Hey there!  I haven't been posting much here lately.  All my video stuff is over at www.happykidproductions.com, or vimeo.com/jaymiddaugh.  But there is news -- the kid's album that I've been teasing forever is coming out!  Here's a quick look at some concept art:

I recorded it at my friend Zane Whitfield's amazing North of Princess Studios -- an amazing creative space.  Shaun Weima from Ianspotting recorded the album and we mixed it together.  Shaun and Zane mastered it, and very soon it will be in commercial packaging and ready for your hungry hands!

Kid's Album Progress!

This is Peja, doing some overdub vocals on "Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner", one of the fast-paced rock and roll kid's songs on our new album.  I got the mixes back from their mastering session, and I think they sound really rad.  I can't wait to share them with everyone. . .  Miles still to go -- video production is going to ramp-up on the dvd that will come with the album.  Thanks for the patience, I promise the record/movie will be worth the wait!

Take care,

Jay.

I haven't forgotten you. Imaginary band that appears now and again and pretends. We have a show in May. It will be outside. You will come and dance your heart out. I will cheer your dancing. Details as they are presented to me.

Love,

Imaginary Jay.

Baking with Peja - Season 2 Premiere!

Baking with Peja Episode 2-1 from Jay Middaugh on Vimeo.

Video Production for Miss Emily. . .

Got a call on Wednesday from my friend Zane, who owns NOP studios, saying that one of his clients really wanted to shoot some in-studio web-content.  I got home from work, put the kids the bed, and had about 40 minutes before I had to be at basketball.  I got to the studio and met Miss Emily, and her producer and her manager.  They just wanted me to shoot her listening to playback and maybe show her doing a vocal take.  They were really nice to me and let me just shoot whatever I wanted (apparently, Baking with Peja inspires confidence. . .).  I think the video turned out pretty cool, Emily gives a really great performance.  Check it out:

Baking with Peja on CKWS. . .

Mixing sessions on the new record have continued.  It is coming along.  Be patient.  The new album is just part of a larger project, which will be a little while.  Christmas 2012.  There, I said it.  Christmas 2012.  That's not the project, it's just the release date.  Well, I guess Fall 2012.  There, I said it.  October?  November?  Who knows.  Fall is a long 1/4 of the year.  Time will tell.

In other news, our little baking show has been on the local CBC affiliate, CKWS.  What does that mean?  In the world of online video everything is on purpose.  People don't watch your stuff unless they somehow hear about it, click through to Vimeo (or watch embedded) and then they don't have to stick around unless they dig it.  Baking with Peja has had maybe 1500 views total in it's 6 episodes.  How many people watch the news?  I don't know, but I'm guessing a few more.  But they aren't the same people -- most people who watch the Live@5 intro news show probably have never even heard of Vimeo.

Peja and I went down to the station for the first airing.  Jessica and Bill (the hosts) were amazingly nice to Peja.  We got to watch them tape the show from comfortable chairs, and we got to sneak out while the next news show was shooting LIVE.

So, we gave them three episodes edited down (mostly editing me out, but their segments are 3 minutes, so we had to cut something).  The sales staff at CKWS is looking for a sponsor for the show.  The dollar amounts involved aren't huge, but getting paid for creative work -- creative work that we choose to do regardless of payment -- is pretty amazing.  If they can put together a sponsor arrangement, then season 2 will air on CKWS, and I'll have to start paying Peja.

Stay tuned.