The last few months have been so, so busy...
Making records is often a very cathartic experience for me. Working on a full length project from the ground up is always such a humbling and grounding experience. There's something about taking a record from infancy to fruition that is demonstrative of how important PROCESS is in life. I realize while making records how much time of my life is spent wanting to be somewhere other than where i am. I often wish I was farther; wish I had this or that. It's often easy to overlook the importance of each brick in a wall; each step along a path. Making records is one aspect of my life where I see this, clearly. A good idea, the right people/ideas bolstered by the right intent and will builds things of relevance and beauty.
After a writing trip in Cincinnati with artist Javier Mendoza, we set up in the studio to begin tracking. Contributing massively on the record are the usual suspects - Drummer Joe Meyer, Bassists Eric Grossman and Logan Detering, Pianist David Aholt, Multi-instrumentalist R. Scott Bryan, Guitarist Jim Peters and of course Javier Mendoza. I've actually played very little on this record but have found my role to be more concept directive than in past; it's a different but great role to play.
What I am most proud of really - is Javier's willingness to let his songs be pushed and pulled by PROCESS. In some ways, his songs have been reworked several times, now. First in Cincinnati where we rifled thru the best ideas and reworked them and then in the studio where we really started assessing chord voicing, tempos, etc. Javier has been so gracious in this often difficult process. Too, I am so honored to work and play with a group of such consummate and giving musicians. Their dedication to music and craft is second to none.
This record is a new turn for Javier - the songs, the arrangements and the playing are all a leap in a new direction which I think you all will love. We plan to mix and master a tune next week which will be uploaded for you all; I hope it effects you like it does me.
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Almost a month ago, now - I participated in an amazing show the historic Sheldon Concert Hall. On the bill were four of my favorite artists: Kevin Bilchik, Amy Petty, R. Scott Bryan and Javier Mendoza.
Having worked with all these artists in the studio and being completely immersed in their material, it was so unreal to see them all on one stage with nothing separating them from the audience except an acoustic guitar. Oddly, despite knowing the songs front to back, I felt like I 'heard' the material in a new way. During one of Kevin Bilchik's songs, I noticed each on of the artists attentively listening and smiling after cool emotive moments. This compounded with an audience that was so focused and attentive, made the evening one (of many, I hope) I will always remember.
I have the coolest job. For this I am so thankful.
Till next time,
J.
http://www.redpillonline.com
http://www.jacobdetering.com
http://twitter.com/jacobdetering
http://www.facebook.com/jacobdetering
Just this last weekend, I started work on a record with pianist and songwriter Chris Walters. Chris has a long, long pedigree playing for all sorts of music greats which reads something like this :
New Orleans born pianist Chris Walters has resided in Nashville since 1989, moving from New York to serve as music director for country music legend Barbara Mandrell until her retirement in 1997. He then joined the group Alabama, touring and recording with them through 2004. When not touring with his own band, Chris performs and records as the keyboardist with various artists, including the Jeff Coffin Mu’tet and Peter Mayer. He's performed with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and recorded the soundtrack for a documentary film scored by Bela Fleck. #
Also involved with this record in the producer role is my dear friend R. Scott Bryan. Our first day yielded great results with more to come soon. I'll will get some audio up as it's available - for now visit Chris, here.
Please visit me on one of my many sites:
http://www.jacobdetering.com
http://myspace.com/jacobdetering
Best,
J.
A few weekends back, Drew Johnson and I embarked on the journey of making his new record. As I have been talking with Drew about this project on and off for quite a long time, it was really great to finally get everyone in one room and start hashing our way through ideas and material.
The beginning of every record is always hard; it's always a bit scary. As a producer / engineer, I am always a bit shocked and bewildered that an artist would entrust me to make their record?!? At times it's overwhelming - juggling so many ideas, personalities and most of all, managing the environment in which the songs are crafted. Of all the things I've come to learn (which extends far beyond faders, knobs, eq's and even performance) it's that interpersonal environment is everything when making a record. Great work happens when artists - both songwriters / artists and session players - feel safe to explore. Great recordings are made when people trust and have faith that the process will not fail them.
I was tickled to find this vlog on Drew's personal website - in which he talks about this very idea. Much thanks to drummer Joe Meyer, bassist Eric Grossman and most of all, Drew Johnson for a great start to what will be a great record. For more updates, check http://www.drewjohnsononline.com or http://www.jacobdetering.blogspot.com.
To watch the video - click, here.
Spring is here!
J.
I had the pleasure last week of traveling to Cincinnati, OH with artist Javier Mendoza. Although I've spent much of the last several weeks on the road, spending quality 'windshield time' with Javier talking music biz and listening to music was just great fun.
We landed in Crestview Hills, Kentucky were Javier played to a packed crowd at the Argentine Bean Bistro. I had then pleasure of sharing a beer and dinner with former St. Louis native Jay Brandt (Brandt's Cafe'). After packing up, we drove north just outside Cincinnati, Ohio to our home away from home 'songwriting safe-house' graciously donated by Rick and Janine Hooverman.
The cottage was just perfectly quaint and the perfect environment to buckle down and help Javier finish songs for his forthcoming record. For the next few days, we played, wrote, played more, ate, and then played some more. I'm happy to say that the week was very productive; we actually completed four new songs. Many thanks to Jay Brandt, Janine and Rick Hooverman and the Argentine Bean Bistro for such immense kindness and generosity.
Beyond all the productivity, highlights of the trip included my introduction to Cincinnati chili which is made with chocolate and cinnamon - and - maybe the best part: watching Javier eat wasabi peas. Awesome.
We begin formally working on the new Javier Mendoza record in April - I expect great, great things. For updates on progress, please visit http://www.javiermendoza.com or watch my blog.
Best,
J.
Sometime last year I received a phone call from Nashville singer - songwriter Josiah Rosen inquiring about working on new material. For those of you that are not familiar, Josiah was one of the founding members of the band Augustana and holds some amazing writing credits for songs such as 'Boston'. After leaving the band, Josiah settled in Nasvhille and is currently working on his own material along with co-writes with several major label artists.
A bit over a month ago, Josiah and I finally made good on our promise to begin sketching his new record. Lending supporting performances to the tune were drummer Joe Meyer, multi-instrumentalist R. Scott Bryan, pianist David Aholt and yours truly.
After tracking and mixing the song, I took a trip north to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to visit friend and engineer J. Christopher Hughes and mastering engineer Trevor Sadler.
One tune down and plans in the works to start sketches of several other songs. You can follow progress on my blog or by friend requesting Josiah on Facebook, Myspace or by visiting http://www.josiahrosen.com.
Take care,
J.
I can remember listening to Drew Johnson tunes years and years ago. Fact, I remember my dear friend and producer/engineer J. Christopher Hughes playing me Formula Kid board mixes several years and just being shocked by the talent and ability of songwriter and front man, Drew Johnson.
Strange how things go - several months back my phone rings - on the other end is Drew. Drew mentioned following my progress over the last few years, and that he had decided that I was the guy he wanted to make his new release.
I would go on and on about the development of our relationship - but heck, Drew does a great job in his vlog located, here (the video takes a bit to load). All I can say is that Drew is far too complimentary about my skills - peruse his site, listen to some of his demos and you will get my drift. I am so happy to be a part of this record and just know already that it will be a must have. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on both http://www.drewjohnsononline.com and on my blog.
take care,
j.
So - for several, several months I have been working on a new record for songwriter / artist Kirk Ward. For those of you not familiar with being locked in a studio with an artist, charged with helping with the safe delivery of their creative work - it can overwhelming and sometimes downright difficult.
While some artists are very phobic about dissecting material in front of other people and instead prefer to have their material mapped out prior to coming into the studio, from the word go I could tell that Kirk was comfortable working out ideas with and in front of me.
As session drummer Joe Meyer started to bang out material, I could tell that Kirk was very comfortable outside the box - letting Joe explore different feels, approaches and textures. From our first overdub session - Kirk and I were handing guitars back and forth - and in some instances, Kirk was truly producing me as a player.
The record features brilliant pop songs with a faith based message and brilliant playing by the usual cast of characters. Kirk is currently interviewing for fans - and would most likely love to have you -- visit him on facebook or on myspace. The record should be wrapping up shortly - look for release dates sometime in early fall, 2009.
