Friday, May 25, 2012

I'm excited to present my new album, "Composed". You can find out more (and where to get hold of it) by visiting The Leaf Label or Brassland.

I am thrilled that my new record “Composed” is so close to coming out and is now streaming! I have been working on this record since May of 2009 and it has been a wild journey! What started out as songs written on a ukulele and me humming gibberish has blossomed into a full orchestra and collaborations with pretty much all of my heroes! What started out as me as a very behind the scenes guy that was always afraid to ask people to participate in my own thing turned into quite the opposite.

This record is the culmination of so many things, it makes it a little hard to write about. Mostly, it has shown me that everything musically I have done in the past has been for a reason and all of the musical and non musical growing pains I have gone through have brought me to this insanely special place of working with so many wonderful musicians, singers, and the labels that have given this record a home. It has given me greater appreciation for my past, time with all of the bands that I have been in and worked with, which in turn gives me a real awareness of how exciting this time is. Many of these collaborators had never heard of me and had absolutely no obligation to be involved, but decided to collaborate because they believed in the music they heard. This gives me a lot of hope personally and for humanity!

I had a show in February at The Ecstatic Music Festival that brought everything to light. The concert was all of the tunes from “Composed” and featured nearly all of the musicians that played on the record, most of the singers as well as a couple of my best friends. All of these people that had been put together one at a time on my little laptop and some headphones, were all now in the same room together. As I looked around the room and saw all of these amazing personalities and friends, even in the midst of all of the craziness, I made a conscious effort to take a minute every so often to really take in all of the love and support these people have given me and to remember this time where everyone is healthy, happy and freaking awesome. It was the most beautiful night of my life (so far!)!

This record to me is a celebration of my friends, family, collaborators, and to all of the musicians I have crossed paths with on the road and at home. I am taking this moment right now, before this record is released into the world and hopefully into your hands and hoping that my happiness and all of this love travels into your ears and spreads love bugs all over your brain.

This year I will be doing several tours with my friend Amanda Palmer. I will be playing bass in her band and also opening a lot of her shows. I also have some big shows later in the year planned in Seattle and NY. I hope to travel to your neck of the woods soon, so check in to my website jherekbischoff.com every once in a while and come see a show!

Sincerely
Jherek Bischoff

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Check out the new video for "Young & Lovely" Featuring Zac Pennington and Soko! The video was directed by my good friend Michael McQuilken and was filmed during a couple days we had off while recording for Amanda Palmer's record in Melbourne Australia. The whole concept and cast was based on our surroundings and the good friends that we made while spending 6 weeks there in Melbourne. The cinematographer is a lovely man named Jim Batt . A very nice, talented and hard working man. We also got access to the insanely cool apartment owned by David Walsh of Mona Museum fame. It was a lovely experience working with a bunch of new friends in beautiful Melbourne! I hope you enjoy! XO Jherek
Cast -

Anthony Cleave (as MAN)
Saint Clare (as DAWN)

additional performers
Jherek Bischoff (as CONDUCTOR)
Heather Rush (as DAMSEL)
Jess Daly (as MOON)
Chad Raines (as SUN)
Kim Boekbinder (as MUSICIAN)
Otis Glenn (as BOY)

song by
Jherek Bischoff (feat. Zac Pennington and Soko)

directed and edited by
Michael McQuilken

produced by
Jherek Bischoff
Michael McQuilken

cinematography/first camera
Jim Batt

assistant to the cinematographer/second camera
Joel Loxton

production stylists
Jess Daly
Anthony Cleave

makeup by
Jess Daly

props designed and built by
Chad Raines
Jherek Bischoff

video concept by
Chad Raines
Jherek Bischoff
Michael McQuilken

production assistant
Heather Rush

apartment donated by
David Walsh

apartment coordinated by
James Walsh (a.k.a. DJ Dameza)