…the [Book of I] soundtrack composed by Sarah Wallin Huff stands out as both a powerful album, taking its listener on an emotional journey of beauty, despair, and hope, as well as a fascinating study of the composer’s visceral and intellectual connection to the source material. Featuring the stellar work of musicians Darrell Peries, Caleb Barnes, Cathy Alonzo, Jenna Ford, Lainey Elizabeth White, Brett Bird, Jonatas Mostacato, Ayla Draper, and [Wallin] Huff herself, the album is a stunning collection of gorgeous, orchestral selections comprised mostly of string instruments that are, at times, vividly haunting but always entirely engrossing. [Wallin] Huff, who previously released her own album, Soul of the Machine, earlier this year, clearly has a passion and a gift for sharing every ounce of her mind, body, and soul with the listener, as if providing a warm invitation for the listener to share the same in response.
It is the third piece “The Oracle” that is the crème de la for me with its incredible depth and creative complexity. Dynamics take deep hold here with sudden bursts and calming moments. I really hear the room when flute and clarinet parts elevate along with the brilliant staccato keyboard hits. There are moments when time seems to fall apart and then strings back together in a wonderful interplay among the musicians.
Sarah’s music has a classy, understated sound, yet it is baroque and ornate, tipping the hat off to genius composers like Debussy, but also tipping the hat off experimental ideas and cinematic scores. Opening number “Intrepid” is a very dynamic composition with a unique color, almost echoing the work of modern composers like Yann Tiersen.
Weeping Willow, featuring “Michael Jung,” is one of our favorite tracks on this release. I love the romantic, dramatic high notes of the string section, as well as the timeless sound of the sparse piano melodies, almost flirting with shades of Tango, in the vein of Astor Piazzolla. A true masterpiece, with so many nuances. The album is also home to a suite extending over 3 tracks, “Leviathan of the Ancient Deep.” These songs also features ambient samples, as well as electronic elements and ornate percussions, making for a really diverse set of colors.
Sometimes the idea behind the music is just as interesting as the music itself…the music on this album “…explores the relationships between mechanical structures, organic beauty, and identity.” …Wallin Huff presents three unusual compositions that tackle some intriguing ideas and topics… Her music is quite complex and unusual and yet…very easy to absorb and appreciate. There’s a lot to take in here… Our favorite is the wonderfully moody and subtle “Gypsy Wanderer”…nothing short of breathtaking.
Sarah Wallin Huff works with a palette of sounds in a way that mere humans can only distantly discern – this single is an ambient instrumental masterpiece of classical and modern moods.
‘Memories & The Gray’ is aptly named – its varying moods convey a rich insight into the creative mind behind the work; sometimes joyous of temperament, elsewise wistful, but always inventive.
UPDATE (as of 3/16/2015): This event has been moved to a date to be determined in May… Keep your eye out for news on that!
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I’ve been asked to perform at the awesome and fun, upcoming Geek Girls’ Night Out at Brave New World Comics!
Naturally, I have a list of some of my own favorite geeky themes I’ve performed in events past – themes from tv, film, video games, anime, etc. – but I want to know…
What are YOUR favorite geeky themes that you want me to include on my live performance-list for this event??
If I play your request, I’ll personally dedicate it to you by name! 😀
I’m looking forward to getting your requests and refreshing my performance playlist with awesome new music!
Guess what, geek-peeps! Aisling — my electric dragon violin — and I will be serenading the outdoor cafe of this Geek Singles event TONIGHT! Come hear the romantic musical stirrings of themes like “Quantum Leap,” “Incredible Hulk,” the original Star Trek and Deep Space 9, themes from the Gundam and Gundam Wing series, Ghost in the Shell… and maybe even a little bit of Bach — cuz, let me tell you, Bach was the original musical geek SRSLY! ^___^
Hope to see you there!
I LOVE this video and it’s messages– be sure to look for all the guest celebrities! I can’t believe there’s still bullying going on against geek girls! What de frak? You know, I remember to this day, when I was a little girl I once won a remote control sport truck in a raffle drawing at a mall, and I had the grandest time with it until it died– srsly, I drove my Pound Puppies/Purries and my Barbie doll around the back patio in it, imagining they travelled back in time to see the dinosaurs in it and having all kinds of crazy adventures! But, when I first won that truck, EVERYBODY in the audience ridiculed me as went up to get it– they said things like: “oh poor thing… Do you have a little brother you can give that truck to?” Arghhh!!! When will we let go of these stereotypes?????!!!! Enjoy this video, and be empowered to be who you are and change our world!!
ORIGINAL: By The Doubleclicks, featuring everyday geek girls, plus some geek heroes like Amy Berg (writer: “Eureka,” “Person of Interest,” “Leverage”), Adam Savage (“Mythbusters”), Wil Wheaton (“Star Trek: TNG”), and more. Found on Jezebel. To contribute your own image, visit Geek Girls Have #NothingToProve.
“Nothing to Prove” Lyrics:
I entered this scene through rejection and honesty
Nerds weren’t mean, they were weird and that worked for me
After 10 years of teasing when social skills failed me
Dungeons & Dragons cured all that ailed me
We read books, we played games, we made art, we watched Lost
We said things like “D20”, “shipping” and “Mana cost”
It felt good to be myself, not being mocked
Still self-conscious, though, we whispered things about jocks
But one day, you grow up, come into your own
Now geek’s not rejection – it’s a label I own
Then ignorant haters come to prove me wrong
Tell me I’m not nerdy enough to belong
I’ve got nothing to prove
I’ve got nothing to prove
I’ve got nothing to prove
Fake Geek Girl test – that’s a funny one, go ahead
How many comic books are there I haven’t read?
I know it feels good to have a contest you win
It would feel even better if I wanted in
So women aren’t geeks, so is that your conclusion?
That this is some secret club based on exclusion?
12-year-old dorks would say you’re being selfish
And then they’d go write in their journals in Elvish
I’ve got nothing to prove
I’ve got nothing to prove
I’ve got nothing to prove
I’ve got cred but honestly, I shouldn’t need it
This world needs all kinds of folks to complete it
You’ve got gamers, and artists and comic subscribers
Cosplayers, crafters and fan-fiction writers
You can stop – never say “fake geek” again
Our club needs no bouncers – all who want in get in
But go ahead, if you want, to own that role fully
I ain’t got nothing to prove to a bully!
I’ve got nothing to prove
I’ve got nothing to prove I’ve got nothing to prove
