07.12.03 — Wyclef is Grateful

...scratch that...I am grateful for having the opportunity to mix yet another song on his album. You guessed it, the song is titled "Grateful." I can't say enough good things about this whole album. I'm so happy to be a part of it.

-Ken

 

07.06.03 — Small Town Sleeper Awakens

Go to SmallTownSleeper.com and listen to audio clips from their new album "Everyone Ever Told You." Then for God's sake BUY THE ALBUM. I swear you will not be disappointed for a moment. $10, you can't beat the value. This is my latest production project and I have exceptionally high hopes for this band's future. Thanks for listening.

-Ken

 

07.04.03 — Dreams Come True

This next story amazed me. I have a very talented independent client named Yonie who just had the experience of a lifetime. Well, I'd say it was the experience of a lifetime, but then I know Yonie will somehow find a way to outdo himself. He is exceptionally driven. Here is an email from Yonie...(reprinted with permission):

What Up Ken,

I just got back from Ethiopia a couple of days ago. Man, it was nuts. I thought it was gonna be around 60,000 people at the concert. No joke, on May 25, I performed for a live crowd of over 150,000 people. The event was also televised in many parts of the world. Besides receiving news coverage from the local media, I was interviewed by ABC Nightline, BBC (twice) and featured on CNN and MTV Europe! I can't explain how pumped I was.

I got the video footage which came out pretty good, and that will be up at www.yonie.net in a couple of days. Anyways, I'll be in the studio to finish up recording next week, so I'll send you the files right after. I hope everything's good with you. You're probably staying busy as usual.

Thanks again for those last minute mixes. You really helped make that performance a hit!

Talk to you later,
yonie

I will personally take this as proof that independent artists can leave a tremendous footprint on the music industry (and the fans) without the backing of a major label. Check out Yonie and his music at Yonie.net. I hope it inspires you as much as it has me.

-Ken

 

06.17.03 — 6 in Six

What a year I'm having. Joe Budden's album came out last week on Def Jam Records. It sold over 100,000 copies in its first week and debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts, and #2 on the Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Albums Charts. This is my sixth Top Ten Album in the last six months. Wow, I wonder what the next six months will bring. Well, I'll give you a hint. Jon B, Rah Digga, Wyclef, Memphis Bleek and a few more in the works. I'm going for twelve Top Ten Albums in twelve months. I think I can do it. By the way, for those of you not following along with the older news posts, I mixed 3 songs for Joe Budden including "Give Me Reason" that I mixed for producer Just Blaze, and the song "Ten Minutes," produced by Lofey, which in my opinion is destined to be a Hip Hop Classic.

 

06.07.03 — Johnny Socko Lands Major Showcase

Anyone who is not currently aware of the band Johnny Socko, go to their website and listen to them. Then BUY THEIR ALBUM!!!!

What can I say, the great things happening for this band seem endless. The Atlantis Music Festival (August 2003 in Atlanta), just invited Johnny Socko to showcase on Friday, August 1, at the Riviera Club, which is one of the largest venues of the entire Festival. In addition, Johnny Socko was picked from well over 1,200 band submissions to be included on the Atlantis 2003 Sampler CD. This CD goes out to 500 A&R people as well as 2,000 grab bags at the Festival itself. Congrat's to Johnny Socko on yet another tremendous achievement!

 

06.03.03 — July For Kings Showcase at CBGB's

I just got back from seeing July For Kings (signed to my production company, and formerly signed to MCA Records), showcase at CBGB's tonight. I heard a bunch of new songs I hadn't heard yet and I think the next album could be big. Of course I thought the first album would be big, but then it wasn't. Oh well. I'm looking forward to big royalty checks with album two which I will buy fast cars and cheap booze with. Who am I kidding? I'll probably just buy more mixing gear, as if I didn't have a mountain of it already. The search for new gear is endless.

 

05.31.03 — Wyclef Jean's album is...I'm speechless

So I mixed a song for Wyclef last night. A very long mix session for a very good song. The end result sounded magical. I get to mix another song for him next week. I also got to hear clips of his whole album (just rough mixes I think) and all I can say is... "I'm speechless." Wyclef took it to a whole nother level. This album blurs so many musical lines and features amazing songwriting and production as well. He is truly gifted.

