Interview With Ryan from the IO
Here’s an interview with the fantastic Ryan from our Intermediate Orchestra course. What a star!
Tinderbox Orchestra
Tinderbox and S!nk Collaboration At Inverleith House Video
Liam Baker has made a fantastic video of our collaboration with S!nk at Inverleith House in April.
What a pleasure it was to work with such amazing musicians and videographers!
Moving Music with the Tinderbox Orchestra
We kicked off our orchestra courses in April, with two groups scoring a total of five films! Both orchestras have been working hard to come up with really exciting & creative film music that enhances the stories & atmospheres in the films. In particular our Advanced Orchestra started off by composing really beautiful experimental musical ideas to accompany a compilation of animated & filmed work by Eric Lucey. We’ve been playing with minimalist musical motifs to create different levels of tension, and we made a timed “graph” that matches the scenes in the film to plot the shape & dynamics in the music. Oh, and we’ve also been playing some fun musical games together! 🙂
We’ll be playing our film music live to screen as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival – catch us on Fri 29th June 7pm at Central Hall, Tollcross!
Luci – Programme Director
BinkBox!
Recently we’ve been having a lot of fun collaborating with Tim, Leon & Daniil (of instrumental trio Sink) and Tom & Mal (of digital arts group Biome Collective), to come up with a special performance piece entwining games design and interactive experiences with musical improvisation and performance work. The work will focus on the physical structure and ethos of the #Pianodrome in the Botanic Gardens, where we will perform as part of the Fringe Festival in August this year.
Luci – Programme DirectorÂ
Tinderbox Collaborate with Sink at Pianodrome
‘The Pianodrome is a state of mind’ says Tim Vincent-Smith, one of the Directors of the project and Saturday the Tinderbox Orchestra entered that state of mind. We were safely guided on our journey by the custodians of the Pianodrome, the amazing and improvisational band ‘Sink’. We were joined by a large group of young singers fresh off the coach from Fingal for their first experience of Scottish Culture. Fingal Youth Choir may have received a slightly unusual view of how we do things in Scotland, but they certainly got stuck in with the music.
It was a day of improvisation and movement. Goosebumps and big ideas. Separate projects all joining together to feel, very naturally, like one big project. People simply getting to know each other by experimenting though music. All the more enjoyable in the beautiful setting of Inverleith House in Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens.
Once again I find myself saying, ‘this is what it’s all about’.
Watch out for video footage of the event coming soon.
Tinderbox visit the Scottish Film Archive
As part of our upcoming film orchestra course (April – June), we had the pleasure of visiting the Scottish Film Archive with members of the band to select the films we’ll be scoring new music for!
We met with Emily of the SFA who took us through the film archives and gave us brilliant insight into Scottish film history. Here’s what sax player Sonia had to say about the visit 🙂
Today’s visit to Glasgow’s film archive proved to be both fascinating and inspiring. There we were shown a range of silent films that sparked our imagination for this year’s Tinderbox project. This visit gave us the opportunity explore ideas for the music and performance, by viewing a collection of amateur films and documentaries. In the end (although the decision is hard) a few films stood out to us that we will hopefully be able to work on in the near future!
For more soon make sure and catch our live performance to the films at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, June 2018!
Orchestra Trailer Goes Live
Our new Orchestra Trailer goes live today!
The footage was all taken as part of the rehearsals and performance at Hidden Door Festival 2017. What a gig it was!
Thanks again to everyone at Hidden Door for everything.
Orchestra Outreach At Balerno and Craigroyston
We’ve had a lot of fun over the last few weeks visiting High Schools for our orchestra courses. The challenge in these workshops has been to collaboratively compose a piece of music for orchestra in 2 hours. The aim is that the piece will be interesting but also simple enough to be played by beginners. We started with improvising rhythms and used these to develop melodies and then bunged it all together to see what would happen. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and some great musical ideas came out of it.
Here’s Jed interviewing Tessa Martin of Craigroyston High and Maree Anderson at Balerno about the workshops.
#Yourchestra – Meet Jack Irvine (Brave Little Note) – Viola
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Jack Irvine (Brave Little Note)
Viola
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I play Viola.
2. What is your first musical memory? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ha! Â Well, honestly.. it’s having to sing a solo of ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ in my Primary 1 production of ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ I was quite shy. It was awkward..
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Today I have been enjoying…
Gill Scott Heron – B- movie.
