38 posts tagged “recording”
Hi y'all.
About time we updated our whereabouts and what we've all been up to..
Another busy time as Musoplex sees another rise in workload and fun. Pete has been off with Dufus on the UK leg of their European tour capturing the gigs and something more personal from the Dufamily. I had the pleasure of watching them and recording the audio from the Cheltenham gig on Thursday - at the Frog and Fiddle - a most excellent venue with friendly staff, a great live room and much thanks to a really very good sound man in Mike. Videos will take about 3 weeks to start surfacing......watch this space.
Personally I have been busy trying to work on signing a new band to the Raven: label - which should be concluded in early Dec.
We have become a working partner with a fantastic charity - Sound It Out - who promote free access to music for youth in 'less affluent' areas. We start work with our group on Dec 8th.
Katie has done a few photo shoots with Sam and with The Ganders and these are under process. Another shoot with Butterfly Fan the Inferno coming right up...
We are about to go and see the local constabulary to also see how we can help with the local community.
Si has recorded great sets from Police B***ard (featuring both 'Pid and Johnny Doom on vocals) for an EP off for pressing next month. Also through the studio were the excellent Butterfly Fan the Inferno, A Shot In The Dark and HINGe, with Lee Phillips also running a session for a comedy band in between). Next up.....We All Need Heroes and the Ganders.
Busy busy busy.....a Christmas round up next month.....
Andy
Musoplex remains at the heart and focus of all music in the West Midlands, Birmingham and the Black Country and 2010 sees some ambitious expansion plans. Looking forward to it :o)
We don't post as much as we should cos we are too busy.....but enough excuses.....here's several reasons why we are the best studio in Brum :o)))
A
framework Studios at Musoplex have taken on a new freelance producer in the form of Lee Phillips (www.cornerstudios.co.uk) and he starts his full-on time solo work at the end of the month.
Meaning......when Lee has our weekends we can do some cheaper daytime rates as it frees up the legendary Si Reeves (worked on Napalm Death, Bjork/Carcass / PJ Harvey at Framework).
From £150 a day (Mon - Thurs) he represents incredible value for money. You can always still book Framework and Si Fri - Sun starting at £250 a day for longer runs.
More to follow as we have also created our own promotional gig arm with Matt from Nuventure...
I am never sure if these things are going to work....I am a Luddite.....so let's go!!! If it does - join us on Twitter XX
The Cubans have recorded a new AA single which will be released on iTunes and hard copy to coincide with their headline gig at the Wulfrun on 7th March.
The following week sees their rescheduled BBC Radio Introducing.... slot - so listen up...
The songs were recorded at Framework Studios (at Musoplex) by Si Reeves
All of the Cubans' back catalogue can now be found on iTunes.
Here is a taste of what is coming your way soon....
Here's what you missed...
A packed Little Civic on a cold Sunday in January (thanks to all the bands and Matt at Nuventure) and a party atmosphere topped by the fabulous Eureka Machines....ACE!!
I officially love Elle Diablo, Sarcastic Comment were excellent and played a blinder and Discotheque Wreck partied hard - but still none came close to the bouncing, vibrant, technically wonderful, crafted Eureka Machines.
Over the next week the Cubans will be recording a new AA single with Head Producer Si Reeves at Framework Studios - part of the Musoplex family of music lovers.
Please Don't Start Again is in a style that has got them recognised across the Midlands and beyond as a distinctive indie band that stands head and shoulders above the crowd.
Face to Face will see a slightly heavier leaning with a departure from other material and a bass-driven monster-beat of a song that has been the star of recent live performances.
The success of the last single (now sold out on hard copy but available on iTunes) and the remastered album of earlier work saw them sell out the Little Civic in Dec 2008 and get a joint headline in March 2009 (7th!!) with the legendary reformed Bluetones.
The new single will be released in time for their biggest gig to date but just so you know what you might miss - the review from the Little Civic....
The rise continues...
