"...a thick, sweaty psychedelic funk masterpiece." - Philadelphia Magazine
Johnny Showcase - The Octopus!
Source: http://www.johnnyshowcase.com
William Gruff - Prepare To Meet The Dead
Reposted from William Gruff's SoundCloud
This little EP entitled Prepare to Meet The Dead is a small collection of gypsy tunes recorded live in studio in front of a small audience at SubCat recording studio as part of their ongoing SubRosa series to promote the indie music scene in Syracuse.
We were fortunate enough to take part in this and walked away with strong takes of a few tunes we felt were best recorded and released as live tracks. Our very own Vince Federici mixed and mastered them to give them a little shine before release.
One of our favorite reviews came off our first record, "I was slack jawed by the end of the first track". We'd like to think we're still living up to that standard and through constant experimentation we try to bring you music that is as diverse and exciting as the world we live in. Save for that first full length record, our EP's tend to be stylistically organized, and this new EP is no different.
Recommended food and drink pairing: Schnitzel and Vodka
Alex Radus - Jewels & Tinware
Dig the new record, finally released. We recorded most of the tracks for this record nearly three years ago, and I'm very pleased to have it see the light of day. Since those recording sessions, we've been steadily gigging in Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley, honing the arrangements, and turning heads.
The record features some fantastic guest musicians - namely Dave Cahill on the first single We Can't Play Like Django - and genres including the jazz, the funk, the blues, and everything in between.
Alex Radus - Guitar, Voice
Dan Manchester - Bass
Charlie Heim - Drums
New Single: We Can't Play Like Django
Check out the new single from the Alex Radus Trio!
William Gruff - Don't Remember Your Name [Single]
Never resting on any laurels, we fellows from William Gruff bring you new music. Watch the music video above - shot by Pierre Tasne and directed by Paul Bomba - and listen to the single below on SoundCloud.
This tune, and the second single that will soon follow, are part of a stylistic exploration into the sound and vibe of pop music from the 1980s. We took our influences and bring you this - so let us know what you think!
Alan Ens - Long Term
Click to listen to the full EP online
Last year, I recorded drums for three different tunes in three different locations. Another completely self-produced record from Philly's Alan Ens, this short EP doesn't skimp on the music. Says Al, it was recorded in the summer of 2013, for less money than the new Air Jordans.
This DIY spirit has led Alan to record a number of other albums on his own, including his Tongue Sculptors and $105,019.86 $tudent Debt. His music is a nearly indescribable recipe, taking morsels of jazz, pop, ambient, Brazilian, and punk musics and washing it down with some soy sauce and Old Bay. Take a listen, and support some very unique homegrown jams.
Released 09 January 2014
Alan Ens - Instruments, recording and mixing
Charlie Heim - Drums
with
Hallie Sainni - Viola; Joshua Machiz - Upright bass; Ian O'Beirne - Flute, Clarinet; Koofreh Umoren - Trumpet
William Gruff - Binghamton
Click to listen to the full album online
The second album from William Gruff.
Hot on the heels of the new single and music video, comes William Gruff's Binghamton EP.
We recorded the entire thing in four days, and features six brand-new songs penned by Matt Cusack and his acoustic guitar. With Vince Federici on guitar, Will Tobin on keyboards, Julia Adamy on bass, myself on drums and everyone singing, we tracked Binghamton live at More Sound Studios in Syracuse, NY. We chose travel back to the space where William Gruff was manifested; More Sound's quality and accommodation was and is well worth the trip. The trip, however, is a big part of the story.
I contributed drums, percussion, vocals, arranging, and my car's engine to our little record here.
I'll be posting a more detailed account of said trek to and fro the 'Cuse, but you will have to check back for that one - it's gonna take a minute to put it all down. It has already become internet legend, however, and you can read a (lightly dramatized) telling over at Popa's Tunes. Here's an excerpt:
"Four AM sitting in the cab of the tow truck, hard rain falling, the prospects of getting to the studio on time looked grim. Can the car be fixed? Who too call at this ungodly hour for a ride? The flashing neon of the service station blurred crimson red on the wet windshield, two letters were missing from the sign, it blinked RAGE, RAGE, RAGE. Still soaked to the bone Charlie and Vince climbed from the cab, despairingly wondering what to do next."
