Third Monk News

Monday, September 3, 2007

2007-09-03T11:30:00.000-04:00

Has it been 2 years since the last update? Alot has
happened.

Third Monk Records the recording studio is now open in
Plymouth, Michigan. The studio has a hybrid set-up
utilizing vintage Studer and Otari tape machines with
a Mac-based Pro Tools system. For rock tracks, the
essential coloration of analog tape can now be part of
any recording. Gone are the days of having to book
other studios for my own projects.

Bands can contact the studio and either get solid,
affordable engineering- or work with me in a
Production capacity. Click on the rate link for more
information.

Highlights of the past few years have been acquiring
some new and necessary equipment for the studio. A
Red Vintage microphone is now in the house for vocals
and other overdubs. An Apex 460 tube condensor mic is
also available for overdubs. Both offer a more
sophisticated sound beyond the cheap condensor mics of
most project studios. A pair of Trident S20 preamps
have made an essential appearance as well.

>From a producer standpoint, the past few months has
seen Detroit band Woodward release their debut "...but
your kids are gonna love it". The album was produced,
recorded and mixed at Third Monk and is the first
full-length recording to come out of this studio. The
band played great and you can see them on the road
across the midwest this fall. You can visit them at
www.woodwardtheband.com

Four years and still rockin...woo-hoo!

2005-05-14T10:04:00.000-04:00

Third Monk Records continues to develop artists and release product on an international scale.

Cool.

May 21, 2005 will see the Detroit release (national release to follow within 60 days) of the Penumbrae debut 11-song CD entitled "One Way Drive". Careful work since September has made this disc what it is and the band sound brilliant. A 5-piece quintet bridging the sonic gaps between Phish-Pink Floyd and Radiohead. Basic tracks were cut at the Tempermill Studios in Ferndale, Michigan and ensuing overdubs were done with the Third Monk mobile unit at various locations around Metro Detroit.

Since the disc was mastered by Gavin Lurssen at the Mastering Lab, songs have already been aired on WSDP-FM, WHFR-FM, WRAX-FM and the band have performed live on the nationally syndicated Mitch Albom show as well as in the studios of WHFR-FM at Henry Ford Community College. Further non-comercial radio airplay and a fall tour to college campuses in the midwest are in the cards for the band. Let's wish them the best!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the iTunes/Pepsi promotion. With the deadline for use of Pepsi product caps with free downloads passing on May 23, 2005, we are grateful to anyone who had the opportunity to download Third Monk Records artists for free. Songs from Third Monk Records artists remain available at all paid download sites from iTunes to Aol.com to Audiolunchbox.com.

After the analog tape scare we had back in December, it is a great, great thing that Quantegy tape has been bought by 2 past employees. The analog tape domain is precious and without it, the record making process would be seriously hindered. Even in the face of the Digital Audio Workstation, the essence of analog tape can still be an essential ingredient to produce amazing recordings of great songs. Better still to think that Emtec (BASF) is back in the fray and ATR Services in Pennsylvania will be making their own analog tape.

The music industry should continue to regain it's strength in the next 5 to 10 years while it recovers from the attack of the evil 3-headed hydra- namely Corporate Radio, illegal MP3 downloading and the advent of the Digital Audio Workstation. With great trepidation, we should all be concerned and closely monitor the Elliot Spitzer Payola investigation in New York State and encourage legislation to be passed in Washington, D.C. to eliminate the ridiculous concept of songs as 'paid' advertisements. As for the rest, everyman is empowered with their Digitial Audio Workstations and the industry finally has a grasp on how to make money selling mp3s.

Let's hope for the best!

Third Year Anniversary

2004-08-08T13:22:00.000-04:00

This past March marked the 3rd year of existance for Third Monk Records. The label has seen a release per year up to this point and it is clear that the future of the music industry is with the internet and digital technologies. Matthew Harrison, Flaming June and Adam Austin all have their music available on the internet now in paid download form and for this we are thankful!!!

I have just finished Producing, Recording and Mixing of the debut of Detroit, Michigan based 'Avenue'. The EP entitled 'Answer my call' will be released in the 3rd quarter of 2004. You can visit their website at: www.avenuerock.com.

I have also recently begun pre-production with another Detroit-based act called 'Penumbrae'. We have selected 11 songs (out of 20) for their full-length debut. Studio time is booked for late September and subsequent overdubs and mixing will take place thereafter. The disc should be ready for release by late November 2004.

In the past year Third Monk Records has taken flak for the 'paid demo submission' policy. This will be discontinued. It cut down greatly the number of demos Third Monk Records received and increased the quality of product submitted immensely. Third Monk Records will continue to provide the same artist services it has in the past for artists Third Monk Records chooses to work with.

Third Monk Records will be beginning a new forum entitled 'the Epicurean Monk'. What I have found in servicing our own Third Monk Records product to various publications nationally, is that the possibility of garnering a review for an independently released CD is extremely, extremely slim unless there is a corresponding 'ad-buy'. What 'the Epicurean Monk' link will provide is a guaranteed review for the artist for a flat rate exchange of $40. The review will remain indefinitely posted on the Epicurean Monk webpage- no questions asked. If your disc has a unique barcode, is professionally packaged and is pressed, not burned, then the Epicurean Monk will review it no matter what the genre! Cool AND predictable!

Through recommendations by local artists in Detroit, I began teaching in the recording curriculum at Schoolcraft College in January of 2004. As an adjunct faculty member in the music department, I have taken on the Music 173 Basic Recording Techniques I and also Music 130 Ear Training for the Recording Engineer courses in what is an exploding schoolastic program. This is in direct relation to the prevalance of the Digital Audio Workstation in the recording industry. The DAW has become the defacto standard in the realm of record making.

