I’m a music producer, engineer and songwriter with a recording studio in Times Square, the heart of New York City.. I specialize in working with solo recording artists in many genres.
Here, at different times, I will shed light on the recording and creative process as well as write some personal articles, reviews, etc… The relationship between an artist and their producer is an extremely personal one, so perhaps here you may get to know me a little better and decide if I might be a good match for you as an artist.
Indies might actually have a real chance at sales and radio play when it no longer makes sense for the majors to spend MILLIONS promoting a single song to radio.
When even the HITS aren’t selling a whole lot, the majors are going to have to rethink their strategies… hey, they might have to release GOOD music to get radio play instead of pay-for-play!
Lil Wayne may be #1 for the year, but at 2.7 million, it ain’t a lot to crow about. And with Madonna, 3 Doors Down and Katy Perry all WELL under a million… well lets say the general major label policy of the HITS helping cover the costs of the flops is coming to a close REAL soon.
As a fan of The Killers and Coldplay, it was a good weekend, with the Killers new full length, “Day & Age” and Coldplay’s new Ep, “Prospekt’s March” both out.
So what are my first impressions? Well, I’m a little underwhelmed so far with the Killer’s new one. I still enjoy their music, but their edge seems to be sliding still further away from the glory of the “Hot Fuss” debut. The opening song, “Losing Touch” is a great grabber at first listen, but still a pale shell of the excitement I first felt (and hell, still do) when hearing “Somebody Told Me.” Coldplay’s EP continues their bold move forward away from just sleepy corporate rock. The EP has more variety on it than all of X&Y and even Viva la Vida. The EP moves from Rock to classical piano, to alt soundscapes and Jay Z’s guest spot feels great. 3 of these songs are remakes, remixes, or “based” on songs from “Viva la Vida” but the whole ep feels fresh and new.
So, both acts are moving away from their indie roots, but I’m more excited where Coldplay is going at the moment. I’ll still enjoy the new songs from the Killers on random on my iPod, but I’m still hoping they can recapture a bit of their old excitement.
Amazon has been doing something great to lure some business from iTunes. Every day they have a “deal of the day” where they sell a full album from $1.99-$3.99
It’s worked, I’ve bought 3 CDs from them this way. One that I would have bought anyway, and two that I wouldn’t have paid full price.
This got me thinking… With single songs going for $.99, shouldn’t the album feel like a better deal per song? And aren’t we all a little fed up with what the CD has wrought? I won’t go on about how vinyl sounded great, but what I miss is that most albums were 8-10 songs because you couldn’t fit more on there. Less bloat, more good songs, less filler.
So, how about the labels start charging $4.99 for a digital album? By necessity, artists would stop putting out god awful collections of 17 songs, and I bet go down to a much more palatable 8-10 songs, and it would still feel like we’re getting a deal. In fact, I bet more people would pick up a full CD at this rate. Something I think proven by Maroon 5′s old album storming back into the iTunes top 5 the week they sold it for $4.99
Digital delivery reduces cost, flat out. No distribution, mailing, returns to deal with. The record companies need to find new ways to market and value their products. Smaller albums would let artists release albums more frequently, enabling them to stay “on the pulse”… and those filler cuts? Make them what they used to be… B-Sides. Release the single for $1.99 with 2 unavailable bonus cuts!
It would be nice if iTunes or the other stores would allow independent artists this flexibility. Some sort of ability to set a price lower than $9.99 (or the total of .99 per track, whatever is less) would let the EP come back into play in a big way. I bet a lot of indies could and would be willing to release a five song EP if they could sell it for $2.99!
Many artists and musicians think they don’t need a producer. They have the artistic vision, why should they hire someone else?
There are many jobs a true music producer does, many of which have little to do with the actual creative output of the music. So why should you use a Real Producer?
What is a Real Producer Good For?
1. Do you know which studio to book? Do you know if they will really have what you need to accomplish your goals? Real Producers know this. Many have their own studios as well, so the price isn’t much more, and if their studio isn’t up to the job, they’ll be able to take the portion of the project that needs another space and coordinate everything.
2. Do you know how long it will take to record all the pieces? Not guessing… really know? Producers know how long everything will take, and can schedule everything with you to make sure you are getting the most efficient use of your time. Read more of this article »
I wouldn’t call Tears For Fear the one of the most underrated bands arounf, a couple monster #1 hits means they got more than their fair share of recognition. However, I’m not exactly sure why “Mothers Talk” wasn’t the FOURTH monster hit from their huge 1985 album, Songs From the Big Chair.
