New Windmill Island Video

Produced by my friends at Black Lake Studio, the new Windmill Island Video, created for the city of Holland, MI, gives a fresh look at the iconic Holland landmark. I handled the VO recording, scoring, audio editing, and mixing. The talented Fred Stella lent his voice to the project, as did my buddy Ed Schief (local keyboard whiz). It turned out great, and will help educate visitors on the Windmill's history. A shorter version will be used to promote the island and the services it offers. Please enjoy the video!

Watch on Vimeo

Pro Tools 11

At the end of 2013 I made the big leap and went 64 bit. While there was a bit of a troubleshooting phase, Pro Tools 11 is now working great, and has offered tremendous upgrades in processing power, low latency recording, and the ability to handle tons of virtual instruments without grumbling (which is important for me). I'm am thrilled with the workflow enhancements and the extra muscle it has given my faithful Mac Pro as it ages. Hoping to put it to much good use in 2014!

Art Prize 2013 Entry

Art On Your Side is an original composition inspired by ArtPrize. In 2011 Writers David Purnell and Scott VanderSchel were involved in the production of a film documentary with ArtPrize as its subject matter. Scott commissioned David to write original music for the project. Inspired by the artists he connected with while working on the film; Scott wrote lyrics for one of David’s compositions which became the song “Art on Your Side”. They gathered fellow musicians to record the song for entry in ArtPrize 2013. Credits include: Written by David Purnell and Scott VanderSchel, Produced by Scott VanderSchel, Recorded and mixed by DP Creative Audio (David Purnel), Mastered by Jovo Filips, Guitar - David Purnell, Vocals - Curt Dykema, Vocals - Molly Noble Schief, Drums - Dave Carvalho, Bass - Steve Hamberg, Violin - Luke Panning. View on Vimeo

Been Busy...

Well, I've found that the busier I am, the worse at blogging I am. So much so, that I haven't updated my blog in over a year! I hope to elaborate in the future, but here is a short rundown of some of the projects that I've been busy with.



1) Josh Schicker's album, "Faith, The Poor, and Politics", which we tracked a year previous, was finally released. Josh is a fantastic singer/songwriter and it sounds amazing!

2) I produced some wonderful children's bible song demos for Elizabeth Kaufman (creator). Hoping to get them picked up and go into full production in the near future.

3) Fiddle Fire, a premier West Michigan bluegrass band, recorded their latest album at the studio during the fall of 2012 and the Spring of 2013. It was released in May and sounds fabulous!

4) New, upcoming indie/folk band "Spence and Friends" recorded their rookie EP with me during the spring of 2013. Great songs! Expect to hear more from this band as they get their name out there.

5) New music produced for the "Pure Ludington" ad campaign.

6) Fun, fan based Aquaman song written by Luke Daab, recorded during December of 2012 for the Aquaman "Fire and Water" podcast.

7) Original song in the works, co-written and co- produced by myself and Scott Vanderschel, for entry in the 2013 Art Prize contest in Grand Rapids, MI.

8) Original score and post work for Windmill Island in Holland, MI in the works right now.

9) A number of small, one off projects that have been a blast to work on.




Well, that a brief synopsis of what I've been working on. Fantastic projects, which were a pleasure to be a part of!

All the best,

Dave


Links to Bands- Check them out!

Josh Schicker

Fiddle Fire

Spence and Friends

TEDx Macatawa

I'm honored to be a part of the first ever TEDx Macatawa event in Holland, MI to be held on March 8, 2012. I will be one of the primary musicians performing in between speakers, along with local artist and friend Joel Tanis. In addition, I am serving on the entertainment committee for the event.

For those new to TED, it's mission statement begins: We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world. So we're building here a clearinghouse that offers free knowledge and inspiration from the world's most inspired thinkers, and also a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other.

Our theme this year is “Do More Good”. We have assembled local “Doing Leaders” to share their stories, ideas, hopes and dreams. It’s our belief that adventurous, passionate people are creating a collective “Good” in our community through the confluence of Technology, Entertainment and Design.

To find out more about the event and to order tickets click TEDx Holland

New Microphones

This December I gave myself a Christmas present of a stereo pair of Neumann KM184 microphones. They are awesome! I've very excited to start using them on my guitars and all manner of acoustic instrument. Here's a glowing customer review from Sweetwater's site.


"I have many, many mics in my collection and Neumann never seems to let me down. I have been using these mics extensively for several years now and when combined with a high end pre, I am never disapointed on guitars or brass. Amazingly fast yet warm transient response and no discernable coloration. When you want your accoustic to sound "real"... whether classical or steel string, use these mics". JLT Studios, Seatlle, WA

Resthaven Rehabilitation Commercial

I was hired this winter to write and record a theme for Resthaven Rehabilitation, in Holland, MI. As the project progressed, my duties grew to include producing the voice overs and to handle the video post production. I hope to offer more of these production services to my clients.

