Interview with a composer

Welcome back and thank you for clicking over to our latest d'Blog.

Though technically speaking this one ain't a blog. It's an interview. Or is that a d'Interview? With TESS composer Michael Blore. 

From the first recordings last June we catch up on how the album project is progressing and hear about some plans for the future.

​And just who is Prodzilla? 

​​So how’s it all going?
 
With vocal editing complete and the instrumental editing nearly done things are ticking along very nicely thank you. My job at the moment is mainly one of providing notes and guidance on the whole score to our album producer, Sunim.

​Oh yes, Sunim. Don’t you call him Prodzilla?
 
Affectionately, yes. He’s got a monster of a job and is doing it all with tremendous skill, dedication and patience.
​
What’s he been doing then?
 
What hasn’t he been doing! We recorded 21 voices in 5 different venues. From that wall of sound he’s pulled 

TESS album producer Sunim Koria (l) sets to work with Michael Blore

everything together to create one beautifully harmonious 2-hour long new musical theatre extravaganza. Oh, and ​incorporated the recordings of 11 musicians. And begun creating sound effects, additional instrumental sounds and foley. ​

Foley?
 
The reproduction of everyday sound effects that are added to film, video and other media in post-production to enhance audio quality.
 
You looked that up.
 
Maybe…

What has been the most challenging aspect of the post-production process?
 
Well, I must admit to getting the jitters come vocal editing deadline day. Had we chosen the best takes? Had any adjustments we needed to make enhanced the quality of the performances or not? I felt the responsibility weigh heavily on my shoulders.

So you were making decisions alone?
 
Mercifully not. Sunim is a composer in his own right so I always sought his input. And Mike was very much part of the decision-making process.
 
Do you mean award-winning playwright and lyricist-in-chief Michael Davies?
 
The very same. Not only is he a formidable wordsmith, but also a top musician with an ear that can spot a musical anomaly at 20 paces.
 
Or even 20 decibels.

The 2 Michaels - Blore and Davies

Exactly. As we speak he’s also working on the promotional package that will accompany the CD when it is complete.

And what have you been doing?
 
I’m making notes!

Chorus member Janette Summerfield gets some pointers from the composer

I see. So when can we get to hear it?
 
Give us a few more months and we’ll be ready. We’re planning a launch party to kick things off.

Oo, do tell.
 
In time.
 
You tease.
 
I know.
​

Michael Blore was in conversation with TESS administrator Scott Collins. ​

Thank you for reading and following the progress of TESS. Please feel free to leave a comment. We'd love to hear from you.

​Next time on d'Blog... The end is in sight for the first ever album recording of TESS as mixing kicks off.