I feel very lucky lately to be a part of so many good projects. Joe Budden, June 10, go pick it up and listen to the song "Ten Minutes." I mixed it. It will take you on a journey you won't soon forget. Wyclef, Mariah, Jay Z, Snoop, it's been an incredible year. And least I forget my website work which has me mixing and producing rock, hip hop, dance, pop, country, you name it. It's exciting and challenging to work on so many different musical styles and the experience every day makes the next mix that much stronger. My pallette of ideas constantly expands outwards. Keep 'em coming.

 

05.28.03 — Small Town Sleeper Finished at last!!

It's done. It's finally done. And more importantly, I am extremely pleased with the final record. I just got the Small Town Sleeper album (which I developed, produced, recorded, mixed, and performed on) back from mastering. Emily Lazar at The Lodge Mastering did an amazing job polishing these songs. It's easy for my ears to tell that Emily not only masters music but takes a very personal, almost maternal, approach to her work. I recommend her highly to anyone in need of a great mastering engineer for any style of music.

So I kicked back and listened to the album about four times through with my assistant Brent, and I have to say there's not a single moment during those ten songs that I'm dissapointed with. Everything from the band's performance, to the songwriting, vocal delivery, production, mixing, mastering, etc... Everything just feels right. Thank you to Small Town Sleeper for hanging in there during a very long process of development, songwriting, and preproduction before we even started recording the album. That time spent made all the difference when we began recording, and the finished product shows. Check out some clips at SmallTownSleeper.com and then BUY THIS ALBUM!!!! I think the street date is around June 20.

 

05.17.03 — Ten Minutes of Joe Budden

OK race fans. Here's the latest. I just spent the last three days of my life dedicated to mixing three songs for Def Jam's new artist Joe Budden. Joe's album is dropping June tenth. Go pick it up. This guy is gonna be big. And while you're listening, check out my mixes. I mixed a song called "Bust Your Guns" produced by super producer Just Blaze. This guy's beats are unbelievable! I'm envious. I mixed two more songs with producer Lofey. I had never met or worked with Lofey before this week, but I wish I had met him years ago. He and I share very similar musical vision, and he produced a song for Joe Budden called "Ten Minutes." Mark my words. People will still be talking about this song years from now. I feel honored to have mixed it.

"Ten Minutes" is a musical and lyrical journey through hip hop, and yes the song is actually ten minutes long! It also holds your attention tightly for the entire listen and makes you want to rewind and listen again. The combination of Joe and Lofey was absolutely magical on this song, I feel like I'm a part of something very special with this song. And on that note, I have many more songs to go mix.

-Ken

 

05.13.03 — Johnny Socko and the Special Radio

Johnny Socko charted very well this week at Specialty Radio (see news post 04.23.03). Album Network charted Johnny Socko at #24, the White Stripes charted at #22 and the Deftones at #30. We are in very good company to say the least. Socko also charted on the very important industry chart R&R. They hit the R&R Charts this week at #20 in the NATION. Not too bad for an as yet unsigned band. This should give any independent artist out there hope that if you make a great album, people will listen!

 

04.24.03 — Jay Z Version 2.1

For those of you who have been reading these news posts for a while, you know that I posted a while back about the Jay Z Blueprint 2 album which I played three guitar parts and percussion, and sang backing vocals on. I was uncredited in the initial release of the album, which incidentally debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts and went Gold its first week, and has since sold triple platinum (3 million plus). As you might imagine, the lack of credit tainted what would normally have been a time for me to seriously celebrate. Well the label promised to fix the lack of credit on the next pressing of the album. I don't know if that ever happened. Maybe you can help. If you own a copy of the Blueprint 2, check to see if I'm credited as a musician on track #1, "Dream" featuring Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans. If I am, email me and let me know. I never checked later pressings of the album to find out. I'd like to know.

Jay Z just released The Blueprint, Version 2.1, which is a single album (Blueprint 2 was a double album), containing many tracks from the Blueprint 2 as well as a few remixes. "Dream" is also included on The Blueprint, Version 2.1, and properly credits me for my musician and vocal contributions. I can't begin to describe to you how it feels to see my name on a song with Jay Z, Biggie Smalls and Faith Evans. It feels pretty #^%&# cool. And I have to say I also LOVE the song, and not because I worked on it. I think it's a classic.

I feel much better now. I even celebrated a bit.

-Ken

 

04.23.03 — Johnny Socko Charts at Specialty Radio

If you don't know who Johnny Socko is by now, then you owe it to yourself to do two things. First, read my older news posts about Johnny Socko, and second, go to their website and listen to the MP3's and the album sampler. Give me five minutes of your life to listen, you'll be happy you did. This band is awesome. Let me rephrase that, THIS BAND IS AWESOME!!!! OK, so I'm a little bit biased, I did produce the album. Still, they've got something great to offer and you should check it out.

