Manhattan Beach with Drums

Ryan:
So the song is coming along very nicely. We jammed it out with Sean, and it's turning out really kick ass. Very excited about it. Recorded a few takes tonight and I think we've nailed down the overall structure. It hits you like a ton of bricks right from the start. . .

first talks. . .

Ryan:
Ulrich and myself had our first phone conversation this evening and things are full steam ahead. Some very exciting things in the master plan. Will make sure to keep you all updated once things become final. Some dreams just come true because they had to. Very thankful to be able to work with such amazing artists!

Props to Powerpoint!

Our buds in Powerpoint landed a spot on Wired Magazines Blog. Congrats to you for making software cool again!!

meadowlark - friday, february 15, 2008

Yarimir Caban "MiMa"

Enoc:

I Just came Back from Puerto Rico and I had the pleasure of meeting Yarimir Caban "MiMa" She's an incredible singer songwriter from Puerto Rico who released an album in 2005 and is currently working on a new one. MiMa's album is incredible and so are the musicians in this album. This Album is sold out but you can still find it digitally (itunes etc.) The album is a blend of Bossa Nova, Jazz, Caribbean music and Yarimir's unique voice. Go say Hi to MiMa myspace.com/mimamusica, check out her music and more about her at http://www.mimamusica.com/
Recomended tracks :
-Fabula para Ivo
-Era Aquello

-Peregrina

-Ojo Avisor

lions lair - saturday, february 23, 2008

co-producing with ulrich-schnauss - update

Ryan:
So the track "neverChanger" is on it's way with Ulrich. Talked today and we went over some of the details of the coming months with this track and hopefully more. We're also still discussing the possibility of touring in September of 2008 in Europe with Tribes of the City and Ulrich. Probably Baltic States, Germany, France and Netherlands if it does happen. Will let you know if I find out anything more. Fingers crossed.

experimenting tonight

Ryan:
It's still extremely frigid here in Barnum, and it's time to experiment a little bit. I'm gonna take this moment to try a few techniques out, and maybe write some new material. We have a whole shmorgasborg of stuff to pull from, and there's nothing wrong with adding more fuel to the blazing fire.

Update:
Got the new rig up and running and worked on some various keyboard tones. Saved out a library of patches to later use on some upcoming tracks. Figured it would be good to get some new sounds in the mix.

"manhattan beach"

A new song has found structure tonight as Erik braved the frozen tundra of a very frost bitten night to come over and jam. We recorded what will soon to be called "manhattan beach", a place we visited while on tour late at night in California. Still dreaming about the beach each and every night.

URB Magazine's Next 100 artists of 2008!

Ryan:
Just got word from URB Magazine that they have selected us as one of their "Next 100 artists of 2008". Look for the issue coming this spring! Very exciting news. . .

Also, side note, one of my main pieces of recording gear has died and I now have to get it replaced. Big bummer, and kinda a huge hurdle, but I'm not afraid. The good news for sure masked the pain I'm feeling.

engineers. . .

Ryan:
During the engineering times of the new recordings for both Peña and our new stuff, I took some time to get ahold of yet another amazing band I've been a big fan of for quite some time. . . that being the "engineers". I figured I'd see if they'd be down to co-produce some tracks with us since we have such a similar mood, and I've gotten response! Nothing solid, but I will for sure let you know if I hear anything more.

Engineers - "Forgiveness":

intermissionary

So we are pausing for a brief moment to dial in our live sound/record. We have been working with Sean Merrell from tintin/ian cooke (who is brilliant by the way). He has been a great friend from the drop the fear days, and it's great to have him drumming for us now. We're getting ready to play a few shows in February, and also working on new material. I am actually also helping out Peña record some new tracks here at Shoreline Studios.

For those who may be interested, Shoreline Studios/My House has been a self-proving ground, where I have spent way too many hours working late at night on mixes and overall production. My late friend Scot Gordon of Scary Valentine and Randall Frazier from Orbit Service both helped along the way with the basic understanding of overall production. I couldn't even come close to the masters I'm making now if it wasn't for a few very important tricks from Scot, so wherever you are, thanks man! Randall really helped in the EQ and mic'ing department, and for sure stepped my game up in the knowledge of room mic'ing.

So now I'm stepping out of my own element to help out friends who make music I love, and what better way than working with Peña, who are absolutely stunning live. Tomorrow night we record drums with Mike Scarano. Looking forward to it. . .

puzzles and pictures

Ryan:
Drove through some super frigid weather up to Erik's tonight for a jam and to celebrate the new years. Was a good start 2008. Lunched it up with Rosemary (grandma) and took it easy on the last day off. Reflected bout a bunch of things. The good, the bad. . . sometimes too much of the bad. But it was good to vent.

We did some 4-track recording with Kurt and I think I stumbled across a melody on acoustic that I'm drawn to. Gonna let it fade and listen again in the coming days.

Anyways, to those who actually read this, have a great New Year! Sure it's not truly a "New Year" for anyone personally in my opinion, but it's for sure a great day to reflect upon everything that happened, and what's to come.

I know I'm excited!