Eric Fawcett in the studio with N.E.R.D.

N.E.R.D. has just released their first single from their upcoming album. The single, “Soldier”, which features Santigold on vocals also features Modern Music composer, Eric Fawcett, on drums. The N.E.R.D. album’s release date is unknown.
]]> http://www.modern-music.com/modern-blog/archives/469/feed 0 http://www.modern-music.com/modern-blog/archives/458 http://www.modern-music.com/modern-blog/archives/458#comments Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:54:21 +0000 Modern Music http://www.modern-music.com/modern-blog/?p=458

Chris and Johnny on stage at Storyhill Fest

John Hermanson’s folk/pop duo Storyhill began Storyhill Fest in Bozeman, Montana four years ago and in September 2009 they kicked off the first Storyhill Fest Midwest. Held near Brainerd, Minnesota, Storyhill Fest gathered musicians and fans for a weekend of intimate and interactive music. The weekend was a great way to wrap up the summer. Storyhill was joined by a number of great musicians including Modern Music producer Joanna Jahn. Plans are already set for Storyhill Fest West and Storyhill Fest Midwest 2010.

Joanna Jahn and Johnny Hermanson perform at Storyhill Fest Midwest

This January, Modern Music composer Eric Fawcett traveled to Aspen, Colorado to perform at the X Games with his all-star cover band, Yukon Kornelius. With an hour and a half rehearsal time, the group rocked covers of all kinds (from Blue Oyster Cult, to Wham!, to Neil Young, to the Scorpions) to the crowd of winter athletes and fans of extreme sports.

Fawcett joined the band almost two years ago when his friend, Stefan Lessard of the Dave Matthews Band, needed a drummer. The two met on tour when their groups crossed paths, and they’ve been trying to work together ever since.

When Warren Miller, the extreme sports filmmaker, had the idea to include musicians in his film “Children of Winter: Never Grow Old,” Ed Robertson of Bare Naked Ladies, Adam Gartner of Guster and Fawcett all joined Lessard to form Yukon Kornelius. The band’s name comes from the prospector character in the 1960’s film version of “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.”

The show at the BellyUp in Aspen featured actor Jason Biggs on cowbell, Dee Snider handling heavy metal vocals, and Fuel’s former singer Bret Scallions. This is the second show for the band whose first gig at a ski resort in Killington, Vermont is shown in Miller’s film. Also appearing prominently is Fawcett in his first attempt to snowboard, captured as one of the worst “extreme sporters” within a hundred-mile radius.

Take a look at the festivities and then feel free to wonder why you weren’t there. Luckily, the group plans on being involved in next year’s X Games.

Check out the spot, its commentary and find full credits in the articles below.

“Martin|Williams Skillfully Drives Anti-Gun Ad” AdFreak 2.6.2009

“The Best Work You May Never See: EndGunViolence.com’s ‘GPS’” Shoot 2.6.2009

“BL:ND : End Gun Violence: Stray Bullets” 12.2.2008

Clearly their style went over well with the audience and Keillor himself, the group rehearsed in Keillor’s living room beside his fireplace prior to their November 8th performance. The archive can be found here and the show can be played in its entirety below.

The Dollys singing with the Shoe Band

The Dollys with Pat Donohue

Modern Music Party from Modern Music on Vimeo .

For Modern Music’s relaunch and new identity, they worked with Caleb Coppock, an amazing artist and graphic designer.  He and the team put together an idea to have the dot of Modern’s new logo roll around, looking for its missing piece.  Daron Walker and John Hermanson set it to music and the rest is open to your interpretation.

Modern Music has also gotten involved, staff composers John Hermanson and Eric Fawcett with Casey Golden wrote “Loosen Up” for the film’s soundtrack featuring Golden and Sophia Shorai. The film debuted November 1st but will air on the Oxygen network Friday, November 14th at 7:30pm and Sunday, November 23 at 4:00pm. The DVD will be released sometime in January 2009.

Click here to download the song Loosen Up, and check back for more updates on Modern’s and Eric’s China Blog.

Modern Music commissioned the rearrangement of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s classic song, “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” from artist, Sound of the Sun.

Working with DDB Chicago, this spot represents the dangers teenage drivers face in their first year on the road.

Download the song on State Farm’s website.

Everyone at Modern Music worked on this spot for State Farm through DDB Chicago. Check out their remix of “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” or download it at State Farm’s website.