A start is a start is a start...

Ok, so the new Simons & Van Buuringen project is underway. Edwin has sent me a short piece, also to demonstrate the sound quality of his acoustic guitar recorded by his new mic. That's actually a promising start. I even managed to put something together, although I have to put some more work into it before sending it off to him.

We also decided to upgrade our DAW software to make exchanging Cubase projects a bit easier (or so we hope). A good enough excuse for me to upgrade to the latest (and for the first time) full version of Cubase, which should give me a couple of extra toys to work with.

Last weekend I also assisted Adrian Jones (the third weekend in a row) with his recordings for the new Nine Stones Close album. That one is actually starting to take shape (and a nice shape it is). I think that him collaborating with keyboard player Brendan Eyre on the writing is going to bring NSC to the next level by introducing some different elements to the music. Not that Adrian wouldn't be able to write a great album on his own. Anyway, visit their site and facebook page every now and then to see how things are progressing.

Busy...

I have just uploaded what could be my last ccMixter related remix of the year. It is called Ghosts Of Lees and you can find it on the ccRemixes page.

Last Saturday I had an interesting meeting with a certain guitar player and we have outlined our plans for the album we want to release next year. I am pretty excited about this, because I look forward to focus on a consistent body of work in stead of creating the odd remix every now and then. I will keep you posted on anything related to this new project.

I will also try to assist Adrian Jones during the making of his band's new album whenever and wherever requested. From what I have heard so far the new album could end up being even better than Traces.

The End Is Near!!!

Happy New Year!!!

I have uploaded a new remix yesterday. But don't worry should you have missed it, because you actually haven't missed a thing (but you can always check out the ccRemixes page...).

Anyways, what's up for the new year? Well, I really want to start working on that collaboration with a certain guitar player. Which ofcourse doesn't mean that it actually is going to happen, but I do think that we must be able to come up with something (even) better than our last (and first) effort.

But first I will be visiting Nine Stones Close's Adrian Jones tomorrow for a day of recording for their new album. I might even push a button or two myself.

Btw, here is my top 10 albums of 2011...

01. nine stones close - traces
02. jolly - the audio guide to happiness (disc one of two)
03. projected twin - earth to world
04. paatos - breathing
05. steven wilson - grace for drowning
06. adrian belew - adrian belew's e for orchestra
07. face tomorrow - face tomorrow
08. fovea hex - here is where we used to sing
09. memories of machines - warm winter
10. opeth - heritage

ccRemixes

I have added a new page to my blog (What?! Another one?!! You must be kiddin'?!!!). This one is called ccRemixes and it contains my ccMixter related remixes that haven't ended up on a Internet Archive download-only album (yet). I got a bit fed up with all these incoherent collections of remixes, but still wanted to give new remixes a home. This new page also contains a new remix called "I Fall Forever".

On a different, but still slightly related note, I will probably start working on a secret (at least for now) collaboration in the new year. We are going to discuss possible directions for this project sometime next January. I will keep you posted, as always...

Nights In White Satin

Below you can find a message from Adrian Jones, taken from the TPT (= The Pineapple Thief) forum. I did two remixes of the song Threads from his band's second album Traces. But ofcourse you all know that already and have bought the Falling To Pieces ep which contains both remixes...

Anyway, even if you don't believe in this charity (or charities in general) then this rendition of that classic tune is still worthwhile a couple of quid. So what are you waiting for?!

Hi all!

The Kings Of Christmas is an annual get together of musical friends to celebrate the season of Yule with the gift of music. This could be in the form of an original composition, or a cover version of a classic, usually in the progressive rock genre. This year the line up features Brendan Eyre, Adrian Jones (me), and Marc Atkinson from Nine Stones Close (and Riversea) and a couple of other special guests.

Each year we will endeavour to try and get you in the festive spirit, while raising a few pounds/euros/dollars etc, for a worthy charitable cause. This years track is the Moody Blues classic, Nights In White Satin with all proceeds going to the Nordoff Robins Music Therapy...we hope you enjoy and please feel free to share amongst your friends.

The download will only be available until midnight on New Years eve.
http://thekingsofchristmas.bandcamp.com/

You can also watch the video here ... (now on youtube).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duqj6Vd6WY0&feature=youtu.be&a

Many thanks, please donate to this charity an download the track!

Love and best wishes to you all!

Thanks Adrian.