Hey everyone,
I just got word that EdRugby have published my photo gallery (Gallery Link) and article (Article Link) on the Australian Rugby Union website. As my first published work I’m rather proud of it and I encourage you all to go and both read the article and view the images.
EdRugby Junior Reporters Report (Article Index Link) – My Report (Article Link)
I hope you enjoy them,
Ross
Hey everyone,
A bit of a long post here but I’ll do my best to keep it brief. The main change we’ve had to the features of chowderhawk.com is the integration with Facebook Connect. While at the moment I don’t plan to have the whole full blown user system via facebook (as there’s really no need) that window is open. But, at the moment I’ve added in those nice little Facebook Like buttons to the photo galleries, home page, design page and music page. So click them if you like the pages/if you want to make me feel better. As you should know the first thing I do when I get home from school is to check if anyone new has liked stuff, it makes my day. No really…
Next change is the new photoset CA Brumbies vs Cheetahs – April 2010 which I took in conjunction with the ARU (Australian Rugby Union) as part of their EdRugby Junior Reporter program which I was lucky enough to be a part of. My article and images should be coming up soon but I’m waiting for them to be all ready on their end as everything has been submitted on my end. I’m really happy with how that all turned out and I can’t wait to have my first published article and photos.
I’ve got some photo shoots coming up with a local Canberra fashion designer and a new-ish local Canberra DJ. There’s something else too but nothing has been set in stone yet, so I’m not gonna talk about it like it’s fact. But I’m really happy with doing some more work and I really hope that you all enjoy it as well.
Finally, I was lucky enough to go to Groovin’ The Moo at the University of Canberra last weekend (Without a Press Pass though, and not for lack of trying). The standout of the show was not the headliners Silverchair, Vampire Weekend or even the DJs such as Ajax or Yacht Club DJs. Ajax and Yacht Club DJs were really good despite Gaz Harrison from the Yacht Club DJs being in hospital and having a very very drunk and semi-naked Guy Chappell-Lawrence do his part as well has his own. But the standout would easily have to be ‘The Only’.
The Only were amazing, their live performance was amazingly intense, agressive and they got so into it. And you know what, they mixed really really well, had some amazing visual effects on the screen behind them (Used it more as a 3rd member than a place for the band name). But most of all they looked like they were really enjoying themselves and getting into it. It came through with the crowd and everyone had an awesome time that I knew who saw them. I liked them before this, but now I will DEFINITELY be keeping an eye out for any releases and future tours through Canberra.
So check The Only out if you can, they’re not too well known now but I can see them getting very popular in the Australian DJ/Club Scene. Mark my words.
Thanks,
Ross
Hey everyone
In case you hadn’t noticed, completely new layout and design for the site. Also there’s a new gallery up of shots from New Years Eve in Sydney. 2010 will be a big year for the site with more updates and hopefully better quality photographs. Enjoy.
- Ross
Hey all,
Just a quick heads-up. I’ve got a new photo up in the gallery and on flickr. I particularly like this one and I’m definitely gonna do some more night photography in the future. Also, just recently I’ve been doing some photography with a school drama group, depending on how things pan out I may be putting some of those photos up. I’m also really proud of some of them, but due to some legal/privacy issues they might not be up for public viewing in the near future.
- Ross
Hey all,
You might have noticed that I used to have an essay that dealt with the concept of deterrence in the cold war, on the blog. You might have also noticed that it’s no longer here. The reason for that is simple. A friend of mine brought up that since people who know (and are more likly to frequent the site) are currently doing the exact same task as me perhaps putting up my essay at the moment isn’t the smartest move. I’d hope that people wouldn’t just copy it, but if someone does and they attend the same school, then suspicion is also cast on me as for supplying them with the essay. And since I technically would have supplied then, I’d rather not have to run the risk of my work being plagarised. It might come back in the future, I’m not sure when though. If you really want a copy, send me an email at ross@chowderhawk.com and we’ll discuss it.
Also, there have been some new photo galleries put up here and on flickr. You can view these via going to www.chowderhawk.com and going to the photos sections. There will also be some more design work coming along in a week or so.
Oh, I got my copy of KC Green’s Question Hounds Puzzletorium Volume 1 today. It looks really good and he drew a good sketch of our glorious lord and saviour some dude that runs the country called Kevin Rudd. So if you like Gunshow then grab it. It’s really not that expensive and your money goes to supporting a brilliant artist. It’s like throwing a dollar into the hat of that old hobo busker at the bus station. Except this time you get something that you can keep forever. And it’s less smelly. Sorta.
- Ross
Death Of Luke EP Cover
In August 2009 DJ Bricksta released his EP Death Of Luke after numerous setbacks and delays. Fortunately it seems that those delays were in good nature as what was produced was an enjoyable EP from an up and coming artist. With the EP coming in at just over 30 minutes it’s just the right length to be able to listen to it on the go. It’s lucky for the EP that it can be listened to in one sitting as the tracks would not be as strong on their own as they are together. Each track is decent on its own, but when brought together into an EP the style evident throughout causes the tracks to stand more solidly.
