"We had a marvelous time recording with you. Always a pleasure to meet someone who shares our interests and hobbies. It also didn't hurt that you rock at what you do"
- The Mad Titans
Home
News Straight From The Blog
Old Posts
-11 . 29 . 11
The group guitar class added this past season went great. If you're starting from scratch and want to get a well-rounded jumpstart to your playing it's the class for you. A lot of recording projects were wrapped up in the last couple months so check them out. Steve Shaw had his CD release at the Highlands Brewery in Kirkwood, which I played guitar in. Bear Ceuse has an EP that I mixed that sounds indie rock-tastic. Ryan Spearman, who recorded his Green Strum Project album "Get Along Home" with me has a wife who also sings and performs with her all lady group The Lulus. They're currently recording an album over here that will be great for anyone that likes old country or bluegrass. Spring Classes are now enrolling, so check those out if you're interested.
-8 . 2 . 11
Updated the site and gave it a new look, as well as a new name. Check out the Fall Music Program beginning the week of September 12th. I've added Group Guitar this semester, a new class designed for beginner guitarists looking for a casual, practical, and inexpensive way to learn guitar. I'm currently finishing a project with Robert Collins and Steve Shaw. Look for their releases in the next month. Finaly Fields came in and recorded a 3-song EP that is FREE to download at their bandcamp website.
-5 . 4. 11
I've decided to call my recording situation "Cedar Box Studio" after a bit of deliberation. You can check out the changes in the Recording section of the website. I also have some new recording examples to listen to as well. I've also made a new Facebook page for Cedar Box Studio, so if you want to virtually interact with me or spam me with upcoming concerts feel free to do so. In the next few weeks I'll finally be updating the website with some new studio photos. The current ones are actually of my old apartment from about 3 years ago! Anywho, I'm also getting ready for the Summer Music Program since the Spring session went so well. If you're interested check it out in the Lessons section of the site.
-2 . 28. 11
What a busy last few months with Spring Classes underway and all the recording projects I've been up to. If you missed out on the this season's classes check back in a few weeks as I'll be putting up information regarded the Summer programs that I'll be offering. I recorded a single with the newly formed band Hymn River Suite. They've got a great sound and have great attitudes to match. They'll be coming in April to record a full EP. Another newly formed band Losing Controllers recorded an EP last weekend, and I must say it will please the inner nerd inside you. I had a blast talking about old school video games with the band. Check out the song "Robotic" on their facebook page, it'll rock your face off. I'm currently working on a project with folk artist Ryan Spearman on what he calls "The Green Strum Project". It's a pretty cool idea: get St. Louis musicians to play on instruments that were made by St. Louis musicians. That includes homemade items like the jug-broomstick-bass-thingy, and the double-bucket-dobro-thingy. They actually sound great and have a unique timbre. If you're interested in seeing me do my thing, check me out this Saturday March 5th at Hannigans on the Landing. I'll be playing funk guitar with phenomenal keyboardist and singer Richie Kihlken from 7-11pm for Mardi Gras!
-12 . 23 . 10
Happy holidays! I've been hard at work getting ready for the Spring Classes that I'll be offering in February. If you looking to learn more about Music Theory/Ear Training, Songwriting, or Recording in a small class environment you can learn more in the Lessons section. I've been wrapping up a few recording projects the last few months with artists such as Bobby Brinker and Dan Hartke. Dan just had his CD release party in Kirkwood and it was fantastic; yours truly got to do a ukulele solo on a song! Bobby Brinker is having a CD release April 3rd, and it should be awesome as well. Check his myspace page for more information about that, and to listen to a few of his tunes. One is posted in the Recording section for your enjoyment.
