December 2011 News
"Congratulations to our friend Ben Lear on his Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song in a feature length film."

"Ben Lear’s, “Imaginary Friends,” is on the shortlist for the Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song in a feature length film. The song appears in “Olive,” the first feature shot entirely on a cell phone and the only film without distribution or festival appearances to be considered for an Oscar this year. A real underdog story, you might say. Ben Lear is an unsigned, self-distributing artist up against the likes of Mary J Blige, Elvis Costello, Chris Cornell, Elton John, and Lady Gaga (among many others). To hear his song, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDH5V2hsrxk&context=C3420e76ADOEgsToPDskJnIs1xG98G97Jy60RcFw6E

A couple links related to this story:
http://radioalice.radio.com/2011/12/20/olive-song-makes-oscar-shortlist/
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/oscars-national-mary-j-blige-original-song-275418
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV97uzlUQjA

And the link to my music:
http://benlearmusic.com
 
November 2011 News
For 50 years, The Chieftans have been making traditional Irish music together. The group has received 6 Grammy Awards and an Academy award in addition to countless collaborations with some of the most respected musicians of our time. They have worked with artists such as Joni Mitchell, The Rolling Stones, Sting and most recently, T Bone Burnett. Founder Paddy Maloney and the rest of the band were in Studio D as part of an epic, new project that is being kept secret for the time being. T Bone produced while Mike Piersante engineered and Chris Owens assisted.
 
October 2011 News
Melody Gardot is truly unique. Known for her accomplishments as a singer/songwriter, she also happens to be a Macrobiotic cook, a Buddhist, a fashionista and an advocate for the benefits of music therapy. Melody began writing her own music after a severe accident in 2003 left her hospitalized for a year, but after recovering and playing a gig in Philadelphia in 2005, she was discovered and her career as a singer took off. Ms. Gardot was hard at work in Studio D for several weeks with producer Heitor Pereira, engineer Moogie Canazio, and assistant Scott Smith.
 
September 2011 News
Leslie Feist, known just as ‘Feist’ to her fans, has been rocking the masses since the 90’s. Not only does she have a wildly successful solo career, but her involvement in the band Broken Social Scene has garnered positive attention all through the indie music world and they have even been called a “super group”. This month, The Starbucks Digital Network in partnership with Yahoo asked Feist to perform a live set in Studio, and The Village was proud to host this event in our own Studio D. The session went without a hitch, thanks in part to producer Ian Dittbrenner, engineer Ghian Wright and assistant Nelson Lugo. Check out the video for yourself! http://concert.music.yahoo.com/Programs/sdn/feist/
 
August 2011 News
Most people use their life savings to travel, retire, or start their own business but columnist Benjamin Mee used his to buy a zoo. Benjamin’s memoir, illustrating a family’s decision to buy and restore a down-and-out zoo in the English countryside, was so compelling that 20th Century Fox decided to adapt it and make a movie. Starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson, ‘We Bought A Zoo’ will be in theatres starting December 23rd of this year. Directed by award winning director Cameron Crowe and the score composed by Sigur Ros front man Jón Þór "Jónsi" Birgisson, peaks the interest of critics and fans alike. Joel Iwataki engineered the project in Studio D and Shinnosuke Miyazawa assisted.
 
July 2011 News
Bubble Guppies, a new Nickelodeon series for preschoolers, burst onto the scene with “wave” reviews this past January 24th. Focusing on any and every topic a kid might ponder, the animated, underwater show teaches important lessons while delighting the senses with color, graphics and original pop music. These clever tunes provide an educational soundtrack for the show, and little guppies everywhere will be singing along to the catchy hooks. Scott Smith engineered on the session in Studio B.
 
June 2011 News
The only thing harder than raising a teenage girl is dealing with an addiction to drugs…and sex. No one knows this better than ‘Californication’ character, Hank Moody, a tortured novelist with an insatiable appetite for the ladies. The Village was thrilled to welcome the cast and crew of the hit show while acting as location for an upcoming episode. Keep your eyes out for David Duchovny working in Studio D on episode 2 of the 5th season. Ravel Boynton assisted on the shoot.
 
