VU.recording

timeline...

2011-02-16T13:27:00.000-08:00

Someday I will get all of my information up to date. For now I'll just say...... I won a Grammy Award on Sunday.

Weird...

2010-12-02T01:21:00.001-08:00

I had a great birthday this year. Hung out with a lot of great friends. Feeling pretty good. Then, all of a sudden out of nowhere............Grammy nomination?!?!

Best Engineered Album, Classical. It's towards the bottom....#95.

Weird.

New...

2010-11-27T15:35:00.000-08:00

Pablo Trucker has a new WEBSITE

We also have a new holiday EP for sale called Christmas Vol. 1

The recording was done completely live @ VU.recording on a snowy November weekend.

Here is a video of us recording the first song on the EP...

We'll be posting a new video on our website every Friday until Christmas!

I started making a gear list...

2010-09-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Microphones....
1 - Neumann M149 Tube
1 - Wunder Audio CM7 Fet
2 - Microtech Gefell MT71S
1 - AEA R84 Ribbon
1 - AEA R88 Stereo Ribbon
2 - AKG C414 B-ULS
3 - Sennheiser 421
1 - EV RE20
2 - Shure SM7
1 - Audio Technica ATM25
4 - Shure SM57
1 - Shure SM58

Preamps...
2 - Brent Averill (NEVE) 1073 Mic Pre / EQ
4 - Brent Averill (API) 312 Mic Pre
1 - Universal Audio LA610 Tube Mic Pre and Copressor
2 - Vintech 1272 Mic Pre
2 - Summit Audio 2BA-221
1 - TL Audio Stereo Tube Mic Pre and Compressor

Compressors...
2 - Emperical Labs Distressors (w/ Stereo Mod)
1 - DBX 160 VU
(Compressors also in LA 610 and TL Audio units)

I do all of my mixing through my Apogee converters in to a Roll Music Passive Analog Summing Box. I have Yamaha NS10 monitors as well as Mackie HR824 monitors.

I have a number of guitar and bass amps, drum kits, guitars, as well as a piano, vibraphone, and a large selection of guitar pedals and percussion items, Wurlitzer organ with a half Leslie cabinet...I'll get in to more of the specifics after I've had a chance to mod a couple of pieces of gear, and put a few others back together.

Reluctantly...

2010-06-01T18:11:00.000-07:00

I haven't really been in to updating this recording blog lately...

For now, check out this Paste Magazine interview with Zach Tillman of Pearly Gate Music. I recorded and mixed Pearly Gate Music's self titled release.

Pablo Trucker has been busy with live performances, including the tour we did to Texas for SXSW in March. We have released The Gossamer Session EP....a live to 4 track cassette recording we did in an evening in an art space. We are also preparing to record a full length record this summer. Keep updated on our facebook page

I just finished tracking and have begun mixing a record with Joel Walter. A great songwriter from Columbus, OH. He spent two weeks here at my studio, working with Damien Jurado and myself.

Well, now that you mention it...

2010-01-07T16:21:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Sound on the Sound for the mentions in the Top 25 NW Releases of 2009...#2 and #16.

Also, Sound on the Sound founder and editor Josh Lovseth has his personally selected Favorite Releases of 2009 up on the site...with The Maldives at #1, and J. Tillman at #13.

Pablo Trucker in the green room @ Neumos...

2009-12-15T16:19:00.000-08:00

Slow Number...

Pablo Trucker from patrick toney on Vimeo.

Tour...

2009-11-19T18:38:00.000-08:00

J. Tillman and Pearly Gate Music are currently on a U.S. tour, and Karli Fairbanks is currently in the middle of a West Coast tour.

New Tracks...

2009-11-06T16:48:00.000-08:00

Two weeks ago I recorded a new track with The Maldives for Caffe Vita's GIVE Seattle benefit compilation

I have been mixing a record with Bill Patton (J. Tillman's pedal steel player). Pearly Gate Music was back in last week as well, mixing an EP that is available on the current tour with J. Tillman.

Next week I'll begin a two week West Coast tour playing bass with Karli Fairbanks. Tour dates are posted in the Upcoming Live performances of this blog.

While I am on the road I am hoping to have time to prepare some new tracks to upload to the music player....stay tuned.

More reviews!

2009-09-25T12:57:00.000-07:00

Earlier this year I mixed a record for Asthmatic Kitty songwriter Shannon Stephens. Her record is now available, and HERE is an interview by Shannon's former Marzuki bandmate Sufjan Stevens.

J. Tillman's new record, Year In The Kingdom, is also out now, on Western Vinyl. The record was recently reviewed over at Pitchfork.

In semi-related news, I will doing a short West Coast tour in November, playing bass with Karli Fairbanks' band. We'll be playing in Seattle on November 12th at The Sunset Tavern with Shannon Stephens.

another review...

2009-09-16T01:31:00.000-07:00

From Performer Magazine's September issue...

