End of year update 2024

Hello internet!
A few projects to tell you about that I’ve been working. Hope everyone is feeling good out there on the w’s.

The Truth About The Telegraph

Since April I have been working on some great projects with first nations creative agency Garuwa. My first project with them and one that is having its premiere screening next week is The Truth About The Telegraph. A really beautiful and resonant truth telling documentary directed by one of the Garuwa founders Kieran Satour (Baloch, Gurindji/Malngin, Pertame Arrernte and Worimi). The film The focuses on truth-telling of the overland telegraph line which ran from Darwin to Adelaide, and the impacts it had on the Kaytetye and Warumungu people. I created the score which feels quite organic and textural using lots of muted synths, a sampled waterphone, electric bass, guitar, and some cello which I’ve been dabbling in lately. The film was commissioned by The National Communications Museum which has recently opened in Hawthorn/Naarm.

There is an online screening next Tuesday which will be accompanied by a talk with Kieran and one of the storytellers/cast Joseph Jungarayi Williams (Warumungu). Register on the link. Kieran also spoke about the film on the excellent Banksia program on RRR.

Still images from The Truth About The Telegraph by Ryan Andrew Lee.

Yana Djamaga Ganji/Walk Good Fire - festival screenings

Still image from Yana Djamaga Ganji/Walk Good FIre. Image by Clancy Walker

Walk Good Fire, directed by Clancy Walker and Adam Nye has had a few great screenings, including in the UK at Wildscreen which is one of the biggest nature focused film festivals in the world. Check out the trailer here and keep your eyes peeled for more screenings.

Boogeyman- on Alter

Boogeyman, a film I scored for Gadunk Productions/Valentin Lang has recently premiered on Youtube horror channel Alter and has so far had over 70,000 views which is as insane as the film itself! This one is pretty much pure silliness in the man-eating plant horror sub genre, featuring a synthy score where I pay homage to some 90s horror vibes and even used the Korg M1 (IYKYK). Have a watch if you want to never want to look at house plants the same again.

Arkan and Irbela/Yamandirra

 I’ve worked on a few other great gallery/soundscape projects including Arkan & Irbela with Anaiwan artist Gabi Briggs. This work is a three channel video installation which I made the music and sound for. The work presents coded knowledge and stories from Briggs’ family history on Anaiwan Country, Northern New South Wales. I was fortunate enough to have access to a cassette taped field recording of Gabi’s family which we weaved through the soundscape. This show just finished at Westpace in Collingwood. Check out some images and more info here

Yamandirra was recently shown as part of ‘Keep the Fire Burning’ a First Nations exhibition in the Coal Loader in Waverton/Cammeraygal. The work is a visual performance of a poem by Nathan Mudyi Sentance shot in Super 8 and directed by Kieran Satour. The film features Nathan’s poem Yamandirra which means fire in Wiradjuri. Check out an interview on 2SER with them here

ANY OTHER NEWS?
Not really that much! A few other projects which you can peep my instagram for more frequent news and bread content.

Mid Year Update

MID YEAR CHECK IN AND NEWS - JULY 24

Hello friends and associates.

It’s been a while between metaphorical news drinks. I thought I’d update with some news and things I’ve been working on.

Yana Djamagi Ganji (Walk Good Fire)

I’ve been working in the documentary world a fair bit this year, starting in January with Yana Djamagi Ganji (Walk Good Fire). I wrote the original score and did sound design and mix on this. This is a feature documentary that takes a look at First Nations land practices with a focus on the Walbunja Rangers who are caring for country by reinstating traditional fire practices on Walbunja country, Yuin Nation in the South Coast of NSW. This film will Premiere at Far South Film festival next month. Directed by Clancy Walker and Adam Nye.

Tidal Kin

I was commissioned to make a soundscape for this show for Chau Chak Wing Museum, Sydney University. 'Tidal Kin' reclaims the stories of eight Pacific Islander visitors to Sydney during the 18th and 19th centuries. Alongside cultural objects, a soundscape of voices of present-day compatriots and descendants recount their ancestors’ stories in their own languages.

