The Wisdom of Tyler Conta

Demo Reel 2014

2014-10-17T20:32:00.000-04:00

A while ago I updated my resume and my demo reel. I've even been touching up my portfolio with some new photos, graphic designs, and even some shots of recent work that's been published. Yet, for some reason (working 60+ hours a week) I have yet to share it on the interwebs via my website. Life updates will come soon. The resume will come later, the portfolio will come later, so for now just enjoy my video demo reel!

Tyler M. Conta Video Demo Reel 2014 from Tyler Conta on Vimeo.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Big Meadow Sessions // Splendid Suns

2013-10-14T11:25:00.000-04:00

I love music. I love video. I wanted to find a fun way to combine these 2 loves other than trying to create the typical music videos you see on TV...or at least used to see on TV. I mentioned it to a few friends who have some of the same passions, they started talking, and together we came up with a great idea.

That idea is the Big Meadow Sessions.

Big Meadow Sessions started in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where we all met each other. "Shenandoah" is the Iroquois word for "Big Meadow" so the name is a perfect way to tell some about us while giving tribute to an amazing place. Big Meadow Sessions has now created the seventh video in a series of videos. Please enjoy the video and the music.

Not long ago we did the 9th episode, featuring The Dream Machine performing live, and I started getting excited to hit double digits on the next episode. This episode of Big Meadow Sessions was released a little over month ago and it took off! In only a few days we had over 800 views, for good reason too. This band is amazing, their song is so catchy and perfect for acoustic, and Style Weekly gave a little extra boost. Style Weekly did an article on the Big Meadow Sessions, Tyler, Splendid Suns, and local music, which was released the day the video premiered too. Though I think I look ridiculous in that awkward photo in the article, it's still a fantastic feeling to be recognized in this way. This episode features the ever-so talented Splendid Suns, using some harmonizing vocals, trumpet, drums, acoustic guitar, and upright bass to lay down a fantastic track. We shot this video in Richmond, about an hour before the band had a show to play, and they nailed it here and at the show.

Enjoy Episode #10 of Big Meadow Sessions.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Big Meadow Sessions // Nelly Kate

2012-09-28T00:26:00.001-04:00

That idea is the Big Meadow Sessions.

This episode of Big Meadow Sessions was released a few months ago, and it as definitely one of my favorite shoot days EVER! Taylor and I got together with our cameras and gear, met up with Wes Swing and Nelly Kate, and shot 2 episodes in a day. This episode features the incredible Nelly Kate using a looping pedal, vocals, and some cello from Wes to create a hauntingly beautiful track. We set up and shot this video in their friend's place, in what used to be an old barbershop, but currently it is being converted to a bakery. Well, for us that day it was a stage for some incredible live performances.

Enjoy Episode #8 of Big Meadow Sessions.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Boxwave - Broad Street Grease

2012-05-03T20:39:00.000-04:00

A few months ago I did a photo shoot with an incredibly unique and insanely talented local Richmond band. We went to the top of a parking deck that has a FANTASTIC view of downtown Richmond and shot some photos for their promotional purposes. They've used them for flyers, Facebook, press kits, and also for part of their brand new album, showing the band together. I even did a few videos of these guys a little while before that, as they performed a live show downtown. Now, they have released their first album together, an instrumental duo of bass and cajon (box) that is something you have not heard before but you will definitely love. John (bass) and Brad (cajon) are a couple of great guys who make some great music and were kind enough to ask me to do just one more photo shoot for them: their album cover.

"Broad Street Grease" by Boxwave was released in early April and is a fantastic album that will keep your head bobbing and your feet tapping the whole time you're listening. So get check out Boxwave here or download their album on Amazon or iTunes.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Big Meadow Sessions // Wes Swing

2012-04-22T11:47:00.000-04:00

That idea is the Big Meadow Sessions.

This episode of Big Meadow Sessions was also released a couple of months ago, and it as definitely one of my favorite shoot days EVER! Taylor and I got together with our cameras and gear, met up with Wes Swing and Nelly Kate, and shot 2 episodes in a day. This episode features the amazing Wes Swing playing a tune of his from his "Through A Fogged Glass" album using a looping pedal, mandolin, cello, his vocals, and some incredible creativity. We set up and shot this video in their friend's place in what used to be an old barbershop but which is currently being converted to a bakery. Well, for us that day it was a stage for some incredible live performances.

