Saturday, February 28, 2009

Richards and Fitch



Not just musicians, but true artists in every sense of the word. When they're not writing music, look what they can make!!!!

I wonder if all musical artists are creative in other ways as well?

Most that I know are, which sometimes makes it difficult to find a balance.

I really admire those that can. Bobby for example, balances his music and songwriting with his amazing tile work and a rather large brood of children.

Nicely done Bobborino.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Watching Les Paul...


Watching a documentary on Les Paul, (He's 90 in the show - so it's 4 years old)..and people if you want a god to follow...here is one...

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tuesday night


Still recovering from flu.....working on guitars for End, and thinking about some freelancing for another music mag. Now that Finland has gone to the publisher, I feel like I'm missing something.

Sunday night jam with Brad Paisley's band was awesome, great group of players. And there was hockey today at UBC with Dierks and some of the Paisley guys...was probably great, but a wee bit too early for anyone over here. The Bombers would have had a blast though, I think Dierks is pretty good and has been picking up a stick everywhere on this Canadian jag of the tour.

Snow in the forecast for tomorrow. I can hardly believe it...AND a call from JW who was at Mardi Gras and said it was colder down there than than it was up here...a late spring for sure....

Sunday, February 22, 2009

We should come with instructions...


In bed all day with non-tequila-induced flu. Tried doing some emailing, but maybe my head is too weak...people seem to be in a nasty mood everywhere...possibly because they're not watching Oscars and seeing all the shiny stars > although I can't say I have seen it since Billy Crystal hosted...partly because > what for? and partly because > no cable...

Brad Paisley's Band, the Drama Kings are suppose to be at the club tonight, sans Brad...hope it's going well...their show is Tuesday.

OK here you go people, when life gets tough, just follow these simple rules for living....and be thankful you can eat solid food....

Creature comforts....


Trying to learn the basics of getting the website up and running.....it can be tough when people talk to me like I know what I'm doing!? People, I have NO idea....trust me..I have had to get tech support every time I try to upload the page..tonight has been no exception. But, it's up, and of course wrong...so tomorrow back to the drawing board.

Came up a with a great video idea for the song of Bobby's we're working on. He likes it, so hopefully we can make it happen this year, timed with the album release.

Tony came over and we talked about putting on a night school course in PT and Logic. He was telling me about some of the kids he taught recently at a local recording school, who came to school wasted and otherwise in-attentive, in order to get the credit for attendance. Maybe a student loan thing? Seems like such a waste when there are loads of kids who don't have the chance to get into any type of program, for one reason or another, who would give their eye teeth to be there (as my dad would say).

Anyway, we may just go ahead and do it, I'm guessing there are a lot of people just starting out who would attend, with home recording becoming the phenomenon that it is today.

Melissa's vocals will probably be postponed until next weekend, as her mid terms are coming up.

Thinking about a new couch and comparing everything to Jonathan's. After I had commented on his couch, he laughed and told me that most people comment on his SSL board.....while he himself favors his lamps. (http://vogville.com/).

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Thursday, February 19, 2009

The wrong way to start a new business.


Had an artist head out to a new venue today, 2 hours out in rush hour, only to find it was a double booking...venue had made a mistake...no compensation offered, in fact, they were quite rude about it....artist then had to drive 2 hours again, in rush hour.....and was choked, rightly so.

Please people, let's all be nice to each other out there...human kindness...a misnomer? Some days I wonder.

Mid week update....


Wow getting some great people on board for Volume 4 of the Christmas album! It's going to be an amazing year.

Working on bass for Bobby's 'Here Comes The End Again'. Great tune...

Booked a bunch of shows at a new venue for Scotty, Melissa and Keith, and Gonzo printed the review of Dave's EP

(http://www.gonzomagazine.ca/docs/webmag/Gonzo02.09web.pdf),

worked on festival contracts and actually took a break to get outside, clean up the woodpile and do a bit of garden planning.

Re-reading Magical Thinking because I have no time to read, and short stories is all I can fit into the day. Still so good.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

The votes are in...


Just finished Juno voting....'tough choices', and 'no comment 'is about all I have to say until this year's event has passed.

Tonight is bass for Bobby, and PR for Melissa's upcoming dates, as well as notes for Paul's website and some bookings for a new venue.

The gold is safely in the DrZ and sounds good so far, it will need to be heard at gig volume though for the real test, and then recorded....I can't wait!

Also....just a note to say Ted Weber is a stand up guy. He is always ready with lots of good information and advice, and usually writes back within minutes...rare for this industry.

Gonzo is asking for articles...but what to write about and where to find the time....

Monday, February 16, 2009

There's gold in them hills....


Finally, a deal came along on a Gold and we grabbed it - thanks Richard! With the horrific exchange rate and the fact that L&M just raised their prices, it was looking pretty bleak. But now, at last it's here, and going into the Z I think, to break in...and then we can turn up without fear of blowing the blue!