This is the Kit – Bashed out.
and Jim White – Static on the radio.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
I have 2. One is taking my boys to see Tinderbox collaborating with Conquering Animal Sound, after which Sam joined the Orchestra. And the other is playing Hidden Door last year and collaborating myself with the orchestra with my alter ego Brave Little Note. Fun. Times. 🙂
5. What’s your favourite track on the album?
—
Thanks Jac! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
#Yourchestra – Meet Frazer Knox (Electric Guitar/Composer)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Frazer Knox
Electric Guitar / Composer
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I play the electric guitar and I’ve played with Tinderbox since 2014.
2. What is your first musical memory? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Probably crying at the scary intro to Queen’s A Kind Of Magic (An album which I now adore)
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I currently can’t stop listening to Esperanza Spalding’s album Emily’s D+Evolution.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
Either hearing the crowd erupt after playing Quetzalcoatl at Hidden Door in 2015 or imitating a group of birds with an elaborate back-story while recording Talking About Birds 2
5. What’s your favourite track on the album?
That changes but right now it’s ‘More’!
—
Thanks Frazer! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
#Yourchestra – Meet Jed Milroy (Banjo/Guitars/Project Manager)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Jed Milroy
Guitars / Banjo / Project Manager
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox?             Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin and voice. I’ve been involved for about 5 years.
2. What is your first musical memory? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Having a shot at the piano with the drunken old jazzer that used to play at a pub my Grandparents took me to.
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Foghorn Sting Band
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
Playing Jordan’s song, “Love Is Just A Little Number”, at Tinderbox fest. It was an amazing atmosphere and a turning point for a lot of people I was involved with at the time.
5. What’s your favourite track on the album?
Bethany Lane of course!
—
Thanks Jed! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
Album Launch + Scottish Tour
Album Launch + Scottish Tour
Coming up…
Catch us Doune the Rabbit Hole!
We’re well chuffed to be playing Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival on Friday 18th August(6pm – Jabberwocky Stage)!
Come join us and check it out:Â http://dounetherabbithole.co.uk/
OFFICIAL ALBUM LAUNCH
Sun 4th June, 7pm – Hidden Door Festival, Edinburgh.
Featuring Kathryn Joseph, Dawanggang & The Black Diamond Express
Info & Tickets here. Facebook event here
TOUR DATES
Sat 27th May, 7pm – Theatre Royal, Dumfries.
Featuring Taggan, Kate Kyle, Gracefell & Matrons of Music choir.
Info & Tickets here. Â Facebook event here
Sun 9th June, 7pm – St Lukes, Glasgow.
Featuring Kathryn Joseph & Dawanggang
#Yourchestra – Meet Aga Idczak (Vocals)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Aga IdczakÂ
Vocals
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I sing and I have been involved in the Tinderbox Project since Autumn 2014.
2. What is your first musical memory? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Watching my older brother playing the piano when I was younger. This encouraged me to take my first piano lessons.
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â That’s a good question! There are a few good albums I have listened to a lot lately, such as Somi’s Petite Afrique, Beady Belle’s ‘On My Own‘. There is one track in particular that rocks my world at the moment: This is Masterpiece (Mona Lisa) by Jazmine Sullivan.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
Performing at the Meadows Festival in 2015. I remember that it was a very windy day and it was difficult to breathe while I was singing. The music sheets were flying around the stage! I don’t know how I managed to sing along with the others. This gig was fun! 🙂
5. What’s your favourite track on the album?
I think that this is probably ‘Bethany Lane’. I have seen how much work Jack and Luci put into getting everybody recorded on this track, and maybe that’s why I think this is a very special song!
—
Thanks Aga! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
#Yourchestra – Meet Luci Holland (Oboe/Recorders/Conductor/Project Manager)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Luci HollandÂ
Oboe/Recorders/Conductor/Project Manager
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â I play the oboe, and I’ve been playing with Tinderbox since 2013. I tend to rehearse/conduct the band nowadays though!
2. What is your first musical memory?                                                      Some of the strongest are playing in a recorder ensemble when I was very wee, and noticing Danse Macabre by Saint-Saëns in the Jonathan Creek TV theme intro – which sparked an interest in orchestral music.
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Recently I’ve been enjoying In Love With A Ghost’s Let’s Go EP for its lush harmony and crispy beats.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
One that stands out is a Frontiers concert we’d arranged a couple years ago – it was a point in the project where it felt like it was starting to gain traction and seeing the progress a lot of the young people involved had made was really moving.