Intrigued yet? Read the whole article or download the album now!
Visit www.williamgruffmusic.com for more info and new music.
![William Gruff wins Best Rock Album [Updated]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5159a2fde4b01288f25138bb/1444672248291-Y2HADDMTT0CP91Y34I3V/image-asset.jpeg)
Some of our set-up at More Sound Studio
ceramsey3's photo on Instagram
William Gruff - At The Bottom of the Ocean
Here it is, folks. Just in time for our CD release, the music video for Binghamton's first single is here. After a sweaty day running about from subway cars in Brooklyn to Rockaway dunes, we bring you this.
Alan Ens - In $105,019.86 $tudent Debt
A new EP from Al. There's no shortage of great musicians on this offering, featuring the likes of Mike Cemprola and Ricardo Lagomasino, and Alan engineered it all in his living room. I recorded drums and percussion during one session for the album's lead off track, "Dark Clouds". We got some serious tones - dig those vintage '72 Slingerland toms!
Dark Clouds by Alan Ens
from the album In $105,019.86 $tudent Debt
Alan Ens - Instruments, Singing, Computers, Design
Charlie Heim - Drums, Percussion
Mike Cemprola - Flutes, Clarinets
Keena - Keena
Self-titled release from country singer Keena Eicher, finalist in the Great American Song Contest.
This recording session was a fun experience for me, as I had never had the opportunity to try my hand at modern country music. Upon invitation from the great State College bassist Dave Skipper, I joined Keena, keyboardist Todd Litzinger, and guitarist/songwriter Larry Boggess at Marc Frigo's Studio in Boalsburg.
I've heard good country these days is basically "rock with a twang." While Boggess's Telecaster certainly isn't messing around, there is a particular energy to these jams that coasts a bit more than it thumps. In so many words.
Have a listen, and be sure to check out Keena and Larry when they perform in Central PA.
WXPN's 12 Days of Local Christmas →
UPDATE: This article was cited by WXPN as one of the top 10 most popular posts of all time. How 'bout that!
The new single release from Alex Radus, "Hustle and Bustle" , was aired today on WXPN - one of Philadelphia's top radio stations for local and international music of import. It was featured on the program The Key , during which his Helen Leicht added the song to her "My Morning Download" playlist.
Check the tune out below, or read Bruce Warren's article from December 2012 over at XPN's The Key.
Chords for Cures Vol. 1 (2004 to 2009 years)
Chords for Cures is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that books concerts, with all proceeds benefiting children's charities in and around the Philadelphia area.
Charles Ramsey - Love Don't Have To Feel So Foreign
I recently teamed up with fellow State College/Penn State transplant Charles Ramsey for his latest album, Love Don't Have To Feel So Foreign. Charles is a talented singer/songwriter currently living in New York City, where he's been sharing the stage with the likes of William Gruff. The record caught the attention of The Big Takeover's Mark Suppanz, who put it at #7 in his top ten during the summer of 2012:
It’s a follow-up to his mellifluous 2009 debut LP Good Morning & Good Night, and it again shows off his keen melodic sense and lovingly-crafted pop. Each full-bodied composition evokes a different feel; see the country-flecked “Architects in Love,” the Beatles-esque “Carmen,” or the melancholy “On Your Own Time,” to name the first three. It’s very nice!
I contributed drums to two of his tunes, the aforementioned "On Your Own Time" as well as "My Guardian Angel".
Listen | Buy on iTunes
Brittany Opperman - Brittany Opperman
I recorded drums for Brittany's debut release back in 2012.
Debut recording from the talented Country singer/songwriter. In early 2012, a producer from Philly's Studio A asked me to track drums to some acoustic guitar demos from Harrisburg. Some time later, Brittany's record was released - and it sounds great!
