Thursday, July 30, 2009

Just under the wire


Made it with 20 minutes to spare before another week went by for the lazy blogger..

We have been really busy mixing Melissa's album and for the past few days, trying to stay cool.

The album has gone to mastering, which although it is also a very intensive process, there are long periods in between phone calls and edits, so there is a small relaxation window as well.

A very busy few days will be coming up with updating websites and MySpace pages, getting the album cover finished as well as the pre-order ready to go. It's all a bit of a balancing and juggling act...but it is also the exciting part, full of anticipation, hope and a lot of dreaming!

It's also going to stay hot I've read, thank goodness we bought the last paddle pool the hardware store had. It eases my mind considerably to know Buster is comfortable.

On another random note: In my spare moments now, I have been trying to catch up on my reading etc and last night I listened to a pod-cast interview with Jeremiah Owyang (www.web-strategist.com). He was talking about the new social media and how it will effect marketing. He was mentioning that many sites now have places where the consumer can log on and comment and drive sales (or not!)...and how that actually effects advertising. It made me start thinking about how it's true, people today want information, not a sales 'pitch', that's how social media works.

A very important point for anyone trying to sell anything.

Ok that's me over and out, I have promised myself to actually do a #FollowFriday this week...more very soon with lots of album updates...and you can hear more from Melissa herself at: http://www.youtube.com/TheMelissaEndean

Stay cool out there and remember a general rule of thumb is that you should be drinking half your body wght in ounces (of water!!) every day, and that thirst is not an indicator of dehydration - wght loss is!

There, knew I went to that fancy school for something....

(Photo courtesy Patrick Wong)

Friday, July 24, 2009

It's always good to change it up...


Mixing can be hard on your ears without a break and a bit of a change up...so it's perfect timing that the wonderful Richard King is coming over tonight for a bit of a jam. Rich's style of music, Georgia-by-way-of-Santa-Cruz-blues always gets us sorted and back on track. We're so fortunate to know this musical legend (he would laugh if he read that), and I always try and record his visits with audio or video...I'll post something up soon...just so you can have your own taste.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Oh wow a week went by?


Trackingmixingtrackingmixingphotoshootgigstrackingmixing etc etc

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

A day of self imposed exile



Days like this are required once in a while....reading, eating, laughing,(minimal work - I only sent out 4 emails!) and remembering favorite songs...

We were remembering a song we use to listen to a lot 'Mo' Better Blues', and were going to download it with one of our free iTunes credits. I looked for it, and oddly enough it is not on the soundtrack album??huh?

But a great thing happened instead I found a version that was so amazing to me, I stopped dead in my tracks. Ok, high drama- (What do you expect I've had my nose in a book all day and I'm all cracked up on oatmeal cookies) - but seriously, these guys are so cool: SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS, a wild jazz sextet from Japan.

www.jvcmusic.co.jp

Their version of Mo' is so cool, I mean, I have no words for how cool this song has become in their hands, it's seriously chilly, I mean get a sweater!

(I could only find the live version of their 'maxi' single (our version of a 3 song EP), but the studio version is on 'Pimp Master').

It looks like they're probably well known in the UK, but I have never had a sniff of them over here until today.

They are described as 'death jazz', but I would have to disagree, because this find brought me back to life today.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Have an album cover idea? We want it!


We have been throwing around so many ideas for Melissa's album cover but have still not nailed it...do you, your 3 year old, your guide troop, choir or studio cat have an idea, suggestion or cunning bit of art? Let us know!

You can post it up here as a comment:

www.youtube.com/TheMelissaEndean

or email us directly at raveonstudio@gmail.com

Look forward to hearing from you!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Updates


Well, yes, the lazy blogger has had a wake up call. Thomas told me about Google Analytics and now that I actually know how many of you read this blog, I am determined to get back into a regular groove!

So, I'll start with an update....

We've finished tracking for Bobby Richards' solo project and are working on the last few of Melissa's tunes. We're doing guitar here and Jerry Cook and Terry Townson are tracking horn's at Terry's place next Friday - I can't wait to hear! I had the sound in my head of an old SNL band horn section for the song 'Evolve', and Jerry grabbed onto that vibe right away, so I'm really excited, especially since we get to add Terry to our amazing team!

Alex's (myspace.com/alexhighton) Cd has gone to manufacture and this week I am sending out the advanced copies to radio etc. I hope he's having a great vacation in Italy!

The RoadShow is doing well and I am still looking for more facilities and hospitals, need to get on that.

Melissa has a photo shoot on the 25th. We have had some interesting ideas for the album cover so we're going to see if we can make it work, and would also like to update the website and make it more interactive. I just love what Imogene is doing with her Vlog as well, so Melissa has begun her own - check it out: http://www.youtube.com/TheMelissaEndean, I'll see if she can post something up just for you!

Hummm, let's see...Buster is well and making great friends on Twitter! I'm nearly finished reading Dove (Thanks Paul Laine), by Robin Lee Graham, that plus the amazing weather we're having really makes me want to sail.

Ok music, yes, after Melissa's album we'll take a few months off...unheard of! I need to finish book and get Christmas album organized, and we'll know near the end of Aug if we'll have a film project....hey wait did I say time off? Not sure why my list is growing....

Anyway, blathering on here..also wanted to link you to this interesting take on the United Airlines/Taylor Guitar story: He's tied it in nicely with the way one needs to work in the music industry and really any area these days, make it about the fans, your people!

http://ow.ly/h2Yy

Ok and please, if you can, mark Olga's show on your calendar, it's her Vancouver debut and it's going to light the place up!

More soon..really!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

A somebody done you wrong song


My favorite thing, clever.

Support Dave and his efforts!!


http://www.davecarrollmusic.com/story/united-breaks-guitars

Monday, July 6, 2009

Meat Free Monday




Well Meat Free Monday is not about music per se, but it was started by the McCartneys and we are trying to follow it...(although it seems more like we end up having a meat free Wed/Thursdays for some reason...)..it just makes so much sense, and not really wanting to go all the way with no meat, I am a carnivore through and through, I feel that we are helping and doing our part.

Please check it out and join in: www.supportmfm.org

On another happy note, the lovely Dave Hopia (who I believe is a herbivore!) is ready and set to perform some awesome Paul McCartney (and Wings!) just for you, so please check him out at: http://www.hopiamusicstudio.com

Have a great week everyone!

Friday, July 3, 2009

A few photos from the Warped Tour...





Featuring Tess Dunn, Ari Shine and Adrienne Pierce - nice work you guys!

Be different.



Here is a great advertisement. I'm not usually big on the whole baby thing - Look Who's Talking did me in.... but this made me laugh out loud. And it made a good point, clever advertising works.

Be different, be clever and you will be heard.