Enjoy Episode #7 ofBig Meadow Sessions.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Big Meadow Sessions // Cocaine Mortgage

2012-04-17T00:33:00.008-04:00

That idea is the Big Meadow Sessions.

Big Meadow Sessions started in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where we all met each other. "Shenandoah" is the Iroquois word for "Big Meadow" so the name is a perfect way to tell some about us while giving tribute to an amazing place. Big Meadow Sessions has now created the sixth video in a series of videos. Please enjoy the video and the music.

This episode of Big Meadow Sessions was released a couple of months ago, it got a great response from the viewers, went up on a few sites, but now it's time to add it to the website! Cocaine Mortgage is a DJ collective consisting of multiple artists whose bases of operation are in NYC, Chicago, DC, while still playing in other big cities as well. For this video the whole gang got together in Harrisonburg, VA for a Homecoming Reunion show at Clementine. It was a sold out crowd, just like last year. The night was crazy...absolutely crazy...all thanks to the music and beats of the incredible Cocaine Mortgage.

Enjoy Episode #6 of Big Meadow Sessions.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 3/11/12

2012-03-11T22:24:00.002-04:00

Here's yet another Song of the Moment tune. This one comes from a band who recently put out their 4th EP in 3 years. This most recent EP was released on Valentine's Day and this tune comes from it. I recently heard this song paired with a video for a 5k that I'm going to run soon in July in Richmond and I CANNOT wait to run it and take video/photos while I run it...just be patient...you'll see it when I'm done. Anyways, here's the song. It's a good one. Enjoy!

Song of the Moment 3/11/12
On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 3/10/12

2012-03-10T16:33:00.003-05:00

I've been rocking out to this song for several months but I haven't made it a SotM song. Sorry about that. Here it is now.

This track comes from a talented young guy from Scotland from all the way back in late 2006. It's a cool song because it's a true story and personal experience of Paolo Nutini. He was dating an older woman but one day when we finally admitted he was only 18 she told him it wouldn't work because he was too young. Women.

Now enjoy this tune that for some reason YouTube refused to let me embed so here's the link:

Song of the Moment 3/10/12
Jenny Don't Be Hasty by Paolo Nutini

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 2/29/12

2012-02-29T17:19:00.007-05:00

Happy Leap Day everyone! Or if you don't celebrate this pagan holiday celebration of Leap Day William...then happy February 29th.

This tune comes from a NYC artist that I first heard last February 14th with "Flying Overseas", was amazed by him, but didn't give him a Song of the Moment tune for some odd reason. I love almost all of his stuff and if you haven't listened to his stuff before you definitely need to check him out. So here he is, an artist that I think is absolutely going to blow up soon, so check it now!

Song of the Moment 2/29/12
Why Even Try by Theophilus London ft. Sara Quin

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 2/28/12

2012-02-28T14:11:00.002-05:00

When I first heard this song several weeks ago I honestly thought it was Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros coming out with something new. I listened a little closer and could tell it wasn't them. I HAD to know who it was. I'm glad I figured it out because this band RULES. This song comes from an Icelandic folk band that released this song in the US a month ago and it's been doing quite well. So, if you haven't heard this song...just click play. Enjoy today's SotM!

Song of the Moment 2/28/12
Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 2/26/12

2012-02-26T13:27:00.002-05:00

Here's another tune for you music lovers out there.

My last Song of the Moment jam ("Don't Stop") was in September and was released as a single by this band in January of this year...it's a great song so don't be afraid to look in the blog archives for it. But this band's first single was released in 2010 yet didn't really hit big until early-ish in 2011 and was one of the most overplayed songs of the year. It's a good song but WOW I couldn't stand to hear it for a while there. This song of theirs is another great tune, with a weird music video, and I hope you appreciate it for not being "Pumped Up Kicks." You're welcome.

Song of the Moment 2/25/12
Helena Beat by Foster the People

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 2/25/12

2012-02-25T02:09:00.002-05:00

My dear friends,
I apologize for the long time it's been since I have posted about music. I've been blogging a decent amount recently but it's mostly been about my recent photo and video works. I was really trying to make my website look more professional and all that but I'm going to be redoing my website soon enough to allow me to blog about whatever I want AND also have posts about my video/photo work. So enough talking...welcome back to the Song of the Moment!

This tune comes from a talented musician that I knew nothing about until a couple months ago. Check out this song from his August 2011 album. Enjoy!