May 2011 News
If you enjoy watching The Office, Modern Family or Parks and Recreation, you are sure to love Horrible Bosses, also directed by Seth Gordon. Everyone has had those days where their boss is on a rampage and almost seems to enjoy inflicting pain on his or her employees, but would you ever go so far as to plan their murder? The stars of the film, Charlie Day, Jason Sudekis and Jason Bateman seem to have reached that point, because they decide to plan ways to kill each others’ bosses. The crew from Sonic Fuel Studios, consisting of composer Chris Lennertz, engineer Jeff Vaughn and Village assistant Vanessa Parr, made Studio D their home for the month.
 
April 2011 News
Based on the New York Times best seller by Kathryn Stockett, ‘The Help’ took up residency this month in Studio D to track their original score with Thomas Newman. ‘The Help’ tells a touching tale of honesty, and the courage it takes to break down race and status barriers in 1960’s Mississippi. The film is set to premiere this August and is already creating quite a buzz in Los Angeles. Tommy Vicari engineered while Vanessa Parr assisted.
 
March 2011 News
Dave Schiffman and Fred DurstJacksonville natives Fred Durst and the rest of the Limp Bizkit band members were hard at work in Studio A this month with engineer Dave Schiffman and assistant Scott Smith. Rumor has it they are perfecting the soon to be released, “Gold Cobra” record: the first in an anticipated 2-album project, said to be released by Interscope next month.

“Big Time Rush” is the highest rated live action series in youth cable network Nickelodeon’s running history. After sparking a mass curiosity amongst viewers with an hour long pilot in 2009, the debut episode aired to huge success and it continues to be, now 2 years later. The boy band on the show records and performs the songs featured on each episode, bringing them to The Village’s very own Studio F. On their visit this month, Noel Zancanella engineered with Ravel Boynton assisting.

DeVotchKaAs surprising as it may be that such heavily laden Romani/Mariachi/Greek fusion music could come from just a little place like Denver, Colorado, indie rock group DeVotchKa has certainly done it right. Since the late 90’s, DeVotchKa (Russian for “girl”) has been more of a supporting act, backing Burlesque shows and touring with household names such as Dita Von Teese. However in 2006, placement on the soundtrack to “Little Miss Sunshine” left them uncovered and exposed for the world to see, showcasing unmatched musicianship and strong lyrical flair amongst the entire band. Since then, the group has composed scores for several television shows and movies in addition to being nominated for a Grammy award. In conjunction with World Café, we were honored to have DeVotchKa perform live in Studio A with Ghian Wright engineering and Ravel Boynton assisting.

Lukather and Marty FriedmanFor almost ten years, Marty Friedman owned the stage as lead guitarist for legendary metal band Megadeth, earning him notoriety, respect, and the ultimate street cred amongst his contemporaries. Since then he has immersed himself in Japanese culture, taking up residency in Tokyo, speaking the language fluently and co-starring in many Japanese TV programs. In recent months though, he has journeyed back to the states to embark on a solo project with engineer Steve Hardy. The two worked between Studios B and F with assistant Nelson Lugo on what is sure to be an epic record with all of the unconventional sounds and styles we all expect from the one and only, Marty Friedman.

 
February 2011 News
T Bone Grammy Party Grammy Party Every year in February, The Village is graciously honored to host the pre-Grammy Award celebration for the Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing. Each studio transforms into a show room for cutting edge audio gear with product demos for all the next big innovations in capturing sound. The night isn’t complete without a live performance or two and the foundation also uses this rare occasion to commemorate our peers and their significant contributions in music to date. This year, in honor of the P&E Wing’s 10th anniversary, producer T Bone Burnett was presented with the President’s Merit Award, highlighting his vast achievements in sound and his unsurpassed knack for making truly renowned records. Following a moving acceptance speech, guests were treated to a live show by one of T Bone’s latest protégés, The Secret Sisters – a talented female duo from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This unforgettable night in music was made possible through an extraordinary convergence of audio professionals and artists alike. Among friends, cocktails, and fun, the event proved as always, to be a genuine display of the art of recording music.

