Francis Dunnery Announces Progressive-Rock Project for 2009

Seattle, WA, November 23, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Francis Dunnery has announced a return to his progressive-rock roots with a new project slated to begin production in early 2009. The inspiration and music for this effort has been in the works for years, but recent collaboration with the creatives at Flying Spot Entertainment has transformed the idea into a broader progressive media endeavor.

Flying Spot Entertainment, a media lab and production company based in Seattle WA, has at its helm progressive-rock enthusiast Joel Veatch. “I love this music. It’s what led me into production in the first place. Prog-rock transports you, tells a story, inspires… and it also celebrates technical and musical excellence. It challenges complacent thinking and listener expectations,” Veatch says. “That’s what progressive music is all about. Flying Spot approaches media in a similar fashion, with a focus on creative exploration and media that actually moves people.”

Dunnery, who began his career fronting the British prog-rock band It Bites, has in recent years worked more in the singer-songwriter tradition. Throughout his career, progressive influences have permeated his work, which features challenging melodies and inventive song structures. The artist sees this project as a natural part of his creative continuum, and recent work with The Syn and members of the band Echolyn highlight the his continued involvement in the genre. “I’ve played on Ian Brown's ‘Music of the Spheres,’ which was produced by Dave McCracken. Dave is about as progressive minded as you can get,” says Dunnery, “and much of the music on my own CD ‘Lets Go Do What Happens’ was progressive.”

Using music as a creative nexus, Dunnery and Veatch will combine sound, high-definition video, design, and CGI graphics to create an immersive media experience. The involvement of numerous guest musicians - from art-rock icons to some of the best players in the current neo-prog movement - creates a unique opportunity to do even more.

“We’re really using this first project as a template for a larger vision we share,” explains Veatch. “Creating an entertainment piece that matches the aspirations of the progressive music it contains is step one. Beyond that, we plan to capture a series of cinematic exposés that focus on the essence of the progressive music mind-set, stories that would be available as short-form artist-specific vignettes, as well as part of a documentary or mini-series.”

Teamed with Flying Spot, Dunnery is confident he can bring something new and exciting to the oft-overlooked genre. "I am absolutely delighted to be working with Joel," explains Dunnery. "He is an extremely forward thinking individual always on the lookout for new exciting projects. We worked together on my latest DVD – it’s the most professional product I have ever been involved in. He and his whole team of artists create unbelievably detailed and professional looking programs. I'm excited and honored to be working with them."

"This creative alliance should bring some really interesting products to market, " says Veatch. "Both Francis and Flying Spot have independently been in development of progressive media for years, so the partnership is a natural fit.”

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