Hypnogaja
Encyclopedia
Hypnogaja is an American rock band from Los Angeles, CA. The group is composed of vocalist Jason "ShyBoy" Arnold, keyboardist Mark Nubar Donikian, drummer Adrian Barnardo and guitarists Bryan Farrar and Abe Parker.
Author Frank Beddor featured Hypnogaja's Alice in Wonderland-themed song, "Looking Glass" (from the Below Sunset album) on the soundtrack for the Scholastic-released audio book version of his 2006 NY Times Best Seller, The Looking Glass Wars. In 2007, the Warner Bros. Interactive game, FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage, used the band's song "They Don't Care" (another track from Below Sunset), which was also placed - that same year - as the theme song for the Versus network's Red, White, Black and Blue Summer promo trailer. In 2008, Hypnogaja frontman, ShyBoy, co-wrote and performed two songs ("The Time Has Come" and "Shall Never Surrender") featured in the Capcom video game, Devil May Cry 4 (the latter track appearing as the game's end title and both songs appearing on the accompanying, official Sony Music soundtrack). In 2009, Tapulous featured the Hypnogaja song "Things Will Never Be The Same" (from the Truth Decay LP) in the iPhone and iPod touch game, Tap Tap Revenge 3.
Several technology companies have featured Hypnogaja's music in noteworthy articles and promotional materials, and have invited the band to participate in events. Apple computers posted an in-depth interview and story on the band's experience in using Macs in the realms of recording, touring and promotion. AOL Music's Noisecreep property featured an interview with Hypnogaja about the concept behind Truth Decay, and offered an exclusive, free download of the song, "Worship Me (I'm On TV)." Microsoft Windows featured free downloads of two songs from Truth Decay - "Rusty Moon" and "Cellar Door" - on promotions tied to its Windows 7 release, including a slot in the January 2010 Windows Media Guide.
The intro from Hypnogaja's song "Voodoo Baby" was featured in select prints of the Scream 4
movie trailer released by Dimension Films
and The Weinstein Company
on January 21, 2011.
-created television series, Dead Like Me
, on a character's t-shirt and a large wall poster.
of Tears for Fears
and several notable music industry executives. The band rounded out 2009 with a Best Alternative Artist win at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, performing "Welcome To The Future" at the November awards ceremony. In November 2010, Arnold won the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Male Vocal for his performance of the Donna Summer
classic hit, "On the Radio
," (released in January 2010 by Union State Records as the bonus track on the Hypnogaja digital 45, Welcome to the Future / On the Radio). In February 2011, Truth Decay
was nominated for Best Concept Album by The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards.
In July 2010, the band appeared on the debut episode of the web series, Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith
(of Tears for Fears
).
On February 15, 2011, Union State Records released a Hypnogaja digital EP entitled Dark Star, containing a remix of the song "Dark Star" (featuring Slimkid3
of The Pharcyde
). The accompanying Chil Kong-directed video features an appearance by Slimkid3 and dancers from America's Best Dance Crew
, including choreographer Yuri Tag of Kabba Modern, Cindy Minowa of Kabba Modern and Geo Lee of Instant Noodles.
Arnold is currently in the recording studio working on his debut solo album (under the ShyBoy moniker). The project is due for release in 2012.
Formation
Founded by Arnold and Donikian, Hypnogaja originated as an electronic studio project with early collaborator, keyboardist Sean "Dr." Brooks. As a live show began to develop, members and collaborators were added to the fold, including GRAMMY-nominated guitarist/producer Jean-Yves "Jeeve" Ducornet (Santana, 2Pac). Hypnogaja's sound evolved into new dimensions with the incorporation of rock influences into the group's initial electronic foundation. The band tours consistently and has performed shows to audiences throughout the U.S. and Canada, and has opened for bands such as Shinedown, Saliva, 311, Cold and many others.Collaboration
GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Wendy Waldman (composer of numerous hit songs, including "Save The Best For Last" by Vanessa Williams and "Fishin' In The Dark" by Garth Brooks) helmed production duties for Hypnogaja's live acoustic album, Acoustic Sunset: Live At The Longhouse. The band previously collaborated with Waldman on two songs - "Killing Time" and "Outside, Looking In" - from the album, Post-Hypnotic Stress Disorder. The latter song was featured as the end title of the NBC Movie Event, Carrie, a remake of the Brian DePalma film based on the classic Stephen King novel.Truth Decay
Hypnogaja's latest studio recording, Truth Decay, was released by Union State Records in June 2009. The fourteen-track, science fiction-tinged concept album includes the song "Welcome To The Future," featuring Richard Dodd of The Section Quartet (Decca/Universal) on cello. The album was released to strong reviews, including a 9 out of 10 star rating from Outburn Magazine, which noted it as an "expertly crafted album." The LP's first single, "The March," spawned a music video directed by ASC Award-winning cinematographer, Nelson Cragg (Flash Forward, CSI, 30 Days of Night: Blood Trails) and writer/producer, Marius Markevicius (The Last Supper, starring Eliza Dushku).Features in film, television and other media
Various television shows, motion pictures and soundtracks have featured Hypnogaja’s music, including America’s Next Top Model (CW), Carrie (NBC), Cold Creek Manor (Touchstone), Dirt (F/X), Las Vegas (NBC), One Life To Live (ABC), Roswell (WB), Sex And The City (HBO), Tru Calling (FOX), Valentine (Warner Bros.) and many others.Author Frank Beddor featured Hypnogaja's Alice in Wonderland-themed song, "Looking Glass" (from the Below Sunset album) on the soundtrack for the Scholastic-released audio book version of his 2006 NY Times Best Seller, The Looking Glass Wars. In 2007, the Warner Bros. Interactive game, FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage, used the band's song "They Don't Care" (another track from Below Sunset), which was also placed - that same year - as the theme song for the Versus network's Red, White, Black and Blue Summer promo trailer. In 2008, Hypnogaja frontman, ShyBoy, co-wrote and performed two songs ("The Time Has Come" and "Shall Never Surrender") featured in the Capcom video game, Devil May Cry 4 (the latter track appearing as the game's end title and both songs appearing on the accompanying, official Sony Music soundtrack). In 2009, Tapulous featured the Hypnogaja song "Things Will Never Be The Same" (from the Truth Decay LP) in the iPhone and iPod touch game, Tap Tap Revenge 3.
Several technology companies have featured Hypnogaja's music in noteworthy articles and promotional materials, and have invited the band to participate in events. Apple computers posted an in-depth interview and story on the band's experience in using Macs in the realms of recording, touring and promotion. AOL Music's Noisecreep property featured an interview with Hypnogaja about the concept behind Truth Decay, and offered an exclusive, free download of the song, "Worship Me (I'm On TV)." Microsoft Windows featured free downloads of two songs from Truth Decay - "Rusty Moon" and "Cellar Door" - on promotions tied to its Windows 7 release, including a slot in the January 2010 Windows Media Guide.
The intro from Hypnogaja's song "Voodoo Baby" was featured in select prints of the Scream 4
Scream 4
Scream 4 is a 2011 American slasher horror film and the fourth installment in the Scream film series. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, writer of Scream and Scream 2, the film stars an ensemble cast which includes David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Emma Roberts,...
movie trailer released by Dimension Films
Dimension Films
Dimension Films is a motion picture unit currently a part of The Weinstein Company. It was formerly used as Bob Weinstein's label within Miramax Films, to produce and release genre films...
and The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company
The Weinstein Company is an American film studio founded by Bob and Harvey Weinstein in 2005 after the brothers left the then-Disney-owned Miramax Films, which they had co-founded in 1979...
on January 21, 2011.
Popular culture
Hypnogaja's logo is prominently featured in the first few episodes of the critically acclaimed, Bryan FullerBryan Fuller
Bryan Fuller is an American screenwriter and television producer.Fuller graduated from Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Washington in 1987...
-created television series, Dead Like Me
Dead Like Me
Dead Like Me was an American-Canadian comedy-drama television series starring Ellen Muth and Mandy Patinkin as grim reapers who reside and work in Seattle, Washington. Filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, the show was created by Bryan Fuller for the Showtime network, where it ran for two seasons...
, on a character's t-shirt and a large wall poster.
Notable public appearances and awards
Hypnogaja performed at the first annual 140tc (Twitter Conference), held in Los Angeles in September 2009. In consideration of the band's success in utilizing social networking to grow its fan base (Hypnogaja has reached over one million followers on the site), keyboardist Donikian was invited to serve as one of the speakers during the conference's music panel, which also included Chamillionaire, Curt SmithCurt Smith
Curt Smith is an English musician. He is best known for forming the band Tears for Fears, along with childhood friend Roland Orzabal. Also a solo artist, he released his third album Halfway, Pleased in May 2008....
of Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
and several notable music industry executives. The band rounded out 2009 with a Best Alternative Artist win at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, performing "Welcome To The Future" at the November awards ceremony. In November 2010, Arnold won the Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Male Vocal for his performance of the Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
classic hit, "On the Radio
On the Radio (Donna Summer song)
"On the Radio" is a single by Donna Summer released in 1979 on the Casablanca record label. It was written for the soundtrack to the film Foxes and included on Summer's first international compilation album On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2. It was released as a single and became, in...
