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A Simpler site... ..for simpler times!

 

FRESH VIDEO   GIGS COMING UP PAST PERFORMANCES
TUNES/MP3's 4U!  THE STUDIO FRESH PHOTOS
PRESS ABOUT ME (bio)  FILM PRODUCTIONS
 
News and Updates
WHAT'S UP WHAT'S DOWN WHAT'S IN WHAT'S OUT
New Musik
THIS IS WHERE IT'S AT BABY! HOT OFF THE PRESS!
Film Scores/Music Videos
ALWAYS PRODUCING!
Jam Sessions
A.K.A. THE BLOG OF EMBARRASSMENTS FOR ALL!

 

S.Sims-18-09-11
Played At Terry Fox Run!
   I must curb my enthusiasm for fear I might make a fool out of myself, but I must say this performance along with "The Jessica's" went flawlessly! The rain stopped,  the crowds gathered after the run and got into the groove,  and the stage atmosphere was relaxed and amazing at the same time!
  We alternated sets which gave a really great mix of music from my blues, to their folk, to my pop & dance, to their blue-grass styles. We all played together as well, 6 women on stage, which is a first for me. Compliments were hot & heavy and everyone left with a smile!
Photo's and Video will be coming soon. Thank you everyone, the weather gods, and especially The Jessica's & Jonelle for putting it all together!

S.Sims-17-08-11
Played At "Jam In The Park"
  What an evening! I started out playing during supper hour, then was joined by Peter & Jamie, then Doby, for another hour, then Dale & daughter and some others put on a fab performance of popular music. Once is got dark, my lights lit the stage and performers continued with us notorious 3 finishing up the show with a few of my tunes!
   This is the first big Island Jam on Texada, and there will be more I'm certain! Thanks to Georgia and crew for keeping up with the orders to stop tummies grumbling, and thanks to everyone who came despite the strong winds early on!
   There's quite a few photos, so that's going on a different page ;)

S.Sims-4-08-11
Played The Rockhounds Dinner-
           Van Anda Legion
  Spirits were high, and the annual meeting of rock hounds from all over BC was brought to a crescendo with a BBQ dinner at the Legion and me performing. Unfortunately the noise and acoustics were far less than ideal, so was a  real test of endurance for the evening. There was appreciative applause from the less noisy parts of the audience, even though I had an equipment malfunction during the more accompanied songs (Island Blues Dance Vers., In Ur Eyes etc) and realized that I'd forgotten to plug in the laptop (duh!) so it was trying to go into standby continuously once the batteries ran down!
"Texada" received the loudest applause, even though most of the crowd is off island.

S.Sims-17-07-11
Performed for Sandcastle Weekend
 
Originally the performance was to be the 16th of July just before the laser show, which would've merged nicely, but we were basically rained out. Miraculously it stopped just in time for the lasers (see video below) So my performance was  re-scheduled for the next day at the other park.
  It stopped raining and everyone came up from the sand castle competition on the beach to music, munchies, and a variety of vendors. The performance went well until I decided to crank things up as people were enjoying the beats, which in turn blew 2 speakers apart! Literally! I found later the rubber was partially rotted on them so have ordered replacements.
Hopefully they arrive in time for the August 17th "Jam In The Park"

S.Sims-12-06-11
Outdoor Performance-Gillies Bay
  Finally! 3 sets of 13 songs each, and lots of happy people. It's like a dream come true for me!
I played the same 13 songs in each set, but being at a market, people were coming and going constantly.
New song "Tick-Tock" was a hit! See video below.





 

S.Sims -19-10-11
 
There was a power cut and we were all sitting around with candles and cooking coffee on the Coleman, when, by coincidence, both Jamie & I wrote new songs. Mine is about a childhood friend and based on a real experience called "Single Serving Friend".  I performed it at the "Fly-in Volunteers Appreciation event last night on guitar, and it was received very well! I will post it on the site one of these days. Look in the Press section for that story, who knows maybe I was singing it when that photo was snapped.

S.Sims -10-09-11
 
A new song, more electro-pop sounding, has been getting "air" time in the studio over the past weeks. It's called "Be True", and it's designed to knock their socks off! It won't be performed this month, but perhaps in October sometime.
( Hopefully at night,  with the light show! )

S.Sims -22-06-11
  After tinkling a C#,Bb,Eb,& Ab progression as fill in the studio, I've finally got some lyrics to go with it. The song is called "Call Me" and is based on a last and on-going "love of my life" experience, with a comedic tone (excuse the pun) but for some reason it's fairly difficult to play so it won't be showing up in any live performances for a while!

