FIN - TIM KORRY Audio Recording Blog at TAYLOR Studios Final week

I'm sitting and writing on a sunny warm November day in Kansas listening to leaf blowers and drinking a Guinness. It has been 9 months, 9 full moons wrapped into a song called '9 Sticks' in a CD full of dark imagery with light and love in the equidistance. The artwork is complete, CD photos crowned, song order set. Initially this sonic journey was to be released one year ago, due to a change in production and producers the CD became more involved and more amazing in depth and sound quality. Five songs became six, new imagery developed, and new approaches to marketing and the release of the music planned,  'Between the Sun & the Moon' is now between final mixdown and mastering. The decision has been made to change the release date to 1/1/11. All will be revealed soon...

Selume proferre

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Tall Tales & Short Stories TIM KORRY Audio Recording Blog TAYLOR Studios 2010

Tall Tales & Short Stories

TIM KORRY Audio Recording Blog Week 23 TAYLOR Studios 2010



As I crunch through the brown grass, the wicked whipping wind dances around the decay of summer’s warmth and devotion. Smelling the disintegrating fall leaves reminds me of how long the recording of Between the Sun and the Moon has endured. What was once the warm green blooming spring has now become shivery, solemn, and still. The final mixing and mastering phase will begin tonight and continue throughout the Halloween weekend. Jeff Taylor and Andy Kolp will be adjusting the sonic landscapes and introducing the proper amount of magic and focus.


I will meet with artist John Hansen to talk about the cover art tonight. His work is fantastic, dark, and dreamy…. just the right combination to represent the music on this CD. My new fascination with goth and steampunk fashion is beginning to show and will probably reflect in the rapidly approaching photo shoot. A new logo is in the process of being designed that centers around the Kanji dragonfly symbol. The dragonfly was chosen because it symbolizes depth of character, power and poise, defeat of self created illusions, living in the present, and the opening of one’s eyes. This symbolizes a shift in the direction of the music and the musician.

Mutatis mutandis.

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EQUAL NIGHT- TIM KORRY Audio Recording Blog Week 22

EQUAL NIGHT- TIM KORRY Audio Recording Blog Week 22

I started this week’s blog under the full harvest moon and during the Autumnal Equinox, a strange and powerful moon. The skies are blue, there is a slight chill in the air, and leaves are beginning to change and spin to the earth. The studio experience strangely appeared to follow right along with the shift in seasons. This adventure began last spring, the songs and accompanying experiences advanced throughout the summer, and the final creation will be ready for harvest within weeks.



More texture was added to the crowning song with a melodic ringing guitar track gliding over the choruses and waves of tribal drumming. TAYLOR Studios advised in arranging some the previously recorded pre-production symphonic lines. A little smoothing out was needed while still maintaining the songs simplicity and vibe. The following studio session resulted in a trippy reversed reverb guitar layer affixed to the final verse in “Under a Wishing Well”. Impromptu vocals sprang up out of this session as well.



I am looking forward to a much-needed vacation to St. Augustine, FL as this project comes within weeks of a finale. Ultimate production decisions will begin the second week of October. We will also be discussing the forthcoming music video. As the sun lights the moon and the moon pulls the tide, we are pulled another step closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. Between the Sun and the Moon….


Click for Pics


“See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls.” – Mother Teresa

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Artifex. Tractum. Accendo. Week 21-TIM KORRY Audio Recording at TAYLOR Studios

Artifex. Tractum. Accendo.

The song was written in the shadows of pain and fear, but now gives a sense of light and peace… Work began on the final song for the ‘Between the Sun & the Moon’ CD this week. The home pre-production tracks were used in entirety, but cleaned up very nicely by TAYLOR Studios. ‘Under a Wishing Well’ was finally emerging from the dark recesses of past tribulations and the writings that were inspired by that specific moment in time. Now the cobwebs have been cleared and dust blown away like an old book waiting to be opened for the first time.




It’s always funny to get a reaction to the title of a song compared to it’s meaning. I saw this reaction in Jeff’s face when I explained that ‘Under a Wishing Well’ is actually about being trapped under water, looking up at the sky through the ripples, under a wishing well. It’s a sort of wishing from the other side. The dreamy strings and tribal drums represent the flow of the clear illuminated water above. This explanation was not quite what he expected, but that’s how abstraction is at the end of the day. Final guitar work begins in just a few hours.



I met with a couple of artist and friends in my ‘Backyard Zen Garden’ late on a Friday afternoon around a chimenea fire with swirling incense in the air and cold German beer in the cooler (Yes, that’s the combination). Local artists Thom Fell and John Hansen were in attendance and in prime conversational contour. I wanted to talk about creating an image for this upcoming CD & website, but something more primal and honest came out in its place. The exchange was delightful, raw, honest, and controversial. We talked for hours about life, beliefs, and the future. We had real conversation on art, textures, styles, etc…everything is built on art. “Creatives need to step up and show the way”, exclaimed Thom as he also acknowledged that artists need administrative help... Ha! That was funny, true, and close to home. “Who will be the next Picasso, Warhol? How do you change history? Is it possible to build a real and constructive (not destructive) artist community?” The fire burned on both figuratively and literally as raccoons chewed on corn around the perimeter. We continued the conversation until almost 2AM. A real feeling of artistic community and enlightenment began that night with three people of different backgrounds and approaches to art in it’s different forms. This wildly raw and candid evening ended with a spontaneous prayer… and unexpected but fitting way to end such honest conversation. I look forward to continuing the conversation …



See pics here




The Art of War Sun Tzu: It does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and the moon, nor does it take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap. Wisdom is not obvious. You must see the subtle and notice the hidden to be victorious.