Pure Ludington WInter Commercial

Another quarterly rearrangement for the Ludington commercials.

Pure Ludington Fall Commercial #2

Here's the second version that is being aired this Fall.

Pure Ludington Fall Commercial #1

I've continued working with the the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Zie Group advertising firm on quarterly musical rearrangements of the original theme I composed for the "Pure Ludington" ad campaign. Here is the first Fall tv spot.

Art Prize Documentary

Working with Storming the Castle Pictures to score their upcoming documentary on ArtPrize, called Art is the Prize. ArtPrize is a radically open public art competition, hosted in Grand Rapids , MI. There is no formal jury, curator or judge, and it asks the public to vote and decide the winners using mobile devices and the internet. In ArtPrize 2010, more than 1,713 artists from 44 states and 21 countries participated in the unprecedented competition that awarded nearly $500,000 to the prize winners. Below is a link to an early clip featuring one of my songs.


Art is the Prize clip

"Yardsticks" Promo

Advertising veteran, Frank Blossom, contacted me to write a high energy score for a Yardsticks promotional video. Yardsticks is a college aged competition sponsored by the Polishing Center in Grand Rapids MI. Frank is co-founder of The Polishing Center, which introduces college advertising,marketing, and design students to top creatives in the area who they will workshop with and learn from.

For more info on Frank: click here
For more info on Yardsticks: click here

Ludington TV Commercial

I was hired to compose a theme for the city of Ludington, MI to use in their "Pure Ludington" ad campaign. I worked with the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Zie Group advertising firm on this cable tv spot. If you get a chance, take a trip to Ludington and find out for yourself what a treasure of the Midwest this town is.

Apogee Ensemble

Became the proud owner of a new Apogee Ensemble AD/DA convertor. It sounds great! Looking forward to using it on all of my new projects.



Here are a couple of reviewers comment...


The pre amps are crystal clear, transparent, perfect for vocals, acoustic guitar, drums, amp cabs, bass DI or cabs; the works.

All I can say about the Ensemble is WOW!!!!

In my opinion, this is the best all-in-one box on the market. You won't be disappointed!

Tracking Josh Schicker's latest album

Starting a fun collaborative project with a good friend, and a great singer/songwriter, Josh Schicker. After working with Josh on pre-production, we are starting to track his latest album. I am tracking the vocals, guitars, violins, etc, while another friend, and drummer extraordinaire, Danny Reyes, is tracking drums and bass. A third buddy, Dan Bos, is going to be mixing the project, out in LA. Josh has written some beautiful new songs for this album, and I'm thrilled to be an integral part of the creative process!


For more info about Josh: click here

Addy Awards 2011

It's that time of year again. Time for ad agencies across the country to enter their "best of the best". As a member of the AAFWM, I was busy this week taking in the events that culminated in the Addy Awards on Feb 24. As always, I am amazed at the creative talent that West Michigan possesses. For a full write up of the Addy's, follow the link to the Mlive.com news site.

Addy Awards

A Few Good Music Quotes

Music is what life sounds like. ~Eric Olson

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent. ~Victor Hugo

Music is the shorthand of emotion. ~Leo Tolstoy

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a blessed holiday season!

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
- Longfellow

MIchigan Film Festival 2010

The Michigan Film Fest 2010 is happening this weekend Nov 12-14. Founder, Jen Pider, described the event as "a celebration of Michigan made works and our Michigan film making community. We're hoping by displaying these Michigan made films and bringing all these film makers together and people who have worked on films together with film enthusiasts community it will just be a great networking event and make our community stronger." Organizers do not want to compete with the other 28 festivals in the state so instead of taking direct film submissions from movie makers they ask the other festivals to send in their best works. I will be performing at the Music Supervisor's Showcase, the evening of Nov. 13. Looking forward to it!

For more info, click here.

Michigan Film Fest 2010

It's now only a month away until the 2nd annual Michigan Film Fest. in downtown Grand Rapids, MI. Last year I was on a panel discussing music for film and this year I'm honored to be serving on a committee. It's shaping up to be a great event, with more films, more seminars, and more speakers. Of particular interest will be the Music Supervisors Showcase, where Michigan musicians will be showing off their songs for industry professionals. (Unfortunately, this will be a private portion of the fest, for industry professionals and not open to the general public.) If you are free Nov. 12-14 and near Grand Rapids, MI, consider taking in this entertaining and informative event.

For more details, click here.