Ian Rushton Blog

More fun with Sony Vegas!

Well, the album "A Kiwi In China" is finsihed so the next logical thing to do it seemed was to make a supporting video.

I chose track 3 from the album:

"BingmaYong"

Enjoy!

Album Release: A Kiwi In China

I'm pleased to announce the release of my 10th studio album:

A Kiwi In China

A collection of pop-orchestral works inspired by my 2008 trip around China.

Click Here To Preview Album

Thanks to:

Andrew Miller - flute

Betty Hung - violin

Debs Carr - Violin

Xiao Jing - voice over and cultural advisor

New ALBUM release "Land Of Plenty"

Well, today is the official release day of Land Of Plenty, my 9th studio album.

The idea for LOP was inspired by a song that was largely written by a friend of mine, a song which is in fact the title track.
Rhys and I go way back...back to high school days. The song essentially talks about immigrants to Aotearoa, (New Zealand), back in the days when it was indeed considered to be the Land Of Plenty. My parents were amongst those immigrants that came here back in the early 60's. Well, times have changed since then of course...but it's still not a bad spot all in all

So, LOP is my musical homage, both in song and instrumental, to my home, the city of Auckland, and the country New Zealand where I have lived most of my life. (I'm a Brit by birth).

I am hugely grateful to those that helped out and directly contributed to the songs:
My long time collab buddy:
Wolf Menzel- vocals
Lenny Lee - vocals & bass
Nick Crosby - vocals, guitars, lyrics
Jet Crawford - composition, lyrics, vocals, guitars & bass
Nate Pike - lead guitar
Neil Bonfield - lead guitar
Geoff Van Maastricht - dobro of course!!
Vaughn Fowler - lead guitar
Wim Koopman <- no Sherz album would be complete without some Wim sax onboard!!
John Wooten - drums

and a couple of local friends as well, Samuel Braverman and Shaelie Kraemborg. (vocals & flute)

So, it's all duplicated and printed ready in time for Xmas pressie for the family! They're kinda used now to getting a Sherz CD for Xmas!

*** NEWS FLASH ***

"Land Of PLenty" will be featured on a special segment on WTV today as part a regular live current affairs show, simultaneously broadcast on both TV and radio.

It seems the local Chinese community are quite fascinated by my musical indulgences!

http://www.blacksandsmusic.co.nz/black_sands_store.htm

In Time

I was thinking about my mum when I wrote this. Two and half years since my dad passed away she still struggles with the loss.

Thanks to young George Gao for singing this one for me.

In Time

New Video

This is my first ever attempt at making a music video...actually my first attempt at making any kind of video!!

The idea for this actually came to me in a dream... that's never happened before! All the scenes for the video were there in my early morning dream! It was about 2 weeks later that I decided I should have a go at ACTUALLY going out and filming those scenes that were still floating around in my head. I knew all the locations! All that was needed was a camera, and a nice weekend to drive the 45 min to the west coast.

I don't actually own a digicam or anything but my still camera shoots at 640x480 with full zoom function so that'll have to do!
So, into the car with camera, tripod and a few snacks and off we went! "Dusty Road" is a song from my 'Revealed' CD - it's a boy meets girl story...actually it's a me meets my wife story!

http://www.mixposure.com/Ian_Rushton/video.php

Huashan Zhi Yun

Put this one together yesterday afternoon... ok, so it was a looong afternoon! Actually the basic theme was one of those "accidental" compositions... I was just noodling away on the keys on Sunday while I was chatting to the wife when she said "What's that? That's really nice" - I wasn't really mindful of what I was doing so I had to kinda retrace my steps to try and figure out what I was actually doing! Anyway... I recaptured that spontaneous motif and developed it further and managed to find time Tuesday afternoon/evening to compile it all and get it down

I visited Huashan back in May. Quite an amazing place really. If you ever feel like popping over to central China I highly recommend it! Though definitely Not recommended for vertigo sufferers! zillions of steps up incredibly steep rock faces! Considered by many to be the world's most dangerous hike. Well, I guess it would be if you slip and fall!

I was reminded of the trip when I was throwing this one together... long steep ascents, grand majestic views... China...

Huashan Zhi Yun

New Album!

One of two new album releases this week!! Preview here at Soundclick: REVEALED Visit http://www.imusicscene.com/opt4red for info on my new studio band CD: "Reaching Out" :)

Ian Rushton (a.k.a. "Sherz")

Ian Rushton is UK born New Zealander, producer and self-taught pianist and guitarist, offering anything from contemporary classical and pop/rock instrumentals to adult contemporary pop and rock songs. Rushton regularly collaborates with musicians from around the globe to create an exciting and varied mix of easy-listening pop/rock music.