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I can’t even explain how excited I am to announce the very first release on Media Blitz Record Co. It’s been a long time coming for Media Blitz to actually start releasing records, and shortly we’ll have the vinyl in our hands. SO STOKED.
The first release is by our dear friend Aoife O’Donovan. The two songs on the 7″ were recorded over here at the studios at Media Blitz East in 2006, and just sat around in the vaults for a few years waiting to be released. An incredible cast of musicians and friends were involved with the making of this 7″, including such Media Blitz regulars as Nico Georis, Ryan Scott, Rushad Eggleston, Aoife (of course), and (obv) Robin MacMillan and me, Jacob Silver. A few relatively new friends were also involved with this record: Brittany Haas, who played violin, Alejandro Venguer, who mixed the record, Brian Turner from Cricket Press, who did the artwork, and Aaron Schultz, who runs a great record label called Bastard Jazz. Aaron helped facilitate the actual production of the vinyl itself. Each step in this long process was as crucial as the next, and each person’s incredible contribution is what has made this project turn out so great.
We will be having a record release party at the Rockwood Music Hall in NYC on Tuesday, June 22 at 8pm. Click here for more info.
As of right now, the only way to get the record is to buy one at one of Aoife’s shows (click here to see if she’ll be coming through your town anytime soon), but that will soon change. In a few weeks we will have online ordering set up, so you’ll be able to purchase a record from anywhere in the world. Each record purchase also includes a free download! Even if you don’t have a record player, it’s totally worth it to buy one of these records. The artwork is absolutely stunning. Pretty enough to frame and put on your wall. Please check back soon if you’d like to order a record, or email me and I’ll let you know as soon as it’s available.
The concept of Media Blitz Record Co. is simple. To release high quality music that was recorded at Media Blitz, and at least co-produced by me or Robin MacMillan. All of our releases will be on vinyl, and will all be recorded on analog tape. Stay tuned for upcoming releases. We’ve got some INCREDIBLE stuff on the way.
Jacob
Colin Schiller is one of my first friends I made when I moved to NYC in 2003. I went to the now defunct Stinger bar to sing some karaoke. Colin was hosting the night, and we instantly hit it off and became good friends. Colin is an exceptional drummer, and since 2003, we’ve played in a few bands together, and even did a tour together opening up for none other than David Lee Roth.
Recently Colin made the wise choice of going solo, and I’ve had the pleasure of co-producing his record. We’re still a long way from a full-length album, but we’re almost finished with the first single, Dizzy, and early Monday morning we starting shooting the music video for the song. The video features Kenley Collins, Project Runway alumni and karaoke host-extraordinaire. Stay tuned for the song and video. It’s going to be great! The whole project has a very 80′s feel to it. We’ve incorporated lots of DX7 synthesizers…
Here are a few shots I took from the video:
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The horn sections takes a coffee break
Yesterday Jefferson Hamer came by to lay down basics for a new demo/EP he’s working on. He did 6 songs, all sort of in that “Irish Ballad” sort of style, but what do I really know about that stuff? Maybe it was Scottish?
There were a lot of takes that ended with me going, “Woah. That was amazing!”, and Jefferson saying, “Yeah, I probably could have played it cleaner.”
Well, that’s how it goes. We did this session on 1″ 16-track. ALWAYS better than digital. If I have my way, I’ll litter this demo with Townes Van-Zandt styled production and overdubs, and hopefully throw some elven flute and Wellingtonian snare drum in the mix. Of course some upright bass (8 tracks of bowed bass?), picked harmony bass, and electric guitar.
We used two of Jefferson’s mics, and two of mine. One of Jefferson’s was some Neumann that I’ve never heard of, and some other mic I’d never heard of. Very informative, right? Then we used a Blue Kiwi and a Peluso 2247 to create an AB stereo pair room sound. It sounded great, but I soon heard the quote of the day from Jefferson regarding the room mics…”it sounds like what it sounds like when I record on my mac’s built-in microphone.” I immediately turned down the faders on the room mics.
My good friend Bart Davenport played at “my” club, Pete’s Candy Store tonight. It was the second time I’d seen Bart play solo. The first time was also at Pete’s, and was also the first time I had ever met him. I later on went to play in his band, and last year went on a three-week tour with him, The Botticellis, and Sugar and Gold, all acts on Antenna Farm Records.
I must admit, I love playing with Bart, but after seeing him solo, I wonder why he even needs a band. He’s so good at guitar, he is the whole band. It’s totally amazing. He completely captivated the whole crowd, and left them wanting more.
 Bart Davenport and band playing a wedding. Bart’s been staying with us as well. Turns out he just did some sort of stop-motion hip-hop music video about the old west, and Bart played none other than Black Bart, the infamous Wells Fargo bank robber from the 1870′s. A little bit of internet investigation got me to blackbart.com, THE internet hub for all the latest information about Black Bart. Black Bart would leave a little poem after every robbery. Here’s one of my favorites that I read:
“I’ve labored long and hard for bread,
For honor and for riches
But on my corns too long you’ve tread,
You fine-haired sons-of-bitches.”
Go get em, Black Bart. And you too, BD.
This is a test.
Carl, Jake and Robin cordially invite you to their annual coldtime, potluck munchfest.
COME! CONTRIBUTE! PARTAKE!
what to bring? whatever you prefer to make or drink.
questions/rsvp? call robin at (347)228-1204.
SPLENDID.
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