Johnny Showcase - Sensual, Parts 1&2
Dig the new video from Johnny Showcase! Directed by Rachel Gordon, and filmed in Philadelphia. It's already been enjoyed by some of Philly's top reviewers:
“Sensual, Parts 1 & 2″ is tacky and more than a little ridiculous…but one also gets the sense that these folks in the technicolor suit jackets and swarthy shades are 100% serious. I mean, the song is a stone groove with a catchy refrain... to play the funk this believably, you’ve got to mean it...
-WXPN's The Key
"Bravo to all who were involved! You just made the world a little more enjoyable."
-The Deli Philadelphia
"I can’t tell you how happy it makes me that this group is using their talents to make things as ridiculous as this."
-What's Protocol?
Check out the articles from The Key, The Deli, and What's Protocol?, and enjoy the video. Stay smarmy!
Visit www.johnnyshowcase.com for more info
![Help fund the new Johnny Showcase record! [Updated]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5159a2fde4b01288f25138bb/1444672505770-E3YWBTV7PCKV9B1Y4I25/image-asset.jpeg)
Alex Radus - Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat
I played on Alex Radus's contribution to this great compilation. 13 Philadelphia bands take on a Bob Dylan tune in tribute to his septuagenarianism. Take it from Lance Davis, the producer that put this project together:
2011 was a special year for songwriting legend Bob Dylan. It not only marked the year of his 70th birthday but it was also the 50 year anniversary of his first recording. Being a huge fan of his work, and a singer/songwriter myself, I was really inspired to put together and produce a tribute compilation featuring Philadelphia Artists. In 2009 I met a group of engineers from Racetrack Studios out of Gettysburg PA that had just opened a new facility in the old Indre studio space in South Philadelphia, and in 2010 I decided to partner up with them and record it there.
We tracked a great trio version of Dylan's classic "Leopard-Skin Pillbox Hat" from Blonde on Blonde. Featuring Alex Radus on guitars and vocals, and Dan Manchester on bass.
Alex Radus - Hustle and a Bustle
The single release of an original holiday tune, featuring the Alex Radus Trio: Alex Radus - guitar and vocals; Dan Manchester - bass; Charlie Heim - drums. Written by Charles Ramsey and Basia Grocholski, Produced by Lance Davis.
William Gruff - William Gruff
Click to listen to the full album online
The debut album from William Gruff. Featuring many songs previously heard from Philadelphia's Mountain Man, this sprawling album hits all the right spots.
Jump with Jill - Goin' on a Journey: Songs for Every Body
Featuring some inventive bucket-drumming, this tune is part of the recent record Goin' on a Journey from Rockstar Nutritionist Jill Jayne. It was a great time making a racket, thanks in no small part to the percussion mastery of Spencer Inch.
From Jump with Jill's website: Goin on a Journey: Songs for Every Body was released in 2010 as the follow-up to Get Me Goin, this time for preschool-aged kids. It was considered for a 2012 Grammy nomination for Best Children's Album. The Journey travels to healthy choruses about fueling your choo choo train with healthy foods, giving new foods a second try, doing jumping jacks like Jill, dancing The Water Polka, wearing sunscreen when you're having fun in the sun, getting your bubbles on at bath time, brushing your teeth before bedtime, and dreaming about doing it all again tomorrow. The 15-track CD comes in a recycled digipak that includes the lyrics on a 10-panel fold out poster.
Megalodon - Summer Sessions
The water's safe...
An unreleased set of untreated studio cuts, replete with unfettered ferocity.
A prehistoric beast of a band, featuring Greg Johnson on saxophone and EWI, Scott Kruser on guitars, Erek Kapusta on keyboards, Mike Dougherty on bass, and myself hitting things.
Formed in 2007, played some shows around Pennsylvania.
Released debut album, Edible , in 2009.
Went back into the studio in 2011, and tracked some new material. They're unfinished tracks - this is the band raw and unaffected. Featuring compositions from Greg Johnson, Scott Kruser, and Erek Kapusta.
Recorded with Dave Villani