News

Tonight, Friday Nov. 21, is the premiere of “Project Three,” a new music collaboration with the Ecouter Ensemble. I am one of 7 composers to have written an original piece that will be accompanied by a film created to fit the music. It will be an exciting night of new music and film, and I hope to see you all there!

Spectrum NYC at 7pm. $15 tickets, $5 drinks. Purchase tickets here.

You can also hear/see a preview of the performance in the Project Three trailer, which features music by yours truly.

I had the opportunity to write a new track called “Nibiru” with hip-hop artist Tibetan, which was just released on his latest record Hydra. Tibetan is an incredibly talented artist and working together on this song was super easy and fun. You can listen to our track here and check out the entire album on Bandcamp.

I am stoked to have been selected as a composer for Ecouter Ensemble’s Project Three, a live music and film project featuring composers from around the world. My piece was inspired by mountains and hills, and this theme will be reflected in an animated film projected during the performances. Performances are scheduled in Montreal, Ottawa, Scotland, Toronto and New York in November and December 2014.

More info on performances to come!

After a year in the making, my latest album “Numbers & Shapes: Revisited” is released today, 3/3!

14 remixes from 14 different artists, all using stems from my debut record “Numbers & Shapes.” I’m super excited with how it turned out. Please have a listen at Bandcamp.

I have teamed with newly-formed electronic label Green Village to create a remix album based off “Numbers & Shapes,” entitled “Numbers & Shapes: Revisited.” The album features remixes from 14 different producers/DJs from around the world, all using my original masters and stems. The album is set to be released in digital formats on Bandcamp on 3/3/14.

I have written a full original score for the film “Backyard Portal” written and directed by Mathew Roscoe. The film is currently up for festival consideration and therefore not yet viewable online. Stay tuned for where the film can be viewed in coming months.

I have recently been commissioned to compose and orchestrate an original piece for the Lawrence Philharmonic Orchestra. The piece has been in rehearsals with the ensemble and will premiere in February 2014.

I received notice today that I will be included in the Adkins Chiti: Women in Music Foundation’s latest Encyclopedia of Living Women Composers and Creators of Music. Stay tuned for where and when the encyclopedia can be viewed.

It’s “Numbers & Shapes” 1st birthday today, can’t believe it! I want to thank those who have supported, loved, hated or wrote about the music; became my social media friend; wrote me emails; helped in any way – couldn’t have made it here without you. So in honor of N&S turning 1 (what a big boy), the physical CD is now available only for $5! You can still download for free or name-your-price. Check it out here.

I recently worked on three promotional commercials for Adelphi University, featuring music by yours truly. One, titled Shape Your Mind made it to Adelphi’s Admissions home page. View the commercial here.

Today my track The Moment was a featured video on YouTube. Listen to the song via Youtube here.

I am very excited to release a promo video from my recent album release show at Brooklyn’s Galapagos Art Space on September 21, 2012. A giant thank you to Dani Barbieri and Little Lou Productions for editing.  Click here to view.

“Numbers & Shapes” was included in the 2013 Grammy Awards shortlist, and after several rounds of cuts, made it to the top 25 nominations in the “Best New Age Album” category. I found out earlier today that the album did not make the top 5 nominations, but there’s always next year! I’m so grateful for everyone’s support to get to this point, it has been an amazing year.

As 2012 comes to a close, we’ve collected some of this year’s best quotes from reviews of “Numbers & Shapes.” Yeah, it’s been an awesome year.

“Each track is a canvas on which Brandt lays out a work of art, each more beautiful and impressive than the last.” – Hypetree

“‘Numbers & Shapes’ is a colorful tapestry of sound collage every bit as epic as much of [Brandt’s] film scores… not for the faint of heart” – The Deli Magazine

“Every original song on this record tells a story… a showcase for their beautiful soundscapes and journey to the ears… The blended forms and creative instrumentation make Rebecca Brandt a stand out composer of many genres.” – Bluebird Reviews

“This record is one that utilizes variety to sound alive.” – In Your Speakers

“Without a doubt one of the finest instrumental records we’ll be hearing this year.” – Plug In, Baby!

