finally...

I've been way 2 busy lately. Besides my normal work I also spend a lot of "free time" on the Lorrainville project (scroll down to read more about that).

But I've also been involved in some other projects:

• Recorded, mixed & produced a special X-mas track for The Medics
  
  
• Finished recording & mixing the Tarball album. I am so happy with the results; this a very ass-kickin' loud & in your face record. It pumps like a MF and the band has a unique style that makes it hard to compare them 1on1 with another band. If you put Deftones, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Chevelle and A Perfect Circle in a blender you get Tarball :)
  
  
• I'm also halfway recording the debut album for Firetrip. We recorded the first few songs last year and since then there were some changes in the band. With the new lineup we recorded all the other songs. All drums, bass and guitars are recorded and we will continue with the vocals real soon. Everyone that likes bands like Nada Surf, Wilco etc should keep an eye on these guys.
  
  
• Have been working with Laura Estévez  on a cool single. It will stay on the shelf for now, since Laura is working her way in the "voice of holland"
  
  
• I mixed two more songs for brand new & upcomming star; Stefany June. She is a young German singer-songwriter with fresh electro pop. Her characteristic voice, self-penned songs and the eclectic sound choices give it a very unique and original sound! These two songs will be on her EP together with two songs that I mixed a couple of months ago.
  Not famous yet, but I see a nice future ahead!
  
  
• Also helped indie-rockband Swelter with some recordings for their 2nd album. Once all the recordings are done I will also perform mixing-duties :)

All for now,

The Medics

It's been a while since my last news-update, and I've done some nice jobs since. Besides that I also enjoyed a great vacation :)

I mixed an album for The Medics. This very energetic new band has a lot of catchy tunes wich are all featured on their debut album called "Dance into the Dark". It was a blast mixing these songs and the boys even alowed me to add some percussion on some tracks.

If you like bands such as: Franz Ferdinand, Editors, The Wombats, Vampire Weekend than you will for sure also like The Medics. You can check out the entire album at 3voor12 luisterpaal .

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After my vacation I helped indie-rockband Swelter with the recordings of their 2nd album. Once all the recordings are done I will also perform mixing-duties :)

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Right now I am in the middle of the album production for Tarball. This ass-kickin' rockband has finally made the step to record their first album. We already recorded all drums, bass, guitars and leadvocals. Only the backing vocals and percussion is still on the to-do-list, and once these are recorded I will start mixing this heavy rock album.

I find it very difficult to compare this band to any other loud act. But if I have to give a description I would say: "a mixture of Deftones, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Chevelle and A Perfect Circle"

Here's a funny video shot just outside the studio when frontman Daan volunteered to get rid of all the beercans:

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Also continued working for the Lorrainville project. Had some great recording sessions lately and some more to come! Please follow us www.lorrainville.nl or on Facebook & Twitter.

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3FM Award for Jeremy's, I Kissed Charles, Van Katoen, Wilsum, Pioneers of Love, Tarball, Want Want

Wow, I was very busy for the last couple of weeks, so I won't write about everything.

First of all, the biggest news: Jeremy's (aka THE Jeremy's) just won a 3FM AWARD!!!!
But that's not all; there's more Jeremy's news. They were asked to write the theme-song for a movie called "Hoe overleef ik mezelf". So we went into the studio to record & mix this brand new song called "Take you all the Way". We made two versions: a single version, and a slightly longer (with one extra verse!) version wich is featured at the end of the movie.
The movie is not released yet, but the single was picked up really quick. Really really really quick; it was mastered on a thursday morning, and in the evening it was played by DJ Michiel Veenstra on 3FM!!
The day after they played the single live in Giel's radioshow, and the day after that they won the 3FM Award. That's what I call; "let the good days roll"
BTW: the album sells really well, and will be re-released with an extra bonustrack. (the new single)

More award-winning news: Wilsum's hard-rocking seventies rock ‘n roll is reaching out to you the next couple of months. In LiveXS magazine they won the "Local Hero of 2008" award, wich means that they go an an intensive tour.
An expert jury picked Wilsum, so I guess the Wilsum-crew was giving away lot's of booze that night ;-)
It's good to know that bands without big record deals can win awards like these, wich helps them tour all over the country, and will bring extra attention to the ass-kicking album we made.

Just finished mixing the brand new Van Katoen single. It's a very special song, but I am not allowed to tell you more about it... So it's gonna be a suprise!
Jeps is the new bandmember, and he brings a lot of new sonic-soundscapes to their sound. You will hear what I mean, once the single is released.
VanKatoen= Alternative, loud rock with dutch lyrics! The music of VanKatoen is best decribed as a mixture between punk, rock and metal. They sing/scream in Dutch, not only because Bazz, the singer, isn’t particulary vluently in English, but also because VanKatoen believe that’s the only way they can bring across their socially involved lyrics.

Quick Pioneers of Love update: a couple of record-companies showed interest after they heard the demo tracks I did with these guys. So at the next couple of live shows these hotshots are going to check this young band, and hopefully it will get them a record deal.
Tip: see them live at Melkweg Amsterdam may 9th supporting Chikinki.

WantWant is (also) still talking with labels who want to sign the band. Fokko is not in a rush to sign because the record-deal should not interfere with his other band: Jeremy's

Shooting stars Dolorous Daze signed a record deal with APM. And the first single of the album we did should be released very soon. (I think everything is done except for the artwork)
The band produces nicely arranged, meloncollic pop/rock. Their music is enriched with additional vocals, strings, hammond, rhodes, piano and mellotron. They will use everything that helps to make their songs more colourful.
I will keep you posted on the release date of the first single and the album.

Got to work at the London Calling festival again. For VPRO 3voor12 we recorded 24 bands in two days!!! As you might know, LC is a festival where new talanted UK bands can show why they are going to be the next big thing. Every edition features bands that we will never hear of again, but every edition also has some acts that will grow huge within the next few months. (examples from the past: Blur / Kaiser Chiefs / Franz Ferdinand / The Kooks / Editors).
My personal highlights of these edition were: Blood Red Shoes / Broken Records / The Rascals / Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly / The Metros / Exile Parade

Worked on a 3-track demo with emo-metal-grunge-rock band Tarball.

Changing rhythms and the use of unexpected breaks and sound effects are characteristic to the band's music.

Went to the EP-presentation of a very young and talented band called I Kissed Charles. I mixed their EP full of catchy tunes for Goomah Music. Their performance was very energetic and suited the songs perfectly.
Several DJ's (including Rob Stenders) already played songs of the EP on the radio. And they were also support act for The Long Blondes.
After a recent show Anton Corbijn came to compliment the band on their performance!!! Is that nice or what?
On their MySpace-page you can check out 3 songs of their 5-track EP.

That's all 4 now...
I'll keep you posted!
Gie