So it’s actually been a year since I started the tracks for the Bluevibe studio presents EP and they’re finally ready to go off to get mastered. This EP has been a bit of a labour of love for me and while I actually have another 2 EP’s more or less completed I’m really excited to be finally getting these tracks out. It didn’t actually seem like a year until Lisa Preston pointed it out, I guess that’s because I’ve had a baby and started a new job since this project kicked off and the months have just flown by, that’s babies for ya! [Read more →]

Since launching the blog I’ve been getting more and more requests from people to come and record at the studio which has been great but I’ve now decided that I’ll only be working on my own projects and collaborations. I’ve been really busy finishing the new EP and working on new tracks with more collaborators and the commercial nature of the studio has taken a back seat. With that in mind I thought I’d put together a list of studio’s in Auckland for those of you who need to get some recording done. I’ll still be doing remixes and working on collaborations so get in touch if your feeling some of the Bluevibe tracks.

The first studio I’m going to recommend is Depot sound over on the shore in Devonport. This is a community studio which is part of The Depot Artspace and has an excellent sounding live recording room. The rates are very cheap and the staff are always excited to work with new artists. This studio has a basic level of kit based around a Digi002 protools system and is an ideal place to record if your on a tight budget. It’s also great for home producers who may want to track drums in a budget studio and mix the project at home. The other reason I’m recommending Depot sound is because I work in the same building as the studio and while I’m not personally involved I love the fact the studio focuses on offering a great service at a budget price to bands who would not be able to record anywhere else. I also love that Calum (studio manager) often uses connecting the art gallery as a reverb chamber with amazing results!

If you have more of a budget check out some of these other studios, check out their websites to get an idea of their kit list and the type of clients they work with. I like a studio with a bit of vibe to it so make sure you go and check the place out before booking anything, obvious I know but you’d be surprised how many people like to book studio time without seeing the place. If you’ve got any studio’s you’d like to add to the list just let me know and I’ll add them if they’ve got the right vibe!

Depot sound
Kog studios and mastering
Lab Recording Studio
Beaver Studios
Platform studios
York Street Recording Studios
Studio 203
The Rock factory
Earwig studios

Just wanted to let you all know that The Shades have recently released their debut EP, it’s a deep slice of funk & soul and well worth picking up.

I did a remix for The Shades a while back and will be twistin “Liquid Situation” from the new EP as soon as I get the stems. They’re having their EP release up at Rising Sun on March 7th and will be heading down to Wellington for 2 shows on the 11th and 12th. Make sure you head along and support them, the EP’s totally self funded and it’s great to see them getting some respect for their efforts.

You can buy the EP from Conch in Auckland or jump online and get it from the Conch website or over at Amplifier.

 

 bromide dub podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This podcast has been put together by my good friend Kerry Adams under his Bromide Dub moniker and features the first airing of the Bromide Dub remix of High Times featuring Lisa Preston from the upcoming “Bluevibe studio presents” EP. Kerry is an amazingly talented producer who releases music under many different production names including Tech and the Filter brats. He also runs a a great blog called The Proof where you can check out all his music and read production tutorials and gear reviews. Check it out and leave me a comment, it’s great to get some feedback on the tracks and make sure you head over to The Proof and get your heavy heavy bass fix womp womp womp booooooom tish.

Track listing

Vaccine - Side Effects
Skream - Make Me
Skream - Clock Watching
Bromide Dub - High Times
Djuna - Ites
Martin Buttrick - Well Done (Papa Ench Remix)
Tech - Snowflakes (Bromide Dubs Remix)
Telefon Tel Aviv - I lied
DZ - Strong on Ya
Excision - Warning
Ghilslain Poirier - Blazin (Modeselector Remix)
Bromide Dub - Call and Response

Holdin On - MagOwl edit - pre master version

I’m currently finishing the new EP which is the first in the “Bluevibe studio presents” series and has been in progress for about 4 months. What I’m going to do is go through all the stages involved in putting out this EP so that you get an idea about the release from start to finish and hopefully collaborate on a few ideas. The track you should be listening to whilst reading this is a remix of the first track on the EP my MagOwl. It’s a pre master version but is essentially finished except the final master. I’m currently in stage 2 of the release, outlining these stages has been a great exercise and is helping me stay focused on actually getting this EP out.

These stages are my method of working and may not be yours, I’d be interested to here how you define this kind of process and what works for you? Ok lets look at the stages then. [Read more →]

I think it’s no secret that I like remix’s, or should I say I like producing remix’s. There are quite a few reasons for this:

• they’re always a great source of inspiration and fresh musical ideas
• I always learn a lot from doing a remix, about production techniques and programming as well as about who I am as an artist and my musical direction and focus.
• they can be a great source of network and collaboration contacts, I’ve met some amazing artists through doing remix’s and continue to keep in touch and work with most of the artists I’ve done remix swaps with. [Read more →]