S.Sims -26-05-11
  After an apparent dry spell, the reflective song "Lazy Day" is now in the pink songbook. I kept imagining Roger Hodgeson X of Supertramp doing it, does it show? It was part of an outdoor sound test for the neighborhood. Lazy Day Video

S.Sims -22-03-11
  Just finished writing "Power Outage" which is actually funnier than "Exercise Bike" a song I may never do live haha! (Add: I did! OMG!)

G.Hollingshead -04-02-11
 
"That should be on CBC radio right now!"
The song "Texada" was recorded a day after it was written, here it is in all it's beautiful imperfection. Texada

J.Nuotio -30-12-10
 
"Sure, you can do my tune!" Thanks Jamie!!
The song "Go with what you got" now adorns the soundtrack of The Big Sailboat Project Vol II performed by myself on piano with, okay old habits die hard, some pre-sequenced accompaniment.
 "I went with what I had! "

S.Sims -30-11-10
  Lately I have been on a creativity / writing binge! Waking up in the night to write "Sleep", venting anger with "Hey, hey!" and fantasizing about a certain lumberjack with "Firewood" or a day in the past with "If I Could Go Back". It's all good!





 

S.Sims-12-01-11
 
Any music that has been on the mixer board of late has completely been arrangements for the second volume, the last 5 episodes, of "The Big Sailboat Project" DVD series currently being carried by TheSailingChannel.TV, slated to air on PBS at an unknown-as-of yet date. Because each episode has music for 90% or more, and really it's pretty good stuff, I've decided to make compilations of each and will post them here.

*Unlike previous releases around the 'net and on dogmazic.fr, these aren't free to be used in your videos etc. but if you ask real nice, I can modify a section out to match your video, which is better anyway.

 
CG/Animation Videos
ALWAYS DESIGNING!

S.Sims-22-07-11
 
 Those guys have been putting some pretty weird animation ideas across the table, and I find myself making them reality. "Gnash" the dog, a metallic chromey looking creature, vicious to the soul, but cute as well, has begun his first moves. Also on the drawing board is "Ash", a robotic dragon that spits fire, "Mash" a rhino fellow, and several others, all hell bent on destroying cell phones, text pads, and other technologies that inhibit humans from actually "socializing" in person. Will it ever become a movie? Music video? Who knows, but it's fun to tweak this guys on a rainy day.

S.Sims-17-06-11
 
 Youtube is the perfect portal for showing off new animations & techniques. The first episode of "XET" the X-Extra-terrestrial was posted there quite a while ago, but every once in a while I get the urge to post a tutorial on something I've discovered that may help others.

At this time I'm on a rather limited bandwidth on this little island, but once things speed up here, more will be posted.

 





 

S.McCune-05-11-11
  
"When are we all gunna jam in your new studio?!?" Well, soon!
I've got to get out of work mode & performance mode, and back into "let's try this" mode. It's like shifting gears when you're zooming along with exhilaration, but not knowing what the next gear will be! 5th? 1st? Reverse? Haha OMG!
Have a small acoustical bug as well, but Shirley on the old gitter sounded pretty good from mission control! Yay!

S.Sims-16-08-11
   It was one of those sessions when you wish there was a recording device running! Wow did things ever click! What was the formula? Well, an early start for one, no bugs bugging us, and we were all in an exceptionally good mood with a bit of seriousness preceding the "big night".
  I'm making a note of that recipe...here!

S.Sims-18-05-11
   Big Jam! Jamie's two sons, both musicians, were both visiting, along with Peter, John, Jamie, and myself  (did I forget someone?) and we did 4 of *my* songs! It was awsome and sounded great! If only it had been recorded!
"Island Blues" turned into a 10 minute trip with me on the piano and mic, Jamie on harp, Peter on guitar, Mick on brushes, John Hollo on the electric, and Jason on bass. Yaaa!

S.Sims-18-01-11
  I played "Firewood" for the guys, and they quickly cued in on guitar. Wow! We're playing one of my songs! I also played it to my parents when we visited them 1200 miles from here, and my mom commented "I've never heard you sing like that before!" But then I've never had a $3 toy piano on my mom's kitchen table before!

S.Sims-12-01-11
 
A friend,  fellow musician, and neighbor, Jamie Nuotio (Edward Campfire fame) told me I should have at least 5 songs that I can perform live using minimal backup. So I've been getting back to the grass roots of my music experience and playing guitar and piano again.
No synths, sequencers, auto-accompaniment, FX, or pre-record's, just me and the instrument.    Quite a change, but with all this practice, I can confidently perform in front of others, and have fun jamming with the guys in weekly jam sessions. In past days jamming with a band terrified me, but now it's just great fun! And that's what it's all about.

 

S.Sims-18-03-11
Powell River Compilation CD
 
My new song "Texada" has been recorded and entered to be added to a compilation CD of Powell River artists. But now in hindsight, entering a song about an island that is *not* Powell River or about Powell River was probably a bad idea! Ooops!
  Oh well, at least I got to go into a recording studio! Cool.

