News Archive

and a happy new year :)

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:46:00 +0000

What have I been doing lately?

I finished the Firetrip album. We did the last recordings and after that I mixed the album and now it's ready to be mastered. The band is looking into options for the release, and they should be able to find a nice label because this is a great album: britpop meets americana with a touch of the 70ties :) If you like Wilco, Nada Surf, Johan and Paul Weller than you will surely like Firetrip.

Mixed a energetic EP for a new band called The Red 17 and when the sent it to radio3fm the were bombarded "Serious Talent" instantly. If I have to label their music I would say american college pop/rock. These guys knows how to make a catchy track with lot's of energy.
Please check out:

The Lorrainville album has finally been released (last week of November 2011).
And we were invited to play live at the most populair TV show in The Netherlands: DWDD. And also by the most popular radio dj (Giel) to play a couple of songs in his morning show on 3fm.
You can find video's of these RTV promo's here
The album managed to reach the #1 spot on the iTunes charts! And the first single is getting a lot of airplay, especially on Radio2 (where it has been on the playlist for weeks now).
Here's a video for the first single "Lost":

And there will be more nice Lorrainville news in the future :)

I mixed a special "new years track" by Fay Lovsky and Ocobar. The tracks was also used at new years morning by dutch television for their "wishes".

I've also been mixing the brand new Swelter album. It's very different from their debut: the new album is going to be very dense and more layered.

finally...

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:05:00 +0000

I've been way 2 busy lately. Besides my normal work I also spend a lot of "free time" on the Lorrainville project (scroll down to read more about that).

But I've also been involved in some other projects:

Recorded, mixed & produced a special X-mas track for The Medics
Finished recording & mixing the Tarball album. I am so happy with the results; this a very ass-kickin' loud & in your face record. It pumps like a MF and the band has a unique style that makes it hard to compare them 1on1 with another band. If you put Deftones, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Chevelle and A Perfect Circle in a blender you get Tarball :)
I'm also halfway recording the debut album for Firetrip. We recorded the first few songs last year and since then there were some changes in the band. With the new lineup we recorded all the other songs. All drums, bass and guitars are recorded and we will continue with the vocals real soon. Everyone that likes bands like Nada Surf, Wilco etc should keep an eye on these guys.
Have been working with Laura Estévez on a cool single. It will stay on the shelf for now, since Laura is working her way in the "voice of holland"
I mixed two more songs for brand new & upcomming star; Stefany June. She is a young German singer-songwriter with fresh electro pop. Her characteristic voice, self-penned songs and the eclectic sound choices give it a very unique and original sound! These two songs will be on her EP together with two songs that I mixed a couple of months ago.
Not famous yet, but I see a nice future ahead!
Also helped indie-rockband Swelter with some recordings for their 2nd album. Once all the recordings are done I will also perform mixing-duties :)

All for now,

Lorrainville story

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:12:00 +0000

People keep asking me about the Lorrainville story (english version). So here it is:

Early this year, Facebook was flooded with people who played the online-game ‘Make your own album cover’ - also known as: ‘Wikipedia names your band’, where people clicked on a random quote, photo, and Wikipedia page - to create their own album cover, and posted them on their wall. And my cover for a non-existent band and the non-existent album ‘You May Never Know What Happiness Is’, got a lot of reactions.
In a couple of hours dozens of befriended musicians and other creative minds signed up to actually make the album a reality. After reaction number fifty, I decided to take the plunge, and ‘Lorrainville’ was born.

On 2 October 2011 the song “A Heart That Is Lost Can Not Mend” was recorded live in the studio, and within 24 hours the song was released on YouTube with a wonderful video.
The album has not become a compilation album. The cover is the source of inspiration. ‘You May Never Know What Happiness Is’ is a melancholy singer/songwriter album. Americana with, as references, the quieter work of Ryan Adams, Elliott Smith and maybe even Ray LaMontagne. The project has always been open for ideas and suggestions. Everyone could send in songs and nearly 90 songs were submitted.We wanted to use the creativity of everyone who signed up. Lorrainville belongs to everyone who cooperates, but I guard the unity, the vision and make the decisions.
Oh, and just so we’re clear; it’s not a commercial project, there’s no budget. Everyone who participates does so for the love of music.
The album will be released on the 28th of november on [pias], and we already received lot's of media invitations for that week.

