Rite: Hallucinations! RoS: Episode 7

Liz and I seem to have endless visual ideas when it comes to hallucinations and music. We filmed an unbelievable amount of footage for this episode, and we were so sad to pare it down to a mere three minutes. Our mantra while filming, it seems, was: "Great idea! Let's film it!" It took me two weeks alone just to watch and sort through all the footage! Bubbles, Christmas lights, black lights, clocks, Kabuki outfits, dancers, smoke, masks, candles, crazy lenses, wine, and more.

Special thanks to our friends who helped with this episode, especially the four lovely dancers; Caitlin, our skilled bubble-blower; the Glinsky's, who dropped everything to let me terrorize their clock during a dinner party; and all of our "life-flashing-before-your-eyes" stand-ins!

EPISODE 7 of 10: As darkness falls upon the earth, the wanderers weave in and out of a fever dream that is part primordial remembrance, part futuristic mirage. This time-bending dance eventually spirals into no-man's land, triggering the journeyers to snap back to reality: the hand of fate has irrevocably assigned them to complete their mission.

ROS: Episode 6

This was, undoubtedly, one of our favorite *and* most infuriating shoots. We're both suckers for the colors, moods, and symbolism of dusk — a sunset, after all, is one of those things that routinely reminds us of the earth's beauty, every day, no matter where we may be: in the dirty city, on a plane, sitting on the patio at home... 

But filming a music video during twilight can be a nightmare. First of all, twilight seems to be done and over with in all of 20 minutes, which is decidedly never enough time for our needs. It's as if the sun just can't wait to get to bed, so impatient as it approaches the horizon. Then, the sun, ever-present in the background, serves as a visual clock for the viewer: it's an inconsistency time bomb waiting to happen. Everything must be filmed on time and in order, or the sun will appear to jump up and down the horizon like a yo-yo. To make matters worse, somebody in an ultra light helicopter kept ruining our "African Safari" shot!

Frustrations aside, we're really pleased with the result! It's our ode to dusk.

EPISODE 6 of 10: The journey has entered a new dimension: the alien landscape of the mind. As the seekers proceed inward, they begin to detach from the world around them. In the gloaming, they face the murky unknown.

P.S. Does the music sound familiar to you? R2-D2 and C-3PO wander the deserts of Tatooine to this music in the Star Wars films. (Apparently John Williams is a fan of the Rite of Spring too!)

Rite: explosion! ROS: Episode 5

Episode 5: the dramatic conclusion to Part I of Stravinsky's Rite Of Spring.

We'd like to extend a special thanks to our awesome dancers. The episode features members of Inked Dance and piano students at CSULB (California State University, Long Beach), as well as a very special pair of dancers —Brian Moe and Randyn Spear-Jones — who served as our increasingly manic shadows. (You saw these phantom shadow dancers in earlier episodes as well.) All of these generous artists joined us last February for a 'whirling dervish' of an evening filled with non-stop movement and laughter; they'll be back in Part II. Thank you guys!

Re: the paint — no, we didn't save our masterpiece for posterity. BUT, we will share a hilarious blooper reel with you in the near future.

EPISODE 5 of 10: After being pushed to the brink in body and spirit, the wanderers discover an object that brings about an eerie benediction. One taste opens up a mind-bending realm, a new earth that bursts forth into a swirling dance of delirium, harmony, and ecstasy.

(And stay tuned for Part II — it's something of a psychological thriller, filled with wild, and at times creepy, imagery.)

NEW Mozart Album in the works!

We just recorded our next album, and we couldn't be more excited. All Mozart and all awe-inspiring music! (More repertoire details to come.)

Playing piano can be difficult enough, but doing it in 95-degree heat?! The air conditioners were were too noisy in SUNY Purchase's Performing Arts Center, so we shut them down and did our best to endure. Thankfully Mozart's music kept our spirits up. 

Look for the album in early 2014!

Incidentally: our dressing rooms were the same ones used in the intense movie "Black Swan." We tried to stay away as much as possible. :-)

ROS: Episode 4

From the first shot of spikey shoes (amazing!) to last shot of masked figures, this episode is perhaps the most hardcore we have done so far. We *may* have broken the piano bench more than once while rehearsing it... ;-)

EPISODE 4 of 10: In the aftermath of their combative confrontation, the journeyers diverge. Their rivalry escalates -- both narratively and pianistically -- until the quest takes a mysterious turn with the emergence of masked idols, demons of psychological oppression.