æquinoctium -TIM KORRY Audio Recording Blog-Week 20 at TAYLOR Studios

æquinoctium

The change of seasons is slowly penetrating the stratosphere as we head into week 20 of recording. We are not only seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, we can feel it. Drum loops were meshed with properly toned V-Drums. A sort of funky Duran Duran with a heavy groove jazz kit was worked on for several hours. Drum loops are great if used in the proper style along side an actual drum kit. Heavy power and soul can be achieved with real sampled drums alongside of musicians playing authentic percussion. I am looking forward to working with more world instruments, musicians, and loops in future recordings.

Outside the studio, we took a field trip back to the Bristol Renaissance Fair for a final dusty fall-like weekend. We were regaled with the magnificent and hilarious sea shanty tunes (ya man, I dig sea shanties) of my friends The Bounding main. Hanging out with fellow musicians and their families, we drank up the welcoming atmosphere as we walked closely below the looming shadow of the coming fall.

I had left the studio with the possibility of a sitar or bagpipe addition to the song ‘9Sticks’. I found, on returning, that Jeff had worked up a majestic and distant bagpipe arrangement in the breakdown section of the song. The segment was reminiscent of a John Paul Jones/”Over the Hills and Far Away” voicing and vibe. Perplexing mathematical equations were calculated in order to produce the correct amount of tonal magic on this track. The astronomical change in the season is marked by the position of the earth and sun. The recording of 'Between the Sun & the Moon’ should be completed by the autumnal equinox.

“Creativity comes from awakening and directing men's higher natures, which originate in the primal depths of the uni- verse and are appointed by Heaven.” - I Ching

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TIM KORRY Week 19- Under A Wishing Well Recording Blog TAYLOR Studios 2010

TIM KORRY Week 19- Under A Wishing Well Recording Blog TAYLOR Studios 2010


Posted on September 1, 2010

Walking off a hazy pathway in search of the next step, I feel light as a feather but stiff as a board. Changes in the studio dynamic and the elusive “light at the end of the tunnel” become revealed. My mind races… full of possibilities… Drums and percussion are nearly completed and production has commenced. Jeff had tightened up the loops and programmed the drum settings for the almost finished ‘Light as a Feather’. The ‘Hey Jude’/Black Crowes/Procol Harum sounding finale had been lifted to majestic heights thanks to the Bonham-like drum fills and sweet leslie of the Hammond organ.



I learned that TAYLOR Studios had made the decision to include an extra song on the CD due to a phone call earlier in the day. Some encouragement from outside sources had set the scene for the release of an instrumental that’s been bangin’ around my head for the last decade, just recently conjured and performed. ‘Under a Wishing Well’ will be the sixth and final song on the ‘Between the Sun and the Moon’ CD and the first instrumental I’ve made public.



A recess from the studio setting inspired another trip on the vintage pedal pusher for a shiny summer spin. Soaking up the sun and fresh country air on the White River bike trail is a great break from the confines of a darkened studio. Bridges, vistas, farmlands, and towns dot the plains of this southern WI stretch of limestone. Riding down the old railroad bed straight into the heart of Americana, I was transported back to a simpler time at the restored Pedal & Cup Depot, now an oasis on a sunny August afternoon. The idea of it all doesn’t sound very rock band like, but sometimes just a rocking chair on an old porch can be extraordinary.



Back in the studio, ‘9Sticks’ is next on the list for rhythm arrangement and experimentation. A reverse reverb was added to a Southern rockin’ blues guitar riff, played over the top of a classically finger picked nylon stringed intro. That’s a mouthful, but the bluesy psychedelic stringing sounds as if it’s “sucking through a vortex” according to the producer. Dreamy, slinky, and enticing…this may be the song for the upcoming video. Further audio exploration is on the horizon in this next coming week. Now begins the phonic production passage…

Purple grass below.

Black-eyed Susans stand taller.

The sky is endless.

Liza Taylor

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RETROGRADE- Week 18 - TIM KORRY- Audio Recording at TAYLOR Studios

Mercury Rx


The full moon is up. The drums on ‘Retrograde’ are nearly complete. We pass through the cycle of mercury in retrograde. The stage is being set for the next phase. Talk of the next step beguiles us.

A birthday party was held, for a friend from Belize, more extravagant than some wedding receptions. The good people of Belize and Columbia do not fool around when it comes to festivity. Food, drink, live music, DJ’s, and dancing were everywhere under the moonlit tent. The night was intoxicating and pleasurable, but somewhere beneath the luminous sky, things diverted into delirium and uncertainty. The bizarre tropical rain that soaked me to the bone at the previous nights jaunt to Milwaukee’s Irishfest was unusually unyielding, but the strange events continued on this clear nebulous night. After arriving back home, a glass patio table spontaneously shattered into tingling square crystals. House keys were misplaced, spare change jangled to the ground, and a sitting Buddha tumbled to the turf as a chill swelled in my twilight filled backyard Zen garden. The once vigorous night became unnerving and unhinged. Maybe there is something to this retrograde phenomenon. Communications, progress on projects, and relationships all seemed to beset with blockages. Well, this is ironically what the song is about…


Luckily the next sunny day, seeing The Red Hot Chili Pipers and Wolfhounds back at Irishfest, outshined the last two days of peculiar experiences. Tis always a great time with friends and great entertainment…


Back at the studio, the last guitar tracks for the project were recorded. The nylon stringed finger-picking intro to ‘9Sticks’ was crowned with a trippy Southern Rock blues lick. Drum tones formulated, loops refined, mixes introduced. The stage is being set for the next phase. Talk of the next step beguiles us.