S.Sims-15-03-11
The blues experiment
  For the past few months I have been steadily taking notes and learning the art of the blues, from one of the best blues musicians I've ever seen.
We jam together weekly, and I've learned so much!
 The time is almost nigh to begin the scientific blues experiment. Merging blues with electronica and house/dance with a dash of world music!
 This of course must be performed live as well. A tall order, but the need for eclecticism is strong!

S.Sims-14-02-11
The Valentines Bash
 My first ever for-real, on-stage-on-my-own performance went very well! The 3 days of nervousness before & after were worth it! There's nothing like performing new songs in front of total strangers! (See videos below.)

More....


 
On The Platter
Ideas, possibilities, dreams

S.Sims-11-09-11
 
 No way! ....Way! I want to do a Christmas performance this year, with real Christmas songs, and Christmas lights. Problem is the venu hasn't knocked down my door or rang my phone yet.
  If you are such a venu, give me a buzz, or an email, or a bright star in yonder sky. Ok maybe it's a bit soon, but hey, I need to start practicing!

 



 

 
F.N.M. Indie Label
IT'S DEFINITELY COMING!

S.Sims-17-06-11
 
 Now we are located in one of the most musically diverse areas of Canada, we often have  the opportunity to schmooze with many talented and well-learned artists. Many we have met have never had exposure beyond the Sunshine Coast, where I have the contacts and know-how to get the ball rolling on the web and beyond.


   Starting an indie label seems a logical next step! I already know it's a lot of work having worked with Solarise Records on a first name basis, but I think I could handle it.

Trying to drag people into my tiny studio is another issue all together, so my partner Gena and I have started (just yesterday!) building a new, large studio in back of the house. With easy access (mine is presently 2 sets of ladders), it'll be much better to carry equipment in, and roomier too!

  If you have some suggestions, reality checks, comments, or are interested (and preferably in the Texada area) Contact Us



 
 

 

 

  FRESH VIDEO
Here's some music videos ready for Much Music Awards!
 
   
Texada music video by S.Sims Instruments of My Destruction animated music video by S.Sims
   
I Love to Kick S.Sims/Fevertech Sirens Mix The Light Show!

 

 


 


 

  PERFORMANCES
Live Performances of some more recent tunes
 
 
A Videoclip of The Terry Fox Run performance  
Here's some snippits' from the Sand Castle Weekend July 17 Rockhounds Legion BBQ Aug.4
 
TICK-TOCK: Sunshine, a nice breeze, and a good setup. What more is there?? LAZY DAYS: Could you guys hear me? How far? A mile? Cool!
   
IF I COULD GO BACK: My first ever public performance, heartbeat=150 bpm! TEXADA: Proudly singing Texada, it *is* our island home now!
   
   

 


 

 

 

  MP3 DOWNLOADS
Download them, pass them around!
 
   

What U Got
Written by Jamie Nuotio,
interpreted by Sandrine Sims

 

 

Texada
The studio version, written by Sandrine Sims
About our lovely island.

 

Gitter-Harmon
Just goofin' around with a harp, guitar,
 and piano in the studio.
   

 

   
  PAST ALBUMS - FLASHBACK!
My Trance/Dance/Techno past
 

 

 

       

 


 

  -PHOTOS-
Some pictures with me in them.
( A rarity! )
 

The Small Studio in January 2011


The Small Stage Setup, me singin', lotsa happy faces!
( Loud! Blew out 2 speakers! )

 


Loud, like a saloon, but there was a party atmosphere which made the evening go more smoothly!

Aug 17:The very first "Jam In The Park" featuring myself & Jamie, Peter Locke, Doby, Dale, Chelsea, and many others! Photos
   
September 18th 2011: Performimg with The Jessica's to liven up the Terry Fox Run!

 


 

  -GIGS / COMING UP-
Where will I be? If I know, I'll let you know here!
 
Fresh Nelly AKA Sandrine Sims Coming Soon!
~2011~
June
June 12th 2011 - Gillies Bay BC
                        Thanks Julinn!  That was fun!
July
July 16th 2011 - Shelter Point Texada 8PM
Thanks to Elayne for the last minute changes!

 

August
August 4th 2011  6PM (BC _RH_only)
Thankyou for all those compliments, you guys Rock!!
August 17th 2011 -Shelter Point Park 5 PM
---JAM IN THE PARK---
 Jamie Nuotio, Myself, and many other local talents showed for this newly contrived festival on the rock! Could this be the start of something big? We think so! Thankyou everyone!

 

September
Terry Fox Run 2011

Sunday September 18th - Texada Gillies Bay
As the run comes to an end, noon hour will kick off the festivities at the GB ballpark. I will be hosting and performing along with The Jessicas. See you all there!

