Build-Out Phase Four

I've run all the necessary cables through the walls to each isolation room and filled the remaining walls with insulation...

Build-Out Phase Three

FRAMING!

The walls are framed and the studio is beginning to take shape. I've run all the necessary cables through the walls. Next up... sheet rock!

Build-Out Phase Two

The first layer of sheet rock has been hung and the second layer is going on. They're using a special green glue made specific for floating walls to adhere it to the first layer.

Build-Out Phase One

We have begun the build-out. We've put in floating walls for optimum sound so our neighbors don't get blasted with sound every time we set up a drum kit. All the framing and sound channel for the walls around the perimeter of the room is up and this very day the first round of sheet rocking is under way. Two layers of 5/8" sheet rock separated by Green Glue for added sound absorption. After the perimeter of the room is done they will begin framing in the isolation booths, entrance room, a large closet and the wall between the control room and tracking room. It will all be finished in two weeks (God help us).

New Studio

After a year and a half in the current Two Pillars location I have found a bigger and better space in Northeast Minneapolis! Here is what it looked like when I first signed the lease...Notice the TWO pillars!!!

the final masters are in...

Back in January I was asked to stop by the studio for the drum tracking of the band North. They were considering me as the producer of the album. The drum tracks were finished and after a few weeks of jostling a few things around the project was officially in my hands. Since then we have poured over the right instruments for the right parts and the best sounds we could get for each, not to mention a name change (we're now called Greycoats). Now, eight months later the project is finished and I am thrilled. Since this is more of an art-rock band I was able to take some production liberties and add some really interesting instruments that I have acquired over the years...

Omnichord
Stylophone
Sheng
Taisho-Goto (aka the guitarpwriter)
Bowed Bells
Wine Glasses
Spence Harp (a unique auto-harp made in Brainerd by Bill Spence)
Toy Piano
and more...

We had set a date to master the project, as every artist needs a deadline, and found ourselves frantically making final adjustments until 5am the morning of. I worked twenty hours straight that day but every lost minute of sleep was worth it, as this is easily some of my best work. We will be pushing this album as hard as we can and will even be touring in the fall with a band from California called Loquat. If you would like to hear a sample you can go to www.myspace.com/greycoats

real strings...

A couple weeks ago my friends Ben Rosenbush and Faith Miller came in to the studio to add the beauty of real strings to the Tim Lemmens project. They played on four songs. Two of them I had done string arrangements for, which they just played and the other two were more improvised. I love the richness that strings bring to a song. These two came in and played all over the Caitlyn Smith album Face Over Heels and I just had to ask them back again. Tim was in the holy land for a couple weeks, came back and went full speed ahead into camp season and we will be reuniting next week to finish tracking. Hope to be done mixing in August. In the meantime I have been mixing the greycoats record and couldn't be more excited. More to come...