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Author: mike

Birch Riley, Brian Pake and the story.

Posted on by mike

This week Birch Riley is in Soundhouse. First off, I’d like to say that they give the new couch a big thumbs up! Secondly – these guys came prepared. Preproduction sessions, tempo maps, the works!  Phil Calvert and Rick Sloot work at Triamp Group, a backline rental service and are very familiar with organization and what sounds good. Phil and Glen Sears are starting a website called Mixdom for musicians, producers and engineers – they’re documenting the recording process for Birch Riley’s album. You can read about it at Mixdom.com.

Brian Pake at the Helm at Soundhouse
The Giant Chrome legged Spider ...
Brian Pake at the Helm.

Busy, busy, busy, here at Soundhouse!

Posted on by mike

This month (April, 2012) is booked solid from end to end.

The bands: My Killer Heart, Red Heart Alarm, Black Beat Blue, The Insurgence, Birch Riley, The West, Jason Kertzer and Goldbar!

The engineer/producers: Jack Endino, Brian Pake, Mike Sebring, Reed Griffin

For most of this year we’ve been booked out a couple months in advance, however a Portugese band just cancelled a couple days ago, leaving a hole in May (11th – 19th) if anyone has a need. The first weekend in June is open, things open up a bit in July!

For booking inquires: http://www.soundhouserecording.net/contact.php

Tip of the day: Is it sunny? Go outside!

mike :’)~

Sounds of Mass Production. Chris DeMarcus. Soundhouse.

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The other day Chris DeMarcus came down to Soundhouse from Canada to record some drums for SMP. You see, we have a reputation for getting killer drums sounds. When he got here in the morning he was psyched about all of our vintage gear. I helped him get the kit miced up, everything patched in and the Headphones going. I don’t see many people tracking with compression but as he was after a certain something. While dialing in his tones he would suddenly turn, make some adjustments and say something like, Wow, I really wasn’t liking the way that was sounding, now it sounds great!

I didn’t get to see them when they left, so I sent him an email thanking him for making the trip.

This was his reply –

> Thanks guys, it was great.
>
> I was working quick, so I had some phase issues, but as soon as I got
> things fixed in Protools, it turned out to be the best drum recording
> I’ve done anywhere. Those Chandlers, and Great Rivers, and the
> Trident console pres sound great.
>
> The room sounds awesome. I’ll probably come back down during the
> summer to record some more drums and maybe a little guitar.

Thanks Chris!

Gotta love that 🙂

Voodoo-JuJu Maintenance lapse at Soundhouse brings Things to a Screaching Halt

Posted on by mike

The other day I walked in to find that I forgot to pay my “dues” to the Juju Queen.

The true nature and depth of Jack Endino‘s magic, part mortal, part God of Thunder became excruciatingly apparent.

Mr. Endino, who’s been mixing all kinds of albums here over the years is apparently in cahoots with, and channeling some of the Soundhouse Voodoo, both creating it and drawing from it, was found with his “batteries run down”. My fault Jack, sorry. There are still some things that I am learning about the care and maintenance of Soundhouse and some hiccups are bound to occur. Scotty Crane (the mad man charged with creating this oasis, this magical music making, hoodoo venue – the man who used his “connections” with the “Otherworld” in order to bestow upon it the very best in musical Juju and Vibe) has done his best to convey to me how to care for Soundhouse, but, as you may or may not know: language is not fully sufficient for communications about such things. Perhaps you’ve noticed the Gargoyles around the studio. I understand much, MUCH more now. A quick call to Scotty got me on the right track, the Juju restored and Jack is recovering slowly but surely. A little pick-me-up note to him would surely be appreciated.

Endino Records Torch Burner, Kandi Coded Bassist’s new band. Young Men Dead, Steve Fisk Alive.

Posted on by mike

Mouthful there. And quite in the realm of sensationalist journalism! I never liked journalism in school. Too many rules. But, it’s late and I’m tired and whether I’ll think it’s funny tomorrow, well, I’ll find out.

Chris “L.C.” Hunter (bass and backing vocals for Kandi Coded (Flotation Records) has a new band called Torch Burner (Chris Hunter-Bass/vocals, Mitch Wolfe-Drums, Apples Bonafazi-Guitar, Frank Gross-Lead Guitars). They came in for a quick one-day-three-song-record-and-mix-session with Mr. Endino on Monday. If anyone can do THAT in a day it’s Jack! I never did get to hear a whole song, but it sounded like a Seattle ROCK revival!

Young Dead Men

James Crosbie – Bass/Vocals
Nate Watkins – Lead Guitar
TJ Payne – Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
TJ Watson – Drums

… were in last weekend with Mr. Fisk – a young band (yes, they ARE young men) but in the studio they were, as Fisk said, “one take wonders”.

Coming in this month…

The Insurgence

Back Beat Blue

Stag

Barrett Martin (Screaming Trees drummer, Barrett Martin Group, Sunyata Records)

Let It Sparkle

Blue Star Creeper

Big Dirt (from the Wandering Infinity Collective)

Let’s Get Lost at Soundhouse and listen …

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Wow. I just got copies of the mastered tracks from Let’s Get Lost — WAY cool!

These are some really talented guys who did themselves a great service recruiting Steve Fisk to produce them – very creatively done, sir!

I’m listening again, now … realizing that, while I liked it on my computer that I really want to hear it on the stereo!

When I find out when and where YOU can hear this stuff, I’ll let you know!

 

~mike

Soundhouse thanks you for a great year!

Posted on by mike

Hey folks ~~

I hope you all are enjoying the holidays! This has been a great year, I’ve met lots of folks, learned a lot and been able to assist on many sessions for other engineer/producers.

Recently, legendary harmonica player Lee Oskar (www.leeoskar.com) came in to Soundhouse with freelance engineer Brandon Busch (www.soundmediapro.com) to track two new tunes Lee has been playing with his local band, Lee Oskar and Friends.  Known for his iconic harmonica lines in the songs Lowrider, Why Can’t We Be Friends, Spill the Wine, etc, Lee has also had a long solo career, composing and performing his own unique harmonica driven tunes.  You can catch Lee with his Seattle-based band on the last Friday of most months down at Highway 99 Blues Club.

It was really good to meet Lee, his band and Brandon. Brandon knows Soundhouse very well and it was great to get a chance to talk to him and see how he does things!

Things are already looking good for 2012 – We’re pretty well booked into March. There are some open dates here and there, though, so if you’re thinking about coming in, let us know soon! ( http://www.soundhouserecording.net/contact.php )

Thanks for making it a great year and getting SOUNDHOUSE back in the action!

~~ mike