Psalm 34:7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

See Pics Here

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The Moon (Storm before the Calm)- TIM KORRY-Week 17- Audio Recording at TAYLOR Studios

Keith Moon is alive and well and living inside the upcoming EP ‘Between the Sun & the Moon’. No, it’s not about Keith Moon, but a few tunes give a direct “hats off” to the drum legend. TAYLOR Studios brought this specific sound to the title track during the recording sessions this week. A ferocious double kick and tom barrage support the unrestrained guitar crunch, deep down bass pump, and retro Beatle-esque harmonies. The middle build up section of the song also contains a wicked John Bonham style stomp.




Jeff produced a magnificent string arrangement on the song ‘Always’, mostly completing the tune. We could not make it past the solo guitar tone sticking point altogether. Apparently I am hearing something that the other people in the room are not. Every studio situation involves a bit of give and take after all, it’s just a bit draining and I’m feeling the strain towards completion. After an ardent and fiery discussion we paused for a light and amusing dinner at a place called Barnacle Buds. This seemed like a great place to unwind outside along the waterway. At one point, we actually broke into a three-part harmony of a Beatles song at the table (which is a good thing unless you are in church or something). This created a minor disturbance in the rowdy dinner crowd, but was a much needed catharsis and regeneration of focus.



We all agreed that some of the final drum bits would be executed and sorted out without the writer hovering over the console. This means a little break for me and less pressure in the studio for a spell. The word in the studio is that we may be finished with this CD in the next two weeks. As we advance into this next week, plans are made for upgrading and revamping my personal studio. I am very much looking forward to working on future pre-production in a substantial soundproof space.

For Pics Click Here

“I told people I was a drummer before I even had a set, I was a mental drummer.”-Keith Moon

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Week 16 - Wear and Tear- TIM KORRY- Audio Recording at TAYLOR Studios-Summer 2010

Feverishly scribbling verses and rhyme under the moonlight, as almost in a trance, inaugurated week 16 of this recording blog. Three pages were written continuously as the candlelit incense swirled around the pen. The night would end in a conversation about white light and spiritual protection. Little did I know that the conversation would come back around later in the week when my friend Thom from the Kenosha/Racine Arts Network stopped by for an idea session that turned out to be a mixture of planning and paranormal discussion. Seemingly two unrelated things, however I’m not decided about that notion. Cmac, drummer for the band, had visited earlier in the week offering suggestions connecting the band with Hamburg and abroad. A lot of splendid ideas had boomeranged and discharged through the night air this past week.


Solo guitar tones for the song ‘Always’ were labored on, not knowing if they would have to be re-recorded. The partial re-drumming of ‘Light as a Feather’ began with some rhythmic exploration by Jeff Taylor. The cross between the marching snare, Egyptian darbuka loops, and rock drums are proving to be an interesting foundation for the backdrop of this song.

Stepping out with some friends, I can tell you that the Keane show in Milwaukee this past week was absolutely fantastic. Not only was the music and energy great, but they were the nicest, most humble, and appreciative band I’ve ever seen. Right on Keane (Don’t listen to your Brit critics).

Drums were finalized on ‘Always’ and a swelling string arrangement was added by JT. We are not in full agreement, at the time of this writing, about the guitar tones but it will be sorted out in the next few days. Many times differences between the styles of producers and artists unveil themselves more towards the conclusion of a project. Now is the time to have a critical ear and to focus on completion. We are heading solidly toward the destination, but I feel the process is wearing on me. TAYLOR Studios is doing most of the physical work at this point, but there is a lot of emotional/spiritual/mental drain on my end. The pressure of perfecting the CD in it’s truest feeling, promotion, social media, visioning, writing, and booking has me feeling like I am drowning…

“We are drowning in information while starving for wisdom” Edward O. Wilson


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TIM KORRY- Interview II- 2010 Audio Recording at TAYLOR Studios

Image by timkorry via Flickr

Rock Musician Tim Korry - The Fresh Coast's Favorite Son
http://www.freshcoastmusic.com/
by Liza Taylor




Tim Korry is taking the Fresh Coast by storm. His enchanting music and thought- provoking lyrics are proving to audiences that Tim is a songwriter and entertainer who is shooting to new heights in the independent music realm.



Tim has always thought of himself as an “old soul” just trying to get his feelings out to the world through his music. He describes himself as “somewhere between heart and soul and glam- rock, somewhere between pot roast and caviar.”



Tim’s stage presence incorporates “a bit of the flamboyant.” On any given night, you may see him in a frilly poet shirt and one of his prized hats, complete with plenty of jewelry and lots of dark ‘guy- liner’. His look can be plenty edgy too when he’s in that mode. Tim thinks it is important for a rock band to look different than most people out in their audience, so he shies away from the typical tee shirt and jeans look on stage. “If I could dress like that every day and get away with it—I certainly would—my style would be that of electric vampire psychedelic warrior,” he says with a grin.