Unfortunately for the cohesive aspect of the EP it ends with a remix of L.S.M.O. by Ross McGrath. Since the EP does not have any clear singles and rather works better as a whole package, ending it with a remix appears to be an odd choice. This leaves the listener with the final impression of DJ Bricksta being one that is not actually of him, but of Ross McGrath. Had the track been left off the EP, the EP would not be any weaker for it and perhaps may be stronger. Another letdown is the seeming lack of experimentation with this EP. It’s safe and it works, but it doesn’t seem to want you to explore it and rather presents itself on the surface. It’s a solid first release, but nothing more than solid.
The strongest tracks by far on the EP are Tears and The Heart both featuring Nick Astbury. Those are closely followed by Civic which features Jesse Whithear. Throughout the EP it is clear that DJ Bricksta has placed his emotions into this album and it does work. From the brilliant guitar in Civic to the poppy synth melody in The Heart it is clear that this EP has been slaved over until it was just right. If you had to describe the album in a sentence it would be this:
Death Of Luke is an album bred from emotions and despite a few quizzical musical choices still performs as a whole musical package, rather than as a collection of songs.
Rating: 7.5/10
Death Of Luke EP was released in digital format only and is available for free download in a variety of formats at djbricksta.bandcamp.com and in 320kbps MP3 from mininova.org.
See DJ Bricksta at:
Hey all.
After a bit of time away from the site I’ve got a nice big update for you all. Big news first, I’ve recently got a Canon EOS 500D camera. There will be more photo galleries coming up in the future so if you like what you saw on the official Flickr page, then you’re in luck. Another change is that I’ve simplified the Design and Photo sections of the sites, with clicking the link in the sidebar taking you straight to the gallery listings. You’ll also notice that I removed some old galleries from both the Design and Photo sections. Due to the layout change and after a long think about it, I decided to remove them.
I’ve also launched the official Flickr page and will be putting the photos up there as well. There will be NO difference between the photos I put up here and there. That includes licensing for the photos. The only difference between them is that one will have the Flickr layout, and one has my layout (Which means you can view the full size photos quickly on my site).
That’s all for now,
Ross.
Hey everyone!
I’ve had some people wanting to get a copy of Digital Translation, my EP released in late 2008. Apparently I mentioned that the physical product was “Limited Edition” and people got interested in it. Firstly I’ll tell you how you can get one and how sales have been so far.
How to get a copy:
If you want to get a copy the first thing you should do is either drop me a message via facebook or send me an email at sales@chowderhawk.com. However you choose to contact me about it I don’t really mind. The price of a CD is $7 (Australian) plus any shipping if I can’t give the CD to you personally.
Physical over Digital:
I had a discussion with a friend of mine where he bought up the fact that with 5 songs on the CD it comes to around $1.40 a song. As much as I’d wish I was making $1.40 profit from each song, I’m really not. With everything included the CD came to $602.80 for 100 copies. So for manufacturing the CD and packaging it comes to around $6.03 leaving roughly just 14 cents a song. When I look at the work I put into the music selling it for 14 cents a song with a maximum possible profit of $97.20 it seems rather idiotic for me to have got the physical product made at all.
I’m not naive, I know people weren’t gonna just run up to me and throw money at me to get these CD’s. But if you want to know why I did it then read the next few sentences very closely. I did it for you and I. I’m not doing this for the money, I’m not doing this so that women and men alike will throw off their clothing in admiration me and I’m not doing this because I like losing money. The fact that I put my music up for free download on www.chowderhawk.com and The Pirate Bay was so that anyone in the entire world could hear my music for free.
So, after reading that I’m making a gob smacking profit of 97 cents and that I’m not forcing you to buy the music in order to hear it, I guess that you’ll want to know why you should even bother thinking about buying the physical product. I personally believe that holding a CD in your hands is infinitely better than just pirating/downloading it. If you really enjoy an artist then having a physical product that you can proudly say “I own this, here it is” about is the greatest complement you can make. My motivation for making music isn’t driven by getting that 97 cents from someone buying a CD, it’s from people saying that they enjoy listening to the music. So buy a CD, give that ultimate gesture to me that says “I want you to make more”.
That gesture is the thing that keeps me going.
To sum everything up:
If you have $7 and want a CD then contact me any way you can and just ask to buy one. I might be holding some more giveaways in the future. Also, if you enjoy the music I make, don’t want to buy a CD and want to help me feel motivated to make some more music, then invite more people to become fans. Just click that “Suggest to friends” button and go nuts.
Thank you so very much,
Ross
Hey everybody.
I’ve been working on some things and I’ve got some updates ready. I’ve added a link to the official Chowderhawk page on facebook to our links page. If you’re a fan and you’re on facebook, then I’d appreciate if you would become a fan via facebook. I’ll be updating some little things there and occasionally having a giveaway there.
Also, I’ve been working on a few new tracks and they’ll be ready soon. Just gotta get them to a production level that I’m proud of.
Until next time,
Ross.