So what is Specialty Radio and what does it have to do with Johnny Socko? Well I'll tell ya. Specialty Radio encompasses major commercial rock radio stations across the country. These stations often have shows such as the Sunday night at 10pm "Modern Rock New Music Hour," or the Saturday at Midnight "New Sounds from the Underground." You know what I'm talking about. Well these shows chart their airplay nationally on several charts. Probably the most prominent of these charts is The Network's "Underground" Specialty Show Chart.

Johnny Socko impacted this week on the above chart, along side names such as Radiohead, The White Stripes, Feeder, Rob Zombie, etc... I'd say for the first week, we're in pretty good company. We'll see what next week brings. Now don't ya wanna give me five minutes of your time to go listen to (and buy) the Johnny Socko album? I knew you would.

-Ken

 

04.07.03 — The Year in Review

For those following along, my apologies for not posting in a while. It hasn't been for a lack of anything to say, just a lack of any spare time to say it. Things are great here at Pro Tools Mixing Central Command. I've been working on many great projects and have more coming up soon. This website has also eclipsed the one year mark as a working business (the site was launched in February 2002).

I have been mixing a wealth of great independent projects recently from all over the country. Boston, East St. Louis, Miami, New York City, Albany, Indianapolis, Seattle, Denver, Atlantic City, San Diego, New Orleans, and the list goes on and on. The response to this website has been tremendous. In the last year I've mixed projects from all over the world including France, Hong Kong, England, and Canada, and from dozens of cities all over America. I've had my hands on every style of music imaginable and I've had a wonderful time helping these projects to sound the best they can be. Thank you to all the people who've helped make year one successful and memorable, and thank you to all the people who've sent emails from around the world.

My major label clientele has been outstanding in the last twelve months as well. I have worked on so many hit records and with several amazing artists including Jay Z, Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg, Shaggy, Busta Rhymes, and Jaheim to name just a few. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to remember I'm not dreaming. I've been involved with many awesome rock projects as well (the names aren't as big...yet, but the projects have been very rewarding) including Johnny Socko, Loretta, Small Town Sleeper, 383 Stroker, and Ben Park Drive. If you want to hear great music, I'd recommend any of them.

Well, I have a mix up on the console right now and it's not going to finish itself, so back to work for me. Goodnight.

-Ken

 

04.05.03 — Small Town Sleeper

Small Town Sleeper is a band that I signed to my production company last year and I've been developing them for quite some time. Soon we'll be unleashing their debut album Everyone Ever Told You upon the world, and look out, this band is going to turn some heads. I think people who enjoy bands like 3rd Eye Blind, Tonic, and John Mellencamp will love this band. If you'd like to hear some of the album in progress, we have some almost finished mixes posted on their website at SmallTownSleeper.com. Give me five minutes of your life to listen to their songs, you won't be disappointed.

Small Town Sleeper's album should be completed an available in mid May and you will definitely want to pick this one up. Troy from the band flew out to my studio this weekend to finish recording vocals and guitars and to help me finalize song arrangements. Creativity flowed through the air and the project is nearing its final stages. I have enlisted the services of genius level mastering engineer Emily Lazar to master the album for me. Emily is chief mastering engineer at The Lodge Mastering and her recent projects include David Bowie, 3rd Eye Blind, All American Rejects, and The Donna's to name a few. Anyone in need of mastering of any style of music should hire Emily. She's not cheap, but there's nobody finer. She has mastered Rock, R&B, and Hip Hop projects for me and her work is always exemplary. I'll keep you posted on further developments on Small Town Sleeper as they come in. Until then, goodnight.

-Ken

 

02.21.03 — Sleepless in the Studio

It's early Friday morning, just past 2am. I've been awake and mostly working straight since noon yesterday. Sorry, since noon Wednesday. 38 hours ago. I was getting too much accomplished last night to go to bed so I kept working.....and working.....and working. For how much I abuse my body via sleep deprivation, I feel pretty darn good. I'm sure my body will pay me back later in bad ways. Oh well. I'll live for the moment. And at the moment I'm working on the Loretta album. I am very happy with how it's taking shape. I have a few songs finished, and most of the rest are only in need of tweaking and mixing. I plan to go to bed before the sun rises and sleep a full eight hours. It will be glorious.

