In The Studio: Winter 2021, Winter 2022

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

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


                          
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

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

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: Spring 2019

Spring is coming on at Bang-A-Song, so let’s talk about what has gesprungen here!

In The Studio:

John Jerome is back for more. Jon Butcher produced and produced. Second Balcony Jump made their third record. CRUNCHTIME didn’t rush it. Koi Wolf slathered a lamb in Texas hot sauce. Lisa Manning made us cry. Telamor had me channel Thunders. Hemway had me channel the Wind. The Dazies expanded an ep to an album. Geoff Small employed many 7ths. Allen Estes brought some beautiful acoustic guitars down. Glympses brought some beautiful electric guitars down. Rob McLocklin practiced his Kowloon set. Suriel tracked into the night. Mr. Fox captured Medusa on tape. Bradley Royds transferred a 39 year old cassette. The Lebarons were good. Sunset Taxicab started a ride. Mari Martin sang on the Elvis mic. Kim Blisard edited the dance. Mike Parsons brought the 90’s back in the form of Neon 90’s. Dan King prepped for the return of the Monday Night Jam.

New Releases:

CRUNCHTIME had their CD Release at a Midway Matinee: Outsourced b/w Situation Out Of Control. You can stream and buy here.

Keeping up with his single-per-month club,Telamor released “Rattle My Cage” (with Tony Goddess on guitar), “Friday Crazy Night“, and “Beautiful To Me“. (Available on all music services.)

Matt Rhodes has released “Into The Black” as well as its official music video which can be found here.

Glympses released their official video for the track “Medicine Man“. Check it out here!

Second Balcony Jump released “Take This Ring” featuring John Jerome.

Jones Creek‘s new 4-song EP “Whiskey and Women” is available on Spotify and all music services.

Tony pitched in some guitar flourishes that Paul Sanni used in a Woodstock documentary trailer. Check it out here.