Umbrello Artist: 14 Hour Technicolour Dream: The Virtual Band
Part of the "Mod Prog" series from Umbrello Music Entertainment
Artist: 14 Hour Technicolour Dream: V-Band
Title: The creation of Reasons & Rituals
Label: Umbrello
Format: Video On Demand
Genre: Mod Prog
Released: January 15, 2009
14 Hour Technicolour Dream: The Virtual Band was conceived by The Syn's founding member Steve
Nardelli, and Steve Sikes-Nova, vocalist and creator of The Syn's official fan forum at
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/14Hour/
("Spirited Syn Discussion Since 2005").
It became clear to Steve Nardelli that there was a large number of musicians on The Syn forum and the
concept came about that he would create a new song for the forum musicians to develop as part of a
virtual band concept. This would be developed in parallel with the recording of the new Syn album, Big
Sky, creating a unique relationship between a band and its fans.
The basic idea was to take an emerging technology where musicians across the world are able to
collaborate over long distances and take it to the next level. While there have been many virtual songs
created over the last few years, there has not been up until now - a project such as this where 1) the virtual
participants, mostly amateur musicians, meet in real time in a professional, state-of-the-art studio setting
to lay down the melodies and vocals over the virtually-created rhythm track, and 2) well-known
musicians (here Steve Nardelli of The Syn and Brett Kull of Echolyn) collaborate with members of their
fan base to create great new music.
The result of this first collaboration is "Reasons & Rituals" (Nardelli), Umbrello Records, 2008.
14 Hour Technicolour Dream V-Band members
From left to right kneeling: Cary Clouser, Brett Kull;
Left to right standing: Kelly Child, Steve Nardelli, Steve Nicholas, Steve Sikes-Nova.
Participants both virtually and/or physically were:
Steve Nardelli (London, New York) - song writer; lead vocals; vision
Steve Sikes-Nova (Virginia) - lead vocals; Executive Producer
Kevin Still (Pennsylvania) - bass, guitar, keyboards;pre-production
Cary Clouser (Canada) - flute, harmony vocals
Steve Nicholas (Connecticut) - keyboards
Kelly Child (California) - drums
Special Guest Musician, Engineer & Producer: Brett Kull (Echolyn & The Syn touring band)
THE FUTURE:
Steve Nardelli envisions Umbrello's "Mod Prog" series to encompass multi-media,fashion, art, music, and
intensive fanbase/band interaction in a cutting-edge way that will develop in both breadth and complexity
over time.
The 14 Hour V-Band will be a fluid group of amateur, semi-professional, and professional musicians who
are members of The Syn's official discussion group
(http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/14Hour/)
Steve Nardelli will write the songs and Steve Sikes-Nova, as Executive Producer, will coordinate the
project overall both musically and logistically. There are already two more V-Band projects under
consideration!
IN SUMMARY:
Both Steve Nardelli and Steve Sikes-Nova visualize this unique project as where music is headed in the
new millenium. So "Stay Mod...and Stay Tuned!"; there is much excitement to come!
Steve Sikes-Nova
Executive Producer, 14 Hour Technicolour Dream: The V-Band and Senior Media Consultant, Umbrello Music
Entertainment, LLC
