In The Studio: Spring 2023

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2023 has been booked wall-to-wall at Bang-A-Song. Spring is the season of change, so if you’ve been in the studio, you know there is change afoot here, too.  But one thing remains the same: we’ve got new releases to tell you about that knock us out.

John Jerome: Sunday Morning Sunrise

You’ve been waiting for another full length from The Island Cowboy since his self-titled LP came out, and he’s been teasing you with singles (I’m On My Way to Somewhere, It’s Only A Day) but May 11th, 2023 is not only a day, it’s Sunday Morning Sunrise release day, so listen up, now! (Spotify)

Joshua English: Outlaw Adjacent

Josh English’s fifth full length release (recorded at Bang A Song back in December) is called ‘Outlaw Adjacent’ and two singles have hit the street in advance of the full release date on June 2nd: Great Like Ghosts and Mr. Right Now.  If you’re impatient for more, Josh will be in our neighborhood with Attempt Survivors at O’Briens next Saturday night 5/20 (Allston).  I can confirm that on my Spotify rotation, Josh IS Mr. Right Now.

Chelsea Berry: My Heart

When your single has a “Foundation Joy” version, you know it’s got…heart. And Chelsea Berry has heart…all day. Her new single ‘My Heart’ is out on all platforms now, and you can give a listen on BandCamp right now.

George Hall & Friends: You Kill Me

George Hall knows when to deliver the garage rock single for just the right moment, and here it is: You Kill Me.  Recorded at Bang A Song and accompanied by a killer/hilarious video, check it out.  George does not have idle hands.

Benji: How To Move

You only need one single when your single is this propulsive.

Telamor: Monthly Singles Series

Who’s putting out more music than Telamor?  The answer is…no one. Sometimes they double up and put two singles out each month.   Not only is Telamor ready for Friday Crazy Night, they’ve got enough music to keep you bopping for ANOTHER Friday Crazy Night. Check out the latest below:

In The Studio:

Hawkes Burnham Robinson @ Bang-A-Song

Steve Lacey, Jim Coyle, Jon Butcher, Willie Alexander, Sal Baglio, Telamor, Mexican Ape Lord, Chris Fitz Grice, Uey At The Buoy, Kim Blisard, Greg Hawkes, Senior Moment, Arlen Ginsburg, Stop Calling Me Frank, Corey Wrinn, Chelsea Berry,  Joe Wilkins, John Jerome, Luke Conlin, Dan Colbert, Hannah Smalltree, Cream, Wood & Bone, Sister Kathy, Paulzon Fire, Second Balcony Jump, Bobby Cardoza, What Time Is It Mr. Fox

In The Studio: Winter 2022

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2022 wrapped up at with a busy and productive and melodic bang.  Take a listen to these new releases (below), as well as folks that were in the studio preparing for the next set of new releases in 2023…!

New Releases:

In The Studio:
Steve Lacey, Jim Coyle, Jon Butcher, Willie Alexander, Bradley Royds, Sal Baglio, Sky Heavens, Telamor, Mexican Ape Lord, Mike Levine, Chris Fitz Grice, Uey At The Buoy, Meg Griffin, Kim Blisard, Greg Hawkes, Senior Moment, Arlen Ginsburg, Josh English, Benji, Stop Calling Me Frank, Corey Wrinn, Chelsea Berry,  Joe Wilkins, John Jerome, Luke Conlin, Dan Colbert.

In The Studio: Summer 2022

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Tony and Sam rehearsing at Bang-A-Song with Greg Verga, Mayor of Gloucester.

Bang-A-Song was unparalleled in productivity this summer! Check out this list of New Releases that we tracked or mixed or mastered at Bang-A-Song:

In The Studio: Winter 2021, Winter 2022

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Y’all, it’s been a long cold winter, but Bang-a-Song keeps banging! Check it out:

In The Studio
U-Ey at the Buoy has been recording horns from Will Hunt and Anthony Prestigiovanni. Harry and the Potters has been mastering. Corey Wrinn has been mixing it up. Barnabas has been doing all three (recording, mixing, mastering)! The Auto-Wah Senators have been delivering nothing but net in the studio, the same in Studio C. (Studio C has also caught glimpses of Groove, Neon 90’s, Jason St. Clair and Mikey Holland. VIP!) Rabbi Steven Lewis as been transferring tapes from the past. Adrien Benjamin has been laying it down. Surnames have been shelling out the jams. Wangari Fahari has been tightening up the mixes. The LeBarons gave our analog tape rig a work out. Joe Wilkins strummed the sonic sounds. Willie Alexander is the poet and everybody knows it! Mari Martin had a writing session. Moving Targets kicked out an EP and kept us stutter stepping the whole rocking time. Rick Harte’s been taking careful care mixing it. Jay Grimaldi came back to us, and it felt like no time had passed. James White has been plotting how to respond to an Octopus Invasion. Dawn Carroll has been collaborating with Jon Butcher on mentorship and music. Jim Coyle came in with a quartert and a video of Summer Wages filmed at the studio, and made everyone look and sound good. A murderer’s row of players has joined together to make a record, and that row is not limited to Jon Butcher, Dave Mattacks, Wolf Ginandes, Sal Baglio, Allen Estes, Richard Gates on bass, Sonny Barbato on keys, and Sandy MacDonald on organ. Whew!

New Releases:

JATK has a vinyl release of Shut Up and Be The Light!

Mexican Ape Lord delivered a 4 Song EP called “Horrible Folk Tale.

Telamor has never had an unproductive month and kept it positive with Shine Your Love, Eight Miles High, Rock All Night, Take Me Higher, and Lucky.

Miracle Legion had Bang-A-Song mix and master a recording of a live ML show recorded in San Fran in 2017, and it was a privilege.

In The Studio | New Releases: April – September 2021

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In The Studio:

Surnames are making their next piece of music and atmosphere. Jon Butcher continued to expand his empire with Wolf Ginandes, Dave Mattacks, Dawn Carroll and Sandy MacDonald. Allen Estes worked with the Butcher. U-ey at the Buoy came out swinging! Telamor recorded new hits and remixed their old ones. George Hall completed his solo record! John Jerome completed his great follow up record “Island Cowboy”. Bob Wolfman paid tribute to Jimi. Alex Coleman brought the grunge. The Dazies tapped in time. Wangari felt the pulse. Adam Taylor mixed more JAKT. James White started his next invasion. Jesse Kessler went solo. The Downey Bros. brought their truck. Mike Parsons rehearsed Neon 90’s, Dubtone Allstars, the Runaround and Jeff Stone chased his blues. David Wessel made bon music. Willie Alexander refined the Fishtone. Derek Richards started to get it all down on tape. Tony rocked for Google. Safety came back to life. Henley Douglas ovedubbed on the island for the island. Jim Coyle became and “old friend”. Barnabas went all night. Pete Koeplin passed the audition. Corey Wrinn did some mixing. Sean O’laughlin cut voice overs for Generous Gardeners. Jon Hardy became the voice of Mexican Ape Lord. Dan King and Friends expanded the village. Nelson Bragg held a listening party for his new record “Gratitude Blues“. Geoff Small souled out. Rick Harte brought the pre-pro. Sky Heavens sought mixes from Wren Sound. Adrien Benjamin introduced himself. Groove grooved!

New Releases:
    

The LeBarons released a single to Spotify which tells the world what we already knew about their music: I’M GOOD (b/w LSM). Beach Boys harmonies all ovah!

What Time is It Mr. Fox? recorded a disco/funk/dark wave track called “He Was A Cloud” for the upcoming soundtrack to their musical play “Medusa“. All Bang-A-Song hands on deck here with Tony on guitars, Warren at the board for the engineer/mix/master, and our fave foxes on everything else!

Hemway let this Anna Rae penned track “Bargain” cook for a while, but it was worth the wait for the official release and official music video that accompanies it (created and performed by Catherine Siller). Propulsive af.

     

Warren (@wrensound) Babson mixed the latest new release from Sky Heavens which is available for pre-order now here. Check out her BBC Radio1 performance with Eminem while you’re pre-ordering.

Telamor must be feeling the romance this summer, as the last three releases are entitled “Let’s Get Married” “How To Love“, and “Great Balls of Fire“. (And who knows what it means, but the one before that was “Rattle My Cage“.) Check ’em all out!

John Jerome has pre-released a video for “All Of Us At Once” from his upcoming full-length album here. What a tease!

