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New Studio in Town (Okay, so it's really in Virginia), New Gear and Well Wishes...

New Studio! I heard from the folks up in Charlottesville, Virginia the other day via email. It seems they've got themselves a world-class studio up there. I'm hoping to get to work up there on some projects in the future.

If you've got a project coming up and you're closer to Charlottesville, than Durham or Nashville, then give these guys a call...it looks like a pretty awesome place to do some recording. I can't wait to see it for myself!

The name of the place is Crystalphonic Recording Studio. You can find them on the web, here.

New Gear
Man, my mom really came through for me this year...she gave me the M-Tron software that emulates (as a VST plug-in for Cubase or a similar program) Mellotrons and Chamberleins from back in the 60's. I can't wait to get it loaded into the computer and start working with it. Should be fun. I'm hoping to use it on a short movie I'll be tracking in the new year. I'll keep you posted...

Well Wishes...
I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays and the requisite time off it provides us all to enjoy our families, loved ones and our lives. It's good to get a break from the work-a-day world every now and then.

God's blessings to you all and best wishes for a successful and inspiring New Year!

Cheers.

dale

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 29, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Blog Maintenance: Past Blog Entries - Oct. 22 to July 1, 2003

First let me explain. I wanted to save all my blog entries from the start, however I'm unable to get rid of the Comment section, which means at the start of every day I spend a good chunk of my time deleting spam comments. So this entry today will contain all the blog text from the beginning of the dalebakerdrummer: BLOG...this way all the text remains searchable, no entries are lost and those pesky spammers are kept from commenting on all my previous posts...So here goes:

Continue reading "Blog Maintenance: Past Blog Entries - Oct. 22 to July 1, 2003" »

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 22, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Nashville (North Carolina) Gig with Claire Holley

It was great fun last night playing with Claire Holley again and Rob Seals. Since I played with Claire last, she's moved to LA and so it was fun to catch up on how she's enjoying the West Coast.

Our gig was in Nashville, North Carolina, yes, North Carolina. And we performed in the converted church where the Nash County Arts Center resides.

A beautiful old place, cozy laid back and fun. Just like our host for the evening(minus the old part), Barden Winstead. Barden took us out for dinner at the Town and Country Restaurant. Let it be known that I tasted my first ever Chicken Livers there. Barden said the livers are a good source of iron. So I suppose that's a good thing. I also had a side of Rutabagas, which I've never seen offered on a menu before. So what the hey, right?

Anyway, the crowd was welcoming, enthusiastic and fun to talk with after the show. We really had a good time there and I hope we get to play there again. Nashville is beautiful small town and it reminded me of my hometown growing up.

P.S.
Oh, and I found out about this great coffee place in Rocky Mount, so if you're ever on your way to the Outer Banks (going East on Hwy 64), make sure to take the Sunset exit near Rocky Mount and look for "Via Cappuccino," a fine place to get some REAL GOOD coffee.

Well everybody, have a great weekend. We'll talk to you later. (and I promise Barden not to forget who you are like Todd Snider did)

dale

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 19, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Panther on my G3

So I just loaded Mac OS 10.3 onto my Mac G3 Pismo notebook and it works like a charm. I love the new OS. I was thinking I'd have to get a whole new computer but thanks to encouraging words from my friend Spinner (Tour Manager for Over the Rhine, et.al) I decided to try upgrading to the new OS.
I feel like I have a whole new computer now and it only cost me pennies compared to getting a whole new computer! Very cool.

In other news, it looks like I may start designing some basic sites for some folks here and there. I'm looking forward to the challenge and excitement of helping others get a "presence" on the web. I'll be sure to let you know when the new sites are up and going.

Well, have a good Monday and a good week as we head into the thick of the Holiday season here. Blessings to you all!

cheers,

dale

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 15, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Transcribing Songs, Holiday Promotions and my favorite album...

Transcribing Songs
Transcribing drum machine parts from demos I've received or marking down measures and notating the structure of the songs help me learn songs more quickly. Once I have a "road map" of the song , it frees me up to listen to the song and the other musicians I'm playing with, thereby creating (hopefully!) a drum part that fits better musically with what everyone else is doing.

Also, my charts and notes provide a visual reference for me when it comes time to overdub percussion (shakers, tambourines, hand drums, etc).

Check out my charts (i.e. scribbles and notes) that I used for recording Sixpence's Divine Discontent and also the charts I created when I toured with Over the Rhine a few years back.

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 12, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Rolling Stone Article on Steve Jobs

My brother sent me an article that Rolling Stone did with Steve Jobs. In it Jobs talks about the music industry, Apple, iPods and the like.

Good stuff, especially his remedy for the Music Industry. I think in a lot of ways Steve Taylor, when he formed Squint Entertainment, was thinking along the same lines as Jobs states at the end of the article.

Check it out:

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/featuregen.asp?pid=2529

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 11, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Site Maintenance, the prayers and tears and Snow Globe!