“Numbers & Shapes is a constant sequence of unpredictable and ever changing sounds, crafting a truly gorgeous work that ranges from light and upbeat to dark and mysterious, while covering every other emotion in between.” – The Record Stache

” With soaring cinematic soundscapes, delicate piano melodies and percussion that will get under your skin… it is also easy to get lost in the strings, in the soft woodwind, in the vibrant rhythms and in the collective dreaminess that is Numbers & Shapes.” – Alphabet Bands

“With material as charming as the cinematic indie art songs, [Numbers & Shapes is] at turns mathy & motoric and alluring & lush” – Sequenza 21

Last night’s release show was a truly memorable experience. Galapagos was such a beautiful space in which to perform, the crowd was amazing, and it was an honor to share the stage with both You Bred Raptors? and The Awakening Orchestra. Getting to perform with 13 of the best musicians in New York was such a pleasure!  To everyone who came out last night and to all the musicians on stage – thank you so much for an absolutely amazing night! Check out some photos from the night here.

I am super excited to officially announce my Album Release Show at Galapagos Art Space in DUMBO, Brooklyn on Friday, September 21! I will be playing through my new album “Numbers & Shapes” from start to finish with an incredible 14-piece ensemble. We’ll also be sharing the night with You Bred Raptors? and the Awakening Orchestra, 2 seriously amazing and talented groups.  Pre-sale tickets are available on Galapagosartspace.com. I truly hope to see you there for an epic night of new music!

I have written a full original score for the film “Pretty Things,” written and directed by Mathew Roscoe. The film is currently up for festival consideration and therefore not yet viewable online. Stay tuned for where the film can be viewed in coming months.

My debut album “Numbers & Shapes” is now available for purchase as a Limited Edition CD, including artwork by Chris Rushing. Purchasable on Bandcamp.

I have written and recorded original music for the new short film “Passersby,” written and directed by Cyrus Toulabi. The film is currently being shipped around festivals and should be viewable online in coming months.

The album had a great first 24 hours, ranking number 1 on Bandcamp with over 60,000 plays, and received a ton of attention on Reddit. ( viewable here ) Since the release, we’ve received numerous blog writeups and reviews, several interviews, and the music has been featured on radio stations across the country. “Numbers and Shapes” was also named a Bandcamp staff pick. Check out the press section for links to reviews and radio shows.

After a nearly 2 year process, I am beyond excited to announce the release of my debut album “Numbers & Shapes.” The 14 track album was written and orchestrated for 30+ instruments, all recorded live.  The album is available for digital download or purchase a limited edition CD at RebeccaBrandt.bandcamp.com.

I took a roadtrip to Cleveland, Ohio to have a mastering session with Paul Blakemore. His studio was the most incredible space I have ever been in. Paul is one of the best mastering engineers out there and it was beyond thrilling to work with him.

Just finished mixing the new album with Andrew Maury. He did an absolutely incredible job and it was so fun and exciting to get to work with him. Can’t wait for everyone to hear the tracks!

I recently had a really fun photoshoot with photographer Mark Shastany. The 2 day shoot took place in the Bushwick, Brooklyn area. You can view a selection of photos on Mark’s website.

The film “Play,” which I had the pleasure of scoring, was announced as Jury Award winner for Best Asian American Student Film at the 17th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards. Check out the press release.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to perform piano at a private wedding party in Long Island. For booking information or to request references, please contact rebecca@rebeccabrandtmusic.com.

I recently had an experience that I am really excited about. Producer/engineer Ryan Andrews led 2 recording sessions in a studio in Miami, tracking both my bassoon and harp parts. I was in Brooklyn, receiving the feed and giving notes while watching and listening through a Skype video conference. The musicians knocked out the parts, and the quality of Ryan’s recordings are fantastic. I think this was a really cool experiment with “outsourcing” the recording process… to utilize technology to allow yourself to be physically removed from the performance but still be a contributing part of the session. I was really into this idea of sending off various parts to musicians I could not have worked with otherwise because of distance. I contacted world-renown sitarist Indro Chaudhury and told him about the idea. He played the parts perfectly, recording in his studio and then sending them off to me. I’m very happy with how this is turning out, and it’s been fun experimenting with the recording process. Only a few instruments left. I’ll keep you updated.