The Truth About The Telegraph and other news

I was commissioned to score, sound design and mix this documentary with Garuwa. The film is a truth telling documentary telling the story of the effects of the overland telegraph line on the Kaytetye and Warumungu people. This one is fresh, just wrapped. I started this one when I was a resident composer at Church Street Studios. Check them out, it’s a wonderful space full of talented humans helmed by Guy Gross

Earlier this year I started work teaching music composition and production at Naisda Dance College. This has been a steep and really rewarding learning curve, teaching dance students how to produce their own music. Naisda is a legendary First Nations institution which has been at the forefront of contemporary dance for over 50 years.

Oh and I’ve taken up the cello.

Thanks for reading. Drop me a line here if you want to do some work or need a recc for dinner.

Mountains in 2024

A big start to the year and a few things to look back at.

I just completed work on a feature documentary with directors Clancy Walker and Adam Nye which is about traditional fire practices of the Walbunja people and their caring for country around the Batemans Bay and South Coast of NSW. It was a pleasure to write music and do sound design as well as mix the project. I learned a lot about the traditions and country of that community, their advocacy for traditional burning practices and about their resilience after the black summer of 2019/2020. I also stayed at Clancy and his partner Ruby’s house at Plumwood Mountain which is a whole other story that involves legendary eco feminist and philospoher Val Plumwood. Basically it is an epic artist retreat in the mountains on Walbunja country. Can’t wait for people to see this film, but people will have to wait and cross their fingers for festivals. The score also features the didgeridoo and vocals of Walbunja man Roderick Slockee whom I had the pleasure of meeting and working with.

Plumwood Mountain

My little setup at Plumwood Mountain.

Roderick Slockee with Clancy Walker

I had my first release with Melodie Music who are a great independent music library based in Sydney. Check out the tracks and my page here. Thanks to them for having me on board.

Boogey Man had its international premier at Flickerfest where I joined some of the cast and filmmakers to watch under the stars in Bondi.

I’ve put a playlist of the music I made for ceramicists Magnolia Mountain up on my soundcloud. They used this music in their their film series Klaki, about their expedition to source materials and explore Iceland. Have a listen.

I also couldn’t write this without acknowledging the atrocities and ongoing genocide being committed by Israel in Palestine. It really is an unprecedented and horrifying display of misplaced power and violence. Please learn about it, protest if you can, donate where you can and keep talking about it.

News Spring '23

Ok so it’s become apparent that I’m not very good at writing news posts. But here is some news!

Recent projects include a sound installation for Tidal Kin at Chau Chak Wing Museum which opens 7th October. I’ve also completed sound design on a film for Mica Pictures which is still in post production as well as score for Boogeyman which is Valentin Lang’s directorial debut. Check the poster art above. Valentin co-wrote and starred as the clown Jacques in Domesticated which I scored a few years ago. I’m currently working on the score for a short called Lorikeet directed by Lincoln Vickery & Seamus Quinn.

I am also writing music and doing audio full time as I finished up my time as owner/operator at Fleetwood Macchiato after almost 11 years, handing the reigns solely to Tara Byrne. So plenty of surfing, cycling, baking, reading and time with the fam has ensued.

Mate on SBS On Demand and OST release/Good Times Bad Moon Out Now

Been a while between drinks here in the news zone. Apologies. Not that there hasn’t been news: ‘Mate’ is coming out November 22nd on Sbs On Demand so stay tuned for that. I’m also releasing the soundtrack on all streaming and digital platforms through Turktown Records. So go catch that wherever you stream your music. Oh and after doing the festival rounds and horror circuit- ‘Good Times Bad Moon’ is out now for you consumption go watch it! It features my score and a bunch of original music I wrote for the film, including a collaboration with rapper Frano Lastro AKA 22Francc.

