Uncle Nobody Productions

Bret Ellerton

"All appearances and sound vibrations are like an illusion, a mirage, or a reflection; they are substances without the marks of reality.  The mind that cognizes illusion is also like space; without center or boundary, it is beyond intellectual conception." -Savari

Bret Ellerton has worked in the field of music for many years now in a variety of contexts.  His work ranges from experimental ambient soundscapes, phonography and film soundtracks, to collaborative ensemble work, as well as music for children.  His ambient work aims to explore the intersection between mind and sound, deep listening, and appreciation for nonconceptual direct experience.  Bret studied briefly with filmaker Stan Brakhage and was deeply inspired by his notion of 'sense as muse'  - taking the inspiration for one's art directly from immediate sense experience.

Bret was a founding member of the group Maximum Coherence, which recorded three full length CD's self released under thier label In-Phase Records, before dissolving in 2003. They also created music for a series of short films that was performed live for the Northwest Film Forum's event titled 'Balance and Motion' in Seattle Washington.  Bret has contiued to work with some members of Maxco in another project titled Climbing Mt Fuji.

Current projects are listed below, these include the Sound Dialogue Series.  This is a collaborative effort involving two people in a sound exchange that mimics conversation. This proceeds by one person sending a short recorded work to the other person who then responds with another recorded work inspired by the first sound piece.  This then goes back and forth, each work responding to the other preceding works.  There are certain rules and parameters which the sound dialogue participants follow.

-Audio samples below... click on image to go to specific pages and listening examples.

GREY SKY, WET SKY is a collaboration between Bret Ellerton and composer Michael Andrew Doherty involving tonal music, ambient soundscape, and phonography. Both artists explore elements of space and silence in order to create a sonic experience that fosters a balance between the recorded work and the naturally present sounds of the immediate environment.  See also www.myspace.com/bretellerton as well as www.michaeladoherty.com.  AVAILABLE NOW! go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/madbe

Broken Frame Project - Soundtrack themes written for the film Broken Frame - by Paul Gorman.  Also includes soundrack for the opening documentary Reconstructing Broken Frame.  This is a work in progress.

Sound Dialogue Series Volume 2 involves Bret Ellerton and Trevor Dutton.  This work makes use of various electronic and acoustic instruments and sound generating devices. 

Sound Dialogue Series Volume 3 involves Bret Ellerton and Himself.  Electronic Dark Science Fiction sounding music.  Currently in process.

Sound Dialogue Series Volume 4 between Bret Ellerton and Lucas Hilbert.  Hear some of Lucas' music at www.myspace.com/strangerelevator. Currently in process

Ninny Cow Tea - 58 really short songs with lyrics by 3 to 5 year old children.  100% of the proceeds go to benefit New Discovery School.  Kids wrote the words, Bret wrote the music.

Available now at www.cdbaby.com/ninnycow

Paradox Project - soundtracks for film maker Seth Paradox.   Includes work for a film without dialogue in the vein of early german expressionistic horror, H.P. Lovecraft, La Jete, and A Man Escaped among others.  Also includes work for a short film evoking the qualities of the five elements and buddha wisdoms.  Features performance by wind instrument player Michael Andrew Doherty www.michaeladoherty.com, vocalist Sonya Shaw, and drummer Mike Plympton. 

The Volunteer Park Water Tower Observatory Project - A project organized by Robb Kunz of the Audible Semaphore Group www.audiblesemaphore.org.  This involves various people choosing a particular viewing window in the Volunteer Park water tower in Seattle Washington and composing a short piece to mesh with the view.  Bret's piece makes use of phonographic recordings at the water tower as well as metal bowl, harp, and acoustic guitar recordings.