Tim Korry began playing drums and percussion at a young age when he lived in Miami. He soon found that guitar was his real love and has been perfecting his guitar- playing, songwriting and vocal style ever since. Some of Tim’s greatest musical influences include rock bands The Beatles, U2, Stereophonics and Coldplay; along with classic Blues greats B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Tim views his music as “feet in the dirt, head in the sky”… which means it is grounded but eclectic, and leaves the listener wanting to hear more. “It’s about knowing where you’re at and knowing who you are, and always wanting more and always wanting to learn more, and trying to put that out there in the music. The listener is going to hear loud rock and roll, electronic, and a little hint of World Music with some loops thrown in. Every song is a work- in- progress. Depending on who is playing with me and the mood at the moment, it can always be different and that’s what makes it interesting… and raw… and sonic.” Tim is adamant to ask why people listen to things that are force- fed to them on T.V. or the radio. “Why not choose for yourself on what you want to listen to and what you think is good instead of saying, ‘Oh my God… I saw that on American Idol’?”



Tim has played and collaborated with numerous rock bands over the years. He is definitely a crowd- pleaser— fronting animated and intense guitar and vocal performances… and always giving it his all. He draws the audience in with his voice and is, not to mention, extremely easy on the eyes. Tim’s ultimate goal is to bring joy into the world through his music. “It’s really hard sometimes to bring something really good and creative and positive into the world instead of following a formula that everybody knows is just going to sell tee shirts. It’s much more of a challenge to bring something creative and different to the table.” His five year plan is to have his music reach people all over the world. “I just want the music to get out there somehow and everyone to listen to it. It would be great to get my music into movies or T.V too—just more exposure for the music. I want to reach people and have them listen to it and if they dig it—all the better.”



When you see the Tim Korry rock band in concert, you will experience a band comprised of solid and diverse musicians. “Any cats I play out with are going to be solid—they’re solid on music, they’re solid on God—even though we may all be different colors and think differently, we all come together in this one thing and that’s what makes it beautiful and real.” Tim would like each concert to be a culmination of pleasing sensory stimuli, including a large screen with projected creative images and footage, incense and belly dancers. He also envisions occasional guest musicians with a flare for unique instruments.



Currently, Tim is tweaking his self- recorded EP “Between the Sun and the Moon” with some production and post- production taking place at the Fresh Coast’s own TAYLOR Studios in Milwaukee. The EP should be released and available for purchase by end of August. Next will be work on a music video and then on to bigger things. Tim says he is constantly writing new songs and will need to begin recording those as well. He is relentless in his musical endeavors… and it shows in his product. It won’t be long before he has swept through the Fresh Coast on his way to the East and West coasts. For more information about Tim and his music, please visit http://www.timkorry.com./

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FLOOD & FIRELIGHT- TIM KORRY-Week 15 Audio Recording- TAYLOR Studios

Image via Wikipedia

Clouds and lightning, low and sweeping, passed overhead like an army treading over a bloody battlefield. Wind and rain began to pound and roar as we added some vocal slap back to ‘Light as a Feather’. Lights flickered and streets flooded as work at TAYLOR Studios continued through the storm. I’m hoping the unusual weather is somehow a good omen. A cool and creepy reverse reverb ala ‘Poltergeist’ was added to a distant background vocal somehow making the weather and the vibe of the song one. Four other songs were scanned for missing parts and much needed odd bits. There are a few guitar tracks to be re-tracked and the drums tracks will need the appropriate horsepower.

 Photoshop was used on a scattering of pictures for a soon to be released interview about the recording of this CD. I think some sort of Celestial Goth look is budding in the back of my mind underneath this audio recording process. I’ve never been opposed to eye makeup or poet shirts anyway…I am told the FRESH COAST MUSIC site will have the full interview posted soon. Jeff tells me of his plans to assist in the revival of an odd musical instrument called the Janko piano. According to the people in the know, the keyboard makes more sense than using the traditional black and white keys of a regular piano. My interest in this strange device began to peak as things began to wind down for the week.

 Ignoring the insane thunderstorms and flooding from the night before, we decided to keep our camping plans with an old band mate and his wife. The trip proved to be full of recreation, wit, and suds as a camping trip with musicians usually is. After another pounding night of rain (Thankfully I was sleeping due to our friends at Spaten) the weather cleared and brightened. The weekend was a pleasant break from the inside of a recording studio on a Saturday afternoon. As some old Peter Gabriel Genesis and Ian Gillan’s Deep Purple played by the firelight, I began thinking of the upcoming drum and guitar work still needed on this project. We will be back to busy soon, but I’m pleased to know that we can break the rhythm of everyday life to hang loose with good friends around a campfire. 
  
     The fire is the main comfort of the camp, whether in summer or winter, and is about as ample at one season as at another.  It is as well for cheerfulness as for warmth and dryness.  ~Henry David Thoreau


Click here for Pics!

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TIM KORRY Interview Summer 2010 Audio Recording at TAYLOR Studios

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“Hey Tim, it’s a pleasure to meet you …”“You too … thanks!”

“It’s beautiful outside today, are you ready for the summer here in Milwaukee?” “Yeah, I think I’m ready for the summer, I’ve had enough of winter … this is my favorite time of year, being a Florida boy.”

 “Oh, so you’re not originally from Milwaukee?”“No … from Florida, I’ve lived in Wisconsin a few times so I know what’s it’s like. I’m a little bit a traveler, I’ve lived in Ohio, the Midwest, and all that jazz, but I do like Florida quite a bit.”

