Audio Engineer – Geoff McGahan

Released just last week was a special version of an iconic Queelsand Anthem that was recorded for the launch of P&O’s Pacific Explorer being based in Brisbane from next year. This is the second time I have had the chance to work on a version of this jingle, first composed by Garry McDonald and Laurie Stone sometime back in the 1980s… It featurees all Queensland based musicians, led by the amazing Ricki-Lee Coulter.

Love You Queensland – P&OGeoff2019-10-16T15:17:00+10:00

Opera Queensland’s Tosca

Geoff2019-06-25T14:12:42+10:00

Opera Queensland presents Puccini’s Tosca

Often described as the greatest opera of them all, Tosca embraces the grand themes of the human spirit brought to life by one of the greatest composers of them all, Giacomo Puccini.

Tosca will transport QPAC’s Lyric Theatre to 1970s Italy where political and religious tensions are at breaking point. Tosca, a famous opera singer, is devoted to painter Cavaradossi but Scarpia, the tyrannical Chief of Police, has his own plans for her. What ensues is a gripping tale of lust, betrayal and cold-blooded murder that careens at breakneck pace.

This new production directed by Opera Queensland’s Artistic Director Patrick Nolan and conducted by Oliver von Dohnányi features an all-star company headlined by New York-based Australian soprano Rachelle Durkin, Angus Wood, Sam Hartley and José Carbó. In a world of political tyranny and widespread intolerance, Tosca offers a timeless plea for artistic and political freedom. This is opera where women are not afraid to fight for their right to be equal.

It was such a pleasure to work alongside OQ and the QSO as the Sound Designer for this production.

Opera Queensland’s ToscaGeoff2019-06-25T14:12:42+10:00

Thundamentals x QSO

Gallery

Thundamentals x QSO

Geoff2019-06-17T15:52:39+10:00

Thundamentals + Queensland Symphony Orchestra Present I Love Songs: A Night at the Symphony

Acclaimed Australian hip-hop trio Thundamentals will stage a special one-off show with Queensland Symphony Orchestra in I Love Songs: A Night At The Symphony, re-imagining their acclaimed new album I Love Songs in its entirety, plus playing some of their most loved hits from the past decade alongside the mighty Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

Ten years deep into their career, the reputation of Blue Mountains hip-hop trio Thundamentals – Tuka, Jeswon and DJ Morgs – is undeniable. From their debut self-titled EP in 2008, their acclaimed ARIA and J Award nominated 2017 album Everyone We Know, to the highly anticipated upcoming release of their fifth studio album I Love Songs, the band has evolved musically, inspired lyrically and become one of Australia’s most exciting and powerful acts.

It was great to work with The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Gordon Hamilton (Arranger) once again on such a different programme.

Photography by Lachlan Douglas @ www.somefx.com

Thundamentals x QSOGeoff2019-06-17T15:52:39+10:00

Bleach Festival – Verdi’s Requiem

Geoff2019-06-17T15:53:31+10:00

A Fantastic week spent on the Gold Coast at HOTA (Home of the Arts) doing Sound Design for this show as part of the Bleach Festival. 2019’s festival culminated in a highly evocative and engaging performance of Verdi’s Requiem, presented by Opera Queensland and The Queensland Conservatorium of Music Symphony Orchestra.

Giuseppe Verdi’s setting of the Latin Requiem Mass is one of the great choral blockbusters, rivalling Handel’s Messiah and Mozart’s own Requiem for popularity. Already outsized for performances in most churches, the Requiem will break free of the concert hall in Opera Queensland’s 2019 season, coming to the Gold Coast’s Home of the Arts for an outdoor performance, in collaboration with the Bleach* Festival, that promises plenty of surprises

(Limelight Magazine, April 2019)

It was an incredible evening, put together by countless creatives and performers. Congratulations to all those from Bleach Festival, HOTA, Opera Queensland, Griffith University and the crew I worked alongside from Norwest Productions – it was a truly exhilarating performance that looked and sounded amazing.

Bleach Festival – Verdi’s RequiemGeoff2019-06-17T15:53:31+10:00

The Ten Tenors – Love Is In The Air

Geoff2019-06-16T21:39:21+10:00

Love Is in the Air is an album of love songs that captures the intense romance of that moment at a wedding when the newly married couple come together for their first dance, and their shared hopes and dreams become reality as they begin their lives together.

The album was inspired by a conversation between D-J Wendt (producer/manager) and long-time member of The Ten Tenors Paul Gelsumini about Paul’s upcoming wedding. Paul was planning to use “Perfect” for the first dance with his new wife Jessica, and serenading her with help from his fellow Tenors, because he knew it would be one of the most memorable moments in their life as a couple. The next day D-J Wendt phoned Steven Baker (record producer/musical director) with the notion of an album celebrating wedding first dance songs.

Working with these guys is an absolute joy and thrill every time we get together. This album especially had a really nice undertone, and definitely a few firsts, and a few surprises.

Check out their website The Ten Tenors for Tour information, CD purchases and general TTT News

The Ten Tenors – Love Is In The AirGeoff2019-06-16T21:39:21+10:00

Muses Trio – Celebrating Clara

Geoff2019-06-16T21:26:15+10:00

Muses Piano Trio are some of Australia’s leading and most exciting musicians in contemporary classical music, known for their edgy, spine tingling and virtuosic performance style: Christa Powell (violin), Louise King (cello) and Therese Milanovic (piano).

