.

I don't know what the release date is yet - i'll blog it when I know.


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Random Toxy – Zero Zero One EP is released!

My first EP is now available for purchase on Digital Tunes website. Here's the link:

http://www.digital-tunes.net/releases/zero_zero_one_ep

Its a 4 track affair. They were selected because I consider them to be 'finished' and quite accessible. They work well together also I think.

'Traject' is maybe my favourite track although others seem drawn to 'The Sun' which is fine by me. "Full Scale Map" has provoked the most comments on the Soundcloud site so far (all good).

The next move for me is to go on as much of an online promotion onslaught as I can manage. I wonder what my chances of getting it reviewed are - and could I cope if the review was bad?

Hello Digital disappointment and Groove Armada joy

I'm an idiot.

I had the foresight to book a day off ages ago to go to 'Hello Digital' this year. Aren't I good. Just one small problem - its full. I didn't realise that its a 'conference' and not a 'convention' (where you can just turn up). I was so looking forward to meeting like minded people. Who knows where it could have led me. I'll track down as much info about what happened as possible. They'll be lots online no doubt.

I resolve to be smarter with my next chance - 'YouPlusUs' later this year - assuming its on. Ill get a web page ready so I can tie all my internet threads together.

Ending with a positive.

Groove Armada were great at 'Eclectricity' on Saturday just gone. They had a sexy spandexed front woman and a set of mostly new electro-rock tracks for her to get stuck into - all a little bit Goldfrapp. They went down well considering no-one had heard any of the songs before. We were right at the front so we didn't miss a single shake of her ass.

Biggest track of the night - Superstylin'.

Later.