Song of the Moment 2/25/12
Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye (ft. Kimbra)

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Recently Published Photos & More

2012-01-21T13:16:00.007-05:00

Here are just a few images of my recent work, published online for RVA Magazine, published in print for an ad for the Tobacco Company, and more :

To see the whole post for Open Stage Night click HERE

To see the whole post for Richmond Music Review click HERE

And then I got a photo published in print, used for an ad, for the Tobacco Company Restaurant in Richmond, VA

Other than that, my photos have recently been used for Christmas cards (BEAUTIFUL family), a photo contest (WINNER), and upcoming save-the-dates for a wedding! I hope you enjoy my photo work, thanks for checking it out!

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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TEASER // BMS with Cocaine Mortgage

2012-01-20T13:04:00.001-05:00

Since October this video has been in the works. It's a lengthy process to edit certain videos and this one needed some time to get everything just right. It's SO close to done now, just need to run it by the rest of the team, and the artists themselves, and then it's good to go! So for now we decided to make a short teaser video, sort of like a movie trailer, just showing you what you need to get ready for with episode 6 of the Big Meadow Sessions. Check it. Cocaine Mortgage TEASER video for their episode of Big Meadow Sessions. Enjoy.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Clay Everett Longboarding

2012-01-19T12:44:00.001-05:00

Recently, I was contacted by a great friend of mine saying that his brother is a talented longboarder. They said they wanted to make a video of him, possibly see about sponsorship, and be able to showcase his skills and abilities. So, we got together, planned out a budget and the timeline, and filmed this fantastic video in multiple locations. It's got a story behind it, a search for the perfect place to longboard, following him the whole way on his journey. Enjoy this video of the incredibly skilled Clay Everett longboarding.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Big Meadow Sessions // Jeff Spain Jr.

2012-01-18T14:33:00.004-05:00

That idea is the Big Meadow Sessions.

Big Meadow Sessions started in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where we all met each other. "Shenandoah" is the Iroquois word for "Big Meadow" so the name is a perfect way to tell some about us while giving tribute to an amazing place. Big Meadow Sessions has now created the fifth video in a series of videos. Please enjoy the video and the music.

Meeting Jeff Spain Jr. happened exactly the same as it did for our last band, Boxwave. In October I met a few great people while I was in downtown Richmond. They all had a love for music, art, and Richmond itself. That night I took a few photos of some of the musicians playing on stage and talked to some of them afterwards about their music. Jeff Spain Jr. really stuck out to me due to his powerful vocals and simplistically beautiful guitar playing in certain songs. Jeff is an incredibly skilled musician, a great guy to be around, and was a great person to shoot this video with. His laid back attitude, coupled with his passion for music make this one of my favorite episodes. He even toughed it out and played when it was about 40 degrees outside, in December, in Richmond, in some crazy back alley in Carytown. What a trooper...thanks Jeff! Now go ahead and check out the new video. Enjoy Episode #5 of Big Meadow Sessions.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Big Meadow Sessions // Boxwave

2011-11-14T14:59:00.005-05:00

That idea is the Big Meadow Sessions.

Big Meadow Sessions started in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where we all met each other. "Shenandoah" is the Iroquois word for "Big Meadow" so the name is a perfect way to tell some about us while giving tribute to an amazing place. Big Meadow Sessions has now created the fourth video in a series of videos. Please enjoy the video and the music.

About a month ago I met a few great people while I was in downtown Richmond. They all had a love for music, art, and Richmond itself. That night I took a few photos of some of the musicians playing on stage and talked to some of them afterwards about their music. Of the few artists that really stuck out to me, one of them was a relatively new band named Boxwave. John Mustachio and Brad Ellsworth compromise the band Boxwave, playing amazing instrumental tunes with bass and box to create an incredibly unique sound. It was amazingly fun to film these guys playing a live set and I enjoyed every second of it. Enjoy Episode #4 of Big Meadow Sessions.

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Recent Photo Work

2011-10-31T20:40:00.008-04:00

Over the last few weeks several of my photos have been lucky enough to be put online. RVA Magazine published a few on their website 2 weeks in a row, and recently Mojo's in Richmond had me take some photos of their karaoke night and those are up on their Facebook to advertise for upcoming karaoke nights. Below are the links to the RVA Mag website that has my photos displayed if you'd like to see. But even further below that I've decided to put up a few of the photos I've taken recently to show you all what I can do and what I've been up to. Enjoy!

RVA Mag Oct 12, 2011

RVA Mag Oct 19, 2011

Photos from Cafe Diem's Open Stage Night and Mojo's Karaoke Night:

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Big Meadow Sessions // Jeremy Cowgill

2011-10-11T10:19:00.007-04:00

That idea is the Big Meadow Sessions.