Well, this album won't produce itself, so I'd better get back to it.

-Ken

 

02.14.03 — Happy Valentine's Day

My second consecutive 100+ hour week is complete, and I get a much needed day off (if you count traveling as a day off, I'll take it). I just returned from Nashville's famed Emerald Recording Studios where I've been producing an album for Colorado God rockers Ben Park Drive. What an awesome record this is going to be. We spent February 6 through the eighth in The Tracking Room at Emerald. This is quite possibly the best room on Earth to cut a live rock band. I love that room. Sunday through Thursday were spent in Emerald Studio B recording overdubs for the album. Today I fly home to see my wife. I've almost forgotten what she looks like. Almost.

A nice Valentine's dinner and DareDevil have recharged my soul. It's gonna be another long week coming up. Tomorrow will bring me back to trying to finish up the Loretta album. Man is it gonna be a good one.

 

02.06.03 — OH BOY! Mariah Carey Returns.

Hi all. Sorry for my lack of posting, but back to back 100+ hour weeks will do that to you. Anyway, here's the latest Mariah Carey saga. I got a call Friday January 24 at 9pm. By 10pm, I'm at Battery Studios awaiting Cam'ron to show up to cut vocals on the Mariah Carey remix of her second single "Boy." Six hours later, Cam is a no show. I wearily drive home. Saturday night. Same call comes at 10pm. I'm at Hit Factory Studios by 11pm awaiting Cam's imminent arrival. He appears at 11:30pm, but has brought his own engineer to cut his vocals. I get them up and running and leave it in their hands. I return to my own studio to resume production on the Loretta album.

Thursday January 30. I get a call to go in that night and begin mixing the "Boy" remix. 8pm I arrive at Right Track Studio 509 to mix. 5pm THE NEXT DAY, I leave the studio to go home, with the mix close to finished. I sent a copy to Mariah to hear before I left (she was out of town). Mariah calls the next day to tell me she's cutting more vocals in her remote location to add into the remix. I get to the studio Saturday at 11am. I leave the studio Monday morning at 4am. Yes, that's 41 hours straight. No sleep. Monday afternoon, five hours of sleep later, I return to the studio. I leave the studio Tuesday afternoon at 1pm with a finished mix. I'm not making this up. I drive straight to my studio, where I begin cutting vocals with the singer of Loretta. We cut vocals 'til 2am, then I left my studio to go back to Right Track to do edits on the Mariah remix. I leave the studio at 11am Wednesday morning. I manage several hours of sleep, maybe six. I return to the studio Wednesday night at Midnight and do more requested edits on the mix until 6am, Thursday morning, February 6. I get four hours of sleep. I wake up, pack my bags and catch a mid-afternoon flight to Nashville. This ends my first week far in excess of 100 hours, and begins my next week in Nashville with awesome Christian rockers, Ben Park Drive. I'm not complaining. I love what I do, and sometimes it's grueling work, but somehow when Mariah gets on that phone and says, "Ken, I love the mix. Thank you so much for all your hard work," all those hours feel like only minutes have gone by. I'm a lucky man. The Mariah portion of this saga is complete, and the Ben Park Drive portion is just beginning.

 

01.17.03 — Mile High

I'm off to Denver to finish preproduction with Indie Christian rockers Ben Park Drive. Every time they send me a new song, the material gets better and better. I had the singer out to my studio two weeks ago to prepare her for the onslaught of vocal production for the album—she'll do fine. This weekend we'll be refining arrangements and performances of all ten songs to record. We're all traveling back to Nashville in February to begin recording the album at Emerald Studios in The Tracking Room, which seems to be my favorite place to record live bands in the world.

I also have some big label mixes coming up, more on that when the mixes are finished.

 

01.14.03 — Nashville, 2003: Round 1

Happy New Year all. I'm off to a great start. The Angie Martinez mix went really great, and much to my pleasant surprise, Fabolous also rhymed on the song.

So, today I got back from a week of sessions in Nashville. I'm currently producing a rock band from Indianapolis named Loretta, signed to Benchmark Records. We spent last week at Sound Stage Studios in Nashville recording the album. I am now back to my own studio editing, overdubbing, and mixing songs. So far the material sounds great and I'm very happy with it. Look for an album release in March, this is gonna be a group to watch.

I'm also currently mixing a hip hop album for an indie label out of Boston. Really good stuff. I'll fill you all in as the album progresses. And on that note, I'm going to get back to mixing that record.

-Ken