Ryan to the Rescue

Siren Song - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music from the 2015 Cardinal XD/Aristos Films production "Siren Song," composed by Casual-T, featuring Jae Parris on vocals.

THE MUSIC... The blank page is often a scary prospect. To sit down at the piano, in front of an empty piece of paper, pencil in hand... Or, to keep with the times, to sit down in front of a pale blue, eerily glowing, computer screen, a MIDI keyboard, and your sequencing software of choice, and "invent" music is not always as easy as it may sound. Luckily a film, the moving image, provides a "living" canvas, on which the acting and cinematography, if done right, are brimming with emotion, ideas, needs and wants, to which the composer can add, or from which he may subtract colors and shapes, to heighten the emotion, provide a sigh of relieve, support the comedy, or simply scare the sweet heebie-jeebies out of the unsuspecting audience. When Ben Mart, the director of "Siren Song" asked Casual-T if he would be interested in scoring his latest film, he jumped at the opportunity (mainly because scaring the audience is such a fun thing to do!). There is something utterly satisfying (yet at times unnerving, vexing, and horrifying!) about scoring to film. The combination of sound and picture, harmony and color, melody and light is something as dear to mankind as the storytelling of old. From the dancing and drumming storytellers in countless tribal societies across the globe, to Grecian drama, from the Kabuki traditions of Japan, Chinese and Western opera, to today's films (and beyond). Storytelling is alive and well, and music is a big part of experiencing the story at its richest, most powerful.

The music for Siren Song is comprised of mainly orchestral and choral pieces, with some slight electronic overtones. It also features vocalist Jae Parris on four pieces - "Sirenum Scopuli," "Ryan to the Rescue," "Her True Voice," and "She Broke My Heart." The music's main focus, of course, is to support the impact of the emotional struggles of the characters in the film. Melody, harmony, rhythm, and sound design elements, all come together to help draw you into the dark, and sometimes brutal, world of the participants in this macabre play. But even by itself the music stands strong. So close your eyes, open your ears, and let yourself fall into the darkness of your own mind...

THE COMPOSER... Casual-T is a drummer, composer, and producer, living and working in New York/LA. His music can be heard on TV and radio stations worldwide, including NBC, CBS, ABC, MTV, FOX Sports, Discovery Channel, Super Station, WebTV-Network, and others, as far as Brazil, Mexico, Austria, Sweden and Israel. He has been a featured composer in the Student Filmmakers Magazine. This exposure led to some exclusive compositions for LA based Music Beyond Publishing, as well as some custom audio branding for Omega City Masterworks and huddsMusicScene.co.uk, and further on to scoring his first short film in 2008. To satisfy his schedule as a composer as well as a performing drummer he currently commutes between New York and Los Angeles.

Being an autodidactic composer, Casual-T has always been adamant about keeping an open mind, and getting as much information from as many diverse sources as possible. He has had the great pleasure of partaking in some wonderful film scoring workshops with some of the top professionals in the field, including the 2010 workshop "Hollywood Calling" with Hollywood A-lister Christopher Young, the 2010 Rick Baitz Film Scoring Workshop, and master orchestrator Scott Smalley's "The Art of Orchestration" in 2009.

Having to date (2015) scored four feature films, sixteen short films, written two orchestral concertos, and composed and produced a multitude of songs, tracks, beats, and pieces in a variety of styles ranging from orchestral pieces to ambient soundscapes, Hip-Hop, Rock, and Electronica, and whatever else might come in handy at the time, Casual-T is one handsome chap who has much to say, and the best way for him to say it is through his music. Feel free to listen.

As a drummer T has toured/performed with a vast number of artists and ensembles, throughout Europe and the US, ranging in musical styles from Symphonic Orchestras to Rock bands, Broadway shows to Country bands, Hip-Hop to Swing, Big Bands, Blues, Reggae, Gospel, Funk, RnB, etc. His list of credits includes the Broadway shows Chicago and Spring Awakening, as well as a vast number of Off-Broadway productions and performances at major theater festivals such as NYMF, NYC Fringe Festival, APAP, etc.

He has toured/performed with 4-time Grammy award nominee Cedric Watson & Bijou Creole, The Harlem Blues Project, The Savoy Stompers, Elegant Ensembles, The Stingers, Jae Parris, The Drown, Dave Fields, Arthur Neilson, Big Ed Sullivan, The Joe Bayer Band, Marva King, Kaya, Code Blue, Popa Chubby, Phil Cohen, Charlie Superfly, Michelle Citrin, FIT Gospel Choir, Parkchester Baptist Mass Choir, True Praise Gospel Choir, Bethel A.M.E. Mass Choir, and many more...

As a drummer his recording Credits include: Jae Parris, Melissa Baker, Anthony Tamburro, Phil Cohen, The Drown, Phoenix & After Buffalo, We Make Music, Antar Goodwin Group, Kaya, Casey Breves, Jason Kraut, Marc Goodman...

THE VOCALIST... Jae Parris is a New York based vocalist, singer/songwriter, who has written songs and poetry since in high school (Although her mother claims Jae wrote her first song at the tender age of 3!). Even though she is a veteran in the studio, Siren Song was her first time recording this type of orchestral music. The vocal style required provided a particular challenge for her, but, as is so often the case when one is out of one's comfort zone, the results are utterly unique and intriguing. The smooth and silky texture of her voice adds a particularly haunting quality to the music. She is featured on four pieces - "Sirenum Scopuli," "Ryan to the Rescue," "Her True Voice," and "She Broke My Heart."

In her own writing/performing her style can be described as a contemporary blend of Neo Soul and R&B, with just a dash of Funk sprinkled in for good measure. Her shows combine both, her original music, as well as unique and refreshing versions of today's most popular tunes, and some well loved classics. Whether in an intimate acoustic duo or trio setting, accompanied by guitar or piano, or with full band, Jae has worked at well known stages and venues all over the US, including Symphony Space, World Café Live (PA), MacArthur Park (CA), Prospect Park Summer Stage, Joe’s Pub, The Red Lion, Kenny's Castaways, The Bitter End, Café Wha?, The Village Underground, The Cupping Room Café, Dinosaur BBQ Harlem, Dinosaur BBQ CT, Session 73, Turtle Bay, Arlene’s Grocery, and Gale Pub. She has also had the great pleasure to share the stage with well known singer-songwriter Ben Harper, major label recording artist Mayaeni, internationally known recording artist Amina Buddafly as well as being booked as tour support for artist Shannon, who is best known for her smash hit "Let the Music Play."

As a songwriter, Jae worked with several producers who placed songs with various well known artists, TV shows and movies, such as ABC's hit show "Ugly Betty," and the 2006 movie "Annapolis" with Tyrese Gibson. In December 2013 she released a 3-song Neo-Soul EP, entitled "I" and is currently in the studio, recording her first full length album, entitled "Here & Now" produced by Casual-T, to be released later this year (2015).