“What brought you here to Milwaukee to pursue Rock music?”“Well for start, my dad’s job brought us here after I graduated from High School, down in Cooper City, Florida. We moved here because my dad is a pastor, who came here on an internship to become a Chaplain. Soon enough, I co-founded a local rock band, began developing myself as a musician, and have been here ever since.”

“The word in the music industry is that you are the next upcoming artist in Milwaukee, Chicago, and throughout the Midwest … how do you feel about that?”“Umm, I feel pretty good about that (humbly said) … but getting attention is the hardest thing to do as far as the music scene goes. It’s not hard to write it, and it’s not hard to play it, and it’s not hard to live it, but it’s hard for other people to be exposed to it. As much as a place says they support local music and local rock bands, it’s not necessarily true. It’s very hard for a lot of good bands to have a voice and be heard.”

 “Let’s back track a little bit. What gave you the idea one day to wake up and say you wanted to be a musician and a songwriter?”(he laughs)
“Well, it started out with the Beatles actually, when I was about eight I used to play along with my dad’s 45 records to “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” on some pots near the record player, and a few years later, my parents must of seen me kind of moving towards that or something. So one day, I was sitting down with my dad watching Solid Gold, and he said “Why don’t you become a rock star?”, and I was just floored … “really? Ok”. So a few years later I went the normal route with the Elementary School band and High School band thing and I was a drummer. It just sorted out that I played the guitar later on, but I always remembered my dad saying “Hey, why don’t you go be a rock star”, which was the weirdest thing for a parent to say.” 
“Your style of music is like a unique mix of U2, Stereophonics, and Oasis, totally raw and pure. Throughout your life, who were some key artists that influenced you to develop your sound?”

“I would say aside from the Beatles, who I still follow very closely, other influential musicians would be Jimi Hendrix, Steve Ray Vaughan, Jeff Buckley, T-Rex, David Bowie, and the whole glam scene … I like the harder edgier stuff as well too, Stone Temple Pilots … down to Thrash Metal sometimes, it depends on the day, or just break out the Mozart! Lately, I’m really, really diggin on the World Music scene. Peter Gabriel really brought that out with his Real World Studios and his WOMAD Music Festival he throws every year ... I just admire that a lot. I love various music from around the world … I think listening to it makes one a way better and more informed musician than by only listening to the radio. Just search it out, you know, music from North Africa, Ireland, China or Bollywood - it’s just way more interesting.” 

“What genre or genres of music do you consider your music to fall under?”“In general, I consider it to be Rock, but with more of a trippy-groove type feel. I would like to move into the World Music area and have other people perform with us that play more ethnic sort of instruments, move into the Dance and Electronic area, add some heavy guitar into that, and maybe some African drums or didgeridoo. Overall, I guess I would have to say Rock, or very loud singer/songwriter tripped out sort of thing.”

 “On a day to day basis, what inspires you to pick up a guitar and write your own songs?”Basically, silence … especially when I am outside, I find that I write better music when everything is quiet, and I can hear the guitar, vocals, drums and melody in my head. Being a musician and a songwriter, I think music comes from God, so I couldn’t take credit for anything I wrote. I just try to listen to whatever’s going on in there, and if I can write it down, it will all sort out later with words, lyrics, or whatever’s missing ... that’s just the way it happens. It’s nothing that I think of, it just happens.” 

“You have an empowering voice when you sing. Is there a particular singer out there that influenced your vocal sound?”“The easy one to go with would be Bono. Secondly, I would say Jim Morrison, Michael Hutchence, and Peter Gabriel.”

 “What is your vision? What are you trying to accomplish with your music and songwriting?”“Hmm, I just want to get the songs out there. The people in Milwaukee and throughout the Midwest that have heard my music seem to really like it, and I would like to get it out to the masses so they can listen to it and enjoy it as well. I try not to write songs that are a drag, which would bring people down, I try to write song lyrics that make people feel good. You know music is powerful, you can get any type of emotion out of people if you want to, so why bring them down … I just want my music to be heard and make a decent living, it’s better than the day job, but most importantly it’s about having people hear us as Rock musicians, dig what we do, and make people feel good.” 

“Your look is edgy, yet collective. How would you describe yourself?”(he laughs)
“Well I have two different sides, well maybe’s there more than two … there’s definitely a dark vampire side to me – see we have a full moon that’s coming up this week and that’s really disturbing – there’s sort of a dark sort of witchy side, and there’s the other side too, the Christian guy side… it depends what day or what hour. As far as dressing goes, I prefer to dress kind of flamboyant if I have a chance, if I could all the time, oh yeah - it’d be out there, but you have to keep things kind of calmed down usually, so I do the kind of preppy look with earrings, tattoos, and eye makeup (he laughs). 

“I heard you’re a one man band. Is that true?”“Yes, for quite some time, but I’m primarily a guitarist and a vocalist. On the first record Music from Earth, I was a one man Rock band … I played the bass, keyboard, guitar and drum kit. Now I’ve got to a level where I have some real serious cats from Chicago that’ll play out with me who have serious world tours under their belts, and they’re a real blessing, they’re really cool. The way the songs are initially recorded is I just play everything myself and present it to whoever’s playing live. We take the basic structure, and groove out new directions.”

