IAR News Feed

Legendary Artist Gary U.S. Bonds at IAR

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:54:00 GMT

On Tuesday, June 3rd, students in IAR’s Recording Workshop (RW) laid down tracks with a special guest artist, Gary U.S. Bonds. The renowned performer and songwriter has a long list of accomplishments in rhythm and blues and rock and roll. He was one of the most influential artists in the 1960’s with hits such as New Orleans, Quarter to Three, School Is Out, Dear Lady Twist, School Is In, and Twist, Twist, Señora. His later work includes collaborations with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and Steven Van Zandt who were fans of Bonds when they were developing their musical grooves. The RW instructor, Dan Grigsby, has brought other renowned artists to record at IAR, including Latin bassist John Benitez and George Clinton’s pianist Axel Tosca. Grigsby notes about Bonds’ recent appearance that “The students were so psyched. Here’s a guy who’s been in the industry forever. He’s a survivor and a celebrity but down to earth and fun, and still does his craft at a high level.”

IAR students recorded Gary, who was accompanied by his wife and daughter, as they tracked background vocals to the song “Rudy”, written by George Thiess. Beyond learning the best techniques for mic placement, using the board and Pro Tools, students witnessed how a major artist with decades of recording experience creates music in the studio and collaborates with a producer and engineer. “The students start thinking ‘I can do this. I can really do this’,” said Grigsby. IAR student Bryan Wilson remarked, “I loved being in the studio and seeing Gary and Dan work and interacting with them. When we got to mix it down, it really came together. It was an awesome experience.” For more information on Gary U.S. Bonds, visit garyusbonds.com.

DIY: Ableton Live 7 Demo

Thu, 29 May 2008 10:24:00 GMT

On Wednesday, May 21st, IAR hosted a demonstration by Ableton of their popular music production and performance software, Live, version 7. Ableton Live has become a full-service production tool for making music with the computer. The affordable package includes a variety of creative elements, such as multi-track recording, MIDI sequencing, many built in instruments and effects, and video capabilities. Ableton first explained the basic setup to run the program and what external gear is needed. Students participated in the demonstration by tracking vocals and guitar into Live, and then were taught to use functions such as warping and automation in real time. They were then shown the seemingly endless options for editing, effects, processing, and producing and Dave Hill, Ableton USA General Manager, said, “You’re collecting bits of audio and arranging it later. This is like pre-production work.”

Ableton Live has lessons and tutorials built into the program so a user can learn or refresh on any tool while using the program. Students were also shown how DJs use Ableton Live for their gigs. Dave Hill and Sam Walker of Ableton provided advice for best use with Apple and PC computers and were impressed with the depth of questions IAR students had covering sampling and chopping and comparisons to Reason software. Tekserve was also at the session and offers great deals to IAR students on the ‘latest and greatest’ hardware and software products including Ableton Live, and each student left with a free trial version of Ableton Live to explore.

DIY: DJ Workshop at IAR

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:30:00 GMT

On Tuesday, April 29th IAR hosted one of its ‘Do It Yourself’ events covering DJing. IAR alumnus and accomplished DJ, Nicholas Bivona aka DJ REACT, came back to IAR to provide students with the basics of DJing. Nicholas works at Sirius Satellite Radio as a board operator and has worked as a DJing teacher. He also DJs up and down the east coast at private events and clubs.

DJ REACT started the seminar with a demonstration of his talent spinning and scratching on turntables. He gave a brief history of his DJing career and advised students about working in the music industry. He then brought students up and had them surround him as he showed them different techniques. From the most basic steps to complex patterns and improvisation, students were shown visually and audibly how DJs create their art. Moves such as a baby scratch, tear, chops, hamster, chirps, flares and the crab were demonstrated and then IAR students stepped behind the mixer and turntables to try for themselves. Nick spoke about ‘beat mixing and trick mixing’ and the importance of counting bars to stay on time and tighten up overall technique, “You don’t have to use crazy techniques to sound good. Using the basics melodically will be crazy.” DJ REACT gave his opinion on different equipment and internet resources to use when building their libraries of music, “I have playlists for everything, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, Club Hits, Bad Boy Records. Organize it with iTunes and know everything.” For more information on DJ REACT visit myspace.com/deejayreact.

IAR Students Perform at NYC Club

Thu, 01 May 2008 12:42:00 GMT

On Tuesday, April 15th, IARecords hosted its sixth Next Level competition at Arlene’s Grocery in Manhattan. The Next Level showcase is a two-part event open only to IAR students. First, students submit their original music to be evaluated by IAR staff. Those selected compete live on stage at Arlene’s Grocery in lower Manhattan. The winner is determined by audience votes and receives a $1,000 credit towards either Disc Makers or Guitar Center. The second part of the Next Level brings all of the students who performed at Arlene’s Grocery into the recording studio to record a song for IARecords’ Next Level 5 album, which will be mixed and released later this year.