Web Maintenance
I've been working at updating my site to make the design a little more snappy and fun. My goal is to eventually get it up to W3C specs. But we'll see. Oh and I fixed the bad link (BBC One Music) on Dec. 2 (thanks Brandon for pointing that out...). It should work now.

I just deleted all the Spam Comments I've received since starting my blog. I apologize for the spam that you may have inadvertantly been exposed to via my blog. Sorry about that.

The Prayers and Tears
By the way, the show with Perry (The Prayers and Tears of Arthur Digby Sellers) the other night at Temple Ball went great...he is someone you definitely should check out...check out the link to his site and start following this guys music and (hopefully soon to be full-time) career. His style is in the vein of Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith. And when the guys from Go Machine sit in...watch out it becomes more along the lines of the Doves, or RadioHead. Powerful stuff. This guy is singing like his life depends on it!

I've been recording with him off and on over the last couple of months for some compilation projects, I'll let you know when the cd's come out. We've been doing some fun stuff in the studio and I can't wait for you to hear it!

Snow Globe
Last but not least...my friends Mark and Chana Keefer sent me this via email. It's a harmless little Snow Globe done in Flash Animation. You click on the snow globe and shake it...and there are little animated people inside the globe, snowboarding and making snowmen and stuff...really cute, fun and (how do they say it?) "Season Appropriate."

Happy Holidays from all of us here at dalebakerdrummer.com!

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 10, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Big Rock Show Tomorrow Night!

Hey everybody, gather 'round!

I'm playing a show tomorrow night with Perry Wright aka "the prayers and tears of arthur digby sellars" at De La Luz in Chapel Hill. Show starts at 9:00 ish.

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 4, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Cool Music Industry Site

BBC One Music - All you need to know to make it in music

Once again, the Brits have got it “going on.” On this site you can find a lot of great info about the music business and how a career in music could conceivably happen for you.

They also have music production tools available on this site as well as info on how to choose the music production tools that best suit your needs.

I think they’ve done a great job of providing an excellent service to all of us who aspire for a career in the music business. Check it out!

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 2, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

Feature article in Kidsville News

If you live in the RDU (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) area of North Carolina, be sure to pick up the December issue of Kidsville News and read the article about me in the "What's it like to be..." section.

I'm truly honored to be featured in this wonderful publication and am excited about the exposure!

If you get a chance, check out the article and let me know what you think!

Cheers...

dale

Posted by dalebakerdrummer on December 1, 2003 | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