 “Often times, I see the Rock Band Rinocerotic linked with your name Tim Korry. Are you still involved with the band?”“Yeah I’m still involved. Maybe once a year, or once every few years, we’ll get together and rock out some live guitar, vocal, drum, and bass grooves. We just did kind of a ten year after-breaking-up reunion which went over pretty well here in Milwaukee. We had a good run with live performances through the 90’s I would say, and we made it pretty far playing on the Jenny Jones show, playing with BadFinger, Black Crowe’s Show, and Green Day. It was a great way to get my chops in, and figure out what to do and what not to do when I was playing at live rock venues. That was a great experience and it was fun for everybody involved. We like to relive the old days every few years and get together, whip it up, and pretend like we are seventeen again.” 

“Where do you record the majority of your songs nowadays?”“Well, there all done in the basement here in Milwaukee. I’m working on revamping the home studio thing, but right now it’s kind of bare bones in the basement. It’s just very simple recording software that I use for the most part, and that seems to be the easiest way, so if I come up with an idea for a guitar part, vocals, or have been wanting to work on something, I’ll go down there and just start playing … that’s about it.” 

“Are there any projects you are currently working on here in Milwaukee at the studio?”“I’m currently working on an EP called Between the Sun and the Moon, which I am very excited about, and also working with Taylor Studios here in Wisconsin.” 

“Who’s we?”“We is … well, mostly me I guess! (he laughs) I’m playing on the bass, guitar and drums, songwriting everything, and am the lead and main vocalist. I am getting help from a few key people such as Jeff Taylor, Liza Korry, and Stefania Beaufrand, but once again I’m playing and composing the majority of the music. As far as outside of the studio goes, I’m still writing and looking at some of the other songs that weren’t chosen for this EP because out of twenty-four songs, we’ve selected five, and now there’s about thirty-something or more, and they just keep coming. Some of them need to be re-worked, so I’m working on those previous songs and newer songs with a different direction than what’s going to be released.” 

“What is the album title of your next LP to be released here in Milwaukee?”“It’s called Between the Sun and the Moon. It’s somewhere between the dark and the light, it’s definitely got some titles on it that could be considered witchy – I’m not a witch - (we laugh) but the message is very positive … so it’s a follow up to Music from Earth, and I’m keeping it celestial on this one.”

 “Is there a release date planned for the album?”“Not right now, I think Taylor Studios and I are looking towards the end of the summer as far as a release.” 

“Out of the bunch, which two songs touch you the most and why?”“Boy … I like Light as a Feather a lot, and yeah you might may think, oh “light as a feather stiff as a board”… I guess initially that’s how that song just popped in my head one day. I had this weird idea in my head with a dub reggae bass, and a marching snare, and this trippy Jeff Buckley-ish sort of guitar. I think Light as a Feather contains a feeling of hope, realizing why you’re here, what’s really important, the fact that you’re not always going to be here, and one day you will be spirit moving up into something else … energy cannot die.

The other song Retrograde I like because it’s just kind of kooky. It starts out with this kind of break-dance beat, goes into a Ringo Starr rhythm, and then gets Beatles-y. It has a catchy little chorus. The song is about when Mercury moves into retrograde, and how it seems like everything gets so screwed up … everything, with communication and traffic, just gets slowed down. It’s that kind of a relationship-type song that seems like Mercury is in retrograde, and everything is getting all screwed up - but I can’t wait to see you when this is all over, and everything is sorted out … a sense of longing and hope. ”

“I hear that you are getting ready to shoot a major Red Cam Video at Taylor Studios here in Milwaukee. Have you decided on what song you are going to use?”“No I haven’t decided on the song yet, but I’m very excited about this entire project. This is the biggest video undertaking that I have ever been a part of, and I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t know what to exactly expect, but I know the capabilities of this studio. I don’t know when or what song we’re going to pick at this point in time … we have to wait until we are done finalizing the EP.” 

“These are some off the top of my head questions. Do you think you can hang? They’re not too crazy.”(he laughs)
“Yes! I wasn’t sure if that was a question …”
(he laughs) 

“Besides you being a songwriter, guitar player, drummer, vocalist, and musician, what type of music do you actually listen to … besides Rock?”“Oh that’s a good one. Right now I’m listening to this guy from India called Rabbi Shergill, I like listening to a lot Lebanese Belly Dance music (he laughs), I still like U2, but I like to get my ears out there and experience other things. I dig a lot of music from Ireland, Celtic sort of songs, I like Irish Folk music, I’m listening to a lot of Glen Phillips right now and a little less Rock type stuff … it could be Mozart or Beethoven one day, or I could be listening to Demon Hunter, Skindred or something like that.”

 “What is your all time favorite Rock Band?”“Now that’s really tough!” (he laughs)

“… Or you can narrow it down to two or three favorite bands.”“There are two that are just – well, there’s three, cuz they’re all very different. For one, Led Zeppelin is the ultimate Rock Band ever! The showmanship, and the guitar playing, and the songwriting – it still till this day cannot be touched by anyone; no matter how hard they try, or try to sound like them.

The next is the Beatles. They changed music forever and the songs can’t be touched, they are absolutely golden … the harmonies and just the way the music is arranged, everything is just phenomenal.

Then I would say another rock band that kind of changed music, especially in the recent decade is U2. They completely changed the guitar sounds for everybody that wasn’t playing heavy metal, and the way that people kind of approached the songs and all that … they just still impress the hell out of me.” 