-7 . 25 . 10
The studios been up and running at the house for a few months now and this summers been booked pretty full. Some bands that I've been working with recently are Finlay Fields, Steve Shaw, The Gozarians, Bobby Brinker, and Bear Ceuse. I still need to update the studio pictures section, but for now just use your imagination :). It's like the old place but in a nice house instead of an old apartment. I've done a few gigs with Richie Kihlken in a new funk band we've formed, and are looking to put together a demo soon so we can land some more events to play at. My wife Susan and I just finished a demo and are currently setting up some gigs at various restaurants and bars around town. Check the my Gig Calendar in the near future for some dates. One other new note is that my wife Susan, who is a fantastic singer, is now doing vocal lessons! Check out her info in the Contact section for a phone number and email address if you're interested in learning from the best. Trust me, I'm a very picky musician and when I'm willing to listen to someone sing for the rest of my life, they must be good.
-3 . 1 . 10
Whew! I've been crazy busy since buying a house with my wife; we're still in the process of unpacking and its been a few months. I've also been hard at work soundproofing the new studio, which has proven to be very time consuming. When its fully finished I'll post new pictures in the Recording section. We also now own a very cute dog, Toby, a 6-month old English Cocker Spaniel with lots of energy. I'm wrapping up a project with the ruckus rock band Flaming Death Trap, so check out their page in the near future to hear their new EP. Also, on the horizon I'm going to start a project with Steve Shaw, a local singer-songwriter with a nice voice and some great songs. Listen to his myspace to hear some of his past projects.
-9 . 20 . 09
Went on my honeymoon in Mexico; had a blast. Now its back to work. I just finished Tommy Halloran's Album, a nice collection of original jazz tunes that he's been working on. If you've never heard Tommy you ought to check him out, he's got a cool New Orleans type of voice that just oozes with character. Bear Ceuse came out with an EP that sounds indie-rock-tastic, so go to his website to listen. There is also one track of his on my Recording page. Speaking of rock-tastic, I recorded a demo with Flood the Deserts, a super heavy Christian Rock band, and let me tell you, they all have some chops. There is an example of their work on my Recording page as well. I've also finally started work on my own EP, so check out My Music page periodically to see what progress I've made on it.
-8 . 2 . 09
Been real busy lately, what with getting married and all. Just played bass at the Richie Kihlken CD release outside at the Loop on Saturday. Great time and a great crowd. If you haven't checked out Richie yet, the kid has got some talent, so look him up. Also, been recording more with the Radical Sons, who currently have the EP I recorded with them released on vinyl through Secretly Canadian Records' St. Ives Label. You can hear some of their new tunes, along with their label-release EP at their myspace page. They also recently had a single featured on Pitchfork and Tripwire, and were reviewed locally by The Riverfront Times.
-7 . 6 . 09
Who would have thought, but getting ready for a wedding eats up a lot of time. I've been working on a new EP with Cameron Matthews, which should be ready to come out of the oven near the end of summer. It should be rock-tastic; we used a lot of odd recording ideas such as tracking vocals in my front stairwell, which provided a really cool spooky reverb. We got Ben Mazchek, who has played on numerous sessions for clients, to come in and bang the crap outta the drums. Look out for this one on the horizon. Oh, and if you're looking for a good open mic to go to, Cameron hosts one on Thursday nights at The Clubhouse near SLU.
-5 . 4 . 09
I just finished an album with The Mad Titans, which was mad fun. Since they include some video game themes in their music, there was of course much video game talk, such as which Zelda was the best ("Ocarina of Time" if you ask me). I also finished up an album with 301 Broadway, who is currently looking for a bass player, so if you know anyone check out their myspace page and drop them a message. Look out on the horizon for Richie Kihlken's new release. You can hear a tune on my Audio Examples page.
-3 . 10 . 09
Congrats to the Radical Sons, who are having the EP I recorded with them"Throwing Knives" released by Secretly Canadian Records (Antony and the Johnsons, Richard Swift). Also, you can find a review of Freddy Friction's album at the Riverfront Times website. Freddy, the owner of the now deceased Fredrick's Music Lounge is a bit of a local celebrity in the St. Louis music scene, and is definitely worth meeting at least once. He's got some great stories, and it really was a great experience recording with him.
