As a Brisbane violin teacher, there is nothing that I love more than seeing local kids using their skills and talents for good in this world. I was of course thrilled to hear about a project that Mitchell Quinn, 13 year old cellist, conceived and embarked on several weeks ago. I first met Mitchell when his family invited my family over to their place for a barbecue. I had been giving viola lessons to his older sister, Tashi, who collaborated with Mitchell on the album, for a few months before I learned that they were both interested in and experimenting with electronic mediums on their instruments. I’ve had some experience with pick-ups and amps from my days of playing in a band in Seattle, and at that time I was quite fixated on getting a looping pedal to experiment with myself (which Cameron later gave me for my birthday!) Tashi told me during one lesson that both she and Mitchell just bought looping pedals, and that they were making music together. If you’re not familiar with what a looping pedal is, or how it works, read this Wikipedia entry http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_loop or watch this YouTube video of Mitchell playing at Woodford Folk Festival in the Chai Room. The barbecue was really just an excuse for us all to get together, play around with our electronic “toys”, and for Mitchell and Tashi to play some of the music they had been composing for me. I was really blown away at their creativity and the innovative ways that they were using their instruments and voices and combining them with their effects and looping pedals. They ROCKED!
Throughout the evening, the Quinns shared photos, stories and memorabilia with us about their travels in Pakistan. They first went when Mitchell was only 11 months old, and it was such an amazing cultural experience that they made an aim to return whenever they could. They subsequently went back in 2001, 2005, and 2008 to travel, hike, and visit friends that they had developed over the years. When Mitchell heard reports of the devastating floods in July of this year, he wanted to do whatever he could to help out. He then came up with the idea of creating an album that tells the story of the floods through his music, and donating 100% of the profit from sales of the CD to the Pakistan relief effort. Now, after countless hours of composing, practising, recording, building a website, and working on a myriad of other details, Mitchell’s dream is now a reality. The Floodlight Pakistan CD just came out and is now available for purchase!
Mitchell was featured on the ABC’s 612 AM Breakfast with Spencer Howson this morning, and he will be featured live in the studio on 4BC 1116AM this Friday, November 25 at 8:30 AM. Tune in!
Do yourself a favour and buy Mitchell’s brilliant new CD, and meanwhile contribute to the Pakistan relief effort. It’s a win-win. You can purchase it in physical or digital format on the Floodlight Pakistan website or you can purchase it from me at your next lesson (or at group class).
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