RYANS GIG GUIDE - ISSUE JAN 09 - REVIEW "LITTLE CIVIC GIG"
"Early on it was clear to see why they are called The Cubans. The Latin feel to the music, combined with some harder guitar riffs was a unique sound base which instantly draws you to them. Song titles, such as ‘Ron’s last Act’ and ‘Women Tennis’ are especially quirky, and apparently the latter is best not questioned! During the 45 minute set, the band treated us to a first live hearing of new track ‘Flow’ with quick fire vocals and an addictive bass line. Most enjoyable and reflective of range was ‘I Don’t Want To Know’ which had the big boned man in front of me waggling stuff I didn’t need to see, and the whole room bouncing happily. There is a cultural feel to their verses, flattered by catchy choruses and an eclectic mix of influences to ensure each track is different. On stage, the band play as a solid unit, with a clear respect for each other’s input and space. There was great movement by the band and some of the gutsiest bass playing I’ve heard in years. They looked comfortable on stage with a performance that reflected their touring experience, whilst showing no arrogance. Many bands brag to love what they do, but few prove it so intensely. This band is not to be missed!
The culinary delights from Mr Sizzle brought my evening to an end, with The Cuban’s excellence still ringing in my ears. There were many surprises and I give thanks to whoever it was that recommended The Cubans to me. Breaking news is that they are set to headline at The Wulfrun in March, so there’s an opportunity for you, but don’t leave it too late as this band have a reputation for selling out wherever they play. I’ll be front row with my glow sticks."©Meriel Flavell 2008
For some reason something we don't do frequently enough is to thank those people that use us to record that we don't really see as 'core' to what we do but I guess it couldn't be wider of the mark as it probably accounts for a good 10 - 20% of our recording time.
These include covers bands, backing singers, tribute acts etc so just a quick thanks for coming in and genuinely entertaining us and keeping us aware that music is for all and more beautifully diverse than our sometimes narrow minded musical tastes and views would allow us to think....:o)
So cheers to Molly's Craic (pub and club), Pennyshort (bonkers folk folk), Julie Small (seriously excellent classical / folk music and voice), Cloned Stones (go on...guess) and a big congrats to 4More - officially best Mids live entertainment act 2008-9.
Andy
2008 is finally over and as I start to settle into 2009 I thought I would spend a while reflecting on last year and moving on into the new year....
So - first and absolutely foremost - a HUGE thanks to everyone we have worked with or met in the last year. Way too numerous to name them all and rude to single out a few so just a big cheers to you all - it remains a pleasure.
In what was our first full year since the studio relocation we have seen rehearsing bands that we have heard from day 1 as a shamling wall of dischordant noise that now sound like working and coherent units with some budding, developing and downright excellent songwriters and players.
Pete has made some great and diverse videos - from a live tour of Germany with anti-fascist punk band Police Bast*rd to bang up to date current work of DVD filming, editing and authoring for Barry Steele - the UKs Number One Roy Orbison Tribute (is that okay Barry?? :o)).
We registered our label (unless you are deadly serious don't go there!!), released our 1st label material for The Cubans and Skull Fox and in 2009 will look for more as we get better at it.
2009 will also see Replicant (the live recording arm of the business) move into more frequent gig promotion - in Jan-Mar we will be looking for venues and acts. We will also be introducing a rewards system for bands - getting free photo shoots, days in the studio etc.
We also start a regular last Wed of every month local radio slot at the end of this month - fielding ourselves, our own guests, our own recordings etc..
And - speaking of our own recordings - Si and Mike are both pretty solid and all weekends are now booked until March - and even they are under negotiation and likely to go pretty soon - but this does leave weekdays etc easily enough - sometimes.
So - a great year - for which we are hugely grateful - and a very promising 2009 beckons.
A
Haha - well I thought it was a lovely pic...then Pete stats sending these through....and it goes swiftly from photography to art....here's what he did with me and the first of The Follow On pics to come through....thanks Pete for making me look cool :o)