My Drumming On CD

Sixpence None the Richer: This Beautiful Mess
The second CD Sixpence recorded was my first with the band. We tracked the rhythm tracks in 4 days at Omni Sound studios in Nashville. Armand John Petri produced and many fans say that this is their favorite Sixpence album.
Sixpence None The Richer: Sixpence None The Richer
The Grammy nominated, RIAA Certified Platinum selling album that featured the breakout hit, "Kiss Me." Produced by Steve Taylor and wonderfully engineered and mixed by Russ Long, with additional mixing by Bob Clearmountain. The follow-up hit, "There She Goes" was also later added to this album.
Sixpence None the Richer: The Best of Sixpence None the Richer
Includes the hits "Kiss Me," "There She Goes," and "Breathe Your Name" and many other of the songs I played on and helped promote during my 7+ years with the band.
Sixpence None the Richer: Tickets for a Prayer Wheel
Out-takes and B-Sides from Sixpence's "This Beautiful Mess" CD. There were some extended jams, a live track, some moody percussion and even a re-mix done by friend and former roommate, Sal Salvador. Not only does this CD feature my drumming, and vocals(!), but I make my producing debut on this album with an angst-filled vibey take on an old Patsy Cline song.
Sixpence None the Richer: Mega 3 Collection
Includes Sixpence's first 3 CD's. Of these 3 CD's my drumming only appears on the 2nd and 3rd disc. The first CD featured the drumming of Chris Dodds, one of my favorite people and drummers.
Sixpence None the Richer: There She Goes
CD single of the 11th hour addition to Sixpence's self-titled album which helped solidify Sixpence as a legitmate "Breakthrough Artist" according to R&R magazine. The song went on to become a Top 10 Single with an appealing video (featuring "Saving Private Ryan" star, Adam Goldberg), by director and good friend of the band, Brandon Dickerson.
Sixpence None the Richer: Breathe Your Name / Northern Lights
CD single of the Top 20 hit, Breathe Your Name w/ non-album track Northern Lights, from Sixpence's Divine Discontent record. Both songs feature my drumming.
Sixpence None the Richer: Collage: A Portrait of Their Best
A compilation of the best tracks from the band's REX years. And yes, that's me in the corner with the beard and glasses.
Sixpence None the Richer: Kiss Me
Imported Single of the most played song from the year 2000. This song features my drumming and went to the top of the charts in over 10 countries (US, UK, Canada, Israel, Japan, etc...). I also appeared in all the videos and TV appearances that helped promote this song. Interesting side note: this song was chosen by Britain's Royal Family to be played for over 200 Million viewers during Prince Edward's 1999 wedding.
Sixpence None the Richer: I Can't Catch You
Import Single of a song from the band's self-titled album. This was one of the songs Bob Clearmountain mixed and it was honor to have him work his magic on my drum tracks!
...The Basics: Grow
I was really happy how this record turned out. An honest, well produced CD by a couple of North Carolina's (and Northern California's) best songwriters. I also took the photos that appear in the CD booklet.
[Various Artists]: City on a Hill: Collection
I played on the first City on a Hill CD as well as a track or two on the second CD.
[Various Artists]: Return Of The Grievous Angel: Tribute To Gram Parsons
I played drums with the Rolling Creek Dippers, aka: Buddy and Julie Miller, Victoria Williams, Mark Olsen, Jim Lauderdale.
[Various Artists]: Roaring Lambs
I played drums with Sixpence None the Richer, Emmylou Harris, Steve Taylor and percussion with Burlap to Cashmere on this CD.
[Various Artists]: Exodus
I played with Sixpence None the Richer, Michael W. Smith, and Kenny Meeks on this CD.
Kim Taylor: So Black, So Bright
I played drums on this CD that was produced by Jack Henderson. This is one of my favorite projects to have played on. Some of the tracks feature Linford and Karin from Over the Rhine as well.
Frankly Scarlet: Stories I've Heard
I played and recorded with this band back when I lived in Dallas. We even shot a video...with the Dallas skyline as our backdrop.
[Various Artists]: Making God Smile: An Artists' Tribute to the Songs of Beach Boy Brian Wilson
I played drums and percussion (timpani, chimes, beat box) on Jason Harrod's version of "In My Room" for this Brian Wilson tribute album.
Rebecca St. James: Transform
I played on a track produced by Matt Bronlewee, that featured the London Symphony Orchestra and some very "Bjork" sounding vocals by Rebecca. I think we did about 40 tracks of various percussion overdubs for this track too.
[Various Artists]: Never Say Dinosaur
My first time to work with producer Brent Bourgeois and one of my first times in the studio with Sixpence. I borrowed a whole bunch of percussion from Steve Hindalong and had a great time overdubbing frame drums, rattan shakers and the like. The track ended up sounding very Daniel Lanois-ish with some Peter Gabriel-esq type layers thrown in for good measure.
Phantasmic: Fluffy Vs. Phantasmic
"Rainy Day Assembly" appears on this record. This out-take from Sixpence's "This Beautiful Mess" session was used by Tess Wiley (aka, Phantasmic) and features shaker performed by percussion wiz Lalo Davila.
Honey: Lost on You
I played on two tracks from this record produced by Dan and Steve from Jars of Clay.
[various artists]: Here On Earth (2000 Film)
This Soundtrack album features two songs I did with Sixpence, one a cover of a Sam Phillips/ T-Bone Burnett song: "I Need Love" and the other, the opening track ("We Have Forgotten") from Sixpence's self-titled record.
[various artists]: Snow Day: Music From The Motion Picture
Sixpence's version of The La's tune, "There She Goes" is on this soundtrack album. And yes, I'm playing drums on that song...
[various artists]: Bounce: Music from and Inspired by the Miramax Motion Picture (2000 film)
Another song ("Love") I did with Sixpence from their self-titled album, appears on this soundtrack. Mark Nash and I played a drum duet of sorts to get the primal heavy-handed approach needed for this wonderful song.
[various artists]: Dick
One of my favorite tracks. Everytime I hear this song ("Dancing Queen"), I can't help but think of Alan Partridge.
Sixpence None the Richer: Divine Discontent
Even though I quit playing with the band in 2001, the bulk of this record was recorded in 2000, and so my playing is featured on more than half the tracks on this record. Produced by Paul Fox, beautifully engineered by Mark Chevalier and mixed by Tom Lord-Alge.
Sixpence None the Richer: The Early Years
New Sixpence compilation from the REX years. Includes songs and b-sides from the early work I recorded with Sixpence - pre "Kiss Me" era.
Steve Hindalong, et.al: City on a Hill: Reflections on Our Spiritual Journey (Ccm Book)
Okay, this is a book. But I wrote the first essay that appears in the book and took all the photos that appear as well. You can actually read my essay by clicking this link and "looking inside the book." Fun, huh?
Various Artists: Pointfolio 1.0
A radio station compilation featuring in-studio and concert live cuts. Includes, Sixpence doing "Kiss Me"(with me on drums), and Fleming and John's "Ugly Girl", Dido, BareNaked Ladies, etc.
Plumb
Loops, fragments of songs and lots of percussion is what I remember from this session. Producer Dan Haseltine and Matt Bronlewee made this a fun and creative time in the studio. It was great to be a part of the debut album of such a phenomenal artist (am I gushing to much here?).
[various Artists] : Felicity: Senior Year (tv soundtrack)
Features "Melody of You" a beautiful song by Sixpence None the Richer that I played drums on and was featured on the series final episode (I think).

Photos: