Pay the Devil just released their third full-length album, Turn to Gold. This is the third time I’ve recorded with the band, this time playing drums on all of the tracks. I also recorded and mixed the project in my very own living room! We played a radio spot on WMSE in the weeks leading up to the release, and then played an absolutely raucous show on the release day, April 14th, a.k.a., Milwaukee Day, at Linneman’s Riverwest Inn. The full album is up on all major streaming platforms, so take a listen now!
My folkestra (folk orchestra) band, Whiskey Doubles, just released our second E.P. The 9-song Nightcap shows off the matured natured of the band as all of the songs were written specifically for this quartet. Our previous album, Honey Creek EP, by contrast, featured a few songs originally written for the now-defunct Of the North. Another change in this CD is that all parts were recorded simultaneously in a makeshift studio, as opposed to the individual track approach of our previous recording. I think we achieved a much improved sound through both the new songwriting and recording approaches, and couldn’t be more proud of the album.
Like Honey Creek EP, Nightcap features a variety of instrumentation. Because the tunes were recorded live, I do not do as much instrument doubling as have done before, but still alternate between cello, various percussion (spoons, snare, open snare, bass drum) and vocals. Other instruments in the recording include our signature folkestra blend of flute and clarinet, harmonium, guitar, banjolele, baritone ukulele, and the new addition of harmonica.
Nightcap is available on iTunes, can be streamed on Spotify, and we will have physical copies to sell at all of our shows!
Whiskey Doubles recorded two holiday tunes yesterday, all in a span of about 45 minutes. We used my new Focusrite 18i20 to record 6 simultaneous channels in my living room. I spent about an hour mixing each song, designed a quick cover photo for it, and we published less than 24 hours after recording! This is definitely how we’re recording our next effort.
Whiskey Doubles debut effort, Honey Creek EP, is now available on iTunes and Spotify! We recorded, mixed, and mastered everything ourselves and are incredibly proud of it.
I got a little crazy at Of the North’s last set at Bremen Cafe in Riverwest. I set down the cello for a song and picked up the spoons! I started learning spoons less than a week before the gig, so I kept it fairly simple, but I think it went really well.
I spent about 30 minutes late on a Sunday night learning to play spoons. I picked it up fairly quickly and was able to play through one Of the North song. I still have a lot of work to do to first get my grip to be more solid and consistent, and then to add some more tricks.
I founded Effigy in 2002 while in high school. I wrote most of the material, played drums, managed the band, and performed occasional guitar and cello duties. We were mainly active in the summers in between school years, and produced a few recordings. In the summer of 2005 we spent a week recording in my basement, though vocals were never finished. The group disbanded in 2008, but all of the 2005 recording can be heard at EffigyBand.net »
Effigy:
Vocals, Chad Bergeron (2002-2003), Jeremy Brookins (2003-2005), Ryan Boneck (2005-2008)