Many of the recording sessions for the album too – especially the choir/vocal/rap ones, those seem to be the silliest and most entertaining 🙂
Also, hearing the orchestra recently rehearse my piece Rimo has been incredibly humbling and meaningful too. They play it so beautifully!
5. What’s your favourite track on the album?
It’s so hard to choose! I’d probably have to say Talking About Birds though ultimately. The energy and imagination Song Yuzhe (DaWangGang) brings to everything he does is incredibly inspiring, and I love the power and wackiness of it.
#Yourchestra – Meet Rachel McKell (Alto Sax)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Rachel McKell
Alto Sax
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Alto sax; been with Tinderbox for a year.
2. What is your first musical memory? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Probably singing along with The Proclaimers in the car!
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment? Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Getting back in to Elton John and Billy Joel.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
Hanging around the Meadows Festival last year after we played, it was such a sunny day with good vibes and great music, and was a great chance to chat to everyone.
5. What’s your favourite track on the album?
It honestly changes everyday, but right now it’s probably ‘More’.
—
Thanks Rachel! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
#Yourchestra – Meet Graham Coe (Cello/Composer/Arranger/)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Graham Coe
Cello/Composer/Arranger
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox?
Cello – I’ve been involved with Tinderbox since the very first rehearsal! That’ll be over 6 years now.
2. What is your first musical memory?
Being in a music class when I was 5 and getting kicked out for giggling
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment?
Rachel Sermanni – Tied to the Moon or Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings – The Harrow & The Harvest.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
Playing at the Queen’s Hall, and conducting and hearing Tinderbox play my arrangement. Recording the album was pretty fun too! Also Mike Kearney’s suggesture stuff was always super fun.
5. What’s your favourite track on the album?
Quetzalcoatl is awesome!
—
Thanks Graham! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
#Yourchestra – Meet Orla McCorry (Oboe)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Â
Orla McCorry
Oboe
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox?
I play the oboe and i have been playing with tinderbox since Summer 2014 I think.
2. What is your first musical memory?
Theres always been music playing in my house, but I remember my sister teaching me how to play ‘Wild Mountainside’ on piano before i knew what the note names were.
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment?
Big fan of Laura Marling, listening to ‘Soothing’ from her new album.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
 The first gig I played with tinderbox – Journey of a thousand wings 2014. I gained so much musical confidence, met a group of brilliant and passionate people, improvised for the first time, and just had such a great time.
5. What’s your fave track on the album?
I think it has to be ‘Live Free or Die’. It’s just so happy and motivating. Like “yeah! Go live your life and win everything!”
—
Thanks Orla! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
#Yourchestra – Meet Sam Irvine (alto sax)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra weekly! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Sam Irvine
Alto Sax
1. What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox?
Saxophone(s)! 5 years later this year.
2. What is your first musical memory?
Listening to Moby with headphones on the train.
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment?
 The Olllam (self titled album).
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
 A rehearsal of Sufjan Stevens’ song, ‘Age of Adz’, around two years ago gave me goosebumps. The energy and concentration of each player came together so well, and it was a very powerful experience.
5. What’s your fave track on the album?
Hmm….Quetzalcoatl
—
Thanks Sam! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
#Yourchestra – Meet Michael Ready (flute)
#Yourchestra
Meet different members of the orchestra every week! Our orchestra is your orchestra.
Michael Ready
Flute
1. Â What instrument do you play and how long have you been playing with Tinderbox?
I play the flute and I’ve been playing with Tinderbox for around 3 years.
2. What is your first musical memory?
My first musical memory would be playing recorder in a talent show! I must have been about 7 or 8 and I was shaking I was so nervous.
3. Which record / band rocks your world at the moment?
Jethro Tull. Classic. Plus the jazz flute is just great.
4. What’s your favourite Tinderbox memory or gig?
The first gig I did with Tinderbox was at the Kelburn Music Festival and I really remember the atmosphere, it was amazing.
5. What’s your fave track on the album?
Quetzalcoatl. Just for the name! No, it’s a good piece of music and I love the way it builds up, very bouncy.
—
Thanks Michael! Check back here for a chance to get to know some of the other faces behind Tinderbox, before we release our debut album (4th June 2017).
Tinderbox Orchestra at Open Door Fundraiser
Tinderbox Orchestra at Open Door Fundraiser Christmas Concert
We’re delighted to be providing acoustic orchestral music at the Open Door Cafe Fundraiser on Friday 2nd December!
We’ll also be joined by the wonderful Jellyman’s Daughter.
For more information on the event, click here to go to the Facebook event. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
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