Fentek Audio

I haven’t posted a news update in a while so this is quite a lengthy one. I took on a lot of work in the last couple of months so there’s plenty to talk about.  Where to start …

One of the main projects I’ve been working on is an EP for new Edinburgh band Shooting Stansfield.  After sitting in on a rehearsal at Banana Row, we booked in some recording dates and had three great sessions laying down the three tracks.  I suppose you could describe them as having an indie pop rock kind of sound but their tunes are melodic, epic and really well crafted.  They make simple riffs sound so much more.  Later on today the guys are coming round for some final mixing tweaks and I’ll master them tomorrow.  They are planning an EP launch for 1st March so keep checking their myspace for details.

At the end of November I went to the Music Box at Stevenson College to talk to a class there about working in the tech side of the music business.  Annette Chapman (singer in Nobody Else) asked me to come and answer questions from the class – I’ve previously done sound for her band and done a live recording which you can find on the videos page.  The time seemed to go very quickly and there was plenty we didn’t get through so I might be going back later in the year to do a similar thing on a bigger scale.

Also in November, I recorded a set of live demos for Additional Pylons.  The guys from White Heath passed my name on to them.  Their experimental shoegazey sound lead by Chris Charles’ keys and vocals reminded me a bit of Ben Folds.  You can hear the demos on their myspace.

As well as engineering the usual gigs at the Wee Red Bar, I’ve done a few live recordings as well.  One for the amazing acoustic sounds of esperi, one for indie pop rockers Lead By Example, and one of the EP launch for catchy alternative pop band Windlestray.   You can check out tracks from the first two gigs on their respective myspace pages, and I’m just finishing the mixing for the Windlestray gig so it will likely be available in the next couple of weeks.

One of the highlights of December was the Trampoline all day gig featuring no less than 8 acts – The Last Battle, Conquering Animal Sound, Jonnie Common, esperi, Debutant, lyons, The Scottish Enlightenment and Mitchell Museum.  It was an epic day work-wise for me but the music was truly wonderful.  Such a diverse range of well performed musical styles constantly held the crowds attention.  The fantastic guys at Glasgow Podcart covered the whole day, interviewing all the bands and they have a set of recordings from the desk which will undoubtedly make it into their future podcasts.  You should definitely check out their work.  And talking of Trampoline, there’s a gig this Saturday 16th featuring How To Swim, Over The Wall and Thomas Western.  Don’t miss it!

Ok, we’re almost done with the update!  I recorded some tunes for Bathgate indie band Pedantics.  Three songs which you can hear on their myspace.  Aparently they’ve shifted over 300 copies already.

And finally, there’s the ongoing work on The Kays Lavelle album.  After several recording sessions at the end of last year, almost all the recording is now finished and mixing is about to start.  I’m really excited about this one.  I’ve worked with Euan for ages but this is a project I’ve been looking forward to more than most.  I love their music.  It feels fresh and exciting each time I listen to it and I really feel we’re going to end up with an amazing album.

So now to 2010.  Many things to come.  I’m recording a live album in a church for modern blues artist Man Gone Missing, got another single to do for Ewan Butler, and there’s my own solo music which I am determined to make more of an effort on this year.  Tunes to come soon.

That’s all for now.  Happy New Year!!