Muses Trio celebrates Clara Schumann ‘s 200th anniversary of birth and CD launch with a performance of spoken word, diary extracts and her personal piano trio fragmented and reconstructed with music by female composers inspired by her legacy: pianist, virtuoso, composer, wife to a very unstable genius, mother to eight.

It was great to be involved in the recording and production of this project. This is the second CD I have done, and we returned up to the picturesque setting of Springbrook once again to record over three days. Fantastic to be surrounded by nature working with great musicians recording great music.

You can purchase the CD from the Muses Trio Website, or contact them through Muses Trio Facebook page

Muses Trio – Celebrating ClaraGeoff2019-06-16T21:26:15+10:00

Mirusia – A Salute To The Seekers

Geoff2019-06-17T15:23:57+10:00

It was great to get back into the studio with Mirusia, recording vocals and mixing and mastering this album with her. I first worked with Mirusia a long time ago on one of the various Scotland the Brave tours where we travelled around Australia, NZ and Canada. It is always so easy, joyous and beautiful to work with her in the studio.

“I still remember when I was a little girl growing up in Brisbane in the 90s and my Mum and Dad bought a CD Player. It was a big deal, a new format and a total change in the way we listened to music. I remember being obsessed with looking at the underside of the discs with all the colours of the rainbow moving on the surface like a hologram.

My Dad bought us some CDs and also a rack to display them in. But, there was one CD I always wanted to listen to and sing and dance along to: The Seekers 25 Year Reunion Celebration. I just loved everything about it. The harmonies, the audience interaction, the incredibly unique voice of Judith Durham. It was fun, beautiful, soulful, organic, classic and timeless.

Growing up in Australia the music of The Seekers was not only a part of my childhood, but I truly believe it helped to form me as an artist. At school we sang “I Am Australian”, a song that unites all of the people of Australia as one. This particular song was one I have sung many times during my career at so many different events and concerts.

In 2011, I was so lucky to have been able to tour alongside The Seekers together with André Rieu. It was an incredible experience for me to learn from them first hand and to sing together with them on stage. All four of them are so down to earth and such lovely, genuine people with hearts of gold.

This album is a salute to the four people who inspired me and gave me encouragement to continue my dream of being a singer. Together with David Cameron and Pete Dacey we have put our own spin on the songs that are so well loved by The Seekers.

This recording is in no way intended to replace the original recordings of The Seekers, but it is with respect that I sing their music and share it with my own wonderful fans and friends around the world.

So to Judith, Keith, Athol and Bruce, I salute you!”

– Mirusia

You can purchase checkout Mirusia’s Webpage, Facebook or listen to the album on Spotify or Apple Music

Mirusia – A Salute To The SeekersGeoff2019-06-17T15:23:57+10:00

Spotty Kites

Geoff2019-06-26T10:19:33+10:00

One of my first jobs that I did for ABC along time ago was for a series of Children’s CDs, those first 4 CDs ballooned in number over subsequent years. They are always an extremely enjoyable process to be a part of with carining, passionate people that form the creative basis for amazing musical products that introduce kids to the world of music. Donna Dyson and Craig Allister Young through Spotty Kites are continuing along that strong tradition of original Australian Children’s music. With some amazing vocal talent by Renae Suttie and Gregory Moore (along with some others) and players from the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, it was great to be able to mix and assemble this project.

Spotty Kites provides a fun, educational song library for infants and primary school children. Classroom and Music Teachers, Choir Directors and Parents all love Spotty Kite’s comprehensive resources.

Spotty Kites songs are featured daily on ABC KIDS LISTEN RADIO and KINDERLING RADIO and are internationally released through MGM Distribution.

You can check out their Spotty Kites, or enjoy some of the youtube videos below!

Spotty KitesGeoff2019-06-26T10:19:33+10:00

Eskimo Joe and Camerata

Geoff2019-06-17T15:38:16+10:00

Another great gig for Brisbane Festival – My first time working with Eskimo Joe and ably accompanied by Brisbane’s own Camerata. What a great rocking concert!

Iconic indie rock band Eskimo Joe rocks to the full backing of Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra. Over the past 21 years, Eskimo Joe has had its music released to great acclaim in the US, Canada, Europe and Korea.

With six studio albums and sales exceeding 750,000 in Australia alone, the band has seen three of its albums debut at Number 1 on the ARIA charts and has racked up an impressive 35 ARIA nominations.

Conducted by Vanessa Scammell, Eskimo Joe and Camerata will perform the band’s greatest hits, including “From the Sea”, “Black Fingernails, Red Wine” and “Foreign Land”.

Eskimo Joe and CamerataGeoff2019-06-17T15:38:16+10:00

Megan Washington and QSO

Geoff2019-06-20T17:02:46+10:00

Megan Washington has a voice that dances with, wraps around, skates across and creates instant melodies. The West Australian

★★★★½ – Don’t be on the wrong side of the history being made at these shows. The Sydney Morning Herald

With her feet once firmly rooted in jazz, Megan Washington burst onto the Australian music scene in 2008 with a unique and evolving approach to indie-pop and alternative rock.

The two-time ARIA Award-winner and multi-platinum selling artist and her band will join Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by John Foreman, performing her forthcoming album in full and a selection of favorites from her previous three.

Don’t miss one of the defining Australian female singers of our age in this magnificent orchestral collaboration.

It was great to work with Megan again after so many years providing the Orchestra Submix. I remember recording a song for Australia Post that Megan sang on while she was still at school. She was also a guest vocalist on the Blackwood CD that I recorded, with a beautifully engaging performance of Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered.

Megan Washington and QSOGeoff2019-06-20T17:02:46+10:00