," (released in January 2010 by Union State Records as the bonus track on the Hypnogaja digital 45, Welcome to the Future / On the Radio). In February 2011, Truth Decay
Truth Decay (Hypnogaja)
Truth Decay is the fifth studio album from the American alternative rock band, Hypnogaja. Released June 30, 2009 on Los Angeles-based independent label, Union State Records, it is the band's first concept album and contains thirteen songs, including "Welcome to the Future" and "Cellar Door," which...
was nominated for Best Concept Album by The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards.
Current news and future projects
Hypnogaja's current lineup of Arnold, Donikian, Barnardo (member since 2004), Farrar (member since 2008) and Parker (member since 2009) performed an official showcase at SXSW '10 in Austin, TX and the group continues to tour and perform webcasts consistently.In July 2010, the band appeared on the debut episode of the web series, Stripped Down Live with Curt Smith
Curt Smith
Curt Smith is an English musician. He is best known for forming the band Tears for Fears, along with childhood friend Roland Orzabal. Also a solo artist, he released his third album Halfway, Pleased in May 2008....
(of Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears
Tears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
).
On February 15, 2011, Union State Records released a Hypnogaja digital EP entitled Dark Star, containing a remix of the song "Dark Star" (featuring Slimkid3
Slimkid3
SLIMKID3 also known as "Slim Kid Tre" and "Tre Hardson", was one of the four original members of Los Angeles innovative hip hop group The Pharcyde.-Two For Two:...
of The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
). The accompanying Chil Kong-directed video features an appearance by Slimkid3 and dancers from America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
, including choreographer Yuri Tag of Kabba Modern, Cindy Minowa of Kabba Modern and Geo Lee of Instant Noodles.
Arnold is currently in the recording studio working on his debut solo album (under the ShyBoy moniker). The project is due for release in 2012.
Studio albums
- 1999: RevolutionHypnogaja revolutionRevolution is the debut album by Hypnogaja. Released in 1999 by Drama Music via PARAS Group , it is out of print and has not been released digitally.- Description :...
- 2002: Post-Hypnotic Stress Disorder
- 2003: Kill Switch
- 2005: Below Sunset
- 2009: Truth DecayTruth Decay (Hypnogaja)Truth Decay is the fifth studio album from the American alternative rock band, Hypnogaja. Released June 30, 2009 on Los Angeles-based independent label, Union State Records, it is the band's first concept album and contains thirteen songs, including "Welcome to the Future" and "Cellar Door," which...
Compilations & Other
- 2003: Bridge To Nowhere (released only in Germany)
- 2004: White Label, Vol. 1
- 2006: Acoustic Sunset: Live At The Longhouse (produced by Wendy Waldman)
- 2007: Audio From Last Night's Dream
- 2007: Mixtape
EPs & Singles
- 2008: The March
- 2009: I Can See Into Forever (Sammy Allen featuring Hypnogaja)
- 2009: Apocalyptic Love Song
- 2009: Worship Me (I'm On TV)
- 2010: Welcome To The Future / On The Radio [Digital 45]
- 2011: Dark Star
Videos
- Nothing Box (directed by Robert Blackmon)
- Home (directed by Kristina Sky and Hypnogaja)
- They Don't Care (directed by Ron Najor)
- Misery (directed by Graham Baclagon)
- Quiet (directed by Ron Najor)
- Silver Star (directed by Graham Baclagon)
- The Spaceman (Live Acoustic Version) (directed by Paul Kulak)
- The March (directed by Nelson Cragg and Marius Markevicius)
- Apocalyptic Love Song (Live Acoustic Version) (directed by Paul Kulak)
- Things Will Never Be The Same (directed by Kevin Heard)
- Dark Star (featuring Slimkid3Slimkid3SLIMKID3 also known as "Slim Kid Tre" and "Tre Hardson", was one of the four original members of Los Angeles innovative hip hop group The Pharcyde.-Two For Two:...
of The PharcydeThe PharcydeThe Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
) [directed by Chil Kong and choreographed by Yuri Tag of Kabba Modern] - Welcome To The Future (directed by Graham Baclagon)
Current
- Jason "ShyBoy" Arnold – vocals
- Adrian Barnardo - drums
- Mark Nubar Donikian – keyboards
- Bryan Farrar - guitar
- Abe Parker - guitar
Former
- Sandy Brown – backing vocals
- Sean "Dr." Brooks – keyboards
- Leif Bunting – bass
- Jean-Yves "Jeeve" Ducornet - guitar
- Tim Groeschel – drums, guitar
Session and live musicians
- Bill Brennenstuhl – drums (session, 2003; live, 2003–2004)
- Daniel Wills – bass (live, 2003)