Busy weeks ahead..full speed on Bobby's stuff, and 13 vocals to record for Melissa...more work for Jason, and welcome to Troye!

http://www.troyekinnett.com/

Sunday, February 15, 2009

When in doubt...


....post a picture of yourself.

I don't know, that's all I've got tonight....we tried getting up before noon and it's midnight and I'm wiped.

Worked on iPod song, Bobby's and made cookies...missed a call with Johnny, but did hear a cool Christmas tune.

Better luck tomorrow!

Friday, February 13, 2009

Happy Valentine's Day

I couldn't decide...


...much of anything today...which amp I liked better for recording, which post recording late, late night series we are watching that I like best: Lost 4 or Band of Brothers (OK I lie here, BoB for sure), or which summer picture of Buster to post....

iPod song is nearly finished, did guitars and bass today. Listened to Simon's piano and downloaded all Jason's guitars for 6 songs..it will be a busy weekend, oh and Scotty wants to come over and write some music.

In my spare moments I found some great artists for the Christmas album, read Richard King's new lyrics, finally heard back from Aaron A, found the best Vancouver postering guy "...you drop the posters at the door, and put the payment (cash only) through the mail slot....", and found out about Dan Lavry's new Black series pieces...very interesting! (http://lavryengineering.com/).....oh, and I thought about summer...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

What Bill Moyers said....


(He) called it a remarkable example of "the simple yet transformative power of music... to touch something in each of us."

Variety acknowledged it as "a great showcase for just what incredible, thoroughly accessible popular music is being made worldwide."

What do you think?


http://playingforchange.com/pop.html


I think Bono would be pleased.

I can't wait to be involved.


Oh and so happy! Tess is going to be a part of VVC IV, I feel honored...

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Busy day...


People coming and going, shopping, appointments, firming up Bobby's track listings, got three tracks back from Jason, got my mic back from Oregon, talking to artists about Christmas project....and it's only 10pm...thank goodness for sushi = the ultimate food on the go...

Monday, February 9, 2009

Finland is good to go!



Happy days, just got the ok from Jouni, we're good to go to print. So there is officially a big tick beside that on the list.
I can't 'officially' put it out of my mind until I have it in my hand. So another month....

Working on drums for the iPod song, doing posters for upcoming shows, bookings, video stuff and bookkeeping. Didn't have time to actually watch the Grammy's, but glanced at updates here and there...so happy for Alison and Bela and all the boys on Cluster Pluck...but mostly...way to go Pete Seeger! I remember when Eva was out last year for a visit, she told us about working with him back in the day.

JW will be here soon for his traditional bagel and gossip session after hockey, back into the groove....

This week is paperwork, meeting up with artists and tracking for Melissa and Bobby. I know there's more, but I can't think, I'm running circles in my head and jumping for joy over Finland!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Michael's new digs..


...are apparently in the broadcast booth at tonight's Canuck's game...how cool is that? Move over Tom......

Friday, February 6, 2009

Juno nom



Congratulations to the Inhabitants and our very own mastering engineer Graemme Brown. You guys all rock.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Concerts on Demand


Here is the link to Melissa's studio concert at the CBC.


http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20081127ndean

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Busy days


It's done! The Finland project has been sent off....so hopefully it will be ok and go to print as planned in March. That's a big job completed and hoooo boy it feels good!

George dropped off the raw footage from two shows so I finally got to sit down and have a look. Blind God and Melissa - such pros. I have to say it does my heart good to work with the likes of these guys. When you see them live, the voice matches the record, and is made even better by the live performance. You can't ask for more than that.

Moving speakers around...I have given up on the greenbacks, we never use them...I know they're great, but maybe we just haven't found the right application. A vintage 30 went back into the Goldtone (why Gibson, do you make your amps so hard to work on?) and a 65 went into the 1x12.

Tony dropped over a thank you card from his and Anna's wedding last September and oh my goodness what an incredible photo. I also signed up for Anna and Kasia's blog, ( Gucioblog.com), maybe they'll post it up.

And side note...has anyone but me noticed that the same people are nominated for the same awards year after year? Hmmm time for an industry shake up.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Writing, writing, writing...


Final edits tomorrow and then it's finished. (Get it Finnished!?)

22 pages


I think I use to be able to type a lot faster...today was spent mixing and tonight was spent writing. Nearly finished the Finland journal and will have it ready to go out this week. Just awaiting confirmation from the family on some dates. It's a quarter past 3 am, and though I want to continue, my fingers are giving out.

Tomorrow will send one of Melissa's songs over to Simon for some piano, more mixing and hopefully some more tracking for Bobby. And believe it or not, it's time to put out the word for VVC Volume 4! hohoho....

Monday, February 2, 2009

Software review

I was going to write a software review tonight, about two new things we are using, but I don't want to be one of those people that make a judgement call right out of the gate, so I will wait and let my ears adjust...more on this in a few weeks time.