BSG Orchestra HOB Concerts – Highlights

August 2, 2009

“What you’re going to hear tonight are the musicians that have literally given us some of the finest music the world’s ever heard.”
– Edward James Olmos

I’m back from a whirlwind week in San Diego for Comic Con, and have lived to tell the tale! I’ve collected here just a few of the memorable highlights from our Battlestar Galactica Orchestra concerts…

First of all, the interview above is among my most vivid memories of Comic Con ’09. Edward James Olmos was being interviewed by NBCSanDiego.com and literally pulled the mic out of the host’s hands. He immediately took over the production, interviewing me and the two vocalists in my band, Raya Yarbrough and Brendan McCreary. This would be just one of countless surprises I experienced during these shows.

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Battlestar Galactica: Season 4 Soundtrack Is Out!

July 29, 2009

The long-awaited soundtrack for Battlestar Galactica: Season 4 is finally out, and rocketed up the sales charts on Amazon. In fact, La La Land Records was forced to scramble to print more discs after their initial run sold out in pre-orders alone. For the past week, it has been in the TOP TEN MUSIC SALES (peaking on the day of its release at #4), as well as the #1 selling TV SOUNDTRACK and, surprisingly, the #1 selling MOVIE SOUNDTRACK!

Immediately following our successful concerts at Comic Con last week, this phenomenal reaction to the album release is, of course, a welcome surprise. However, I must confess that my greatest sense of achievement comes from simply getting this music out there. My work on Season 4 began almost exactly two years ago, and since then, I’ve given every ounce of my passion, energy and dedication to the singular goal of writing and producing the best music I possibly could for Galactica‘s swan song. Watching fan reaction to the episodes was satisfying, but it was maddening having the score cues simply sitting in my studio for so many months (or in some cases years), and not being able to share it with all of you.

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Comic Con Concerts: What Did You Think?

July 24, 2009

Hey Gang…

Wow. So much going on at Comic Con here. The first day was INTENSE! Richard Hatch’s panel was amazing and I think the first live concert we played was easily the best show the Orchestra has put on yet. Eddie Olmos was an amazing MC, and the surprise visits from Richard Hatch, Luciana Carro and Michael Hogan brought the house down… not to mention the surprise duet with me and Katee Sackhoff playing All Along the Watchtower on piano.

I’ll eventually write an entry about the shows, and put up some photos and media clips. But, in the meantime, check out our official Twitter (@bsglive) and the blog that we’re running on the official band website (bsgorcestra.com). Percussionist Jonathan Ortega is writing it up and he has great insight, cool photos, and a wicked sense of humor!

The only thing that bummed me out tonight: I saw some General Admission audience members being turned away from the signing after the show and it just made me crazy (I always wanted to do a big signing for everybody in the first place). Starting tomorrow, I’m going to make damn sure that EVERYONE at the concerts can come to the signing afterwards. I want a chance to meet all of you! Consider this an official announcement!

Besides, we’re selling the Season 4 CDs and every other record I’ve done as well as limited edition posters, including this killer design by Andrew Craig. You can all pick them up and get them signed by the entire orchestra!

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Comic Con Appearances

July 21, 2009

Hey gang, I’m getting ready to head down to San Diego for Comic Con tomorrow night. It’s going to be a crazy week, but I’m looking forward to rocking out the House of Blues with all of you on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I’ll also make a few appearances at the convention and wanted to let you know about them. If you’re around, stop by and say hi!

THURSDAY, JULY 23rd:

Richard Hatch: Battlestar Retrospective Panel
Comic Con Convention Center – Room 6A
12:30 – 1:30PM

Moderated by actor/author Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek, Capt Apollo), this panel includes writer / producer Michael Taylor, science advisor Kevin Grazier and myself, providing a review, discussion and Q&A of Battlestar‘s past four seasons and dramatic ending.

The Music of Battlestar Galactica
Live Concert Performance Hosted by Edward James Olmos
7PM (doors open) to Midnight
House of Blues San Diego, 1055 Fifth Ave.
Tickets Available from Ticketmaster
(the promotional password is “frak” for a cheaper rate!)

Each night of our shows will be a little different, but the THURSDAY NIGHT performance will be extra special. Not only is it the first place on Earth to get autographed season 4 CDs, but you’ll hear world-premiere performances of new Galactica music from “The Plan” before anyone else.

Oh, and the Thursday night show will feature an EXCLUSIVE SURPRISE PERFORMER: a guest pianist who will join me onstage for a duet of the pivotal piano music from Someone to Watch Over Me that she… well, I don’t want to spoil it. 🙂

UPDATE 7-22: We just confirmed another surprise guest for Thursday, and a few more for Friday and Saturday. I’ll give you a hint: One of them is a Cylon and another one was a suspected Cylon! 🙂

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That Emmy Submission Rumor

July 16, 2009

Hey guys… My inbox is suddenly flooding with emails because of a rumor on Twitter that I didn’t submit a “Battlestar” Score for Emmy consideration.

Let me put this false rumor to rest right now: Yes, SyFy submitted my work for consideration for an Emmy nomination for outstanding score for a television series, as they have every single year I’ve worked on the show.

The Music Branch of the Academy selects the nominees and my “Battlestar” score isn’t on the short list. But these things happen. There are many outstanding composers working in the medium, and one certainly can’t complain about the scores that did get nominated. They are all by outstanding, established composers.

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Category: Battlestar Galactica

BSG Orchestra HOB Concerts – Highlights

Battlestar Galactica: Season 4 Soundtrack Is Out!

Comic Con Concerts: What Did You Think?

Comic Con Appearances

THURSDAY, JULY 23rd:

That Emmy Submission Rumor

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