Meet the talent behind the Oakland Originals “Opener”
When we asked local talents, David Murray (motion graphic artist) and Simon McCourt (composer), to create an Oakland Originals ‘opener‘ that reflects the spirit and energy of Oakland, we think they hit it out of the Coliseum! Their dynamic musical score and bold visual design weaves the series together and provides the perfect kick off. Find out what drives these two local artists…
profiles by Daniela Rible
MOTION GRAPHICS ARTIST – DAVE MURRAY
Dave has been working in motion graphics in the Bay Area for 25 years, initially as an art director at Video Arts digital media studio in San Francisco and currently through his own studio, Spectacular Opticals. Having studied experimental film in college, Dave found it exciting to apply many of his ideas using digital media, especially during the early years of computer graphics.
He co-directed, shot, and edited the comic documentary LIVERMORE, which aired on PBS’ Independent Lens in 2003.
An Oakland resident for eight years, Dave loves the diversity and strong cultural influences combined with the thriving art, restaurant and music scene in this city. He has played in about 30 bands over the years, including fiddle in The Squirrelly Stringband (often at a monthly North Oakland Square Dance he organizes), electric guitar in the rock band Skunk, and the Greek bouzouki in his band Disciples of Markos (at a monthly Balkan music series he runs at the Starry Plough called the Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal).
Dave first learned about Oakland Originals thanks to Jury duty. He and Jim ran into each other (they had worked together at Video Arts) while waiting to get called into the courtroom. Jim told him about the upcoming project, which peaked Dave’s interest, and a few weeks later Jim asked Dave if he would be interested in collaborating.
“It’s a great idea and fun to be able to contribute to Oakland Originals. There are so many potential people to feature as future Originals and endless opportunities to explore the full range of Oakland’s creative community,” said Dave.
Through his involvement in the music world, he appreciates the many opportunities to put on affordable and creative events in Oakland and the East Bay. He’s met musicians who play everything from African to Asian music and people from different parts of the world taking their music to the community and making it public.
But his passion for music doesn’t end there. Dave is also a world folk music record collector, music researcher and has released a few albums and sets of music based on old 78 rpm records, which he’s re-mastered, edited then released as historical reissues. He was nominated for a Grammy and won awards for his big four-CD set of Southeast Asian music project, “Longing for the Past: The 78 rpm Era in Southeast Asia.” (pictured)
Dave can be reached through his website at http://www.spectacularopticals.com/
COMPOSER – SIMON MCCOURT
Hobbyist musician by night and global sales director by day, Simon has been working with music in his spare time for years. He has composed and recorded numerous genres of music, released songs on iTunes and Amazon, has played in several bands and had been interested in composing music for film and television. A few years ago he won a songwriting contest in San Francisco after entering one of his compositions, which was then published on Beatport, a hub for electronic dance music.
A native of Ireland, Simon has been an Oakland resident for seven years. He describes the city as a hidden gem and loves the fact that an urban environment and a redwood forest can be so close to each other. Living in Oakland has given him a certain appreciation for diversity, with creativity playing a large role.
“Oakland means a lot more to me than I ever thought it would. There’s a certain quality in all of the people who I meet here and they have a view of the world that’s hard to put into words,” says Simon. “The integration and diversity feels more real here than it does for me anywhere else in the Bay Area.”
It was through soccer that Simon discovered Oakland Originals. Simon was coaching Producer Jim McSilver’s son’s soccer team years ago when Jim and Simon realized that they have a common interest. Soon afterwards, Jim offered Simon the opportunity to work on Oakland Originals and Simon could pursue his ambition of composing music for film.
Composing for Oakland Originals has been a huge learning experience for Simon. Little did he know that 15 seconds of music could be such a challenge, especially synchronizing it with the fast paced graphic and under a tight deadline.
In addition to the challenge, it’s also been a fun, educational experience; learning about the “Originals” themselves, their personalities and the creative people in Oakland. It wasn’t until Oakland Originals that he became fully aware of the extent of the local creative community.
Working on the project has reconnected him with his musical side and has helped him be productive again musically. He would love to his work with Oakland Originals to lead to new challenges on other projects.
Simon’s music can be heard at Electronica Tracks and Singer/Songwriter tracks
Watch the ‘opener’ here!