“What is your all time favorite music artist?”“I’m a huge Neil Diamond fan! (laughing) I’ll just tell you straight off, I’ll go see Neil Diamond any day … talk about songwriting, that cat still puts on a show. So I’m gonna have to go with Neil Diamond.” 

“What about a singer?”“There are so many that I like so much, but I’m just a crazy Peter Gabriel fan. I love his voice, and how he uses it as an instrument, and how he uses it to create a particular feel. The words and lyrics don’t even have to make sense to me sometimes … he’ll just belt out something odd, and it just works perfectly with the song.”  

“What about a female singer?”“I would have to say I really dig Anne Wilson (he laughs), I mean her voice still kicks ass. Her voice is pure, and strong, and wicked. There are other female artists I like, but just right off the bat that pops into my head.” 

“What about songwriter?”“John Lennon … hands down.” 

“What about guitarist?”“Steve Ray Vaughan, not a doubt in my mind. I’m just the biggest Jimi Hendrix fan in the world, but I think Steve Ray Vaughan did what Peter Gabriel did to World music, and did it with Blues Rock. When he came out, this little white boy out of Texas, he brought out all the old guys from the 30’s and all that, who nobody had ever heard of, nobody ever gave them credit, nobody ever paid them, and he brought their names to the forefront. He’s like - listen, this is what I’m listening to, why are you not listening to them? You wanna see where I come from? – just look at it. I think that’s cool aside from him being just a really cool dude, an excellent guitar player, and like the best guitarist I can think of.” 

“What about a drummer?”“Drummer … ooouf. It’s somewhere between John Bonham and the crazy Keith Moon from The Who, because both of those guys played with such a natural feel. They just stomped on it! They weren’t going to drum clinics where they have all of this modern stuff we have. You could tell when Bonham would come up there and play with his hands on the drum set, this guy could feel it, this was natural and when that foot pedal came down, you were gonna know it. It’s the same with Keith Moon; I think he drummed faster than a machine gun or some crazy stuff like that - somebody measured it. You know it’s like these cats are just stellar … I mean they might of been a little out there here and there, but again, nobody can touch it.”

“What do you do for fun besides being a songwriter and musician in Milwaukee?”“I’m a cooking guitarist! I like to cook, I like to cook a lot … probably too much. I think that’s another way of expressing myself, a form of art that can have a cool effect. I don’t like to eat it per say, I just like to cook, it’s more fun.

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A DAY AT THE FAIRE- Week 14 EP Recording

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This week the whole crew listened to bristly mixes of the tunes thus far. I began writing a list of things that needed a bit of tweaking while smoking some ribs on the backyard grill after a week of work. Yes, it’s time to start getting critical with the songs, and there was something very wrong with ‘Between the Sun & the Moon’. The guitar and vocal tones were too thin, the drums needed more intensity, and the main vocal too clean. We need a mixture of Oasis, The Cult, The Beatles, Jet, and The Who (yes, it works together if you squish them together the right way), but we were getting something that sounded more like Wings…
I arrived at TAYLOR Studios to find Jeff already working on the problem. I furnished him with the original pre-production guitar tracks printed with the exact tones that were missing. After some wizardry at the controls, Jeff had nailed it with crunch-a-licious tonality and threw the appropriate “dirt” onto the main vocal line. The song came springing back to life like Lazarus, with a vengeance. It was time for a break as we strolled to the property where Jeff plans to construct a house. The grassy sunny lot on a tree lined street looks like a great location for “haunt”. Actually, the small cottage in the rear of the lot transmitted some sad creepy vibes. We were informed that an old couple formerly owned the shady chalet and I couldn’t help but wonder what may have transpired at this location or if the couple was really gone after all. My interest in parapsychology, the esoteric, and the invisible world made this a place of interest. Surely if this building is remodeled, I won't be coppin’ any z’s here…
The week came to a finale at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, a favorite hangout of mine. I dig how people can be themselves (or someone else) and express their individuality, character, and style without judgment at this large event. “Let your freak flag fly” eh? That’s about the last thing you would expect out of a conservative huh? One of the vendors suggested,” We are all family here”. I would have to agree as I saw people of every color, stature, creed, and conviction getting along and having a good time. We would all be much better off if we could treat each other this way outside of a fantasy situation. Until next week I bid thee farewell & Godspeed…
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LIGHT AS A FEATHER- Week 13 EP Recording

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Posted on July 13, 2010

‘Light as a Feather’ is a song that starts out like the landing of an extraterrestrial vessel in a sticky southern swamp. As it moves along, it picks up a mellotron choir voicing, a heavy marching drum groove, and a Hammond organ as it swirls into an anthemic wash of leslie, guitar, and harmony. Many of the pre-production tracks are being used but corrected, tightened, and finessed. I’m finding that “autotune” (one of my least favorite things in the world) is not so much auto but more manual and helpful for those odd peculiar notes. There will be no Akon or Lady Gaga vocals on this EP. Studio pluggins have made record engineering much easier and more accurate than even 15 years ago when we were using reels of tape and ADAT machines. The sound is sharper, but that in itself is dangerous for fear of sounding plastic and processed like a block of spreadable cheese.