When Eminem first hit the scene, he changed the game for up and coming rappers. His image, style and work ethic shot him straight to the top as he created a brand new sound in hip hop and an exponential fan following. Though a battle with addiction caused a temporary fade into black, Eminem is back and stronger than ever, dropping some of the hottest new tracks. The Village was thrilled to be a part of his re-emergence into the spotlight when he and hip hop group Slaughterhouse occupied Studios B and D for what could be the beginning of another epic partnership. Scott Smith and Chris Owens assisted on the project, which we hope to hear on the airwaves soon.

Alan Parsons & PJ OlsonSince he was 18, Alan Parsons has been an extremely influential contributor in the music biz. Getting his start at London’s famed Abbey Road studios, Parson’s talent for producing and engineering was clear from the beginning. Before long, he was working on legendary records such as “Abbey Road”, “Let It Be”, and “Dark Side of the Moon”, all while forming his own band “The Alan Parsons Project”. Along with band mate and producer PJ Olson, Alan engineered in Studio A with assistant Scott Smith for his newest creative venture, a yet unannounced project.

Leona Lewis stands out from her contemporaries in this new generation of pop music. The power and emotion in her voice harkens back to a time when Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston ruled the radio. Originally from England, Leona brought her sound to the US after winning the popular TV show “The X Factor.” Her single “Bleeding Love” reached number 1 on the pop charts in more than 30 countries, and at age 25, she has already been nominated for a Grammy 3 times. Ms. Lewis was recording voiceovers this February in Studio F with the help of engineer Nathan Alford.

T Bone & Lisa MarieGiven the nickname, “The Princess of Rock and Roll”, Lisa Marie Presley has been steeped in great music since she was a kid. In 2003, she released her first album, which soared to number 5 on the Billboard Charts and did very well in the UK. Lisa Marie has written or co-written almost all of her own songs and has teamed up with several musicians including Gus Black and Richard Hawley during the span of her career. T Bone Burnett was back at The Village to produce Lisa Marie’s third album along with engineer Jason Wormer and assistant Vanessa Parr.

 
January 2011 News
Cold War KidsEvery high school has its fair share of drama, but nobody can top the kids at West Beverly High. This fictional institution is where the main action takes place on the all-new and improved version of “90210”. Originally airing in 1990, “Beverly Hills, 90210” was created by Darren Star and helped shape the television trends of that time. Today its fan base holds just as strong, all in the taste of a new generation of youth. This month, The Village hosted the crew as they worked on music for the show in Studio A with Chris Owens engineering.

Another popular TV show set up shop at The Village this January. The cast of “Glee” was hard at work in Studios B and F recording vocals with engineer Deyder Cintron. Nelson Lugo and Ghian Wright assisted. It takes a keen ear and a skilled hand to perfect the McKinley High Schoolers’ signature sound, but after seeing the latest episodes of “Glee” on Fox, it sounds like their hard work paid off. Being the front man for one of the biggest selling pop groups of all time is life changing, but maintaining a wildly successful solo career is what really makes you a star. Nick Carter has been in the spotlight since the early 90’s acting in commercials, movies, and most notably performing with the Backstreet Boys. Recently, he has been in Studio F working on a new solo album which hits Japan next month followed by a U.S. release in May. Chris Owens engineered while Jared Nugent assisted.

