I'm currently working on mastering the first release. The tapes are rolling and hot music juice is flowing through the mixer... That sounds kind of gross, actually. I'll take that back.

These past six months have been really crazy. I started acquiring recording gear and began my journey in learning audio engineering back in early June. I'm really stoked to get the first release out there but there are so many glaring errors in the recordings that it's hard to not cringe a little. Regardless, I made a commitment to put out this cassette, and recording flaws be damned because it deserves to get out there: all of the bands (Tideland, Pygmylush, No Babies, Outclassed, and Spires) gave such great performances, and the recordings should live on forever as documents of an incredible week in Oakland.

I'm not sure what I'll be working on once I finish the first release. This is the only "planned" release so far, since the details for possible future releases are still being worked out. (The recordings already exist but whether they will be turned into releases is to be determined.) I also have a recording engagement on Saturday, 6 December @ the Abco Warehouse in West Oakland, where Grand Lake will be playing its first show with Man/Miracle, Dakota Slim, and No's, which will definitely be my best recording to date: I'll be using incredible tube mics and preamps and it will also be my first live recording recorded on my Tascam 34b four-channel reel to reel deck. The recording will provide incredible clarity, depth and richness using a four-microphone setup.

All that aside, it's time to plan for the future. I've already offered recording services to a couple of artists. These recordings will be mostly for the purpose of "beefing up" my portfolio and to gain some experience with my completed studio setup. I also want to get some experience recording "quieter" acts since all of my recordings so far have been louder rock acts. I imagine these engagements will take place in the month of December.

In addition to recording, I need to think about what I want to release on my label, Praxis West. I want the Praxis West catalog to be a curated collection of unique artists and works. I really don't want it to be just another rock & roll record label or to simply put out anything and everything that comes along. After I put out the first compilation (and the other compilation that I have in mind), I want to start building contacts with local acts whom I think offer something new and challenging.

That's all for now. I want to close with a request - if you or your band want to be recorded, or want to be considered for a cassette release, please contact me and we will discuss possibilities. I would like to put out one release every four or six weeks from here on out, which is (thankfully, and finally) possible now that I have finished building my studio.

Write me or add a comment if you'd like to say something!

xoxoxo
Jeff