Album will be available in most Dutch record stores, & digital on iTunes & Spotify. International fans who prefer a real CD over a digital download can order a copy of the album at VelvetMusic or PlatoMania

[Click here to view a KRO TV item on how Lorrainville came about]

The Medics

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:45:00 +0000

It's been a while since my last news-update, and I've done some nice jobs since. Besides that I also enjoyed a great vacation :)

I mixed an album for The Medics. This very energetic new band has a lot of catchy tunes wich are all featured on their debut album called "Dance into the Dark". It was a blast mixing these songs and the boys even alowed me to add some percussion on some tracks.

If you like bands such as: Franz Ferdinand, Editors, The Wombats, Vampire Weekend than you will for sure also like The Medics. You can check out the entire album at 3voor12 luisterpaal .

After my vacation I helped indie-rockband Swelter with the recordings of their 2nd album. Once all the recordings are done I will also perform mixing-duties :)

Right now I am in the middle of the album production for Tarball. This ass-kickin' rockband has finally made the step to record their first album. We already recorded all drums, bass, guitars and leadvocals. Only the backing vocals and percussion is still on the to-do-list, and once these are recorded I will start mixing this heavy rock album.

I find it very difficult to compare this band to any other loud act. But if I have to give a description I would say: "a mixture of Deftones, Alice in Chains, Metallica, Chevelle and A Perfect Circle"

Here's a funny video shot just outside the studio when frontman Daan volunteered to get rid of all the beercans:

Also continued working for the Lorrainville project. Had some great recording sessions lately and some more to come! Please follow us www.lorrainville.nl or on Facebook & Twitter.

Lot's of news:

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:24:00 +0000

I feel ashamed since it took me so long to update this news-section. Here's what I have been busy with for the last months:

Bløf

I mixed special live tracks for the band Bløf! 6 tracks were released as an exclusive iTunes EP and the 7th track will be released soon ;)

The Gathering

Mixed a brand new & stunning track! "Heroes for Ghosts" lasts almost 11 minutes, and is a slight preview to their upcomming album. You can download the track for FREE here.

Daniël Versteegh
For this talented singer/songwriter I mixed an EP called "Two wrongs don't make a Right". Daniël writes beautifull songs, so this is just the beginning. Check out his EP on Bandcamp. Specially (my favorite song:) "Waiting"

The Medics

After the succesfull first single "City", I also mixed the 2nd energetic Medics single called "Explode". It will blast on your radio's real soon! (I will also be mixing their debut album)

Rupert Blackman

This singer/songwriter was born & raised in the UK, but lives in The Nethelands at the moment. I recorded, mixed & produced 3 great songs for Rupert & his band. With these of preview-tracks we hope to score him a record deal so we can make an album. These new tracks can not be found online yet, but I will keep you posted :)

3J's
Just like the dutch version, the english version ("Never Alone") also went to #1 in the charts. So they scored two #1 hits with the same song!! (recorded, mixed & produced by yours truly).

Lorrainville
Well there's so much that can be said about this project :) It costs all my free time, but I don't mind since it's going to be great. Please check the Lorrainville website for all info (sorry, Dutch only.) or check the YouTube channel.
Click here for a cool video of guitarist Angelo de Rijke improvising.

Laura Estévez
I have been working on a kickin' single with Laura & her band but we had stop because Laura's voice needed some surgery. So we put things on hold for now, but as soon as Laura is capable of singing again, we will finish this fine track.
btw: Laura is supported by an 'allstar' band:
bass: Diets Dijkstra, guitars: Dave Rensmaag, keys: Patrick van Herrikhuyzen, drums: Dave Menkehorst & guitars: Angelo de Rijke.

Talking about Allstars
This band was doing only covers until recently; but now they won a song-contest by radiostation 538. So we went into the studio to work on a poppie debut single. "Lost without you Love" will be released soon.

Linda Leen & Alain Clark - Wild And Free

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 11:58:00 +0000

Here's the duet between Latvian superstar Linda Leen & our very own Alain Clark.

Recorded, mixed and produced by yours truly.

And here is a "making of" video (some of the footage was shot at GieSound studio)

#1 hit!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 17:20:00 +0000

"Je vecht nooit alleen", the single that I produced and mixed for famous dutch band 3J's went to #1 in the Dutch Charts!
It's my first number 1 hit (although we were very close with 2 of Bertolf's singles before).

winning?

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 16:50:00 +0000

quick update:

The Lorrainville project is starting to get really really nice! Please follow it on the Lorrainville site (I'm sorry there's no English version yet).
I'm almost done selecting the songs; I will pick 14 (out of the 81 entries) for the recording sessions.
Anneke van Giersbergen will be one of the featured singers for the album, and she will probably be accompanied by 2 male singers.

A song that I recorded, produced and mixed for famous dutch band 3J's ("Je vecht nooit alleen") won the national songfestival!

This means that they will go to the European songfestival with this song.

Mission completed! (well, it would be nice to get a good result in Europe, but that seems to be a lottery...)

I mixed a great single for new born stars The Medics. The song is called "City". Radiostation 3FM declared the band "Serious Talent".

Another Serious Talent band is Colossa. You might remember that I recorded, mixed and produced their debut album "Born to make a Sound". This smashing rock record is very well received by the press, and the single "Darling (I want you)" is getting a lot of airplay by rock-dj Eric Corton. (And populair dj Giel Beelen also played Colossa tracks at his night show)
Last weekend the band did 3 cd-presentation shows across the country. Please check out their ass-kickin' album (on Spotify) is you are into bands like Triggerfinger, Dead Weather, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, QOTSA, Raconteurs, Brant Bjork and the Bros, etc etc

The album "Spreadin Around" that I made with The Veldman Brothers is highly acclaimed by the blues press. So I think we did a nice job in the studio :)

Lorrainville

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:39:00 +0000

Sometimes you start something, and it explodes in your face.
That's what happened to me (in a good way) with the Lorrainville project.

How an innocent Facebook game brings out a social media-music band and a real album.

On the 4th of January I had a few minutes to spare during my work, and, like many others, I played the game: "Make your own album cover" on FaceBook.
The result: Lorrainville – ‘You may never know what happiness is’. A spontaneous discussion developed on my FB account and in my mailbox. At reaction number 40 I knew I was going to make the
album.

I already received 67 songs and a lot more commitments. Furthermore there already is a website and an editorial staff is standing by to keep the website up-to-date on a daily basis. The number of musicians outnumbers the normal number of members of a normal band. It is going to a hell of job making sure everything goes as planned, to select songs and bandmembers. But everyone who wants to be a part can subcribe on the website www.lorrainville.nl up to the 21st of January. There is a very positive vibe around this project which is a very good feeling. From everywhere musicians, songwriters and other creative persons are offering their songs, instruments and other qualities.

It is all going so fast and spontaneously!

Happy 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:50:00 +0000

All the best!

Lot's of News!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 17:10:00 +0000

Hi everyone,

Sorry it took me so long to update this news-section!

Here's what I have been doing lately:

I mixed some livetracks for former Krezip singer Jacqueline Govaert. The songs were recorded live at Paradiso, Amsterdam and prove that Jacqueline is still going strong.

Recorded, mixed & produced a cool single for Latvian superstar Linda Leen.
It's sort of a duet with one of our biggest artists: Alain Clark. The song is called "Wild & Free" and will be released in a couple of countries.
It's a very catchy track written by the both of them together.
I first recorded the instruments with some great dutch musicians, after that Linda flew over to record her vocals together with Alain at GieSound.
And I mixed it the day after. So everything went down in just a couple of days; very cool experience!
(more on this later?)

Recorded & mixed the second album of blues(rock) band The Veldman Brothers. This time the recordings took place at Legacy Studio in a live setting. So without any overdubs! (we only re-did some vocals at my studio).
The album will show the true quality of these sublime blues guys. They know how to deliver excellent blues with an electrifying and dynamic performance.
Here's a 'making of video' I shot with my iPhone to give you an idea of the studio setting @ Legacy:

Releasedate: january 15th. Check your recordstore, Bol.com or iTunes. The album will also be released in the USA!

I am producing 2 songs for the (Eurovision) Songfestival for the 3J's. We did the major part of recordings at the famous ICP studio's in Brussels (I just love that place!).
After Brussels we did some additional recordings at the Votown studio and at GieSound.
I will be mixing these powerfull songs pretty soon. You will be surprised!

Just finished a single-mix for Ilanois. It was produced by Simon Gogerly (U2, No Doubt) so I was honored that they asked me to do the single-version. "Starin' into Mine" is a stunning song that starts real quiet, and has a dramatic buildup wich leads to a big wall of sound.
Very challenging track to mix :)
It will be released by record label PIAS. Ilanois has been selected by radiostation 3FM as "Serious Talent".