'Domesticated' out now

Domesticated is out now - directed by Elle Harris, written by Elle Harris and Valentin Lang.
Original music by Jai Pyne.
Here’s episode 1- hit the youtube page to watch the whole thing

'Mate' wins Grand Prix, Best International Film, Clermont Film Festival

Very exciting news: ‘Mate’, a film I wrote music for has taken out the Grand Prix, Best International FIlm at the prestigious Clermont Film festival. Director George-Alex Nagle was at the festival with co-writer Daniel Corboy and producer Nick Bolton. The film played to a sold out cinema of over 800 people. Huge news. Thanks to the jury and the festival.
Hear some of the music and peep the trailer here, check out an interview with writer/director George-Alex Nagle

Hello 2022! 2021 wrap up! Flickerfest, Clermont, SPDP

Great way to start the year with two films I wrote music for ‘Good Times Bad Moon’ and ‘Alba’ playing as part of the offical selection for Flickerfest 2022, on home soil in Bondi. Also massive congrats to Mariella Solano the writer/director of Alba who took home the Flickerfest jury award for outstanding emerging female director.

In more good news ‘Mate’ is currently playing in competition at Clermont Film Festival which is the largest short film festival in the world. This week it played to a sold out crowd of over 800 people. Can’t wait to see it on the big screen in Aus.

Also the laurels keep rolling in for GTBM- including a nom for me for best music, as well as best production design and best horror film at Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival late last year.

Oh and way to bury the lead but in November my partner and I welcomed Sila Primo Dadak-Pyne into the world she’s now 12 weeks old and is the absolute best.

New single Get Together Make Some Noise

New original music by me. Check it out on Spotify below or any of your preferred digital platforms. Turn it up loud. Felt like we needed a good times song.

Alba- Official Selection Sydney Film Festival

Alba is part of the official selection for Sydney Film Festival 2021. Very exciting as it looks like we’ll be in cinemas in our home city for this one. Was wonderful to be part of the team.
Written and directed by Mariella S. Solano, produced by Taylor Venter, Julian Pertout- D.O.P, Edited by Tiffany Liu. Cast: Nathalie Santillana, Tom Wilson, José Luis Camarena. Trailer below which I also scored. .

Alba- Official Selection MIFF 2021.

Very exciting news ‘Alba,’ a film I worked on with writer/director Mariella S. Solano is part of the official selection and will premiere at Melbourne International Film festival.

Mate by George-Alex Nagle Trailer

Trailer for upcoming film Mate by George-Alex Nagle.
Directed by Geore-Alex Nagle, starring Joshua Brennan, Jeremy Blewitt.
Original music by Jai Pyne

Mate examines themes of masculinity, maturity, and the challenges of personal growth within a changing social landscape.

Domesticated Teaser

Teaser traier for ‘Domesticated’ a web series by Elle Harris and Valentin Lang. Music composed by me.

Narcifixion at Form Dance Projects

Form Dance Projects presents Narcifixion. At Riverside Theatre May 13-15.
NARCIFIXION is a dark and humorous work about narcissism written and performed by Anton and
Brianna Kell. Lighting by Steve Hendy, music by Jai Pyne.
Get tickets through Riverside Theatre

'Mate' by George-Alex Nagle

Really happy to come on board to write music for ‘Mate’ a short film by George-Alex Nagle.
The film examines themes of masculinity, maturity, and familial roles, as well as depression, stagnation and failure. But, ultimately questions the nature of personal change, choices and growth.

Prone To The Drone- on ABC iview

Prone To The Drone is now playing on ABC iview as part of their program for International Day of People With Disability.

Good Times Bad Moon

Very excited to be on board for ‘Good Times, Bad Moon’ Kristian Taylor-Wood’s first short film- a coming of age roller disco werewolf story.
I am writing the score alongside original songs for the film, collaborating with some great vocalists including Franc Blanco (AKA Frano Lastro who is also in the film).

Sendle

Recent sonic branding work for Sendle. Commisioned by Rolla Films and 72 and Sunny to write the audio logo for Sendle’s two web spots. Read more here.