Okay.. maybe it’s obscure lyrics like “My features form with a change in the weather/ weekend/ we can work it out.” And I didn’t even know those lyrics until I searched and found them today.
But the back then, the beat seemed so primal… at least to my New Wave lovin’ ears. The melody was catchy as hell, and this song really reveals that the group wasn’t as safely mainstream as many believed. I do think Tears for Fears had so many smart and sophisticated musical arrangements that weren’t sniffed out merely because they were… oh no… a SYNTH band. But not too deep below the catchy melody of “Mothers Talk”, are staccatto counter-rhythms and smart arpeggios covering chord progressions that were anything but typical (then or now).
I found this video on YouTube, which has a slightly different arrangement than on the album, and found the differences interesting.
If you are a fan of smart pop music, and this song didn’t ring a bell for you, I strongly urge you to check it out.
I was talking about Jim Steinman the other day with my co-writer, Chris Williams… and this speck of a thought formed in the back of my mind… Didn’t Taylor Dayne do a Jim Steinman song back in the 90′s?
I couldn’t come up with the name of the song, but I did remember it was from a “superhero” type movie back in ’94 or ’95.
Armed with that knowledge, I later went to BoxOfficeMojo and looked at the top grossing movies from 1994… and lo and behold… there it was… “The Shadow”. I never saw the movie, but the song was names “Original Sin” and is WAS sung by Taylor Dayne.
I was pleased to find it was available on iTunes, and purchased it immediately. It was as good as I remembered it. Taylor Dayne has that big, melodramatic voice that just screams for Jim Steinman… and the collaboration did not disappoint… well, artistically at least.
(updated April 6) -- Here is the full video on YouTube!
Taylor Dayne was pretty much no longer in the spotlight, and I imagine this was supposed to be her “comeback”single… and it should have been. It is the best of both Dayne and Steinman with big melodies, a nice dark twist, dramatic turns, a pulsating tribal bridge… It still is magic today. This song proved Taylor Dayne was an overlooked vocal talent… and while I never was a HUGE fan, for one summer, because of this song that never took off, I was one.
Taylor Dayne has a new album with a horrible CD cover.
Site that lets you sell digital AND physical copies of your music with great control. Includes gatering emails for your mailing list. (Use in ADDITION to TUNECORE or other digital distributor)
The defacto online board for music techies to discuss their craft. If you want to record at home, or just know more when you enter the studio, this is the place.
Fantastic Photographer if you need professional shots to capture the industry's attention.
New York Session Musicians
Links to websites are listed when available. If there is no website, email me for contact info
David Acker - Acoustic and electric guitars. Fantastic in about any genre and great at coming up with creative, unique arrangements.
Anthony Lanni - Acoustic and Electric Guitar. Great with Jazz, latin and Brazillian Music.
Dennis Michael Keefe - Upright and Electric Bass for Rock, Pop, Jazz and Musical Theatre
Michael McInnis - Alto, Bari & Tenor Sax. Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute and multiple ethnic reeds. Also a great Brass/Horn Arranger. Good at improvising.
Rob Mosher - Oboe, English Horn, Soprano Sax. Great improviser and arranger.
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I’m a music producer, engineer and songwriter with a recording studio in Times Square, the heart of New York City.. I specialize in working with solo recording artists in many genres.
As a fan of The Killers and Coldplay, it was a good weekend, with the Killers new full length, “Day & Age” and Coldplay’s new Ep, “Prospekt’s March” both out.
Coldplay’s EP continues their bold move forward away from just sleepy corporate rock. The EP has more variety on it than all of X&Y and even Viva la Vida. The EP moves from Rock to classical piano, to alt soundscapes and Jay Z’s guest spot feels great. 3 of these songs are remakes, remixes, or “based” on songs from “Viva la Vida” but the whole ep feels fresh and new.
1. Do you know which studio to book? Do you know if they will really have what you need to accomplish your goals? Real Producers know this. Many have their own studios as well, so the price isn’t much more, and if their studio isn’t up to the job, they’ll be able to take the portion of the project that needs another space and coordinate everything.
I wouldn’t call Tears For Fear the one of the most underrated bands arounf, a couple monster #1 hits means they got more than their fair share of recognition. However, I’m not exactly sure why “Mothers Talk” wasn’t the FOURTH monster hit from their huge 1985 album, Songs From the Big Chair.
