Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of recording drums and percussion for the soundtrack to Fire Maple Games' new title, Return to Grisly Manor.
The game features an original score by David Decker of NeoSonic Productions, along with percussion parts composed and arranged by yours truly.
Return to Grisly Manor is now available for iOS and Android devices - and features a free version to give the first level a spin without commiting to the purchase.
UPDATE: Hyde has launched a Kickstarter campaign!
My good friend Ryan Hyde builds exquisite bass guitars, and I'm honored to have my music be a part of his vision. Here's a recent promo video for R.Hyde Guitars, featuring music from Megalodon's first release, Edible.
Artisan Luthier Ryan Hyde is building some of the most forward thinking, futuristic bass guitars yet. And He's doing it all by hand.
"I've created a distinct new line of bespoke bass guitars that epitomize the fusion of modern and classic design.
These Instruments satisfy the stringent needs of modern musicians, and address design issues such as weight, balance, tonality, and reliability; Yet each model occupies a unique /original niche in the cloistered world of custom basses.
Bassists are always working to expand the vocabulary of music and I'm trying to expand the vocabulary of the instruments they play."
I recently took a trip over to NeoSonic Productions and tracked some drums and percussion for this commercial. So, buy a house, I guess?
1st video for the song "These Lonely Nights (Ain't Makin It Easy)" from Grady Hoss's debut EP "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
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.
UPDATE November 2015: Due to some Hollywood wrangling, the title of this picture has been changed for publication and release. What once was Makin' Wookie is now Jedi Junior High!
Original Post: Sep 14, 2012
I recorded drums and percussion for the soundtrack of this soon-to-be-released documentary.
The music was written by David Decker of NeoSonic Productions, and it was a lot of fun recording (and engineering some of) these tracks! Stay tuned for the film's impending release
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
"...a thick, sweaty psychedelic funk masterpiece." - Philadelphia Magazine
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
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
Check out the new single from the Alex Radus Trio!
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!
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
Click to listen to the full album online
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.
Some of our set-up at More Sound Studio
ceramsey3's photo on Instagram
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
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.
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 is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit that books concerts, with all proceeds benefiting children's charities in and around the Philadelphia area.
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