Tabla and talking drum will be entering the picture soon. They will add a natural tribal earthy vibe to ‘Light as a Feather’ as I start to dive deeper into world/dance music. There was a bit of give and take between musician and producer in regards to samples over acoustic, keeping certain harmonies, gutar tones and textures, drum lines, and the old mellotron as opposed to a close sounding stereo vocal effect. Personally I have learned more at TAYLOR Studios than previous studio experiences, especially in the area of pre-delay and frequencies. Work began on ‘Between the Sun & the Moon’ with the tightening of the bass and drum sync and tweaking the existing guitar tracks. This was going to be a throw away song, but I was convinced to used it (not just because it is the title of the CD). I’m anxious to see how this track evolves. “My butt is falling asleep”, exclaims the engineer… Break time. Time to grab a Guinness and step outside for some air. Plans were made for the next studio engagement.


I found myself on a junket to a strange and enjoyable Saturday night. Liza and I were soon under a tent in a downpour with some good ex-cop friends, beer, food, and interesting conversations about Belgium, Croatia, and Germany. This was a boisterous and entertaining crowd indeed. After a brief scare of possibly losing my phone (the source of my crapulent pictures), we headed to party number two… somebody said something about mariachis….huh? We walked into the yard under the cover of darkness and rope lights to find a mariachi band playing with tenacity and might. This was my first exposure to a band of this kind, but I was very impressed with the musicianship, costumes, and vocals. “Besame Me Mucho” and “La Bamba” flowed through the night air and incited dancing and applause. George Bernard Shaw said, “A day's work is a day's work, neither more nor less, and the man who does it needs a day's sustenance, a night's repose and due leisure, whether he be painter or ploughman”. True…



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A Strangely Lit Zen Garden- Week 12

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Americana, Fireworks, Parades, Stars,
Politicians, Heat, Snow cones, People Watching, Beer,
Charcoal, Family, Nostalgia, Sunshine, Veterans, Patriotism,
Flags, Homegrown Vegetables, Banners, Classic Rock, Vintage Cars, Freedom

I steered toward the studio anxious to see which musical bits of the new songs would further evolve. This is the beauty of studio production. The bass line for the song ‘Always’, played by the famous Timmy Wolf, was tightened and given more depth, internet plans brainstormed and secured, and rough test mixes of three songs were concentrated on and critiqued. ‘9Sticks’ and ‘Retrograde’ are sounding capacious and phenomenal due to the clever production and engineering at TAYLORStudios. The initial break-dance beat that leads into ‘Retrograde’ interlaced well with Vox, Orange, and Marshall amp tones. Song structures were tonally deconstructed and reconstructed for ultimate sonic outgrowth. There are a few more experimental bits to add to the textural landscapes of the EP, but we are quickly moving into the mixing and production portion of the recording process. Break time at the studio is a great time for reflection and a rest for the ears, although there is the occasional rumble and whistle of a passing train.
For some downtime, Liza and I met a few friends down by the Milwaukee lakefront for what I like to call “The worlds largest broken record”. All had fun, but we high tailed it out of Dodge when the mass of humankind hit later that evening. I prefer crowds when on stage.
I became the proud owner of a primo vintage style pedal pusher bike this week that I will enjoy every chance I get. It really helps to have a bike when one digs biking so much. Thick white wall tires, fenders, spokes, and reflectors… Sweet. Much of the non-studio downtime of the holiday weekend was spent biking and enjoying the outdoors in the backyard strangely lit Zen garden of sorts where I like to write.
The 4th of July was composed of a downtown parade and grilling a strange Cajun/everything in the pot dinner I created while camping the previous year. Congressman Paul Ryan, a politician that I actually dig, was in the hometown parade. I think it’s a positive thing to see a Washington politician take part in this public display of patriotism and promotion of American values. The parade and the dinner were somewhat similar in that both were filled with lots of different ingredients that came together in a spicy, salty, colorful, fragrant dish... Freedom. I’m glad I have the right to say something that corny.
As a write this and crank some Zeppelin, I am reminded of the fact that we can experience all of these things because of the founding fathers and the 4th of July. Make sure you thank a veteran that you know for all the rights that other people can only dream of.
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/

Week 11- CRACKLE & LIGHT

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CRACKLE & LIGHT

Cricket lessons from a good Austrailian friend launched week 11. Let’s be specific though… French Cricket. I’m trying to avoid a sticky wicket with the hardcore cricketers that follow this blog (I know there are so many).  I am anxious to become more versed in the game and visualize becoming a better batsman in the future… strange start to the week.

I am always amazed at how an idea from an invisible source can become incarnate and tangible. It is both a blessing and a mystery. This week unveiled a small light at the end of the EP recording tunnel. The first glimpse of post-production came into view yesterday as we set acoustic guitar tracks for the song ‘Always’. My home pre-production had been transformed into the first rough mix of a song that bounced out of my head last summer. TAYLOR Studios is steadily working their musical alchemy on this harmonic design and I am looking forward to finishing and hearing the other songs. Work on ‘9Sticks’ begins tomorrow.

On another note, the pc in my home studio appears to be succumbing to the digital demon living inside of it. There is something far more evil than suspected in that low continuous groan emanating constantly from my monitors. This is not a good thing as far as recording the new ideas that are backing up inside my noggin… But alas, I am not a pc exorcist. Time for a new home studio computer… Any suggestions are appreciated (find me on Twitter, Facebook, Here).

FRESH COAST ENTERTAINMENT interviewed me this past week making it the second EP dialogue in a few short weeks. Both interviews were conducted before a full moon. Hmmm…. I’m looking forward to seeing how the online magazine represents the conversation. More marketing and branding sessions are springing out of conversation during studio breaks. Thirsty, yearning, enthusiastic… Patient?
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