The Maldives
Listen to the Thunder
Seattle, WA
Recorded at AVAST!
and VU.recording in
Seattle | Produced,
engineered and
mixed by Kory
Kruckenberg | Mastered
by TW Walsh

The Maldives are on to something. With
Listen to the Thunder, the Seattle country
rock group has chosen to revel in the past,
proudly letting its influences be known.
Bandleader Jason Dodson has a voice that
instantly recalls Steve Earle, if he hadn’t
gone down the road of drugs and debauch-
ery. Merging Earle’s quavering steeliness
with the relative purity of a Rhett Miller,
Dodson’s band eagerly throws out any-
thing from Marshall Tucker Band style
builds to Tennessee Three intimacy. On
“Time is Right Now” the group even
launches into a Lynyrd Skynyrd jam half
way in, the lead guitar suitably smoldering
without an ounce of irony.
Elsewhere, “Cold November” ably proves
the group is capable of subtlety, with har-
monies straight out of “Southern Cross.”
But the real secret weapon is Seth Warren’s
fiddle playing; Warren has a knack for
sounding rugged, unafraid to let his fiddle
court tradition without coming across as
corny or cliched. A large portion of this
success is also owed to Kory Kruckenberg’s
production, which manages the difficult
task of keeping the album clean and
vibrant while also allowing it to sound
aged and dusty. On lead single “Tequila
Sunday,” in particular, the band pulses
with energy, the guitars sometimes jangly,
sometimes resonating with a power-pop
edge while the pedal steel is pushed just
far enough to the edges of the mix to be
barely noticeable until offering a thrilling
fill. “Whidbey Island Blues,” by contrast, is
understated and spaced out, like an early
John Prine number, albeit with Dodson’s
more technically proficient voice.
Regardless of genre, Listen to the Thunder
is a masterful work, oft times haunting and
beautiful, elsewhere driving and forceful.
Dodson and company play with a passion-
ate intensity that is infectious and rousing.
Rather than just regurgitate their influ-
ences, on Listen to the ThunderThe
Maldives have crafted a work that can sit
comfortably alongside its inspiration and
perhaps even inspire followers of its own.
(Mt. Fuji Records)
-Morgan Davis

The Maldives - Listen To The Thunder...

2009-09-02T11:59:00.000-07:00

Alright, I know I've been talking about The Maldives this week, but it has been a big week for them...

They played 3 nights in a row at The Tractor...all of which were sold out. In addition to these performances, they were at Sonic Boom Records for an in store Saturday afternoon, as well as a live in studio performance on KEXP earlier in the week.

Last week, their new record - Listen To The Thunder was the number one selling record at Sonic Boom, while the Tequila/Someday EP that came out in July was not far behind in the number 9 slot. Not to mention they have been consistently holding their own on the KEXP charts since mid July with both Tequila/Someday and Listen To The Thunder.

Not bad for a bunch of dudes with day jobs.

Reviews...

2009-08-28T12:14:00.001-07:00

Here are links to a few reviews of The Maldives - Listen to the Thunder...

KEXP

(SOUND) Magazine

Seattle Weekly

Listen To The Thunder...

2009-08-28T02:32:00.001-07:00

Tuesday afternoon The Maldives new LP, Listen To The Thunder, went on sale at local (Seattle) record stores. I had the pleasure of producing, engineering, and mixing the record.

At noon on Tuesday, I stood in the audio booth at KEXP watching a live in studio performance...reflecting on the process. It will be a year next week that we entered AVAST studios in Ballard to begin making the record. There were many more days spent at VU.recording finishing up the tracking, and the mixing. Just as we were wrapping up, the band signed to local independent label, Mt Fuji Records....and tonight was the first of 3 sold out shows this weekend at The Tractor Tavern, also in Ballard.

On another note...Pablo Trucker is going to be slowing down a bit, as far as live performances go. We are going to take some time to focus on new material and work on a new full length LP. The last Seattle show we have booked at this point is Wednesday, September 9th at The Tractor Tavern.

Pablo Trucker Show...

2009-08-13T09:55:00.000-07:00

Here is a video of Pablo Trucker playing in Spokane in June....

Pablo Trucker Show in Spokane

And another...a cover of Power und Beauty's Beggars and Felons....

Pablo Trucker Show

Last Minute...

2009-07-28T13:24:00.000-07:00

Pablo Trucker has added another summer show....this Saturday, Aug 1st, @ The Green Room (Showbox @ The Market) in Seattle, with good friends Swaybacks and J. Wong.

Photos...

2009-07-16T14:29:00.001-07:00

Check out a few new photos from VU.recording below the music player.

Tequila / Someday...

2009-07-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

Even more songs added to the flash player. They are by Seattle's local good ole boys, The Maldives. The new EP, Tequila / Someday will be released tomorrow. They are supporting the EP, playing at The Capital Hill Block Party.

September 15th they will be releasing their highly anticipated full length album, Listen To The Thunder. They have schedule a series of CD release shows at The Tractor Tavern August 27th, 28th, and 29th. It is sure to be a good time.

I produced, mixed, and engineered both the EP and the Full Length record...and both were mastered by TW Walsh (of The Soft Drugs, Pedro The Lion, and Headphones).

The North Country...

2009-07-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

I've put 2 new songs up in the flash player. Both are by my friend Jared Dunn (Lafayette, Robert Dunn And The North Country). They are demos we recorded a few months back.

recap...

2009-07-03T01:03:00.000-07:00

i put a few new songs up.

it's been a crazy/busy/great year.

j. tillman...damien jurado...jenna conrad...the maldives...pearly gate music...rosie thomas...karli fairbanks...molly rose...shannon stephens...the banyans...((lowHUMS))...the booze fighters...jared dunn...kevin barrans...rocky votolato...the beautiful clarks...seattle chamber players...wayne horvitz...and of course, pablo trucker.

i've had the pleasure of working with all of them.

next up...blood red dancers.

finishing...

2009-07-01T13:21:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I loaded up a bit of my studio and hauled it over to Spokane for a weekend recording session with The Booze Fighters. It was a really fun weekend. We set up in a early 1900's house on the South Hill. A large main floor where dining room, living room, sitting room and kitchen were all open to each other. Drums, bass, guitar and vocals, and mobile studio all occupying these open spaces. The band played live together, as they would have at a show. We tracked 14 songs in those 2 days, and they are now mixed and mastered. 10 of the tracks will be available in album form soon.

Yesterday I spent the day mixing and mastering 3 songs for ((lowHUMS)). A project headed up by Sera Cahoone's bass player. The tracks were recorded elsewhere, and reminded me of how much I enjoy mixing songs recorded by other engineers. It's really nice to hear another approach, or a different room from time to time. One of the reasons I like going in to new, non-traditional spaces, i guess.

I'll post a couple of the tracks tomorrow.

Hoopfest XX...

2009-06-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

My band, Pablo Trucker, was in Spokane for a show at Empyrean Coffee Pub with Karli Fairbanks and The Toy Garden. The weather was beautiful, and it was great to see old friends, and meet some new ones.

Side note:

Spokane hosted Hoopfest, the largest 3x3 basketball tournament in the world, this weekend. I grew up in Spokane, and I remember Hoopfest, though I never participated. Apparently this year marked the 20th anniversary of the tournament....Hoopfest XX.

Thanks to Chrisy and Michelle at Empyrean for having us, as well as The Toy Garden and Karli for playing great sets.

After the show, we made a quick stop at the Baby Bar / Neato Burrito party that was going on. James Pants was DJ-ing a Michael Jackson tribute dance party. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we had to get on the road home. Arriving home at 6-ish this morning, and not sleeping as long as I had hoped has left me relatively useless today. This week will be much more productive than today would indicate.

Links...

2009-06-22T11:22:00.000-07:00

I've added a links section to the blog...check them out.

Sneak Peek...

2009-06-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

I have added a track from the new J. Tillman record to my music player. Check out Earthly Bodies, and get ready for Josh's new record, Year In The Kingdom...out in September!

A New Season...

2009-06-19T15:14:00.000-07:00

Summer is here! I love it when it's light until 10pm!

J. Tillman's new record, Year In The Kingdom, is mixed and mastered, and will be released in September. Also look for a 7" in the U.S. and an appearance on a Townes Van Zandt tribute compilation in the U.K. (just finished recording and mixing this week).

Zach Tillman's project, Pearly Gate Music, is now finished as well. Though, not mastered yet, we finished the tracking and mixing about a week and a half ago.

I'm looking forward to new projects, as well. Blood Red Dancers will be doing an EP in July, and there are a few other things in the works...including more time with Pablo Trucker.

...Speaking of Pablo Trucker, next weekend will be 4 months since I played my first show with the band. It's been a busy 4 months...20 shows (only 6 of them in Seattle), and basic tracking for 3 songs for an upcoming full length studio record project.

staying busy...

2009-05-03T23:48:00.000-07:00

Let's see...

It has been a busy spring, following a busy winter, which came after a busy fall.

Today marked the completion of tracking for a new J. Tillman record...coming sometime this year, perhaps. It has been a pleasure having Josh back in the studio, and getting to know these new songs. We worked a couple of days a few weeks ago, and most of this week, and I feel like this record is really something special.

Looking back - The Maldives record (and EP) is mixed, and is in the process of being mastered. The EP will be released mid-July and the record at the end of August. Look out...here come The Maldives. Folk singer Shannon Stephens (Asthmatic Kitty Records) has returned to the music scene after taking 8 or so years off. I had the pleasure of mixing her new record last month. Molly Rose's new record is finished, and she will be having a release show May 28th to celebrate. Pablo Trucker will be playing at the event.

Looking forward - This week I will be mixing the Avians Alight record (Jenna Conrad - formerly Troubletown) that Jenna and I began last summer. I am excited to be completing the record, and even more excited for people to hear it. In addition to playing at Molly Rose's CD release event, Pablo will be playing in Spokane, Kennewick, and perhaps Pendleton later this month, as well as at The Sunset Tavern on May 29th.

East side of the West side...

2009-04-02T23:50:00.000-07:00

Last weekend was a busy one, playing with Pablo Trucker in Moscow, Id...Kennewick, WA...and Spokane, WA. We returned home on Monday,and I've had a busy week with Molly Rose, J. Tillman, and Rocky Votolato.

No time for links right now...I'll get some up, along with a few more details next week.

Music Player...

2009-03-15T16:59:00.000-07:00

There are new songs up from both The Banyans and Karli Fairbanks.

catch up...

2009-03-02T21:37:00.000-08:00

It has been such a long time since I have kept the blog up to date, it's hard to know where to begin, and a bit daunting knowing there will be things I leave out. Not intentionally...it's just been a busy 6 months.

J. Tillman's (Josh Tillman) new record, Vacilando Territory Blues is out, and has been getting some really great reviews.

I have now finished the record I was working on with Karli Fairbanks. It was mastered by TW Walsh, and I am very happy with the end result. The record will be released in April, and Karli will be doing a CD release show in her hometown of Spokane, WA at the Bing Crosby Theatre on April 8...followed by a tour.

Airport Cathedral is now called The Banyans. I am no longer playing with The Banyans, but the record is finished, and I will be putting a couple of the tracks up on my player soon.

I am finished recording, and nearly finished mixing both The Maldives and Jenna Conrad's record. Jenna was using the name Troubletown, but it sounds like she has decided to drop Troubletown, and begin performing under the monicker Avians Alight.

Molly Rose began recording her new album on a 4-track in her apartment, with bandmate Andrew Rudd. They brought the tracks to my studio, where I recorded strings, and a few other overdubs here and there...and mixed.

I also recently recorded and mixed a song with Goldie Wilson, for their upcoming release.

I started working on a record with long time friend Kevin Barrans, of The Maldives.

There have been film scores here and there, and a couple of projects for The Seattle Chamber Players

Last but not least, I am now playing bass in the already established local band Pablo Trucker, and I am looking forward to playing in Tacoma, Bellingham, Moscow, Kennewick, Spokane, Portland and Seattle in the next couple of months.

There may be something I have missed, and definitely many details left out...but, this is what I've been up to.

...there will be new samples up on the music player soon, and more added as the spring rolls in.

Spring in to action...

2009-02-17T19:44:00.000-08:00

I will be updating soon...I promise. It's well overdue.

I don't have a tv...

2008-10-29T01:37:00.000-07:00

I just heard that a song off the new Damien Jurado record that I recorded/mixed/produced was featured on One Tree Hill last night.

Also, I am making another attempt at an edited version of Caskets for MTV to approve, so that the beautiful video for the song will be able to air.

Quickly...

2008-09-19T18:55:00.000-07:00

So much has been happening, it's hard to keep my head on straight sometimes.

I have been continuing to work on all of the record projects I have going on...Troubletown, Karli Fairbanks, The Maldives, and a new orchestral project with Wayne Horvitz...as well as returning to mix more of the Airport Cathedral record I was working on in the spring (nearly finished now). Also, a side note, Airport Cathedral is now Banyans.

(Links for all of these bands/artists can be found in previous posts).

...I've been having a great time working with all of these wonderful people...building friendships seems to be a natural result of almost every working relationship I have been involved in. I am very lucky to have so many amazing people in my life.

In addition to that I have been working on the score for Last House On The Left, and will be working on the score for Punisher: War Zone this weekend.

I'll be continuing all of the record projects in to October.

...also, Damien Jurado's new record (Caught In The Trees) is out now!!!

New Songs...

2008-09-08T22:13:00.000-07:00

I've added a few new songs to my music player. A few of them are from a project I did with composer Wayne Horvitz...a little bit different than the usual projects, records and film scores. It's an interesting story of an immigrant worker named Joe Hill, and his struggle being a laborer, before there were labor laws of any kind...being put to death for an unproven murder accusation...and being made in to a laborers' rights hero. Well, that's some of it, anyway.

In other news, I just finished 4 days at AVAST! getting started on a record with The Maldives. We finished basic tracking for their new record, and we are currently scheduling time to do some overdubs at VU. Look for the record to be completed sometime in October.

Finality...

2008-08-17T14:43:00.000-07:00

J. Tillman's next record, Vacilando Territory Blues, is finished. It was mastered last week, and it will be out early January in Europe on Bella Union and it sounds like it will be out on Western Vinyl in the States, around the same time. In the mean time he is touring with his other band...Fleet Foxes, and even opening for them on the next European tour.

Aside from helping Josh with the last few things on the record, I have still been working with Jenna Conrad on her Troubletown record...which I am very excited about.

Earlier this week I began working on a record with Spokane's Karli Fairbanks...another record I am very excited about. It has been really great spending time with Karli, working out the songs, and getting to know her a little better. She is a fantastic musician, songwriter, and I am finding out that like Jenna, she is quite the multi-instrumentalist. Both of these lovely ladies have been adding my new vibraphone into the mix on their records.

I can't wait to get back to work on both records...not only because I am excited about their records, but also because I really enjoy their company.

Karli and I also made it out to see 3 very talented local Seattle bands this week. Sunday night we saw our good friends The Beautiful Clarks...Monday night, Karli's friends The Globes...and Thursday night, the always inspiring band Pablo Trucker.

Last night I made it out to Empyrean Coffee Shop in Spokane to see Karli play, as well as another local gem, Kaylee Cole. It was quite a night of music...in addition to the local acts, the amazing sounds of touring acts Bexar Bexar and Balmorhea. Also touring with Bexar Bexar and Balmorhea was Tiny Vipers. Despite some technical difficulties, Jesy's slightly shortened set was beautiful and intense. The room was silent, and clearly hanging on every note.

This week I am off to Kansas for a wedding. If I survive the intense heat and humidity, I will be quickly back to work next week.

Catching Up...

2008-07-22T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Sub Pop 20th Anniversary Festival was a great time. It began with a show at The Moore Theatre Friday night. Comedians Kristin Schaal, Todd Barry, Eugene Mirman, and David Cross. Saturday and Sunday I was recording the live performances. It was a pretty fantastic lineup, and there were some great performances.

...

The Obitz
The Constantines
The Helio Sequence
Fleet Foxes
Low
Iron and Wine
Grand Archives
The Vaselines
Green River (one of the original grunge bands)
Wolf Parade,

...and a few others too.

I also started a new orchestral project with Wayne Horvitz. We recorded a small ensemble (10 players...strings, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, piano, and percussion) at Studio X.

Throw in a couple of scoring sessions for video games...

and now I am already on my fifth day of work on a Troubletown record, with Jenna...my goodness, how the time flies.

The days are getting shorter once again...

2008-07-06T18:59:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, and the nice weather is refreshing...though, there were a couple of days that were a bit much, for the most part summer in Seattle is not extreme. It's just nice.

I have been staying busy at my new space.....A final day of tracking for Rosie's Christmas record. I've been mixing Airport Cathedral, which is no longer called Airport Cathedral...The new name of the band is The Banyans. Other than that, I have been trying to take care of little things here and there, like unpacking, and other fixing up of things that come with moving a studio to a new location. Getting settled just takes time.

I was free last Wednesday, and after meeting up with Karli Fairbanks to discuss dates to begin working on her record, I decided to make the trip to Tacoma to see her play. Her newly acquired Kay guitar looks and sounds beautiful, and it was great to see her play with Scott Ellis on pedal steel.

Christmas in June...

2008-06-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

The first session in VU's new location was a success. I spent a few days last week recording drums, bass and guitars for a Christmas record Rosie Thomas is working on. We had a great time. Friday night we concluded the week with a Christmas party sing-a-long session. About 20 or so friends came over, all decked out in holiday attire. We had a few drinks, did group vocals on a few songs, and some of us even got to sit on Santa's lap a little early this year.

The photos were taken by the lovely Julie Harmsen, and stolen from her blog by me.

Rosie and I desperately trying to spread Christmas cheer.

Friends singing.

Still Singing.

It doesn't get any hotter than Christmas in June!!!

How could I forget...

2008-06-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

Battle Hymns played a rock solid set at The High Dive on Saturday. It was a live KEXP broadcast show......except The High Dive didn't pay their Qwest Data bill, so the line was shut down, and the show was unable to be broadcast. What a huge disappointment, and a pretty ridiculous oversight by the club. The Hymns still rocked heavy, adding Pablo Trucker frontman Brian Wagner to lineup playing guitar and keyboard.

Happening...

2008-06-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

This week I will be recording the score for the film Valkyrie.

In the last few weeks I haven't been working due to the fact that I was moving, and in Florida for 10 days.

I am happy to say that I am completely moved in to my new space, though I am far from set up. This upcoming weekend I will be setting up the studio, and preparing for work with Rosie Thomas.

I have been frequenting local venues and homes in the evenings, to get away from my completely disorganized new location...

An insane house show featuring J. Cameron Elliott, from Battle Hymns - a great solo set, including a song from The Western States (the band which is now Battle Hymns) "Trouble In The Union" record......Followed by the amazing Pablo Trucker...Bringing the police in to shut it down for a bit.

A charming and lovely Troubletown show, in between two great sets by Kaylee Cole...as well as finally making it to see August Anchor.

Pickwick and Kevin Barrans played at Conor Byrne Friday night...also a great show.

Hopefully I'll get some pictures of the new space up in the next few weeks, as well as getting back on schedule finishing records with Airport Cathedral and The Beautiful Clarks.

Beautiful Sunset...

2008-05-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived. I love it when it stays light so late.

The trip to Packwood last weekend was a lot of fun. I recorded songs with The Beautiful Clarks and Jen Wood. I am going to try to get rough mix clips up this afternoon, to join the others already up.

I also went in to local studio AVAST! with The Beautiful Clarks, where we worked for 2 days in studio B. We finished up most of the tracking for their record, recording the full band live, and often with an additional (2nd) drummer in the mix. It was my first time working in that room and i had a great time.

I have started moving VU to it's new location, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me.

Yesterday I took a break from moving to go out to an early show at The Sunset Tavern in Ballard to see friends J. Tillman, Battle Hymns, and Dave Bazan play. It was a an amazing show, with new(er) material from all 3. Battle Hymns and J. Tillman both playing songs from finished, but yet to be released records that I had the pleasure of recording, and Dave playing new songs from his upcoming record.

Sweet Gravel...

2008-05-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from the latest recording session at the cabin in Packwood. It was such a fun weekend. I was joined by The Beautiful Clarks and Jen Wood, covering each other's songs. We had time to hang out, and everyone was so enjoyable to work (as everyone involved so far has been).

I hope to have clips of the covers up on my music player sometime next week.

Also, I will be going in to AVAST! Studios this week to make a record with The Beautiful Clarks. Everything is going to be recorded live, and once again, I am really excited to be working with friends.

Packwood on the internet...

2008-05-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

After being given a link to This Forum, I tried to shed a little more light on the project for all who are wondering.

...Here is my response to the thread:

Hey Everyone,

My name is Kory...I am recording/producing the Packwood Sessions. The response explaining the premise of these recordings earlier in this thread is correct. Seattle artists, who are friends, pairing up and covering each others' songs. We travel to a cabin, about 3 hours from Seattle...I haul whatever recording equipment I can fit in my car...some people bring some instruments, and we use whatever we have with us to make recordings of the songs. Each artist chooses the song they will cover from their counterpart's repetoire.

The album is taking quite some time, as it is quite difficult organizing a weekend trip with myself, the owner of the cabin, and the artists still to be recorded....as well as actually lining up, and pairing up artists. I assure you that the project will be completed at some point...hopefully this year.

In fact, we are making a trip to Packwood this very weekend. Some local artists who aren't quite as well known, but surely just as talented will be joining me for a session. We will have Troubletown (Jenna Conrad, who plays with Damien Jurado), The Beautiful Clarks, and Jen Wood.

It is great for me to be working on this project, as I am really good friends with most of these people. Also, I have just finished recording a new record with Damien, and just days after returning from Packwood I will be entering local recording studio Avast! to begin a record with The Beautiful Clarks.

Dave's cover of The Commander Thinks Aloud is, in fact, pretty amazing. I haven't recorded Roderick's cover yet, nor has that been officially placed on the calendar....but again, I will update my blog as things progress. ...Oh, and the other covers are pretty amazing as well.

I hope this has been informative, and I will gladly answer any more questions (in true Bazan style), though I don't have time to check forums all the time, so feel free to e-mail me....or, if there is some thread somewhere I should check out, and inform, please let me know.

Take care all.

Kory

Waiting for Coffee...

2008-04-29T11:51:00.000-07:00

This last weekend was spent providing technical support for rehearsals and a concert put on by the Seattle Chamber Players, as well as beginning to record demos with Troubletown, aka Jenna Conrad, who also plays with Damien Jurado.

Yesterday, we finished up the last little bit of tracking for Damien's new record. I will be mixing the final 2 songs today, and uploading them to mastering in the next day or 2.

As far as I know (from Damien's blog) the record is scheduled to be out September 9th.

I'll be heading to Spokane for the weekend, for a little family time with my parents, but I'm also really looking forward to seeing Karli Fairbanks play again, as well as Kaylee Cole. Both are very talented singer-songwriters from Spokane.

I am no longer waiting for my coffee....Good day.

Sleepwalking...

2008-04-21T22:26:00.001-07:00

The past 2 days have been great. Yesterday afternoon we began tracking the last 2 songs remaing to record for Damien Jurado's new record. After about a day and a half, we are almost finished. A few more things to record, later this week, at a yet to be determined time, then a little mixing...then send it off to mastering to be added with the rest of the tracks. I am really excited about how 1 of the songs, in particular, has turned out (I could have a new favorite). Not sure exactly when the record will be out...probably in the fall sometime.

Last week was a long, long week. Recording the score for The Incredible Hulk...working 12-18 hour days. Even though recording film scores can be hard on the sleep schedule (and the social schedule), I still really enjoy doing it.

Problem Solved...

2008-04-15T17:48:00.000-07:00

I was having problems with my music player earlier today. It should be working fine now...Have yourself a listen.

Planning Ahead...

2008-04-15T10:05:00.000-07:00

I need some time to just sit and listen to records. The 2 records I am really in the mood to listen to right now are J. Tillman's new record ("Vacilando Territory Blues") and Bon Iver's "For Emma, Forever Ago." I have really liked that record from my first listen...and after seeing him play a few weeks ago, my love for the record has only increased.

Both records are the kind you need to sit down and listen to from top to bottom, with no distractions. For me, that is the only way to really listen to music. I have a hard time with playlists, and even mix tapes (though I have had some minor breakthroughs). I form my opinions based on records...bodies of work...not just a song here or there. It is definitely a compliment to the artists that I love.

So...all of that to say that if I get home at a reasonable hour tonight, my plan is to sit, and listen.

By the way...

2008-04-12T15:09:00.001-07:00

It is beautiful in Seattle today. Sunny and 75 degrees.......perfect! Quite a change from the 4 days of snow we had 2 weeks ago.

Here we go...

2008-04-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

So, it's official....I am moving. Not far from where I live now. A little closer to town in fact. Not as close as I would like to be, but that's the price I pay for having a recording space. My new space is a 2 bedroom house, formerly used as a studio by Blake Wescott, perhaps most well known as the house where Pedro The Lion's "It's Hard To Find A Friend" was recorded.

If just moving wasn't enough, I am going to be extremely busy in the upcoming weeks. The next 7 days I will be completely immersed in the scoring of The Incredible Hulk. Directly followed by completing Damien Jurado's new record.

May will bring equally busy days as I have now booked days to work with The Beautiful Clarks, to do another Packwood Session, as well as preproduction for a Troubletown record.

I am also trying to find time to begin playing with Pablo Trucker. They played just a couple of nights ago, and it was as good as ever.

night owl...

2008-04-09T00:16:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I stay up late.

Tonight is no exception, and after a long day at work, it was nice to see that one of my new favorite local artists Other Desert Cities had put some songs I had not heard before on his Myspace page.

...Worth staying up for. If only I had been smart enough to buy the record the last time I saw them play. Oh, well...learn from your mistakes. That is my advice to myself.

I also have not been able to stop listening to Karli Fairbanks' "Bitter Blue" record, as well as her "Spring Tour E.P.", split with Breanna Paletta.

And of course, like everyone else on this tiny little planet, I am anxiously awaiting the seemingly never to arrive release from local geniuses, Fleet Foxes.

Score...

2008-04-07T19:25:00.000-07:00

I'll be recording the score for Righteous Kill
the next couple of days.....then back to album projects.

Looks like I will not be going to Coachella this year, as they have trimmed the recording budget.

last night...

2008-04-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

With a post title like "last night"...you never know what to expect...

Sorry to disappoint, but I am only referring to the show I went to...."last night." It was, however, quite good.

Breanna Paletta, from Portland, opened the show with catchy acoustic songs, and a sweet but strong voice.

I always love seeing Billy (The Beautiful Clarks) play...whether it be solo, with a small acoustic band, or the full on dirty Memphis rock with overdriven lap steel, drums, and Chris Benson on the beautiful Tele bass. Last night was the small acoustic band. Billy was in top form, with the overalls, sweet sunglasses, plaid shirt, stiff canvas jacket, and Coca-Cola....as was Caleb in his U.S. Navy coveralls, and solo-ing on the beautiful sounding Guild acoustic guitar, while trying not to fall over.....looking like a young lady trying to pee in the forest, without getting any on herself.

I had been looking forward to seeing Karli Fairbanks play for some time. She is from my home town of Spokane, WA, and I first heard her music on Myspace a few months ago. I was so happy when I began to discover that there is a music scene that is growing in Spokane.....and it's good!!! Everyone who hears her music knows...she has a great voice. But, even more than that, she is a talented musician and songwriter...playing the guitar, banjo, piano, and who knows what else. We had e-mailed a few times....mostly about how much I liked her music, and how badly I wanted to see her perform live. I missed her last Seattle performance, at the Skylark Cafe, as it was during the sessions I was working scoring the film Forbidden Kingdom. I did not miss last nights show....and I am so glad.

I had only heard of Pickwick, as I met keyboard (and sweet tambourine) player Cassady Lillstrom a few months ago, when he started dating a close friend of mine. I really had no idea what to expect, and as I left, and still as I think about their performance, I wonder how I could have had no idea about this band. Simply amazing.

There was talk of future recording projects with both Karli Fairbanks and Pickwick, as well as talking with Billy about nailing dates down for The Beautiful Clarks, which is very exciting. I have been so lucky to work with people that create music that I love, and these would be no exception.

spring cleaning...

2008-04-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

I am still just working on finishing / tying up loose ends on my current projects. Last week brought the initial mastering of the Damien Jurado record, which should have a final master later this month, pending a few changes here and there. Also, I finished vocals for both the Hollis Brown and Airport Cathedral records. All that remains for Hollis Brown is mixing. Airport Cathedral still has some additional things to be recorded, as well as mixing. I hope to have all of my current projects wrapped up by the end of the month, or at least the first week of May.

Should be no problem, other than the massive amounts of film scoring work I am supposed to have this month.

This week we recorded music for the video game World of Warcraft. Next week, a film called Righteous Kill, and the following week....The Incredible Hulk. After that I am supposed to go to Coachella festival in Indio California to record all of the acts on one of the stages....but I am not sure if that is actually going to happen or not.

So, nothing I can do but continue to move forward.

Also, upcoming projects (potentially) for later this spring / summer include, more Packwood Dates?!!! (check out the first 5 clips in my music player), Troubletown (Jenna Conrad from Damien Jurado's band), and The Beautiful Clarks.

Out For The Weekend...

2008-03-17T11:46:00.001-07:00

Looking back at my calendar this morning I realized it has been a month since I last took a day off...over 2 months since the last previous day off...and likely another 6 weeks until the next day. So, although I should be working on Airport Cathedral songs today, I decided to take the day off. There will be no music being made today.

Grenade On Course...

2008-03-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Well, the J. Tillman Record has been done for a few weeks now. It has not been mastered, nor has it found a home for release, as far as I know...but, already it has been receiving much praise. I was reading this blog post
just a few minutes ago. References to Bob Dylan records are usually reserved for very special occasions (not knowing the author personally, I dare not say comparisons). This record, I would say, is a very special one.

Another very special record I have had the extreme pleasure of working on, is almost finished. Next week we will be doing final mixes on Damien Jurado's new record. I am so excited about this record. The only disappointment is realizing that not all of the songs will be in the final track listing.

I am working on an Airport Cathedral record this week, as well. Originally hoping to finish by the end of the upcoming weekend, as I was chatting with Andy today, we are realizing that it may take a bit longer than we had hoped. I am, however, quite confident that the recording process will be completed before Andy leaves for Hawaii next Monday, leaving only mixing to be completed once he is gone.

completion...

2008-02-19T22:44:00.000-08:00

this evening brought the completion of another J. Tillman record. while we were still working on final mixes, a dj from kexp managed to stop by, pick up a copy of Steel On Steel, and play it on the radio before we were done with the final songs...kind of funny.

josh is an amazing song writer, and the record is proof of that. there are so many interesting sounds on the record, as well. i am really excited about it.

today was also my first day of this last week not working on the recording of the score for a film called Forbidden Kingdom. it stars Jet Li and Jackie Chan in the first movie they've ever done together. the composer was David Buckley, who has worked for Harry Gregson-Williams (who is currently in London finishing the score for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian). David will be back in a couple of weeks to record the score for another film called Town Creek.

between now and then....mixing Damien Jurado.

sleep is staying just out of reach...

2008-02-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

the past couple of weeks have been dense. i have been busier with film scoring, and live chamber music sessions, as well as continuing work on a couple of my current studio projects.

we are so close to finishing the recording process for a new damien jurado record. one more day should do it. i have already started to mix some of the songs, and i am really excited about how things are turning out. not that i wasn't excited before, mind you. and not to mention how much fun it is working with such a talented group of people, who are also friends.

i worked a full day film scoring yesterday, then back to my studio to record cello with jenna conrad (damien jurado, troubletown) for a few of j tillman's songs for his upcoming release. we are trying to finish with jenna before she leaves for spain, to play shows with damien. i believe josh's album will be titled Vacilando Territory Blues. i can't comment on whether or not it will be his last, but if i have my way, we will be making many more records together. it's always a pleasure working with josh, and his records (minor works and cancer and delirium) that i have helped him make remain 2 of my favorite records. josh's new record should be complete with one more day of recording, next week...then just a couple of days of mixing.

earlier in the week i was able to make it out to the sunset tavern, where my current band airport cathedral played last week, to see pablo trucker play. it was a solid set, and nice to see them, as it has been months since the last time i was able to make it to one of their shows. i would like to have enough free time to start playing bass with them soon, as andy (airport cathedral, aqueduct, with friends like these, city light) is going to be moving to hawaii in march, which means airport cathedral won't be doing much for some time....after we finish the record, that is.

the CBS orchestra (without paul shaffer)

2008-01-16T14:15:00.000-08:00

yesterday was an interesting day. i took a break from record making to do an orchestral recording for an NFL pregame clip that will air on CBS this sunday, before the Patriots game. it's a 3 minute piece that's almost like a film trailer. it's actually a little bit like a music video too, shot with the 80 piece orchestra, at bastyr, where i usually work on film scores.

today we are scoring the film While She Was Out.

tomorrow, back at VU with damien, jenna, and eric.

there are no days off when you work for yourself...

2008-01-13T23:41:00.000-08:00

it has been a long 2 month stretch. many days of record making, and fewer days off than can be accounted for with the use of one hand. i am in the process of making 4 records at the moment, with other little projects here and there happening as well.

yesterday was spent recording bass for an airport cathedral record. i just started this record last week, and we have already finished drums and started working on bass in just 2 days time.

today was j. tillman. we have worked 5 days on a new record over the past couple of months. we are nearing the end of tracking, and will soon be making a plan for mixing.

tomorrow will be back to work with damien jurado. i've been working hard on a new record, and really enjoying the time with damien, eric, and jenna, as they are all such good friends of mine. this record is also getting close to being done with tracking, and i am sure we will be mixing soon.

i am still trying to find time to record vocals with paul, from hollis brown. i have been working on their record for quite some time, but usually only a couple of days here and there, when we have the time. i have 7 songs to record vocals for, then on to mixing, as well.

this week i will also be recording an 80 piece orchestra for a new CBS Sports NFL intro. it sounds like it's going to be fun. the recording is going to include a video shoot of the orchestra to cut in to NFL clips during the segment.

february is looking like it will be no exception to the trend. i will probably be trying to finish all of these records that i am currently working on, as well as working in a busy month of film scoring.

...maybe when all these projects are finished, i won't know what to do with myself...though, i hope to have new projects beginning, and to stay busy.

VU begins...

2008-01-13T02:23:00.000-08:00

VU is just a name given to what i have been doing for some time. VU is not necessarily a recording studio, though that is a big part of it. i have created a very modest studio at my home...but it began long before the current incarnation of said studio. i have been recording bands, and making records in various locations, including the last 5 houses i have lived in. other locations include an empty church and a remote cabin. VU is more than just a studio. it is an approach to record making. the idea is that there are no specific formulas or rules for making any record. i give a great deal of thought to each project i begin. the approach is not always, and in fact is rarely the same. i have done everything from recording drums to a click track then building on that with overdubs, to recording a full band together in the same room with final vocal tracks being taken at the same time as the drums, and everything in between. i think each project should be considered to be unique, and the process of recording each record should reflect what best suits the artist or band, as well as fits best with their abilities and budget.

i get excited (...and sometimes nervous) with the idea of finding interesting places to record. moving in to a location that is not a studio, or anything even close to a standard recording setting can make for an incredibly unique experience.

that is why i say that VU is not just my studio, but more like a recording environment, which has no specific location. generally speaking, the location is more often than not, my studio...but it's more than that...VU the idea of each project having it's own process...it is a recording philosophy.