Arlene’s Grocery was packed with IAR faculty and staff, the artists’ friends and family, and students. Nine competitors took the stage to perform one song, with the genres ranging among rap, R&B, pop, heavy metal, and soul and funk. The variety of performers and high level of professionalism and talent distinguished this event over previous Next Level competitions. IAR student and Next Level participant Jer-Z remarked afterwards, “I just wanted to thank you guys so much for the opportunity to showcase my work in such a positive environment. I thoroughly enjoyed myself up there and the fact that the other acts were so impressive made for a well-rounded show!”

The winner of the Next Level 6 competition was Christina LaRocca and Heavy Weather, who performed her song ‘Fire.’ The Next Level competitors were T-Flame$ and the Funky Fresh Band, Unikson, Young & The Briz, Jer-Z, Christina LaRocca and Heavy Weather, Y.O. & B-Nice, Nameless & MindState Productions, The Crowning, and Karmen Michael. Congratulations to all competitors and thank you to all IAR student-artists who submitted.

Ghosthorse Releases New Album 'Ksa'

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:07:00 GMT

Native American music group Ghosthorse released their new album ‘Ksa’ which in the Indian language Lakota means ‘trouble.’ The album’s theme is ‘An essence of understanding through trouble or difficulty.’ IAR faculty member and engineer and producer Dan Grigsby, who has worked with gold and platinum selling artists including Keith Richards and Joe Cocker, makes up one part of the spiritual Ghosthorse trio with Charley Buckland and Tiokasin Ghosthorse.

Ghosthorse combines influences and instruments from native cultures such as the siyotanka and cancega with contemporary guitar and bass. The group’s sound has been characterized as a fusion of jazz and blues with the spirit of traditional American Indian folk music. The bulk of the album was recorded in Dan’s home studio in Manhattan. The song ‘The Prayer’ was recorded at Kampo Studios with artist Lisa Bodnar, and the song “Sunrising West” was recorded at Blue Ribbon Sound, both established studios in New York City. ‘Ksa’ has been written up in the Village Voice and the ASCAP publication Stepping Out Magazine and received a great response from fans like Patricia Bauduin who said, “This is the first time I am listening to music from Native American heritage. It is relaxing and spiritual and brings a lot of emotions out of me.” Ghosthorse performs at Native American events and festivals and for more information on the group and ‘Ksa’, check out ghosthorse.biz and myspace.com/ghosthorseksa.

“Oneowe Xenau” – Ghosthorse

IAR’s Audio For Pictures: Latest Awards

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:17:00 GMT

The Spring Audio for Picture (AFP) Awards Festival was a great success. The festival showcased audio/video projects from four IAR class sections, the most of any festival. Students were required to take a pre-existing video of their choice and recreate all sound effects, dialog, musical scores, and foley. The projects were limited to three categories based on time length: Short Format, Medium Format, and Long Format. The larger number of applicants yielded a very diverse and creative field of projects such as commercials for SAAB, Coke, and Playstation to short films and movies like Billy’s Balloon, Talladega Nights, Final Fantasy, and Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure. One submission, Godzilla, amused the crowd with character dialog done by IAR faculty gibing each other. For the first time, students addressed the audience about their projects, answering questions about their creative and technical decisions. Matt Crawford, the creator of the AFP version of Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, remarked, “It took about 30 hours of foley work alone, but the hardest part was doing Pee Wee’s voice. I actually had to pitch shift it to get it close.” This new element of the AFP awards format was extremely informative and exciting. A new award was introduced to the AFP, Judges Choice, which was given to the highest scoring project out of all three formats. Thank you to all students who submitted.

The Spring 2008 AFP Winners are:
Short Format Winner: Brian Finucaine, Wes Conroy
Short Format Runner-up: Kaycee Avwomapka
Medium Format Winner: Majid Afzali, Uygar Yucebas
Medium Format Runner-up: Catherine Morey, Anthony Ungaro, Philip Lazar
Long Format Winner: Matt Crawford
Long Format Runner-up: Carlos Altamarino, Manuel Lugo

Outstanding Achievement Awards:
Sound Editing & Sound Design: Uygar Yucebas, Majid Afzali, Thomas Ryan, John Rucker
Original Score: Ninjin Galsanbat
Music Editing: Ninjin Galsanbat
Script Supervision: Shawn Kuiper, Alice Kallenius
SFX: William Villane, Keith Schwendenmann, Chris Pena
Overall Production: Leah Carrero, Matt Crawford
Judges Choice: Majid Afzali, Uygar Yucebas

