BIOGRAPHY
James Cecil is a music producer, composer, sound designer and performer based in Melbourne. He made his name during the first few years of the 21st century as a member of the band Architecture In Helsinki, recording and co-producing their first two albums, both of which received great critical praise and led to exhaustive overseas touring (some 400 shows in more than a dozen countries).
James left AIH in at the beginning of 2008 to concentrate on his own music and production career. In 2010 he released the first Super Melody album, “Destination Unknown”, and has since toured Australia, Asia and the USA, while continuing to work as a producer and sound designer from his studio, Super Melody World. Since 2012 James has also lectured in Sound Art and Music Production at RMIT University and the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS).
James operates from his own studio, Super Melody World, which is based in the picturesque Macedon Ranges just outside Melbourne.
EDUCATION
Master of Art (Research)(Media Arts - Sound), RMIT University, 2003.
Bachelor of Arts (Media Arts - Sound), RMIT University, 2000.
Bachelor of Arts (Art History), University of Melbourne, 1996.
CV AS PRODUCER
2018 – The Goon Sax – “We’re Not Talking” LP – Produced (with C Bird), Recorded, Mixed.
2018 – Totally Mild – “Her” LP – Produced, Recorded, Mixed.
2018 – Darren Sylvester – Touch a Tombstone – Co-Produced, Mixed
2018 – Fan Girl – “Elephant Room” LP – Mixed.
2017 – The Orbweavers - “Deep Leads” LP – Mixed.
2017 - Time For Dreams – “In Time” LP – Co-Produced, Mixed, Recorded.
2014 - Totally Mild – “Down Time” LP – Produced, Recorded, Mixed.
2013 - Darren Sylvester - “Off By Heart” LP - Chapter Records - Co-Produced, Mixed.
2013 - Darren Sylvester – “For You” Art Installation at NGV - Produced, Co-writer.
2013 - Tawanda Gadzikwa - LP Project - Recorded.
2012 - Oliver Mann - “Puff, Puff” 7” - Recorded and Mixed.
2011 - Purple Stripes - Self Titled LP - Mixed.
2011 - Lehmann B Smith - “Friends” LP - Co-Produced, Recorded, Mixed.
2011 - Toy Balloon - Self Titled LP - Mixed 3 Tracks.
2008 - Kes Band - Self Titled LP - Mistletone Records - Recorded, Mixed.
2005 - Children Collide - “We Three Brave And True” (First Version) - Recorded & Mixed.
2002 - Little General - Self Titled LP - Recorded and Mixed.
2001 - Light’s Surprising Constancy - Untitled - Chapter Records - Recorded and Mixed.
1998 - Moll Flanders Band - “Hirsute” - ABC Audio - Co-Produced.
SOUND DESIGN / TV / FILM / PODCAST WORK
From 2006-2016 James worked as a composer and producer TV and Film at Electric Dreams Studio.
2018 – “The AgVocate” Podcast, Producer, Composer, Sound Designer
2016 – “SBS True Stories” Podcast, Season 2, 6 Episodes, Producer, Composer, SD
2015 – “SBS True Stories” Podcast, Season 1, 6 Episodes, Producer, Composer, SD
2014 - “Cut Snake” - Feature Film - Rerecording Producer, Score Mixing.
2014 - “The Rover” - Feature Film - Recording Producer.
2013 - Australian War Memorial, Canberra - “Afghanistan: The Australian Story” - Sound Design.
2013 - “These Final Hours” Feature Film (General Release Australia) - Additional Composition.
2013 - “Nowhere Boys” TV Series - ABC Australia/NBC USA - Additional Composition.
2012 - Blue Mountains Cultural Centre - Permanent Video Installation - Sound Design.
2012 - Crumpler Bags - Short Video Campaign - Sound Design.
CV AS ARTIST/PRODUCER
Super Melody (2008 - Present) - Solo pop music project, self-produced, with rotating live band. Performing live since 2009, has supported internationals such as Jamie Lidell and !!!.
Super Melody Discography
2010 - “Destination Unknown” LP
2010 - “I Want Your Blood” Single
2010 - “Worker Bee” Single
2009 - “Life Is Like Glass” EP
2009 - “Champagne Glass” Single
Architecture In Helsinki (2000-2008)
Founding member, recorded and produced the band’s first two albums. Performed 3-400 concerts in Australia, USA, Canada, Europe, UK, Mexico, Malaysia, New Zealand. Toured with the Go-Betweens, Death Cab for Cutie, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Belle & Sebastian amongst others. Multiple ARIA award nominations.
Architecture In Helsinki Discography
2007 - “Places Like This” LP (Polyvinyl USA, Co-Op Europe, Scotland Yard Australia)
2007 - “Heart It Races” Single (as above)
2007 - “Hold Music” Single (as above)
2006 - “We Died, They Remixed” (Bar None USA, Moshi Moshi UK, Tailem Bend Aus)
2005 - “In Case We Die” LP (as above)
2005 - “Maybe You Can Owe Me / It’5!” Single (Moshi Moshi UK)
2005 - “Do The Whirlwind” EP (Tailem Bend Aus, Moshi MOshi UK)
2004 - “Keepsake” EP (Self-Released, first US tour)
2003 - “Fingers Crossed” LP (Trifekta Aus, Bar None USA)
2003 - “Kindling” EP (Trifekta Australia)
2002 - “Like A Call” EP (Trifekta Australia)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Since 2012 James has been a sessional lecturer in Audio Technology and Music Production at RMIT University, both in the School of Art’s Sound Art stream, and the School of Media and Communication’s Bachelor of Music Industry program. He also teaches production classes at the Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio (MESS).
Subjects he has taught include:
Audio Technology
Studio Production
Soundtrack
Sound and Vision
Experimental Practice
Production Strategies
Genre and Production
World Music Recording