Over the past few months, I have done a ton of recording. I have created a completely mobile recording set-up so we can travel to a variety of places to reach musicians, room sounds, and instruments we may not have been able to get otherwise.  I recorded string quartet in a huge Upper East Side Manhattan apartment with great acoustics; went to Hunter College to have a flute session; traveled to Juilliard to record marimba in an awesome percussion studio; had an amazing drum session in a brand-new Brooklyn recording studio; and visited various musicians in their homes and apartments all over Long Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. So far, the instruments that have been done and will be heard on the album: piano, drums, electric bass, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, 2 violins, viola, cello, oboe, clarinet, flute, english horn, upright bass, 3-part vocals, and marimba.  Still left are bassoon, harp, sitar, guitar, banjo, saxophone, and electronic elements. Sounds like a lot but I’m feeling like I’m close to the end. After all the recording is done, we need to edit, mix, master, and then done! I am so incredibly excited to share with you the music that you’ve so graciously supported.

My brand new website goes live today! It was designed and built by the ultra-talented Sean Mooney.

I recently concluded writing original music for the film “Recipe for Love,” written and directed by Chauncey Wales. The film is currently in post-production and will be finished in upcoming weeks. More info to come.

I am proud to announce I am currently in the midst of recording my first full-length album. Set to be released over the summer, the album features over 30 instruments performing all original, fully-orchestrated compositions. I performed in a piano session as well as a mallets session, where I also played vibraphone, xylophone, and glockenspiel. Other musicians recorded include Alex Beckmann on drums, Ben Jacobs on bass, Kate Hannington on oboe, Jeremy Gorin on clarinet, Amanda Lo on violin, Patti Kilroy on violin, David Fallo on viola, and Liam Veuve on cello. Much more to come!

I wrote the original score for “Play,” a film by Johnny Ma of MAKTUB Films. The film received positive critique from its initial round of reviews, and is currently being shipped around both national and international festivals. More info to come as to where the film can be viewed.

I recently finished writing the original score for director Aaron Freeder’s short film entitled “Roleplayed.” Viewable under film section.

I just finished a piano performance with the Lawrence Philharmonic for the Annual Community Chest Fair. There was a great turn-out and the orchestra played beautifully.

I recently have teamed up with award-winning director Thurman E. Scott of the Actor’s Theatre Workshop. I will be composing original music for several upcoming theatre productions, including “There is a Field,” a controversial play concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

I have teamed up once again with director Alize Emme to score her newest film entitled “Desert Images.” More info to follow regarding the film’s distribution and where it can be viewed.

So excited to have been selected as pianist on a tribute piece to Steve Reich’s “Piano Phasing,” working closely with Gary Schall, composer/percussionist/marimba player of the Steve Reich Ensemble. The 35-minute piano phasing piece will be part of a special performance, premiering at Carnegie Hall in April 2012.

I have recently finished an original score for Alize Emme’s short film, “Here in Babylon.” Post-production work recently concluded, and the DVD copy is now available. The film is currently in submission to various festivals and distributors.

I am in the process of collaborating with the group “Drumadics,” working as Music Director and transcribing the scores for their forthcoming multimedia project. More info to come.

My music was heard during an episode of the new MTV series, “My Life as Liz.” The show premiered January 18 at 10:30 pm. Life as Liz website.

I have recently written several original pieces for the new Paul Hannah feature film “Consinsual.” My music also plays during the film’s sizzle trailer, which can be heard at www.consinsual.com, under the film section.

One of my photos has been included in the 009 “Cities” issue of Platform58’s e-zine. The photograph is entitled “Fog on the Brooklyn Bridge,” and can be found on page 66. View on Platform58.