Sunday September 25th - Texada Gillies Bay
 Farmers Market! See you all next year!!

Saturday Oct 15th - Flyin appr. Party
Thank you everyone, you're too kind!

 


 

  -PRESS-
Fresh Newspaper Releases, Write-ups, Mentions
Click over to zoom in
 
   
 
 

 

 


 

  -THE STUDIO/ HARDWARE-
What's new in the studio? What's the equipment?
 
Upon moving off the boat, I decided to build a whole new studio, and leave the boat studio as is. That way, I if I feel the urge, I can still lay down some tracks while sitting happily at some isolated anchorage.
The latest addition to the stage arsenal, besides yet another mic stand, is a home-built stage lighting controller. I am keeping it small-ish for now, with 12 dimmer controllers, all running off MIDI so sequencing can be automatic along with whichever piece I am playing. It's still under construction, but should be basically operational by the 17th Aug. (I hope) I'll post more when it's done ;)
The main mixer for studio and road, is this Phonic Helix 18 MK II I scored on Ebay, and the main MIDI controller surface is this UC-33 Evolution. They fit nicely into this fold-out table case I glued some foam into.

The Sweet16 MIDI controller I designed a few years back, still earn a place on the rack with some unique MIDI conversion features still not in any hardware I know of. I still haven't found a suitable road case for the Kawaii X-150D, so it must be handled with care.

I have found using a keyboard stand off to one side when on stage allows people to actually "see" me, instead of being behind all the stuff! Some people thought my music was somebody just playing "canned" music. Ug! (...that could be a compliment right?)

The cheapo keyboard, that I use for vocoder/filter/step control is a Casio CTK700, and the only reason it's here is because it has midi...it's awful sounding!  
I've been working on a lighting controller, or DMX controller if you will. It's been an ongoing project collecting everything up from second hand stores, and the scrap yard, but it's really beginning to take shape!  There's a page specifically for that if you're interested. I've named it the "Light-Sixteen" keeping the "16" tradition from the sweet 16 MIDI controller. Plus it has 16 light controls, from floods, to spots, to LED strobes, a dual follow spot, even a laser!
 
This video shows some of the lights on the floor etc. controlled by the same sequencer that is playing the music (just a tune I did for the lights, not for the music, in case you're being critical hehe!)

Can't wait to finish the stand!


3D test layout of lightshow
A RockBand Drumset to MIDI Hardware Hack!  
Back in the "old" days, I had a real set of drums, some Diamonds, and used to play almost daily. But as time went on, the opportunity to play them became less and less.

So a really  cheap set of used V-Drums made from "RockBand" toy drums, modified, MIDI-fied, and Fresh-ened up, will be the new set in the studio.

Follow the next project on the slab (like I'm not busy enough already right?) here.

 

The New Studio!


Finally the day day to move into the new studio has arrived! It seemed a long time coming, but it's only been a couple of months since we put up the first frame.
Of course I've been waiting for this all my life! Quite a change from the "fold-out" studio on the boat,
..and the 3rd floor studio was so small you had to twist your neck to get behind the keyboards. Now I can wave my arms in the air, wow!

   
  The acoustics are still in need of work, but the shape gives the room more of a ambient reverb than a hard slap-back, which is almost preferred. There won't be any more furniture other than a few chairs going in here, which won't do much for reduction. There will be a throw rug though, which, if the sound is bouncing the way I think it is, should cut it back some.

I painted the floor with some glossy grey urethane we acquired free at a garage sale,  but the color doesn't do much for the light show and tends to reflect both light and sound quite a bit. Hence the throw rug.

It's big and spacious enough to jam with several people, so if you're in the mood...!

The rig is somewhat dwarfed by the size of the room, and isn't used this way in performances, but it's really comfortable to reach for all the controls

                 


                                                             "Mission Control...."

   I've been able to hook up the the  big Peavey monitors my neighbor Jamie gave me, along with my old $5 JVC's, so it really rocks in here if I want it to!

Now it's time to get back to writing tunes and laying out some tracks for that new album!

   

 


 

 

  -Film Productions-
What's been released by Fresh Nelly Musik?
 
   

The Big Sailboat Project Vol.I & Vol.II

A 10 part series, completed in 2011, about our
experiences building a 45 foot offshore
cruising sailboat!


DVD's available at filmbaby.com
Downloads available at
www.thesailingchannel.tv
www.thebigsailboatproject.com

 

 
   
     

 

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...starting over

This Page is under construction, thankyou for being patient! November 12th, 2011
Webmaster Sandrine Sims, Video Gena Hollingshead
Thanks to Jamie Nuotio & Peter Locke for all the wonderful new inspirations

Contact Us

(C) FRESH NELLY MUSIK 2011