DIY: Building Your Own Studio

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:14:00 GMT

The ability to run a functional recording studio in one’s own home is becoming increasingly easy and cost efficient. Many IAR students are interested in having their own studios for personal as well as commercial uses. On Thursday March 27th, faculty member and engineer Mario Salvati (engineer on platinum selling album Electric Youth by Debbie Gibson among other achievements) conducted one of IAR’s DIY (“Do It Yourself”) seminars, “Building Your Own Studio.” Mario has built many studios for professionals and amateurs and each has had its own unique set of characteristics and needs. With the potential for limitless situations, Mario has narrowed the entire build-out planning process to two questions, “How late do you want to work?” and “How loud do you want to get?” The answers will determine everything that comes after: concept, isolation, tuning, monitoring, construction and ultimately cost. Mario provided constant examples throughout the lecture, “I built a studio in a building in a Manhattan business district and the guy was planning on working late. Since no one was around at night, he could get as loud as he wanted and didn’t have to spend as much time and money on sound isolation.” Students were given a thick pamphlet of instructions with extensive drawings and diagrams to help them understand some of the more complex issues. Mario explained how some courses in IAR’s curriculum came directly into play, such as frequency response and monitoring sound. Students used the seminar as a chance to ask a professional about their personal situations and problems, and Mario eagerly responded with ideas about what materials to use, where best to get them, and what issues may arise

Be an Artist and Have Your Own Label

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:25:00 GMT

On Thursday, March 20th IAR hosted a seminar for students with special guest speaker, Universal Music recording artist MYSELF. Akil Omari aka MYSELF, grew up in New Orleans, LA and was immersed in the jazz and blues music scene first from his parents who were active musicians and then as he developed into his own as an artist. Since moving to New York City, he has worked with famous artists such as The Roots, Dead Prez and R. Kelly, and he runs his own record label, fashion and jewelry company, Couture Music Wear.

MYSELF provided students with advice and knowledge about his history as an artist and what it takes to do it yourself. He discussed the steps he took along his career and the big decisions he had to make including relocating to New York City. In New York, he started out playing open mic nights, meeting managers and artists, and building a network of contacts and friends. This effort led to business relationships, albums, his own record label and his current distribution deal with Universal. MYSELF had many vital points he stressed to students and a recurring theme was that he loved what he was doing and the music he was creating and he was not motivated by the glitz and glamour seen on popular television. Being an artist and controlling the business aspect takes hard work and persistence and “You must be hungry for it. Popular artists such as Jay-Z, Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs, and Russell Simmons spent many tireless years building the success they have now.”

MYSELF answered all of the students eager questions covering copyrights, publishing, licensing, and the benefits for an artist in independent labels vs. major labels. Students cheered as MYSELF performed an acoustic set after the seminar and stuck around to chat one-on-one. Check out MYSELF at cdbaby.com/myself3.

Radio Show Kernel Panic Radio

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:03:00 GMT

Beyond studying audio engineering and music production, IAR’s students are avid music goers, musicians, songwriters, producers, performers, and DJ’s. They know the latest and hottest music playing on the radio and in the clubs and which popular artists and producers are working together. IAR student Ken Jones a.k.a. Kernel Panic, started a new show on IARadio called Kernel Panic Radio. The show’s format is geared towards profiling IAR students on what they are doing, learning and applying, and their goals and plans after graduation. Kernel Panic intends to cover IAR events as well and has begun a regular ‘Freestyle Friday’ series where students have the opportunity to freestyle live on-air during the show.

Kernel Panic is no rookie to radio DJing. In 2005, he was a co-host on Grindhard Radio 91.9FM WHUT, an independent Hip Hop radio station broadcast in Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and New Jersey. He also composes music and has a licensing deal with Warner Brothers Music, DSM Composers, which distributes his material out to television and film. Kernel Panic attended the Center for Media Arts for Audio Engineering but decided to come to IAR to “Upgrade my skills and learn the aspects of the business that I didn’t get previously. I have a better understanding of sound and equipment and it has changed my life. I’m older than most students and I gave up for a minute, but realized this was my passion and I went for it. It is paying off.”

IAR Student Signs Deal With VH1

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 09:05:00 GMT

New York-Based Music Production Company, Fire Productionz, today announced a Music Licensing Deal for producer Tom Colletti with VH1 for ‘The 13th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards’

New York, NY, January 6, 2008 – Tom Colletti’s beats will be playing live tomorrow night, Monday January 7, 2008, during ‘The 13th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards’ at 9:00 PM (ET). D.L. Hughley will be hosting the award show live from The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

The Critics’ Choice Awards are given out annually by the Broadcast Film Critics Association, honoring the year’s finest achievements in cinema. “This deal with VH1 is my way of starting 2008. I am happy to have been asked to work on such a prestigious event,” said Colletti.

The deal with VH1 comes only months after his landmark licensing deal with MTV & MTVt3rs for the reality show “Making Menudo.” This is yet another opportunity that has come about for the young producer and composer.

Tom currently resides in New York City, where he is a student at the Institute of Audio Research (IAR) in Union Square. In December 2007, he was featured in the monthly (IAR) TRACKS Newsletter.

On November 15, 2007, Tom was featured in a three-page article in the Staten Island Advance Newspaper. He is also producing a track for DJ Kay Slay’s Street Sweepers artist Big Lou for his Debut Album which will be released later this year.

For media interviews, general information, and other press opportunities on this multi-talented music producer, contact:

Anthony Colletti, Business Development Manager, Email Anthony