Big Meadow Sessions started in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, where we all met each other. "Shenandoah" is the Iroquois word for "Big Meadow" so the name is a perfect way to tell some about us while giving tribute to an amazing place. Big Meadow Sessions has now created the third video in a series of videos. Please enjoy the video and the music.

Not long ago, I went through Winchester, VA with my good friend Jess for another episode of the Big Meadow Sessions. We got together with an artist who was recommended to us, a guy named Jeremy Cowgill. He's a great musician, a great guy, and was great to work with on this video. We filmed on the downtown pedestrian mall in Winchester as Jeremy played a new version of an older song of his. It was a great day of filming and we've been able to produce this great video from that day that we hope you like. We even got written up in a Winchester magazine, explaining the Big Meadow Sessions, us as individuals, our love of music, and more. Enjoy Episode #3 of Big Meadow Sessions and please enjoy the 'Chester Magazine article about us as well.

Jeremy Cowgill performs "Moonlight Stroll" (YouTube)
Jeremy Cowgill performs "Moonlight Stroll" (Vimeo)

Big Meadow Sessions in 'Chester Magazine

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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JMU LOVE

2011-09-10T16:37:00.007-04:00

Hello friends! Earlier this week, something amazing was revealed to the world. Some of you may not care that much. To those of you who are JMU students, JMU alums, seek that culture of involvement that is so strong at JMU, or want to give back to a school which has given so much to you...then you will most definitely care.

JMU LOVE stands for Leaders Of Volunteer Engagement, and their website explains in detail what it is that they do, and how it is that you can help. Over the past few months, I worked closely with the JMU Alumni Association in helping to film and edit a video that promoted JMU LOVE, caught the viewer's attention, filled them in just enough, and encouraged them to get involved and visit the JMU LOVE website. So, if you have interest in my video work, JMU, JMU LOVE, volunteering, or the colors purple and gold...then check this out!

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 9/5/11

2011-09-05T20:15:00.002-04:00

Happy Labor Day. DO WORK!

Sorry for the time between posts...I've been busy. Here for you now is a song by a great band that my friend Alyssa is going to see the end of this month in RVA. I've used a song of theirs ("Pumped Up Kicks") in the past that has probably become the most overplayed song I've heard all year. It's pretty rough. So that killed my favorite song without a doubt. Here's my second favorite. Enjoy!

Song of the Moment 9/5/11
Don't Stop (Color on the Walls) by Foster the People

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Vids for the Kids: 8/24/11

2011-08-24T21:25:00.001-04:00

I haven't posted anything about funny videos for a while. I apologize. But, for your viewing pleasure I now have a Japanese video for McDonald's. In case you were wondering....yes...yes it IS ridiculous.

Vids for the Kids 8/24/11

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 8/18/11

2011-08-18T12:12:00.003-04:00

Here's a quick trio of songs by Band of Horses that I've been meaning to blog about for a while. 2 songs come from their 2006 album and 1 comes from their 2010 album and that track was released as a single in February of this year and I fell in love all over again. So I hope you all enjoy too!

Song of the Moment 8/18/11
The Funeral by Band of Horses

Song of the Moment 8/18/11
I Go To the Barn Because I Like The

Song of the Moment 8/18/11
Dilly by Band of Horses

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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SotM: 8/8/11

2011-08-08T16:55:00.001-04:00

August's first Song of the Moment is a great one. It has an awesome folksy instrumentation with amazing vocals to boot. I hope you all enjoy this track as much as I do!

Song of the Moment 8/8/11
Come Around by Sarah Jarosz

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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Anniversary

2011-08-03T17:00:00.003-04:00

Dear friends...it's been just over a year that I've been doing this junk. Yippee!
Sometimes I love it and sometimes I am impartial. Most of the time I feel like people don't care to hear what I have to say, so instead I force-feed my opinions to them and cram it down their throats. So...I hope you've enjoyed that for the last year and 10 days. If you'd like to see my first blog post ever check it out HERE.

But for real...all jokes aside...thanks a bunch for feigning interest in me, my life, and my bloggings. I wouldn't keep doing it if there weren't a few people out there that actually enjoyed it, so thanks for enjoying it and thanks so so so much for supporting me in my website and my blog over the least year!

If you wish to leave comments or check out older posts: www.tylerconta.blogspot.com

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