Thanks for the support!!!

Label Second Year Anniversary

2003-03-15T16:52:00.000-05:00

In March of 2003, it will have been 2 years since Third Monk Records came into existance.

Last fall saw the release of Los Angeles alt country singer/songwriter Adam Austin. After several years working as a set dresser on many of the biggest Hollywood films, Adam Austin befriended Hollywood film director Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Darkman, For love of the game, The Gift) while working on the superhero action movie "Spiderman". Taking an interest in the music of Adam Austin and believing strongly in Adam's artistic vision, Mr. Raimi helped finance this debut release. Borrowing members of the Lucinda Williams band, Adam has created a sound which hearkens to best of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Third Monk Records is very excited about this release!

Currently, Third Monk is developing Detroit based act 'Step 13'. A solid pop/rock act in the style of Matchbox 20 or Coldplay, Third Monk is culitivating the necessary focus to a very talented band. New music should be available in the coming months.

In the past 2 years, Third Monk has also served in a much more altruistic sense in a role that may help improve the music industry. Working as a watchdog of sorts with regard to the Corporate Radio/Payola situation that has become prevalent since the signing of the 'Telecommunications Act of 1996'. Coming up against the problem headlong with the Matthew Harrison disc "Charmed" at commercial alternative radio and finding out from various Program Directors that it would cost approximately $500-$1500 per new ad at a commercial radio station, Third Monk made the decision to work closely with the Los Angeles Times and ABC News to bring this issue to light. Obviously as an independent artist collective with modest roots, Third Monk could not afford the half million dollars it would have cost to make Matthew Harrison an overnight success nationally. Third Monk naively proceeded thinking the strength of the music would prevail and simply stated what we found out is this- music on public owned airwaves should not be 'paid advertising'- nor should it ever should be. More disturbing and at the detriment to the art, the broadcast conglomerates that have licensed these signals from the F.C.C. continue to abuse them on a daily basis. They play songs which have been paid for with absolutely no disclosure to the listenership about the practice.

Third Monk filed complaints about this situation in 2001 with the F.C.C., Senators John McCain, Hillary Clinton, Joseph Lieberman, Harry Reid, Orrin Hatch, Babara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein and Representative Billy Tauzin. Third Monk also filed with the Attorney General in the state of California. Concurrent (and/or since) the exposure of this problem, Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold has drafted the 'Competition in Radio and Concert Industries Act' which was put before the House on January 28, 2003. The passage of this Bill is absolutely essential for the improved health of the music industry. People who are quick to blame the internet for the demise of the music industry fail to realize that it's the constriction at the main outlet source for new music that is at fault. With playlists taking on a 'national' scope instead of a 'local' viewpoint, indiosyncracies and local taste are sacrificed for money. Local programmers lose their ability to program and what songs get played is determined by what songs the radio station can bill for via their indie promoter.

On a brighter note, Third Monk Records will begin to develop the sale of MP3 singles via this website. Focusing on material that Third Monk has cultivated, MP3 singles will be priced between $.99 and $1.49 and payments will be able to be made through Paypal. Anyone with interests in purchasing any of the existing Third Monk material via such means can make that request through the e-mail link on this site.

A link to the hearings - Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Read ABC's 20/20 article on Third Monk Records

Read L.A. Times article about Third Monk Records

Label First Year Anniversary

2002-03-01T15:40:00.000-05:00

In March of 2002, it will have been a year since Third Monk Records came into existance. The label debuted with the brilliant solo album "Charmed" by Las Vegas artist Matthew Harrison. The process of promoting Matthew's disc to radio exposed many issues with the state of the radio industry since the Telecom Act of 1996. Friday night, May 24, 2002, a primetime feature story on ABC News 20/20 will cover some details of attempting to get airplay on a very limited budget as an independent musician. This release represents wholeheartedly the struggle that unsigned (to major labels) musicians around the United States have to face with regard to getting exposure for their product. Fortunately, the strength of Matthew's record and Matthew's ability as a performer has enabled Third Monk Records to prepare some future releases by other new artists.

Coming in the second quarter of 2002, Third Monk Records will be releasing the debut EP "Finally Found" from alt country/roots rock artist Adam Austin. After several years working as a set dresser on many of the biggest Hollywood films, Adam Austin befriended Hollywood film director Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2, Darkman, For love of the game, The Gift) while working on the forthcoming superhero action movie "Spiderman". Taking an interest in the music of Adam Austin and believing strongly in Adam's artistic vision, Mr. Raimi helped finance this debut release. Borrowing members of the Lucinda Williams band, Adam has created a sound which hearkens to best of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Third Monk Records is very excited about this forthcoming release!

Preparing for the third quarter and the return of students to college, will be the debut release from Fresno's "Flaming June". This album entails the best elements of the British sound filtered through the perspective of a band hailing from the western United States. With a sound that ranges from Oasis to The Doves, Flaming June's "Waterloo" is destined to become a staple at College Radio stations nationwide in 2002.

Soon Third Monk Records will begin a groundbreaking service that will offer young, unsigned bands nationwide the opportunity to have a professional mix engineer of their choice remix demo material for a fraction of what industry professionals usually charge. A listing of engineers and their discographies will be found at the "mix management" link on this site. Bands will be able to browse and then choose which engineer remixes their tracks. With Pro Tools being the defacto industry standard at this time, any band that has tracks recorded in this domain will be able to present them to their chosen mix engineer and gather the best, competitive mix to help ensure the future success of their band and hopefully increase the impact of their demo!