Tag Archives: in the studio

In The Studio: Summer 2023

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Old friends and new have been visiting, tracking, mixing and rocking (Tony Goddess, Dave Minehan of Woolly Mammoth Sound, and Willie ‘Loco’ Alexander, above).

New Releases

Here’s a list of new releases that we’re lucky to have been working on and listening to at Bang-A-Song.

In The Studio

Working hard day by day to get to the New Releases section next time around are: Jon Butcher, Sister Kathy, U-Ey at the Buoy, Mexican Ape Lord, John Jerome, Paulzon Fire, Telamor, Sal Baglio, KBMG, Hannah Smalltree, Willie Alexander, Joe Wilkins, Jim Coyle, Senior Moment, Tim Shannon, Steve Lacey, Phoebe Potts, Arlen Ginsberg, The LeBarons.

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 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!

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.

In The Studio/New Releases: Spring 2019

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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.

 

 

 

In The Studio/New Releases: Fall/Winter 2018

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Thanks to everyone who was working at Bang-A-Song this fall. A lot of new albums were released since we last updated you, and we’re happy to recommend them! Dig in….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In The Studio:

Koi Wolf made their amps howl. Kim Blisard came to dance.  Over the Bridge crossed into Studio C.  Northwest Fox recorded a few more tracks before setting sail.  Crunchtime crunched. The Dazies started a new EP.  Safety played it dangerous. Quentin Callewaert kept us young.  Toby Mountain made a difference. Second Balcony Jump cut their Third record. Harry and the Potters cast their mixes. Satch Kerans swung into C. The Instigators finished what they started.  Jones Creek paddled through the overdubs. Sound Harbor held a class. Meg Griffin voiced a podcast. Joe Wilkins cut a rhythm section. John Jerome got going on the next one.  Lisa Manning waxed poetic.  Matt Smith spent some time in Studio C.  Amanda Mena crooned some tunes.

In The Studio/New Releases: Summer 2018

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It took us until the last day of summer to stop tracking (and swimming) and rocking (and sweating) long enough to bring you the news about who’s been at Bang A Song working, and who’s put their new Bang A Song stuff out for your listening pleasure.

New Releases:

  • The new long player from The Only Things is available at Bandcamp and Apple Music.
  • John Jerome released his self-titled album this summer, and if you’re lucky enough to have caught him at Harbor Loop, at the Bluefin Blowout, at The Rhumb Line, on North Shore 104.9 (you get the idea), then you should have a copy of the CD by now. If you do not, you should check it out on Spotify.
  • Alexandra and Josh recorded and released The Colour Lilac on all platforms (Itunes | Amazon | Spotify | CD Baby) and they held a proper record-release party to celebrate the accomplishment!
  • Second Balcony Jump released the second single from the album “Get Up”, and it’s a smooth and saxy piece entitled “Blind“. And if you’re in the mood to bang a little, the third single “Do It Again” features choice performances from Kinetik, DJ Slipwax, and Heavy Stud. I mean, that’s just stacking the deck….and we like it!

In The Studio: