T-Roy sang some great demos for me when I was in New York. He finally got around to doing an album of his own after I moved, but I was honored that he asked me to do mixing duties in my new Montana recording studio for a few of the tracks. The first single, U Gotta Go, was one of them.

Here is his video!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb4Jsa6j8hE&sns=em

The album, “Doing Me” is coming soon!

Do him a favor, comment or thumbs up on YouTube, and share on Facebook if you are digging it!

A collection of 8 songs ranging from simple acoustic arrangements to full complex outings, Dana’s EP is the first project started and completed in Copperhead Production’s new studio.

Dana Jo is a local singer-songwriter. She is very much a story-teller in her songwriting, and the music bridges boundaries between country, pop and americana.

Dana Jo is having a release party on Jan. 28th at the brand new Staggering Ox restaurant in Great Falls at 2nd Ave. So and 2nd St. So.

There are lots of community sponsors doing prizes and giveaways, and the event should be tons of fun.

Find out more about the party HERE and more about Dana Jo Forseth in general.

Spotify List - Top 10 Songs of 2011

Black Keys – Gold On the Ceiling

That simple guitar chug sounds like ZZ Top never used it, it’s so fresh… The musical hooks and lyrical hooks just don’t stop. The simple accent of backing vocals on the chorus give is just a hint of drama, and I’m doing my hardest to to jump out and dance around my room playing the air guitar. If you aren’t smiling by the end of this song, there is something wrong with you. Note: Spotify didn’t have this, so I put on their first single from El Camino, Lonely Boy. Representative, sure… but it ain’t Gold on the Ceiling.

Rihanna – Farewell

This should be at the end of a blockbuster tear-jerker of a movie! It feels like I’ve just watched something emotional every time I hear it. Calls to mind the actual best-of-the-best of the power 80′s pop ballads. Rihanna’s vocal confidence just keeps growing year after year, and as red-hot as she still is, I imagine she has many records left to break. I hope they choose this as one of her singles from her new album!

Maroon 5 – Moves Like Jagger

Was there a bigger earworm this year than that do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do whistle? Equal parts pop, rock and disco, this was inescapable… which was fine, ’cause I just didn’t get sick of this song. I don’t there’s ever been a pop lyric better than “kiss me ’till I’m drunk”… and Xtina’s just the icing… a perfect use of her uncontrolled caterwauling.

Erasure – When I Start (To Break it All Down)

Starts with a great melody, meelow, but still with a lot of energy, and then unexpectedly the melody jumps up and the full glory of Andy Bell’s voice comes through in a way I haven’t heard in a long time, and then the bridge grows into more grandeur yet… rally everything I love about songs tucked into one little nugget.

Coldplay – Paradise

Why hasn’t this song been as massive as Vida La Vida? It is hooky as hell, with a sticky sticky melody and lush production that makes you feel like you’re wrapped up in a heavy blanket on a winter night. The Seargent Pepper strings, the synths, the atmosphere, the drama, the power… I was expecting this one to storm the charts… instead, it’s mounted a minor assault, but give this one another shot! Note: Spotify didn’t have this one, but in a wierd coincidence, one of my favorite independent artists from my Next Big Hit days did a cover of Paradise, so I through in his (Gavin Mikhail) version. I hope you enjoy Gavin as well.

Florence + the Machine – What the Water Gave Me

Quite a year for the category of moody lush dramatic songs with big bold vocals this year… Makes me happy of course, this is easily the best from Florence’s new set… creepy and lush as the same time, really moves me to another world.

Tinie Tempah feat. Eric Turner – Written in the Stars

Rap euro-pop that sounds like it’s important and deep? I don’t know if it actually is, but count me in! Pretty much the only song of the current trend of overly auto-tuned electro pop that didn’t make me want to gag… quite the opposite, the song is so bold, it makes me feel like anything is possible every time I hear it… could be the Rocky Theme for a new generation if it had been a bit bigger hit…. the right movie just needs to use it.

Foster the People – Pumped Up Kicks

Shooting up a schoolyard has never been so much fun. Alt music rarely is this hooky and poppy. I’m pretty sure that the utter uniqueness of this song is pretty much going to relegate the band to one-hit-wonder status, but what a joyful noise the made with the other inescapable whistling song. Sinuous grooves and tight musicianship make the package inescapable.

Parachute – Something to Believe In

Religion and pop? Power and glory? A rolling thunderous bass line, simple piano that recalls gospel (before the song goes there…) I aven’t heard a gospel choir used this well in a long time… and it’s NOT a ballad! The lead singer’s voice has that perfect energetic cry, the song has something it really wants to communicate… and the hooks don’t stop… the brass section has an incerdibly cool arrangement… (and a sax solo.. see below) Why oh why is this group not crossing into our cultural consciosness? If you only check out one song you are unfamiliar with from this list, make it THIS one.

Adele – I’ll Be Waiting

I don’t know why I’ve never heard mention of this song as a potential single from the 21 album phenomenon. That heartbreak wrapped up in a groove that makes you want to boogie. That Memphis Blues groove rarely feels as good as this… Such a classic song that it’s almost impossible to believe it wasn’t around just a year ago… Note: Spotify didn’t have this one either. I picked a very faithful cover. It ain’t Adele, but it gets the point across that it is a solid, classic song in its own right.

Notable trend – Sax is Back!

T.G.I.F. (Last Friday Night), Edge of Glory, Mr. Saxobeat, In the Dark… Saxophone solos were back with a vengence this year… and thank God! I missed you so much… let’s see if this continues.

I had the honor of being one of the judges for the Great Falls Cascade of Talent auditions. I sat alongside Katie Stuckey, Eric Brown, Steve Keller and Linda Fuller in the narrowing down of over 40 auditioners for 20 spots.

Overall, there was some VERY good talent, and far fewer cringe-inducing auditioners than I expected.

Not to give too much away, but I am pleased that all five of us as judges were able to come to completely unanimous decions about all performers who made the cut… in fact, there are a few acts I would even enjoy being a producer for in my Recording Studio!

Now some blind items to look forward to seeing at the show…

• An acapella vocal duo performing an arrangement of a song that has been so over played this year, I didn’t think there was any way it could be fresh… they pulled off the impossible.
• A dancer that from all appearances, one would never expect to be as confident and talented as it turns out he/she is…
• A singer-songwriter who belongs on a bigger stage…

The show promises to be fun and entertaining. Don’t miss it on February 26th at the Mansfield Center.
Check out their Facebook page here: Cascade of Talent

Audition Note:

Singers… pick uptempo songs, they are far more entertaining, and make it easier for you to not sing to the floor! So many singers think a ballad *really* shows off their talent… but so many people are thinking the same thing… it all blends together. I guarantee you’ll stand out at auditions with a fun, uptempo song you are confident with…

If you are thinking “This song is hard, so it will really show off my voice”… chances are, it won’t.

And… give us something to look at as well as listen to… most of us aren’t blind.

Dancers: Smile and loosen up… you’ve rehearsed and you’ve either got the moves or you don’t. It’s time to sell it. Fake it until you make it.

1: Adele – 21

Pop albums don’t require each musician to be a virtuoso. Simple parts on each instrument blended together elegantly and creatively does the trick. Along with amazing songs and an amazing singer. This album is one for the ages. I’m glad America caught on, it wasn’t a foregone conclusion.

2: Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto

They can experiment around with all sorts of different sounds and STILL sound like Coldplay. That is the hallmark of a band that knows their identity. There are great songs here, and the production is so lush, if you listen with first class headphones, you’ll be lost in a three dimensional world for the duration.

3: Black Keys – El Camino

How is it that they sound so like they are plucked from the 70′s, but still sound like no one other than themselves? This album rocks and grooves. So simple, but so much depth to the recording at the same time. I dare you not to dance whereeveer you are as you listen to this album.

4: Parachute – The Way it Was

Whew! These guys have a lot of ambition for a little ol’ pop band! The instrumentation is top noth and surprising (Horn sections are yummy) and their lyrical storytelling goes deep. They don’t forget about great hooks though. How these guys didn’t cross over big with this album is a mystery to me.

5: Erasure – Tomorrow’s World

This album is why I keep buying their albums, after mildly disappointing me for about the past 3 or 4 albums, these two return with their strongest album in 15 years, and I dare say one of their best ever. They invented the “electro-euro-pop” thing before it took off in Europe, and then were largely left behind when it became the craze over there… on this album, Erasure shows they can still do the modern sounds better than he big boys, and still keep their own sound going at the same time.

6: Mayer Hawthorne – How Do You Do?

Do you like 60s and 70s soul? If you answered yes, rush out and get this album from the cheeky Hawthorne. Playing most everything himself, he is a real wunderkind… and while the instrumentation and the melodies sound like they could be straight out of an older era, the depth to the production is rich and modern, and the lyrics, if you listen close, are are curious blend of classic/current with a unique twisted wit.

7: Radiohead – King of Limbs

I still don’t know WHY I love Radiohead, but I do. There is no logical reason for it. I hate maturbatory random noodling without consistant structure… but evidently these guys do it right. Not my favorite album of theirs, but it sits about halfway in their very consistantly (and perplexing) brilliant oeuvre.

8: Florence & the Machine – Ceremonials

The detail to the mixing is so much clearer than her debut album, which lets one better stand in awe of her eclectic and ambitious instumentation which is still intact on her follow-up… but as impressive as it still is, I feel like she’s trying a little too hard for a hit all over the album… lyrically and melodically it’s a little bit too safe…

9: Matt Nathanson – Modern Love

A simple pop album with great songs, solid production, and leaves room for the singer’s personality to shine through. Probably not one for the ages, but in this current era where ALL personality is stomped out of mainstream pop artists, this is a worthwhile breath of fresh air.

10: Michael Buble – Christmas

The fact that this ranks as #10, means this is actually a disappointment. I LOVE Michael Buble. He’s a great stylist, and consistently gets the best arrangers and producers Big Band will allow. He was MADE to do a Christmas album…. but after a promising first half, the second half gets bogged down and boring… and one of the biggest mishaps is the reverse gender singing of “Santa Baby” as “Santa Buddy” which would be odd enough on it’s own, but is delivered with absolutely no sense of humor or whimsy… But there is enough good stuff on the album to mak it worthwhile for any fans that for some reason didn’t already pick it up.

We’re going to be having free pizza available from the newly opened Pizza Baron. Come hang out and chat, see the facilities, and we might let some people pop on the mic or whip out their axe in one of the two isolation booths to check it out.

We’re located at 1601 2nd Ave. No. in the Columbus Center, room B6. We’ll have signs at all the entrances letting you know how to find us!

After the Open House, I will be posting photos of the studio, as well as some photos and articles about the construction build so you can see before and after and all along the way…

But wait, there’s more!

Put your name in the hat when you come to the Open House, and come on down to the Open Mic at Machinery Row that Saturday evening. The Wed. night Open Mic’s have been so successful, that they’ve added a second night. We will be drawing out of the hat at the open mic, and someone will win free full production for a single song. (Or $500 off a larger recording package.)  Heck, if 20 people come to the Open Mic from the Open house, I’ll give away prizes to two people. (Must be present, and signed up to perform in open mic to win.)

The songwriting sparkles throughout. Adele proves a strong enough writer, that through all the songwriting collaborations on the album, her unique voice and perspective shines through. European radio has already embraced this, but while the album has been selling like crazy in America, US radio has yet to get the clue. I hope they do, because besides the outstanding “Rolling in the Deep”, there are at least four other songs worthy of being massive hits. “Someone Like You” (Already a smash in the UK), “I’ll Be Waiting”, “”Rumour Has it” and “Fire to the Rain” all deserve to be stuck in people’s minds for decades to come.

The production is all admirably consistent as well… impressive considering the hodgepodge of mighty industry names… Rick Rubin, Ryan Tedder and more. Ryan Tedder in particular surprises with a sound that (upon looking at the credits) does indeed sound like him, but also sounds completely like Adele, and something new.

But my favorite discovery has to be Paul Epworth. Not only did he produce my two faves from this album (Rolling and Waiting) but it turns out he produced (and co-wrote) much of Florence and the machine’s incredible album, including my favorite song… and a couple of the stand-out tracks on Cee-Lo Green’s “Ladykillers” album. I’ll certainly be looking out for more of his work.

As rich and deep this album is, listening closely to the arrangement shows how simplicity in layers is often the best key to fullness and depth. Most of the instrumentation is simple and easy, but textured to make the listener gasp.

I wasn’t a fan of her first album… it was a bit too much on the slow side for me, and I felt it was missing the “hookiness” I prefer. Adele has shown that it is possible to pursue a more univeral commercial sound while still retaining 100% integrity as an artist. And THAT makes me excited. (And green with envy).

Kellsi Heller belt’s out Carrie Underwood’s “Last Name”

I stopped by Machinery Row for the Great Falls Karaoke Idol finals last night. There were some great singers, and I offered to sweeten the pot by offering some recording time to the top three contestants.

I didn’t get any photos of the winners (didn’t take near as many photos as I should, I was relaxing and enjoying all the great talent!), but the winners were:

3. Chris Estacio ($200 cash and recording time)

2. Femia Rodriguez ($300 cash and recording time)

1. Dennis Wisch ($500 cash and recording time)

The recording package I offered all three winners: A full vocal production with professional editing, mixing and mastering, or $125 off a larger recording package.

Melanie Hauer performs her sadistically happy version of Drowning Pool’s “Bodies (Let the Bodies Hit the Floor)” in full cheerleader regalia.

I also got a chance to see Trinity Baily (Old Friend) and Dana Jo Forseth (New friend). Dee Ann Briggs, Business Manager for The Vagabond Players, was also down with me, and talked to several performers about their interest in getting involved with Theatre.

Qualifying rounds for the next cash prizes start this Saturday, March 19th at Machinery Row. I will be offering more recording packages to winners in future contests, so get in and quality!

The studio will be opening in June, and I will be notifying all winners when they will be able to schedule their studio time!

Matthew Kennerson lent his silky R&B vocal styling to the classic, “My Girl”.

1.) Large iso booth (approx 7’6” x 9’5′ interior.) This is about a foot longer on either side than my booth was in in my Times Square recording studio and will be great for handling everything from vocals to drums, to string sections, horn sections and more!

2.) Medium iso booth (approx 7′ x 5’9″) A second iso booth! This excites me. It will be great for singers, acoustic guitarists, percussion, solo instruments and more. The window provides a great line of sight into the other booth, and of the control room are.

3.) Large Amp Iso Cabinet (appr0x. 3’6′ x 3′ and 3’3″ tall interior) and 4) Medium Amp Iso Cabinet (approx. 2’6″ x 2’6″ and 2′ tall). These amp cabinets are like minature isolation rooms for just a guitar amp. These will make it easy to accomodate a full band recording live together in the studio wil great isolation and seperation.

5.) Nice big comfy couch for clients to sit on.

6.) Control desk. 7.) Outboard Racks of Gear. 9.) My chair…

8.) Full 88 key weighted keyboard. The Yamaha keyboard has fantastic playing action, and is placed convieniently outside the window of the medium control room to allow for geat visual communication between a pianist and singer. The keyboard can also easily be moved into one of the isolation rooms if the singer plays piano themselves.

I’m really excited to complete the construction and acoustic treatment of the space. The recording studio will allow an incredible amount of flexibilty in dealing with all sorts of artists and bands, allowing everyone to work in a way that is most comfortable for them.