Fentek Audio

I know summer seems to be well and truly over but I thought it was time for a Fentek update to let you know what I’ve been up to. With the festival over and freshers settled in, I’ve had chance to catch my breath and here’s a low down on my latest adventures.

After a slightly delayed completion, Man Gone Missing‘s new live album, Burn You, has now officially been released. Simon and I recorded it in a church in Invergowrie way back in February. The record seems to be getting some positive responses with airplay on BBC Scotland and Ulster and an album of the week feature on Celtic Music Radio. You can buy and listen to the album here, or check below for a preview track.

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Tony Taylor (X Lion Tamer) has released his new single, Hope, which I produced and mastered last month. This has also gained radio airplay courtesy of Vic Galloway who heralded it as one of his ‘future Scottish anthems’! I also had the pleasure of doing sound for Tony at the Wee Red Bar last week supporting My Tiny Robots (who were great as well by the way). You can buy his new single here or listen below.

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In the last news update I mentioned the single launch for The Last Battle. This gig was recorded and 3 of the tracks released as a free EP entitled ‘A Wee Red Tale’. It was a great gig and these guys seem to be moving from strength to strength at the moment so download the EP here and catch them live if you can.

I’ve also been doing a fair bit of mastering including R&B tracks Down To You (Sonny ft. Singh-One) and Music’s My Life (Jeremy Jezz). I’ve also just finished an EP for rap/pop/electro voice, SiMBA. A video has been shot for one of the songs and the title track, Fix The Future, will be available as a single soon. I’m also just about to start mastering an album for Steve Heron who came to see me the other day. Follow the links to check these guys out.

Live sound-wise there was a whole variety of bands over the festival to keep me amused, as well as working for the recording of Late n Live in the Gilded Balloon. Highlights for me were probably the Complete Stone Roses in Teviot for freshers week, and the single launch for my favourite punk-pop trio, Come On Gang! This gig was in the caves at the beginning of September with formidable support from Jesus H. Foxx and FOUND. The night was fantastic with Come On Gang doing a fantastic Human League cover, and the hefty crowd seemed to enjoy every minute. You can get hold of their FREE single from their website.  And whilst it’s downloading, take a look at the amazing video.

Other bits and bobs include some drum recording for Randan Discotheque, mixing for the Shooting Stansfield EP, and more recording with The Stormy Seas. I’ll keep you posted on any further developments.

That’s all for now folks. Now where did I put those gloves and that massive woolly jumper???

Time for another wee Fentek news update for you. Term time has come to an end and gigs in the city are dying down a bit as we wait for the lanyards to take over the city. Despite this, I seem to have got myself a healthy dose of recording and production work over the next month or so.

I recently produced a couple more tracks for Bathgate singer-songwriter, Ewan Butler. We had a great recording session and the combination of Ewan’s performance and the extra parts we added really worked in making the best of the songs. You can have a listen to the tracks below.

Smile Again

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Say You’d Get Married

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Shooting Stansfield have come back to do a new EP which we’re in the middle of recording at the moment. Despite some obstacles to overcome, the guys have some great songs and their playing is much tighter. Looking forward to mixing this one. Watch this space for more news soon.

This week I’ve been mastering a track for a guy called Jason Singh. His solo R&B track, Down To You is a groovy and well designed tune and I’m really happy with how the master came out. Not usually my style but adaptability is the key!

There’s a couple of upcoming gigs I’d like to point out. This Thursday (1st July) sees the long awaited single launch for The Last Battle having signed with 17 seconds records. I love their music so really looking forward to this one, and I’m recording it too.  The support acts are top notch as well – Meursault (solo), and Jonnie Common. Get yourselves down to the Wee Red Bar for 7pm to get a piece of this quality Scottish showcase. The end of the month sees the album launch for Mammoeth (formerly Team Turnip), 24th July at the Wee Red Bar. This band is the product of musical genius, Russell Kostulin, who also plays in the Kays Lavelle. Check these bands out. You won’t regret it!

Also on the horizon is another EP for Tony Taylor aka X Lion Tamer. Having produced two tracks for him for his last release, Neon Hearts EP, we’re making a start on his new work in July.

Think thats it for now. Enjoy the sunshine whilst it lasts!

AF

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!!