In my top friends you'll find Project Independent.  It is a metal showcase that is touring the US starting in September.  They will be in New London on October 4th at the El N Gee. Local bands will have a chance to showcase followed by a few bands that are on the tour.  The local bands will have a shot at joining the next years tour.  Check out Project Independent on myspace and on their official website (link below) to learn more about what's up.  If you play metal or are into metal, it's a great way to support the movement.

http://www.projectindependent.net/

I'm posting a new song that I recorded last week - Steel Balloon.  I experimented with a production technique I read about with the recording the drum tracks.   I performed / tracked the drum without any cymbal work.  I then ran a pass with just the cymbals.  It gave the drums an extra bit of clarity - especially on the snare.; there was no hi-hat to worry about in the snare track (& vice versa).  I'm not a drummer and wrote the drum track to tape, so tracking the cymbals were a bit sketchy, but a rehearsed drummer would have done much better with timing and taste.  For the recording, I got very quick sounds on the instruments (I just made sure levels weren't too hot), and did a very quick mix.  My 2 year old son helped me out on the vocal track - so this is also his debut.

The idea of the track was inspired by an artists group I am involved with.  We meet once a month and submit 2 words.  The words are put in a hat and drawn.  Every memeber has to create a work of art inspired by the 2 words.  My words this month were steel and balloon.  It's a great creative excercise.

-ST

I'm posting a new track recorded last week with a band out of Shelton, Desolation Reigns.   Check out the untitled track in my playlist here and check them out  and add them if you like (they are in my top friends list).

The Desolation Reigns demo (3 songs & an intro) was completed in 7 hours.  We tracked the guitar, bass & drums live - then overdubbed a second guitar and vocals.  I tried a new approach to recording the drums. I have 2 new overhead mics, so I used my old OH's to close mic the hi hats & ride.  I also placed the kit on the opposite end of the room where I usually set it up, and the sound opened up a bit.  After tracking was completed we did a quick mix & master.

The new board is in place and has been taken for a test drive.  Automatically I heard a huge sonic difference from my previoius mixer.  It's pretty ridiculous.  The Eq is pretty sick on the board - just a little bit of adjustment is heard distinctively.

First order of business will be mixing the track "Circles" from Down on 7 - a CT based rock group.

2nd will be mixing the King of Salem full length, "Prophecy".  This stoner rock recording will have a VERY limited pressing of 100 CD's and 100 LPs.

I got to learn how to write an interesting Blog, perhaps I ought to start writing about my trips to alternate dimensions in my search for Castle Greyskull.

I've traded in my Soundcraft Ghost and the Toft ATB 32 will be sitting pretty at UP Recording by the end of this month.  Things should be taken up a notch sound quality-wise from here on in.  Beauty. 



This thing is going to kick arse.  I bought brown vinyl today to make a custom dust cover for it; it's like I'm friggin pregnant knitting booties and stuff.

I never can write these interesting enough, so here is a boring list:

1. Atrocity's full length has been shelved.  If you know of anybody who wants to release this record contact the Atrocity guys.. (they are in my top friends list)

2 Filthy Little Whores finished an EP here recently and will be releasing it at Cousin Larry's on Dec 13 (again, top friends list)

3. The new King of Salem LP is nearly done (over 3 years in the making).  Listen to a rough mix of The Prophet in my playlist here...

4. Hooker Inspector has been adding members & friends and meetings shall begin after the new year.  Look for some interesting music making from this collective / collaborative. 

5. Visit & add my top friends (all my friends if you like.)

Thanks.
ST

Atrocity (CT) is now in the studio recording their full length for Open Grave Records.  www.myspace.com/atrocityus

The new photos of the studio were shot last night by Jim Altieri.
jimaltieri.com

F’in sweet.

There will be new photos taken of the studio sometime in the near future.  After all the updates & upgrades that have been done,  I thought it only wise and sensible to show peoples what the studio is looking like currently.  Until the photos are taken (called in a pro) and uploaded,  please enjoy this old school picture of me & Jerry Stiller.  For all you folks who know not of the Jerry Stiller - he is the man who spawned the Ben Stiller.  Dig it.