My Musical Journey...
Childhood
Classical piano
Growing up hearing flamenco guitar
...and music from all around the world
Teenhood
Rock music
Guitar & Bass guitar
Singing
Symphonic band, chorale & barbershop
Entry into performing
Music study and composition
My decision to become a film composer...
Early adulthood
Postgraduate study of composition
Experimentation, discovery & notation...
Discovering Indonesian & Balinese Gamelan...
Masters study
Academic research thesis
Blue Anima debut album (creative portfolio)
An experimental electronic album, exploring the space between experimental and pop/hip hop beat driven music. The concept follows a seamless progression through states of being, creating a surreal trajectory through stages of mental health, from Waking, to Desire, Anxiety, Depression, High, and then Sleep. The album continues from beginning to end with no breaks, using experimental 'transition' tracks between each song. Recommended listening through headphones for a deeply evocative experience.
This album was written for Briar's Masters portfolio at Te Koki New Zealand School of Music.
Written and recorded by Briar Prastiti
Featuring Chelsea Prastiti (Rap) & Garam Jung (Saxophone)
Mixed and Mastered by Lorenzo Buhne (Wellington, NZ)
Funded by Creative New Zealand 2016
"The depth in this album encourages repeat listening, and reveals something new with every listen."
— NZ Musician
(Click here for full review)
Twinn Ethyr
Guitar & Vocal music
Collaboration with James Wylie in Greece
Collaboration with Moth Quartet Wellington
Debut album release
Greek, Balkan & Spanish Music
Honing recording, editing and mixing skills
Videos
HydraBitch
Electronic music production
Pop singing & rap
Other Releases
Back to the 90s (single)
Produced by HydraBitch & John Psathas
From an EP of five impressions from the last days of March 2020 as the world began its first ever lockdown. From an initial string idea by John Psathas, artists including Serj Tankian, Russel Walder, Jack Hooker, Briar Prastiti (HydraBitch), and Alex Ware (Xela), each conjured a unique response.
Film & Documentary
Film & Documentary
For My Father's Kingdom - directed by Vea Mafileo (2018)
Siouxie & the Virus - directed by Gwen Isaac (2020)
The Last Night - directed by David Strong & Wanda Lepionka (2013)
The Mavens - a Toi Whakaari production (2015)
Jackpot - directed by Cameron Langdon (2016)
A Party for Me - directed by Amy Brosnahan (2014)
The Calling - directed by Scott Williams (2011)
Game
WAKE - (Virtual Reality Game) Produced by Wrestler Ltd. Wellington (2018 - 2019) https://www.wrestler.nz/project/wake
Television/advertisement
Victoria University Recruitment Videos (2016)
New Zealand School of Music Promotional
Videos (2017)
Loutrek Raincoat Advertisement (2014)
Other
SPADA Memorial - directed by Kim Baker (2016)
Vocal Appearances/Session work
25 April - directed by Leanne Pooley,
composed by David Long
No Man's Land - directed by John Psathas (2016)
Celebrating New Zealand Film Commission
An NZ Film Commission production
composed by Stephen Gallager (2017)
Most recent film work...
Musical TV series
Fusion between Samoan traditional & pop music with Indian bollywood
Vocal work & Teaching
Vocal teaching (kids & adults)
Teaching the YMP Young Composer's Programme
Vocal Session work (film)
Presenting composer workshops
My star student and friend Gabrielle Young (R.I.P.) <3
The most recent vocal session work -- with composers David Long and Stephen Gallagher
Orchestral / Classical
The Garden (2025)
For orchestra,
Commissioned and premiered by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and funded by the Tarling Trust.
Performance dates with the NZSO:
31 May - Michael Fowler Centre (Wellington)
5 June - ASB Theatre (Blenheim)
10 June - Due Drop Events Centre, BNZ Theatre (Manukau)
13 June - Turner Centre (Kerikeri)
Pegasus (2023)
For orchestra
Premiered by Bay of Plenty Symphonia, November 19th 2023, Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga, NZ
Later recorded by the NZSO as part of the SOUNZ Composer Sessions in October 2024
'Akri / 'Ακρη (2023)
For orchestra
Premiered by Orchestra Wellington, August 5th 2023, Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, NZ
Terra Firma (2021)
For flute and taonga pūoro
Commissioned and performed by Bridget Douglas and Alistair Fraser
Funded by Creative New Zealand
https://rattle.co.nz/catalogue/releases/silver-stone-wood-bone
Theatre
Collaborations
IT'S ALREADY TOMORROW
Curated by John Psathas, featuring track ‘I'm Not Lazy, Just Lost’ by Briar Prastiti, featuring James Wylie
A collaborative album of multiple producers, composers and artists around the world sharing material to work with, forming a 'pool' of creative resources to use in the writing process. The result is this diverse album of songs in multiple genres. (click the image to view)
THE LAST DAYS OF MARCH (EP)
Curated by John Psathas, featuring track 'Back to the 90s' - by HydraBitch (Briar Prastiti) & John Psathas
The concept of the project was for five different artists (Jack Hooker, Xela, Serj Tankian and Oum, HydraBitch, and Russel Walder) to remix with total freedom a simple musical idea originally recorded by John Psathas.
https://www.johnpsathas.com/latest-news-and-info/last-days-of-march-ep
Amazon Music:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Days-March-John-Psathas/dp/B087B6YT3F
ONLY TIME
Serj Tankian’s ‘7 Note Challenge Compilation Album’
Featuring ‘Only Time’ by Briar Prastiti
Grammy-Award winning and multi platinum recording artist, songwriter, composer, poet, and visual artist Serj Tankian teamed up with non-profit cultural organisation Creative Armenia to release ‘7 Notes Challenge,” a compilation album highlighting some of the most notable submissions from a songwriting challenge posed to artists worldwide. The 17 song album is now available on all major streaming, and download, platforms across the globe. (Click on the image to view)
UNRAVELING
Track featuring vocal performance by
Briar Prastiti of Armenian song 'Yarko Parag'.
Original arrangement by John Psathas in his album 'Voices at the End'.
More information on 'Voices at the End' by John Psathas:
https://www.johnpsathas.com/catalogue-1/2018/4/10/voices-at-the-end-2018
NAGA
Album featuring tracks by Briar Prastiti:
'Clockwork Dancer'
'De la Noche, de la Muerte'
'Delirious Euphoria'
'Naga' is a collection of original compositions written by the members of Wellington Javanese and Balinese Gamelan ensembles, Padhang Moncar and Taniwha Jaya. All works were written specifically for going on tour to Indonesia where they were premiered. The ensembles performed at shows and festivals in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Solo, Malang, and Bali.
Find 'Naga' on Bandcamp:
https://rattlerecords.bandcamp.com/album/naga
Or to find on iTunes > (click on the image)