Uey At The Buoy cranked out three summer singles (one each month) for your listening pleasure: Seeing Double, Don’t Waste a Single Minute, and Only Heaven Knows.    ZZ Top guitars?  Check!

In The Studio | New Releases: Jan-Mar 2021

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Let’s give it up for Q1 2021! It’s been rocking here at Bang-A-Song since the New Year rolled over, so look what everyone’s been up to:

In The Studio

Here Comes The Regulars: Tom Hauck (as Telamor) and Jon Butcher both keep productive and regular at Bang-A-Song. In House Talent: Neighbors of the studio John Jerome (as The Island Cowboy) and U-Ey at the Buoy have been tracking, mixing, and momentum-ing. Getting Close: Bob Wolfman is nearing the finish line. Getting Started: Alex Coleman is getting a new project underway. Right On Time: Allen Estes, The Dazies, George Hall, Brendan Kinetik and Mexican Ape Lord are all mid-stride and keeping us on our toes. Mixing It Up: Adam Taylor was in mixing Matt Jatkola (as JATK). Edu-ma-cation: Sam and Tony did some Gloucester Public School Remote Academy sessions for Grades K-2 and also Grades 3-5 to make sure the kids are allright. THEY ARE!

New Releases


                      

Surnames: Live From The Bang-A-Song (LP on Spotify, on Bandcamp). First of all, great album name. But seriously, we don’t have many occasions to record live albums with a live audience in the studio, but by golly, it’s a thrill when we do! These songs are fully formed and the band sounds like they’ve been playing them this tightly forever. So catchy and groovy, too.

Wood & Bone: Rising Smoke EP (on Spotify, also Bandcamp). Good music from good friends. Makes me mad there’s only three songs. There’s always REPEAT.

JATK: When Tomorrow Comes (Maxi Single on Spotify, on Bandcamp). Since the day I sat in my office next door while this was being mixed, I’ve had these opening riffs stuck in my head.

Matt Rhodes: Where the Sorrow Sirens Sing (LP on Bandcamp). I’ve been running ‘Takin’ The High Road’ on my regular rotation since it came out as a single, and it’s unsurprising that the full length album is lush, beautiful and timely. Go to there.

And lastly, our most prolific and productive artist is Telamor who has released HALF A DOZEN singles since our last blog post, and is prepping even more as we speak. From a full length acoustic album, to a Neil Young cover, to a birthday dance mix, Telamor has you covered.

In The Studio | New Releases: June – December 2020

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2020. It was a challenge to keep Bang-A-Song banging this year, but we did it! Here’s what’s been happening…

In The Studio

Thanks to the fine folks who safely joined us at Bang-A-Song to get their tracks tracked, get their mixes mixed and get their masters mastered. We are looking forward to spending more time with you in the studio in 2021!

Thanks to Wangari Fahari, Kenyan born composer, singer and founder of Fahari Records Inc., who spent several days at Bang-A-Song along with Mighty Mystic, Scott and John Aruda (The Aruda Brothers), and Sidney Mills producing (shown above). We also laid down tracks with John Jerome, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?, Mexican Ape Lord, Eric Salt & The Electric City, George Hall, Brendan Kinetik, Organismic, Telamor, Jon Butcher, The Dazies, Christian Towler, Matt Rhodes, Bob Wolfman, Toby Mountain, Wood & Bone, Tony Mason, Geoff Small, Tim Gearan (live at our own local Shalin Liu!), and Allen Estes.

New Releases

Congratulations to all our musical friends and clients who were in the studio and who released new music in the back half of 2020. As the year closes, it’s a perfect time to buy new music from artists who have been working hard all year to keep up their creative output for your enjoyment. Check it out!

Here’s to a happy and healthy 2021. Happy New Year!

In The Studio | New Releases: 2020

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Bang-A-Song has been closed to clients for the past ten weeks or so (like the rest of the state), but we are re-opening our doors for small, safe, socially distant sessions. Despite the downtime, and because it’s been more than six months since the last ‘In The Studio’, there’s quite a lot to share. Congratulations to everyone who released new music over the past few months…we need music right now! On the flip side…musicians need your support right now! If you are able: buy music, live stream shows, grab some merch. It’s good for everyone. Here’s where to start:

New Releases 2020

In The Studio:

Many thanks to everyone was working and tracking and mixing and mastering in 2020…including but not limited to Tony Mason, Telamor, Dazies, What Time Is It, Mr Fox?, Jon Butcher, John Jerome, The Goombadis, Alexandra Grace, Crunch Time, Allen Estes, Bob Wolfman, The LeBarons , Mexican Ape Lord, Shep Abbott, Henley Douglas Jr. and Meg Griffin, Jason Rozen, Eric Salt, Sue Waller, Andy Luman, John Hyde and Karen Ristuben, and Sister Kathy.

