Thrilled for my bud Jonathan Davenport and his new release. I had the pleasure of playing drums on Track 1, entitled “Obsidian Life”. The rest of the record features the singular talents of Ricardo Lagomasino on drums - Jon, the tunes, and the band RULE. Give it a listen and support original music!
Omnitale - Illicium
The new album from Composer/Performer Zachary Guy-Frank, this project is an evolution of his former solo project, Pterofractyl.
Ballad of a Thin Man
Today is Bob Dylan's 75th birthday. That alone is enough of a reason to pay tribute to the great songmaster, who is still touring the world and releasing albums. A hero in the highest degree, his artistry is matched only by his longevity. Dylan's stature in the pantheon of musical greatness is becoming more lonely these days as his illustrious generation begin to shuffle off, so respect is due while he's still here to receive it.
As a small offering, I decided to repost a live recording from a 2008 recital in Philadelphia. I was charged at the time with constructing a solo piece for drum set, and I chose to arrange Dylan's "Ballad of a Thin Man" from Highway 61 Revisited. I wasn't especially interested in pure solo drums at the time, so I arranged the verses around my vocal. It was an interesting challenge to adapt the tune for drums and vocal with no harmonic accompaniment, and am grateful for the inspiration to test the limits.
Have a listen to the rest of the recital, or just go listen to some Bob Dylan records. Seriously.
Grady Hoss & The Sidewinders - Over & Out
Grady Hoss "Over & Out" EP album sampler Part 1Check out a sample of a few tunes from the upcoming Grady Hoss EP. We threw in a montage of pics taken by Keith Emmerich and Steve MacLaren from the recording sessions to share with you guys! Stay tuned to the Grady FB page for when the release date will be! Cheers!
Posted by Grady Hoss & The Sidewinders on Saturday, August 1, 2015
The new EP from country-western originals Grady Hoss & The Sidewinders.
Featuring an ace lineup of seasoned players, including: Dusty Reigns, Bucky Vennerson, Jebediah Barnswallow, Grady Hoss and Earl Smokesman.*
Recorded in February of 2015 in McSherrystown, PA, this collection of tunes was penned by Hoss and the boys and tracked in a weekend. Highlights "These Lonely Nights", "Birdfeeder", "Philly I Love You (But You're Bring'n Me Down)" and three more songs round out this EP with a classic vibe and smooth swagger.
New videos are up on Grady's YouTube channel.
Visit the band's Facebook page for updates and info.
*Dan O'Neill-bass, Vince Federici-guitar, Dave Van Allen-pedal steel, Lance Davis-vocals, and Charlie Heim-drums, respectively.
Amazing Grace →
Alan Ens [self-titled]
CHARLIE HEIM - drums, arranging
JOSHUA MACHIZ - bass, arranging
ALAN ENS - guitar, vocals/lyrics, arranging, keys, producing, some engineering, cover design/layout
See this Instagram photo by @randomteasessions * 17 likes
Johnny Showcase - The Octopus!
"...a thick, sweaty psychedelic funk masterpiece." - Philadelphia Magazine
Source: http://www.johnnyshowcase.com
Heavy Brushes
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
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
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
Armed with New Video, Pterofractyl headed to the studio!
After two records of (impeccable!) programmed drum samples, it's time to get some live skins on some Pterofractyl tunes.
We'll be headed to the Empire state in June to lay down live instruments on two arrangements previously heard only in concert. Stay tuned for updates!
In the meantime, check out the new music video from Pterofractyl below!
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.
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!
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.
