J.E.L. recently came back to Mobtown to record a live in- the-studio EP. Killer jazz, no filler. Jay Seay on trumpet, Ezekiel Roebuck, Jr on piano and Larry Stokes on drums. Here are two of my favorite cuts:

Red Clay [Freddie Hubbard]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Cherokee [Ray Noble]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

D-Boi recently came in to mix a record with me. He’s been working with 3rd Infantry down the block from us. He’s down to earth and writes great hooks. Rumor has it, the track is going to make it’s debut on 92Q in the next few days. Just a rumor. Enjoy this track!

I’m Back

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

It’s taken me a few days to digest last week’s microshow with Yeveto. Despite Amy’s “bregnancy prain”, Russell’s 64k memory and Ben’s proposed digital drum kit, Yeveto put on a stellar show. Spinal Tap was known for their “punctuality” – Yeveto should be known for being the most well-rehearsed. And in the best way possible, between arrangement, setup and performance. I can’t thank them enough for being such a well-oiled machine. Oh and playing incredibly moving instrumental experimental film music! Thanks!

(more…)

I recently mastered a Baltimore compilation for SpliceToday.com. When Zach came to me asking if this is something I’d be in to, I didn’t even hesitate. We love Baltimore bands and the community they enrich, but Baltimore bands covering Baltimore bands! That’s just too good to be true.

Crossing genre lines, this mix tape reflects the beautiful diversity and vitality of the Baltimore scene. Caleb Stine covers Small Sur. Small Sur covers Wheatie Mattiasich. Mickey Free covers Wye Oak. And Wye oak covers Rod Lee. It’s like one big musical do-si-do. We love it! And you can download it for free. Look out for a Volume 2 coming soon!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Little Dreamer f/ Victoria Legrand by Jones (Future Island)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Dance My Pain Away by Wye Oak (Rod Lee)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Two Mantras by Caleb Stine (Small Sur)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Love those pretty Beach Boys harmonies at the end of Two Mantras! You can just drink it.

Wow. What a religious experience. The performance by Ms. Sara & The Help absolutely filled the room. Everyone in the room was simply swimming in their music and loving it. Literally, at one point, we were trying to figure out who in the audience was singing back-ups because the vocals just seemed to come from everywhere.

The Help was John Caplan on acoustic and resonator guitar and Jay on acoustic guitar and banjo. The guys also sang harmonies. There’s really not much else that can be said. You have to hear it for yourself. What a wonderful night of sick vocals, harmonies, stringed instruments galore, virtually all new songs and a few covers of fellow Baltimore artists.

(more…)

I’ve been working with The Water for a few months now. Why they haven’t been scooped up by a record label is beyond me. They are evocative and angular. Beyond their amazingly intense and shoegazey music, they are incredibly nice guys. Dan is sort of the ringleader, but James is the less vocal mad scientist.

Dan has a suitcase cut in half mounted on his kick drum (where the tom would go) filled with effect pedals that would make The Edge drool. It’s his command center. There is also a speaker “egg” Dan built that is the size of a large child with speakers custom built that give him a monitor mix of what all the pedals/loops are doing. It’s piercingly loud, but it’s also part of the sound and we captured it here in these recordings.

James has an equal amount of electronics and cables mounted in front of where his guitar cab goes. Quite possibly the loudest band I’ve ever worked with, and most definitely the most emotional. And not cry-baby emo. Emotional in all the best of ways.

These songs were primarily recorded live in the studio to capture their fierce synergy. Cutting everything up and tracking separately would have drastically changed their momentum and emotional capabilities. Very little is in fact “fixed” – basically what you hear is what you get aside from a few keyboard overdubs.

Here are two of my favorite songs:

Mercury Switch

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Mr. Fritz/Fantasia

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(more…)