The Bandana Splits formed this year, and recorded their debut record at Saltlands. They spent four days in the studio with producer Sam Cohen of Apollo Sunshine. The record was engineered by Aaron Rutledge. All songs were recorded live with the girls singing and Sam playing guitar. All other instruments and background vocals were overdubbed.
The record is reminiscent of the girl groups of the 50’s and 60’s and is inspired by The Ronettes, The Caravelles, and The Andrew Sisters. This record has some sure to be hit original songs as well as an amazing cover of The Caravelles’ “You Don’t Have to Be a Baby to Cry” and an oh so sweet a capella rendition of a song that Lauren’s mother learned on her honeymoon.
Annie, Dawn, and Lauren have struck a sweet chord in our hearts. Visit their site!

Ithaca is a sonic exploration of raging parties, scenic road trips, and unconditional love affairs in the first decade of the 21st century.  LpFunk and the Cheerful Coloy’s LP was done at Saltlands Studio this past May.  It was engineered by Dawn Landes and second engineered by Aaron Rutledge. Visit their site and listen here.

Doveman does it at the studio.

Josh recorded some material for a few days at Saltlands, taking the upcoming album one step further to completion. He worked with Jim Smith (engineering) and Sam Kassirer (producing) to add mostly vocals and some horn and guitar overdubs.  WIthout giving away too much of the new record, we at least have to say that we’re excited with the arrangements of these new songs.  Such a terrific job by Josh and Sam in coming up textures that give a beautiful and original  blend of drive and grace .  When’s the release date, fellas?

This lovely band graced our studio with a terrific song off of their new record “Still Night, Still Light.”

Local Bushwick neighborhood band My Sister in 1994 made a very colorful new album which Jim engineered, co-produced, and mixed.  What a dynamic group!  They have achieved a balance of honesty and high energy, spearheaded by Donny’s ever intimate lyrics and raging poetic delivery.  It’s totally great to work with friends from the coffee shop!  This record is out!

The band Norden Bombsight had their debut release produced, engineered, and mixed by Jim.  They are a local act, a band that rehearses in the Saltmines down the hall. One exciting thing about this group is how prolific their output of material is.  They recorded nine songs with Jim but say they have already written twenty something more.  Their theatrical style lends itself to dramatic album concepts and eccentric tonal inflections as a whole.  Jim has been struck by the song “The Raven,” which has quite an immpressively dark edge in Rachel’s vocal performance. The song also has a piano sounding like an old haunted upright but is actually our baby grand, an engineering feat we are proud of.

Saltlands found a new good friend in Alexi Murdoch, a musician of fine taste in acoustic music.  His first project since his full length “Time Without Consequence,” Alexi’s EP “Towards the Sun” has more in store for the fans of his lush arrangements of rich simplicity and musicianship.  For these new tracks he came prepared with the acoustic guitar and vocal having already been recorded in analog in Vancouver, B.C., and continued with Jim as they spent a few weeks arranging, recording, and generally creating.  They worked out rhythm accompaniment instruments, featured and solo overdubs, background vocals, and ambient textures from various avenues of the imagination.  He occasionally brought in some musician friends to help out with the tracking of his horns.
The result of all this is immediately available, as an unofficial copy of the EP is being sold at shows along his tour this April!  It is also available …

Sam Amidon did a session this week!

Obits makes its new record!