In The Studio/New Releases: Summer/Fall 2019

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Bang-A-Song has been bang-a-songing all summer and into the fall, and so have our artists.  Here’s what’s new and underway:

New Releases:

Proving Ground Music continues its release of nearly-monthly singles:  “Get Ready” (featuring Sam and Tony Goddess) is like a Hawaiian lullaby (listen here on Spotify).  “Stay” (featuring Eric Salt) is as propulsive as Eric Salt himself (listen here on BandCamp), and “The Rose” (featuring Brian Sullivan) will put you in the moodiest of moods (listen here on Spotify).

 

 

 

 

Harry and The Potters have released their first full-length album in more than a decade, and it’s a huge work of art.  “Lumos” is available on BandCamp here, and if you don’t find their first single (and lyric video for) “Hermione’s Army” a banger, then I don’t even know you anymore.  (If you’ve never seen them live, the video for “The Trace” gives a good flavor.  Tasty!)

 

The Moving Targets are also back with their first full-length album in more than a decade (it’s actually ‘in more than 25 years’)!  “Wires” is available on BandCamp from BossTuneage Records, and you can listen on Spotify here.  They have a local show coming up, too, on November 11th, at ONCE Ballroom if you’re in the Somerville area.  Bring your earplugs, it’s gonna get awesome!

Telamor has released “Pumpkinhead” for your seasonal enjoyment (listen here on Spotify, and there’s a new 3-song EP dropping tomorrow, but while you wait, you can psyche yourself up for a “Wild, Wild Weekend” (listen here on Spotify) which naturally would start with “Friday Crazy Night” (listen here on Spotify).  Telamor is TIMELY with its releases, people.

Lastly, a one-of-a-kind release from Brian King and What Time Is It, Mr. Fox? that was recorded at Bang-A-Song.  “MEDUSA: Reclaiming The Myth” is a new multimedia musical experience presented in the Museum of Science Charles Hayden Planetarium.  Live original music alongside an animated audio play retells the Medusa tale in a way that requires the attention of all your senses.   This short trailer gives a hint of the show, but just the smallest one: the show is a massive achievement, and you should be on the lookout for its next presentation.

In The Studio:

Surnames moved on to mastering.  Lisa Manning bled to tape.  Pete Koeplin manned the skins for the new Matt Rhodes record. Kim Blisard created a soundtrack.  Rabbi Lewis transferred long lost recordings of Maurice Dancour.  Koi Wolf howled.  Kinetik was kind.  John Jerome avoided the sophomore slump.  Dennis Golden filled out his library.  The Dazies grew a new release.  Matt Jatkola and Adam Taylor mixed next level power pop.  Sir Be hit the beat.  Tae Kwan Flow returned for the rematch.  Jon Butcher channeled Bobby Hebb.  (And though she hasn’t been in the studio recently, here’s a nice piece in the Gloucester Daily Times on Megan Wolf, who’s definitely put in her time at Bang-A-Song!)

Harry and the Potters kick off in Gloucester

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We here at Bang-A-Song are so pumped to see Harry and the Potters kick of their summer tour here in Gloucester at the Sawyer Free Library on Friday night at 7pm (Facebook Event Page). They’ll have copies of their new album “Lumos“, their first in eight years(!) which we recorded and mixed here over the last year. The album is magical (what would you expect!!!) and possesses quite a lot of insight into today’s world as related through the world of Hogwarts, Harry, Hermione…..and Ron…speaking of which, let me share a story. One night the Potters were sitting around our 133 year old piano talking about the sixteen song record we were about to embark on and voila….a 17th song seemed to arrive fully formed: “Where’s Ron“.  Joe is an amazing piano player and Paul is an “ideas man” non-pareil.  Within an hour the song was written and we tracked it the next day, culminating in a duet with Kimya Dawson. With credit to the Potter Puppet Pals, check out the video here.