On July 29th the digital download only version of the Smith & Pyle record titled “It’s Ok To Be Happy” was released on iTunes. With just a handful of shows and word of mouth the record immediately charted at #77. The record features an all star cast and is as much rock’n'roll as it is country I’m proud of the work we did on this record and recommend that you buy it right now. To celebrate their debut success Smith & Pyle are going to play a show and host a party at Universal’s City Walk. The location will be in front of the theaters on Saturday August, 9th at 9PM. It’s FREE to all and all ages are welcome.

It’s been a while since my last post and a lot has happened.
I finished mixing the new Masters Of Reality record.
It is currently being mastered. Immediately following MOR, Melissa Auf
der Maur returned to The Hacienda to record a score for her short film,
OOOM, with a great band called Entrance featuring
Guy Blakeslee, Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle, Zwan), and Derek James.
I really enjoyed working with Entrance. They got serious skillz and I
hope to work more with them in the future!

I was then approached by Spinerette featuring
Brody Dalle (The Distilers), Tony Bevilacqua (The Distillers), Alain
Johannes (Queens Of The Stone Age, Eleven), Jack Irons (Red Hot Chili
Peppers, Pear Jam, Eleven) to mix four B-Sides. This consisted of two
originals and two covers and they all frickin’ rocked. I also had the
pleasure of listening to the record……. very impressed! Brody has
quite a presence so look out for Spinerette in the near future.

Jumping
dimensions, I got to reconnect with the illuminous Mike
Garson. We spent
a few days compiling original lullabies with variations on Brahms’ .
It was such a contrast going from very loud rock to incredibly soft and
quiet solo piano. Spending a good portion of a day testing mic placement
and gear selection was a treat and Mike’s ears and insight was invaluable.
A well built, well tuned piano is truly remarkable with infinitely complex
overtones.

I entered the modern country dimension with Mark
Christian (Merle Jagger, Smith & Pyle). He test drove The Hacienda producing a
couple songs for Nashville artist Aly
Sutton. We worked really fast and
were stoked on the results. The newly built live room is yielding great
drum sounds. David “Jonsey” Henderson (Goon Moon, UNKLE, Smith & Pyle,…)
came in to beat on some skinz. Aly has a great voice and a bright future!

Leaping into yet another dimension, I’m currently working
with earthlings?. We’re just about done recording six very eclectic songs
for a forthcoming EP. More details to come!!!!!

Started mixing the new Master’s Of Reality record at The Hacienda. We’re really stoked on how the tracks are shaping up. Devote fans will be elated and newbees will be tantelized. Below is a recent press release.

Latest press release:

MASTERS OF REALITY NEWS PHOTO; “GOSS FINISHES MASTERS OF REALITY GUITAR TRACKS. THE LAST NIGHT AT RANCHO DE LA LUNA” HE EXPLAINS;

“THE IDEA WAS TO GET A PHOTO OF US ROASTING MARSHMALLOWS ON THE BURNING GUITAR. IT WAS A 12 STRING. I TUNED THE STRINGS PRETTY HIGH HOPING THE TENSE STRINGS WOULD POP AND MAKE GOOD NOISES. WE SET UP A MICROPHONE AND RECORDED, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. OUR SPIRITS SHRIVELED.
THEN JOHN AND I THOUGHT THE WOOD MIGHT EXPLODE, SPLASHING MOLTEN VARNISH ON US, OR PERHAPS THE FUMES FROM THE PLASTIC PICK GUARD WOULD KILL US. SO WE RAN. WE FORGOT TO BUY MARSHMALLOWS TOO.

Click here to view the embedded video.