As always, KCRW brings some of today’s best artists into our studio to perform live on Morning Becomes Eclectic. This month we had the pleasure of working with White Lies, Cold War Kids, and Iron & Wine. Formerly called Fear of Flying, White Lies had a quick ascent to notoriety. The band had written new songs that didn’t fit their previous sound, so the “new band” was reborn with an all new name in 2007. The UK natives let the media buzz do the work for them, and 5 months later, they burst onstage to be met with several “ones to watch” articles and multiple tour and TV appearance offers. Cold War Kids originated just across town in Fullerton, CA in 2004 and since then have spent most of their time writing and touring. Band member Nathan Willet is quoted saying, “We don’t love being in a studio; we focus more on the writing”, and that comes across loud and clear if you listen to any of their albums. Samuel Beam, better known as Iron & Wine, has a broad range of talents including a Bachelor’s Degree in painting, an MFA in film, and a musical intelligence and skill that has taken him all over the world. His fourth full length album was released this month, and all the while, Samuel still finds time to be a husband and father of 5.

Often referred to as “The Rolling Stones of Russia”, Mumiy Troll is rapidly grabbing the attention of American audiences. The band is considered one of the most popular acts in their homeland and has been given credit for starting a whole new rock/pop sound, due in part to lead singer Ilya Lagutenko. He has been praised for his captivating stage presence and quirky lyrics, and even after taking a hiatus to serve in the Soviet Army, the band’s international popularity has never faltered. Mumiy Troll was in Studio F this month working with famed engineer Mike Clink, recording an album in English. Release date is yet to be announced.

 
December 2010 News
Greenhornes Rufus & Martha Wainwright After taking a small break in 2002, The Greenhornes are back and better than ever. Buzz Media brought the guys in for a live session on December 6th to highlight Four Stars, the newest album from this Cincinnati based band. But the boys have been busy since their hiatus. Collaborating with friends Jack White and Brendan Benson, Lawrence and Keeler formed The Raconteurs who have been selling out venues all across America. In addition to The Greenhornes, The Dandy Warhols joined The Buzz Media roster later in the week, and don’t be fooled into thinking that a clever name is all that sets these musicians apart from the crowd. This group of Portland natives has plenty of pizzazz to stand out amongst a sea of wannabes. Founded in the early 90’s, The Warhols first gained momentum in Europe and after a brilliant video directed by David LaChapelle, the band gained the favor of the American listener. Nic Harcourt produced while Ghian Wright engineered and Scott Smith and Nelson Lugo assisted.

This month, KCRW produced Duffy and Damon Gough, also known as Badly Drawn Boy, in Studio’s B and D. With a vocal style all her own and a fashion sense to match, Duffy has achieved great success since debuting her first album, Rockferry in 2008. She has won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, several Brit awards and appeared in the film Patagonia. Badly Drawn Boy, a singer/songwriter from the UK, has also captured the attention of music lovers everywhere. He was not only included in the 2002 list of “50 Bands To See Before You Die”, but has made great strides in the world of philanthropy as well; the profits from his UK tour in 2006 went to a music based charity called Oxfam.

After winning the grand prize on Star Search in 1993, Beth Hart’s career began to take flight. She went on to be the lead in an off Broadway musical, record with icons like Les Paul and Slash and more importantly, earn the respect of the great blues/rockers that came before her. Joe Bonamassa has also had his fair share of notoriety, opening for BB King at the age of 12 and later founding the group Bloodline with Berry Oakley, Erin Davis, and Waylon Krieger. This December, Hart and Bonamassa teamed up with famed engineer Kevin Shirley in Studio D.

 
November 2010 News
This month, The Village had the pleasure of hosting over 6 sessions with “The Live Buzz”, a newly launched music video site through Buzz Media. Nic Harcourt, formerly of KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, joined forces with Buzz to breathe new life into the way music lovers watch internet videos. When asked how Live Buzz is different than similar sites, Harcourt says, “we’re getting up close in personal in the way we’re shooting sessions. You’re feeling like you’re closer to the music, and I haven’t felt that in anything that I’ve seen before.” In November alone, Buzz recorded and documented performances by Darker My Love, Starz, Banda De Touristas, Sean Lennon, Bear Hands and Black Angels in various studios around The Village. We are looking forward to many more.

On November 1st, Studio A was occupied by British electro band, Underworld who rocked the airwaves on Morning Becomes Eclectic. In addition to welcoming the usual array of talented indie bands brought to us by KCRW, listeners were treated to a live performance from Joe Frank in Studio D. This American radio icon is best known for his zany, philosophical monologues and musings, but Joe’s first paying job was with NPR’s “All Things Considered”. He then relocated to the West Coast in 1986 to begin, “Joe Frank: Work in Progress”. Fans and familiars alike were touched by this sold out performance hosted by KCRW.

Whether or not you hail from Rockford, Illinois, Cheap Trick is sure to have captured your attention at one point or another. You may be the, “I Want You To Want Me” type who appreciates a good pop/rock anthem or perhaps you get down to the more metal influenced, “Gonna Raise Hell”, but either way, you are a Cheap Trick fan. With Howard Willing engineering and Scott Smith assisting, the band members played some old favorites and some new tunes for a live DVD in Studio A.

Ever since they hit the music scene in 2004, country duo Sugarland has been speedily gaining fans due to their beautiful vocals, moving lyrics and unparalleled melodies. The group was asked to sing their new song “Stand Up” as a tribute on the “CNN Heroes” special which aired Thanksgiving night. Producer/engineer Chip Matthews mixed the song with assistant Nelson Lugo in Studio B.

 
September 2010 News
Stan Lee If you have ever read a comic book then you should know the name, Stan Lee. In superhero obsessed circles, he is a god and amongst fellow fantasy writers, a man to admire. In collaboration with others, Stan has written Superman, the Hulk, X Men, The Avengers and countless others of classic comic stories. The Village was honored to have Mr. Lee in Studio F working with engineer Ghian Wright on a voice over project to be revealed at a later date.

Bursting onto the scene in 2009, “Glee” has changed the way America watches television. The show’s unique brand of humor combined with the allure of today’s biggest pop hits being belted out from McKinley High’s music room, Glee is hard to resist. Because of the large amount of musical production that goes into each episode, The Village was lucky enough to host a few Gleeks this past month for some recording and mixing. Composer James Levine was at the helm with Ghian Wright.

Set to release in 2011, romantic comedy Just Go With It, will be hitting the theatres just in time for Valentines Day. Starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, the film tells the story of a man who, in trying to land his dream girl, finds that he needs to help of a woman and her kids. With an all star cast including Nicole Kidman, Kevin Nealon and Dave Matthews, Just Go With It (formerly called, Pretend Wife) Is sure to warm even the iciest heart this February. Christian Davis produced the piece as Frank Wolf engineered and Ghian Wright assisted.

Moneyball is an upcoming film about the Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane. Based on a novel by Michael M. Lewis, the film explores Beane’s interesting tactics of putting together a competitive baseball team despite a tight budget. Brad Pitt is slated to take the lead role and other well respected actors such as Robin Wright, Phillip Seymour Hoffman and funny man Jonah Hill are also on board. Engineer Josh McGee worked with assistant Jared Nugent and the team at Sony Pictures on sound editing and mixing in Studio B.

KCRW and the Morning Becomes Eclectic team was back this month with the flamboyantly lovable Scissor Sisters for a live set and interview. The 5 band mates rocked out proper in Studio D, with a sound harkening back to a simpler time of Lucite platforms encasing live goldfish and body waves that even Farrah Fawcett would envy. If you ever had the desire to fight “Fire with Fire”, then the Scissor Sisters’ newest album, Night Work might be your next itunes purchase.

 
August 2010 News
Rufus & Martha Wainwright

The incredibly talented Rufus Wainwright stopped by The Village this month to serenade the KCRW listeners with old favorites and a few new tunes. With an extensive catalogue of hauntingly distinctive originals, Rufus kept us all captivated during this live broadcast. For an added bonus, Wainwright’s sister Martha was in attendance lending her crystal-clear, folk style voice to several harmony parts, including a beautiful French piece taught to them by their late mother. Ghian Wright engineered with Ravel Boynton assisting.

Whether it’s making us laugh on the legendary stages of SNL, drawing us into the pages of his vast literary accomplishments, or proving his well-honed acting chops, Steve Martin continues to display a passion unlike anyone else and an amazing drive to create. These days, Martin has perfected his banjo playin’ skills and recently teamed up with multiple Grammy Award winners, the Dixie Chicks to make a little magic in studio D with assistant Vanessa Parr. So what do you get when you combine a comic genius with the top selling female country group in America? I guess we will all just have to wait and find out!

This month, Joseph Arthur, Dhani Harrison and Ben Harper revealed what they have been working on through a private show hosted by KCRW. The guys have named the project, Fistful of Mercy and fans of each of the singer/songwriters are anxious to hear what they come up with next. This debut performance (engineered by Danny Kalb and assisted by Chris Owens and Ghian Wright) was performed for around 100 of the band’s nearest and dearest and broadcasted two days later on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic to rave reviews. The album, “As I Call You Down” is due out October 5th.

The RIPT, otherwise known as The Recording Industry Poker Tournament, set up shop in the auditorium for their 2nd annual showdown on August 1st. Tournament organizers, Dave Reitzas and KMD Productions put on a fabulous event complete with tons of hot prizes and celebrity guests. The money raised went towards Sound Art, an organization which helps children of all ages get the music education they crave. What better way to give back then by playing a little Texas Hold’em?

 
July 2010 News
The Secret Sisters

In November of 2009, Paul McCartney was awarded the third Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for popular song. Not only is this prize to encourage music lovers to use public libraries for research and exposure to some of the world’s most influential pieces, but it is also to honor artists who meet the standard of excellence that the Gershwin’s achieved in their heyday. McCartney has written hundreds of extraordinary songs that changed the way the world heard pop music. His legacy was so rightfully honored with an all star concert that aired on PBS, and The Village was privileged enough to mix it in Studio B with famed engineer Geoff Emereck and assistant Ghian Wright.

Laura and Lydia Rogers, also known as The Secret Sisters, have been plucked from obscurity to ascend the golden ladder to fame. Hailing from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, these ladies are about to release their debut LP, single. They were hard at work in Studio A this month with executive producer T Bone Burnett, engineer Jason Wormer and assistant Scott Smith along with such amazing musicians as Carl Broemel and Patti Smith’s son, Jackson Smith. If you ever felt a yearning to understand what the Deep South sounded like in the 1920’s, look no further. These sisters are the real deal.

From her beginnings as the ethereal princess of rock, Stevie Nicks’ memorable voice and commanding stage presence have kept audiences and listeners coming back for more. When Fleetwood Mac came to The Village in the 70’s, they set to work building Studio D which would be their home while recording the “Tusk” album. During this time, Stevie Nicks began to write and compile her own work to form the start of her solo career. Now, in 2010, Nicks is back in Studio D with Mick Fleetwood laying down the tracks to her latest project. I’m sure her fans can’t wait to get their next Nicks fix.

 
June 2010 News
This month The Village was privileged to host, quite possibly, one of the most exceptional collaborations in history: Sir Elton John and Leon Russell. Between the two of them, they have worked with greats such as Billy Joel, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, Dean Martin and The Rolling Stones. It seems only natural that they should wind up playing together. With a team consisting of T Bone Burnett, Mike Piersante and Vanessa Parr, the duo laid down the tracks in studio D to what is soon to be a legendary album.

Signed to a recording contract at age 5, Patti Austin continues to share her musical gifts through her beautiful, soul filled voice. Patti was in studio A this month with engineer Mike Frondelli and assistant Chris Owens working on her new album, “Sound Advice”. After more than 50 years of making chart topping hits, Ms. Austin shows no signs of slowing down.

Lucinda Williams was in studio F this June working with Eric Liljestrand, and Shinnosuke Miyazawa on her next project. Williams has been rocking with her distinctive americana/folk sound since the late 70’s, and was named “America’s Best Songwriter” in 2002 by Time Magazine. The honesty of her lyrics and gritty blues feel that comes through her music has kept fans listening and coming out to see her to this day.

