Vacances

Vocals(Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP)

Danny is one of the most ambitious and talented person I know. Possessing both traits makes one a force and that's what Danny is. He is a force. You can hear it in his music and see it in his accomplishments. When ever performing, he sets the tempo, feathers the gas pedal, slowly building momentum, as he's pushing the limits. On this contribution for the EP, he dances with the melodic guitar as he leads with nuanced intensity. Lannon rode the track like a professional surfer riding a wave.  

Check out Vacances on Spotify (Link)

Sophia Prise

Vocals(Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP)

The reaction Sophia's vocals received when I started to play the song  to those involved with the project, meant we were on the right path. The song was inspired by The Clash's 'Lost In The Supermarket' and she definitely hits on the raw energy that fueled the music of that era. I'm not sure what direction our new collaborations will go in but with Sophia's vocal range, her experience and style, any song we work on should be worth a listen.  Sophia has agreed to lead the new single which is currently in the works to follow up the Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP.

Check out Sophia Prise on instagram (link)

Luke Sweeney

Vocals(Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP)

I don't know Luke very well but I love his music. I've seen him perform live a handful of times and follow him on the gram where he mixes it up playing a variety of solo sets on a piano, a moog or guitar. His songwriting abilities are on another level and his dynamic textured vocals are a blend of yesteryear and Cut Copy pop. Im beyond happy that Luke took the time to contribute lyrics/vocals for a track on this EP. All I could say is check out his music, especially the songs 'Open Those Savage Eyes', 'Already Yours', and 'East Coast Vertigho St.'

Check out luke sweeney on Bandcamp(link)

Tobias Hawkins

Vocals(Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP)

Thanks to music, I've made a new friend and ally who's not only incredibly talented, he's also blessed with vision that allow him to see a track in ways I can't yet comprehend. Rex always says how spoiled we are to have Tobias on board. There's something undeniably special about the candid confessions that are his lyrics and his delivery style that's controlled yet bubbling with chaos. I'm looking forward to once again, meeting up with my homie and starting the process of bouncing tracks in preparation for knocking it out at the recording studio.  

Landon Cisneros

Drums(Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP)

I met Zodiac Death Valley by chance when I swung by Different Fur Studio while they were recording. We became friends. The group's brand of San Francisco rock n roll was infectious, led by Nic's vocals and powered by Landon's hard hitting drums.  When looking for a drummer for this EP, I never considered asking Landon. He had moved to LA to play with Spirit Mother and largely  because the music he played was so different from what I had written. HIs drumming elevated the music. I had to stay in stride or get left behind.

Check out spirit mother (website link)

Andrew Gomez

Synths(Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP)

I've been friends with Andrew for some time and he's certainly taught me a lot about music. He and his wife Bevin have been consistently putting out indie/darkwave records with their band NRVS LVRS. I sent him the songs for his critique and when he asked for the songs BPM's, I wasn't sure what to expect. He sent back layers of files that I now refer to as "Moog Magic" that gave the songs a distinct contrast from the distorted fuzz that otherwise permeate every track. His "Moog Magic" is the perfect contribution that shift the songs into a different lane.

Check out NRVS lvrs (website link)

Rex Sherlverton

Producer(Rockn Roll Is A Feeling EP)

It dawned on me recently that I've now been in the studio with Rex for two plus years and that I barely knew him prior to our studio sessions. One time we played a show  with his band Bellavista and my singer says "ask Rex if you can use his bass rig", I responded "what does he look like?" Rex's contributions to this EP are not limited to it's sound, his input transformed the songs(i.e. the BART sample in The Story, or the moody synth loop intro on Can't Allow). The experience he brings to a project and the comfortable setting he provides in the studio are just the thing I need in my development as a songwriter. 

Check out Bellavista on bandcamp (link)

Tobias Hawkins

Vocals(Dream EP)

As I formerly mentioned, I met Tobias playing a show at the Eagle. I don't believe we exchanged pleasantries on that particular occasion but I did notice how incredibly rock and roll he was. One would have to be blind not to. The clothes, the hair, the onstage persona and most importantly the big voice. A quick google search along with some light questioning from me revealed that Tobias played drums for Counting Crows, played with the drummer from Primus (under the name Laundry) but his favorite band that he fronted was the Girlfriend Experience.

Sophia Prise

Vocals(Dream EP)

Sophia is in my view the definition of the word artist. She sings opera, performs aerial acrobatics, fronts her own electronic music group and has sung back up for the likes of  Magic* Magic Orchestra. You can listen to her electronic releases on Beatport or catch her on her way to give vocal lessons to the up and coming. When I first met Sophia, she went under the name Prize. She would wear these extravagant outfits and her opera trained vocals would captivate her audience. In the studio, listening to her warm up, effortlessly climbing her music scales gave me chills. 

Rex Shelverton

engineer(Dream EP)

I'll spare you the musical accolades. Do your own google search and you'll quickly see for yourself.  On stage, Rex (the frontman, guitarist, etc) has reached a level of success most of us aspire to. He is also an engineer and quietly I'm learning of his achievements in that area. Bottom line, Rex knows his gear. I came into the studio with and idea that evolved over time but Rex brought it to life by giving the EP a sound. Just like the way Bruce Dickenson puts on a pair of pants one leg at a time and makes gold records... Rex is a big reason why the record sounds the way it does and Im forever grateful.