Cool Genius, Nou En, Jeremy's

Wow I've had some crazy weeks of hard labour. After our vacation to Thailand (I might post some pics later) I went straight back into my rollercoaster-life. I've been working my ass of, but it was very satisfying!

I just finished working on the debut album of a f@ckin' freakin' band with the illustrating name: Cool Genius. These crazy sons of bitches have been recording more songs than healthy. To make it even worse they thought that their crappy 16bit game-soundcards would be fine. ;-)
Do you get the picture? Crazy a$ hell if you ask me. And then these stupid morons asked me to retrack some vocals, guitars, basses, drums and other amazing shit for serious. And what makes things even worse; they thought it would be a good ID if I would try and mix their shit$ into hit$. (Or should I say hit€ ?). Wow, what have they been smokin' lately?

So that's basicly what we did for two weeks; recording and mixing some music created by cool geniuses. Anyone who likes acts like: Soulwax, Soul Coughin, dEUS, Gomez, Zita Swoon, Lenny Kravitz and Presidents of the USA should have a listen to their album once it's being released. Untill then; some songs we did can be found on their MySpace

Mothers get a hold on your daughters once Cool Genius is released! Don't say I did not warn you...

From their bio: Cool Genius signed up with Goomah Music, who will release the debut album "Maybe You Should Do That Too" on October 19 at Hedon Zwolle.
Their talent- status has been ratified by elections like ‘Talent of the Week’ and ‘3FM Serious Talent’, as well as ‘Demo of the Year’ of the Dutch Pop Institute. Their energetic liveshows have brought them to several stages like Melkweg Amsterdam, 013 Tilburg and Effenaar Eindhoven, with a highlight at the Liberation Festival in Amsterdam in May 2007. Cool Genius consist of Erik Neimeijer (vocals, guitar), Bauke Bakker (vocals, drums)and Sebastiaan van Olst (bas/contrabas, vocals). The band has been based on their mutual broad minds, creativity and skills, which enables them to elaborate on each other’s songs. With 3 strong vocalists and continuous delivering composers, you can call your band ‘Cool Genius’, without being arrogant or presumptuous. Being cool and ingenious, this is a very remarkable band in the Dutch scene. This band doesn’t match a major label with sales targets and restrictions.

boithuh!

Last time I told you about the fact that I started recording with Nou En again. Remember them? Those catchy punkrockers with a hit about a Gothic Girl ;-)
We have been working on some new songs. I already mixed two of the new songs, and one of them is gonna be the next single. It's a great-super-catchy-slick-rockin'-tune that won't let go. Damn this thing is catchy!

Before it can be released, a videoclip has to be made. So you all have to wait a little longer before you can hear it. Maybe it will be on their MySpace page soon. If that is the case, I will mention it on my site.

The Jeremy's story continues:

Their first single 'Saturday' is finally released. There's also a funny videoclip wich entered high-rotation on clip-station TMF. (Wich basicly means that they play it a lot!). Hollands biggest newspaper (De Telegraaf) also picked up on the hype and wrote: "World hit from Kampen". haha, finally some Dutch paper who's going for the (traditional) English hype-style ;-)
Almost to funny!

The clip has been viewed by almost 30.000 people on YouTube. Click here to see a 'making of' and the clip itself

Besides that, they signed with THE biggest booking agency in this country, and they are going to sign a record deal with a major record company! (And Vans and Converse will make sure they wear cool shoes and clothes).

Their tour-schedule is pretty full, so enough opportuniy's to check em out live.

...and the snowball is still rolling and growing ;-)
[I know I keep repeating myself with that last sentence, but it still aplies]

I also went to the studio to work (guerrilla-style) on an album with Jeremy's guitarist Fokko. He has a side-project with Dutch songs. (Well... I mean that he sings in Dutch... allright). Untill now the band was also called Fokko, but they are going to change that name to avoid confusion.
Like I said, it was guerrilla-style just like we did with the Jeremy's album.
That's going into the studio with a small group of people for a very quick recording session, and getting out before you even realise it. Same for the mixing: very quick in and out and the thing is ready and will hit you right in the face ;-)

As soon as Fokko has decided on the bandname, I will post a link to his MySpace page wich will feature some of that songs. I guarantee you!

Kick ass live recordings: Editors

Got to work with Editors last week. Together with Paul Schoenmakers I recorded & mixed the (secret)gig they did at Melkweg Amsterdam.

Their new album is great, and their performance was amazing. Wow these guys are tight! Last time I saw them, they were great, but this time they were even better. These guys are gonne blow away some audiences at the summer festivals for sure!

It was one of those productions were everything seems to come together easily and all went smooth just the way we like it. The fact that Derek Fudge is their Tour Manager, might have something to do with that ;-) Since I think he is one of the best tourmanagers around. I have worked with him a couple of times before (also with Coldplay) and everytime things are running smooth, and he surrounds himself with a very professional crew.
Thumbs up for Derek and his crew! I wish all crews were that good!

The Jeremy's story continues:

We recorded & mixed a Lennon-song (Love) for Amnesty. Go to their MySpace-page to check it out. Also go to www.jeremysnoise.hyves.nl and become their friend. If they gather enough friends radiostation 3FM will let them perform at the world-famous Hilton Hotel room in Amsterdam. (remember 'Bed Peace'?)

Besides that, they are about to sign with a big bookig agency, a manager and they are going to sign a record deal with a major record company real soon!

...and the snowball is still rolling and growing ;-)

Besides that I also started recording with Nou En again. Remember them? Those crazy bitches with a hit about a Gothic Girl ;-)
We are working on some new recordings, wich I hope to mix right after my vacation. If all goes well, their new single (&videoclip) will be released in september. I'll keep you posted!

US release Veldman Bros.

Great news: the debut album I recorded and mixed for The Veldman Brothers is also going to be released in the United States of America by the US company DWM Music.

The Veldman Brothers features the two brothers Bennie (on Hammond + Mouthharp) and Gerrit (on guitar). Most songs are sung by Gerrit, but Bennie is also featured on leadvocals for two songs. They play their own material and an occasional cover.

BTW: all songs are recorded live in the studio, so you might hear an occasional mistake, but you will also get a lot of pure energy and atmosphere! We all thought the 'feel' of these blues-songs is the most important thing to catch on tape.
Check out their MySpace-page to preview 2 songs.

Go to my photo-section, if you want to check out pictures of these sessions.

Editors / Greendive

For the next 2 months greendive is selected "Serious Talent" on Dutch radio 3FM. The track "Scar my face" can be heared daily after 7 PM, and on sundays. This is very quick, just after the EP "Break the silence" was finished three weeks ago.
The first labels also showed interest so everything seems to develop very smooth ;-)
Please check out their MySpace-page to preview 3 (out of 5) songs we recorded.

Other great news: my schedule contains recordings with The Editors!

I just worked on a project with the well known arranger Rik Elings (wich will be released all over the world). Rik made arrangements for lot's of different artists and worked for different orchestra's and big bands. He did over 300 pieces for The Metropole Orchestra.

So far...
keep the music rollin'!

Greendive / Shins / The Junes / Jeremy's

Latest news (releases/recordings/sessions. Not everything, just some highlights).

I was lucky enough to work with Greendive again. We went to the studio and quickly recorded 5 of their brand new songs. After that I went into a quick mixing-session and now there is a demo-cd ready to get them a new record deal.

In the past I mixed and produced a few songs of their debut album, and later on we did a single together. The band (however) went to some tough times and it looked like they were going to split:
After a hectic period in 2005 the band takes a break to review its future. The chemistry and synergy between the band members is fading, resulting in the departure of two members. A few days later greendive’s rehearsal studio burned down completely in a serious fire caused by a short-circuit. The inferno destroyed almost all of the equipment and instruments. The remaining band members sticked together and decide to rebuild their musical home. In spite of all the bad luck during this period, the heart of the band beats muffled but steadily and Bas Ossenblok started writing songs again in his home studio. In april 2006 former greendive guitar player and co-writer Andres Deijkers rejoined the band - and a new bass player (Piet de Nijs) joined them - the tide was turning.
With Andres and Bas, the heart of greendive is complete again with both songwriters back in the centre of the band. After months of hard work, greendive’s energy is renewed. The band is reborn from the ashes (almost literally) and is on top of the world once again. The new songs are intense and sincere but still accessible and the band feels the urge to get back on stage again.

The expressive, unique and distinctive feel of greendive music prevails. Emotion, intensity and dynamics are the keywords that describe greendive’s music, but... still it’s different this time... better!

Please check out their MySpace-page to preview 3 (out of 5) songs we recorded.

All news updates regarding Jeremy's are outdated before sent, since news keeps coming in almost every day. (but I will try once again)

Last time I told you about MTV, 3FM and more. There's still a lot going on; the snowball seems to keep rolling and growing. Hopefully it won't scatter to pieces.
A lot of labels showed interest and among them are some very big major record company's. Besides that they are also talking with booking agency's.

And there is more: they are asked to cover a Lennon-song for Amnesty. They played live on several 3fm shows and Katelijn was interviewed in 'Arbeidsvitaminen'

That's what I call a lot of good news! Check out their MySpace-page to preview 2 songs.

Together with engineer Frits Rosingh I recorded a live show by The SHINS @ Paradiso, Amsterdam. The Shins are an indie rock group with elements of folk and alternative country on Sub Pop Records. The band's third record, Wincing the Night Away, was released on January 23, 2007. It debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 album chart with 118,000 copies sold in its first week. It reached #1 soon. The band played an awesome gig! They showed that not only they have some great songs, but they also are able to perform them beautifully. Thumbs up!

I will use this opportunity to answer a frequently asked question...

Q: When are The Junes starting with their debut cd?

A: Ask them! ;-)
All I can tell you is: they are preparing. Besides that; Bertolf joined Ilse de Lange her band. He is not only playing electric and acoustic guitar he also plays some dobro, lap steel, mandoline and sing a lot of harmonies.