 
May 2010 News
k. d Lang has been making music for 25 years. Her timeless voice, so filled with emotion and truth, is once again delighting listeners with her latest installment, a greatest hits album called “Recollection”. In this album, we hear old favorites like “Constant Craving” and “Miss Chatelaine” which remind us why this Canadian singer-songwriter has been so successful. k.d was in our very own Studio A this month with engineer Adam Hawkins and assistant Scott Smith.

Looking better than ever, Janet Jackson returned to The Village this month to work with engineer Ian Cross and assistant Ghian Wright in Studio D. After a career 12 albums, you would think that Janet would want to take a break, but this fearless singer/dancer just keeps on wowing the music world with her accomplishments. This July, Janet is slated to be interviewed by Richelle Carey for CNN and will be performing live at the Essence music festival on July 2nd.

Originally from Birkenhead, England, the fabulous Mr. Elvis Costello made the trek to the West Coast to work with T Bone Burnett, Mike Piersante and Vanessa Parr in Studio’s D and B. When you have pretty much covered (and mastered) every musical genre out there like Costello has, I suppose the next step is to start from the top again and play some Country and Bluegrass. Elvis got down to the nitty gritty with it, and what is sure to be some amazing new material was heard wafting through the Village halls like freshly baked bread from a French cafe.

 
April 2010 News
This month, Fox Music was in Studio D perfecting the score for Marmaduke. This classic comic strip character is now a silver screen star in the live action film due to release June 4th of this year. Owen Wilson plays the loveable dog, and many other famous voices have been recruited as well. Chris Lennertz composed while Jeff Vaughn engineered.

After the huge success of Crazy Heart, Ryan Bingham is back in the studio recording more of his refreshingly original tunes for upcoming album, Junky Star. From starving artist to Oscar winner, Ryan truly knows what it means to be “The Weary Kind”, but it seems his days of struggling to find the big break are over. With Vanessa Parr there to assist, T-Bone Burnett produced and Mike Piersante engineered.

Herbie Hancock is a legend. His musical and philanthropic accomplishments are overwhelming, and to welcome him into Studio A this month was a rare treat. His “Imagine Project” has bridged the gaps between all different styles and genres, and the list of collaborators is as impressive as the resulting album itself. Since being a piano prodigy at age 11, Hancock has steadily inspired the music community to work hard and share their gifts over the years, never ceasing to deliver creatively. John Alagia produced with engineer Brian Scheuble and assistant Chris Owens.
 
March 2010 News
rambles_smIf you look beyond the shaggy hair, mischievous grins and snappy duds worn by each member of The Rambles, you’ll simply see a great group of guys who came to rock. Working in Studio E with producer Ken Caillat and engineer Ghian Wright, The Rambles’ seamless blend of pop/rock and folk create a slew of catchy tunes that college students everywhere are singing along to. If I were you, I would keep an eye on this up and coming band.

This month, Nickelodeon’s Team Umizoomi joined forces with the talented Ms. Jordin Sparks to record for “The Blue Mermaid”. Sparks was working in Studio D with producer Soo Kim, engineer Gabe Veltri and assistant Vanessa Parr to lay down a song for the Nick Jr. show as well as voice over. Team Umizoomi is a kid’s program aimed at helping to develop math skills through colors, shapes and sound. We are looking forward to hearing the finished product!

After the success of the Iron Man movie, the professionals with Paramount were hard at work recording vocals and voice over in Studio A for an upcoming sequel as well as Studio B for a final music 5.1 mix. Due out May 7th, Iron Man 2 is rumored to be even more amazing and action packed than the first movie. Any film that stars Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and many other accomplished actors is sure to deliver. Josh McGee engineered while Vanessa Parr assisted.

grammyu_sm“Educate. Create. Inspire” is the motto of Grammy U, a unique program designed for college students who want to learn more about the recording industry. Featuring artists Phil Soussan, Richie Kotzen and Mike Hansen the students of Grammy U came to the Village for a seminar in Studio A, engineered by Scott Smith assisted by Nelson Lugo, followed by a full tour of the building. Hopefully, each student came away with a better understanding of the career they want to pursue.