‘Ben Hur experience’ in sound and light spectacular
EMOTIONAL landscapes of sound with visuals created by New Zealand design and effects facility Weta Workshop will help wind down Arts Festival Dunedin tonight.
A show by Rhian Sheehan at the Dunedin Town Hall labelled a ‘‘Ben Hur experience’’ will be a feature on the penultimate night of festival.
The Miramar, Wellingtonbased musician is set to turn the town hall into a sound and light experience when he showcases for the first time his new albumA Quiet Divide.
The show will feature an eightpiece band with orchestration by the Dunedin Youth Orchestra.
The awardwinning music producer and screen composer is known for his fusion of atmosphericpostrock with electronic and chamber music.
His albums have amassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify.
Sheehan said the sets had been designed by Weta Workshops after he approached founder Richard Taylor.
‘‘I actually do a bit of work for Weta. I know Richard, so that helps.’’
Sheehan said the inspiration for this compositions came from finding a space to write.
‘‘For me it’s just about taking a step away from everything else, just sitting down and getting myself in a space and writing music.
‘‘It’s generally contemplative music, cinematic, big emotional soundscapes.
‘‘It’s hard to put it into words but the word nostalgic comes across in the music. It has that nostalgic feel about it.’’
Arts Festival Dunedin director Nicholas McBryde said the show was ‘‘the biggest thing the festival has ever done’’.
‘‘It started off as an idea and turned into a Ben Hur experience.’’ the album is released on October 5. I have an amazing lineup of musicians joining me for this show, including Jeff Boyle, Ed Zuccollo, Marika Hodgson, Raashi Malik, Steve Bremner, Grant Myhill and vocalist Sophie Morris, as well as a full string section conducted by Anthony Richie.
What is ambient postrock?
It’s a term used to describe music that has an atmospheric and cinematic quality, but also fuses rock elements such as drums and guitars in places. It’s not a genre that completely describes my music though. Some of my music is electronic, and the new album especially has some heavy classical influences running through it at times. I’d describe my new album as cinematic chamber music.
What are the influences that got you into this genre?
Boards of Canada, Hammock, Jakob, Helios, Max Richter, Johann Sebastian Bach, Henryk Gorecki, to name a few.
What inspires you when you are composing?
Many things. My kids, a walk in the forest, a film, a deadline.
How do audiences react to your show?
Audiences have been very receptive to past shows. The shows are all about allowing the audience to reflect and ponder. We’re trying to instil a sense of magic and beauty in people by combining music and imagery.
You worked on a project with Martin Scorsese; what was that like?
That was fun. It was for a big advertising campaign in the United States. I was asked to write some music under his profound and poetic monologue.