Also did an ass kickin' single-mix for brand new recording artist (&producer) Bryan Bourne. Bryan is a very cool singer! I would describe his music as a nice blend of N*E*R*D, Michael Jackson, Timbaland and a snif of Techno ;)
We are going to find him a record company now (or maybe that's oldfashioned?)

Will keep you posted!
G

Recording @ ICP

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:42:00 +0000

Hi there,
I am recording at the famous ICP studio's in Brussels at the moment. Here's a little clip:

I will try to get you updated on all the things I am doing real soon.

Have been doing cool stuff!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 11:56:00 +0000

Finished the Colossa production. We recorded the last vocals and percussion and after that I went straight into the mixing. Remco did some awesome vocal performances; sometimes reminding me of Chris Cornell back in his powerfull days.
It's a great rock album that touches different flavours. If you enjoy music from bands like Triggerfinger, Dead Weather, Soundgarden, QOTSA, Raconteurs, Brant Bjork and the Bros, etc etc, you will for sure appreciate Colossa. It's an awesome record containing a variety of phat energy bursts but also an coustic song featuring a string quartet! We taped some great and interesting guitartones, fat basses and big roomy drums. Singer/guitarist Remco Eijssen knows how to write catchy rockin' songs, and the boys know how to make em rock.
The album is scheduled to be released in january by Goomah/Excelsior/V2.

Teamed up with Bertolf for the TV-sound when he was performing the stunnin' song "Patty Lane" live on the "MaDiWoDoVrijdagshow" hosted by the famous Paul de Leeuw.

Right now Bertolf and band are on tour, so check em out in a venue near you since they are an awesome live band.

I had some interesting meetings with a couple of recordlabels; resulting in some cool new projects comming up ;)
Will keep you posted.

Patrick le Duc's debut album is finally released op PIAS records! I mixed it before the summer, and now it's out there. Hopefull it will end up in a lot of homes all across the country. Right now Patrick and band are touring as support act for famous Dutch act Bløf.
Patrick is a Dutch singer-songwriter with roots in Counting Crows, Tim Christensen, Gemma Hayes and a touch of Soundgarden. The album has been recorded with Paskal Jakobsen and Peter Slager of Bløf & drummer Martijn Bosman (probably the best drummer in this country!).
Some of the songs on the album "Square Moods" remind me of the energy & passion of the Tragically Hip. I should also mention that Patrick is a gifted singer with a beautifull voice!
You can order the album @Bol.com or buy it at your favorite record store.

I mixed two songs for a brand new upcomming star; Stefany June. She is a young German singer-songwriter with a fresh electro pop. Her characteristic voice, self-penned songs and the eclectic sound choices give it a very own & original sound!

Not famous yet, but I see a nice future ahead!

Giel

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 14:10:00 +0000

Got up early today (actually it was 4:10 at night!), because I had to do a radiomix for Patrick Le Duc performing live at Giel Beelen's populair morning show @ Radio 3FM.
I mixed Patrick's album, wich will hopefully be released pretty soon.

You can enjoy the live-performance of his first single "Bright Lights on the Radio" here;

Singer/guitarist Remco from the band Colossa returned from his trip in the US. On his first day back he and the boys had to support Band of Skulls at an Amsterdam gig. NICE!
Tomorrow we will continue the recording for their stunnin' debut album!
[will keep you posted]

Firetrip

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:16:00 +0000

BulletRay's new band finally has a bandname; FIRETRIP.

Also check ou this videoimpression of the recordings;

And also check out the brilliant video that was made for the Kinkobra single I recorded, mixed & produced;

Rockin'

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:01:00 +0000

I have been involved in a couple of nice projects recently!
(some of them have to remain secret for now...)

Finished working on the demo-cd for photographer Bullet-Ray his new band. Mixes turned out very nice!
They are still not sure what the new bandname will be, so I will call them BZN untill they come up with something better ;-)

Here's a video of Ray recording a guitarsolo:

Kinkobra's single has been released (finally), and was picked up instantly by radiostation 538; daily airplay!

This rockin' single is called "I'll die 4 thin"
I hope we can start recording their debut album this fall.

While in the middle of the cd-production of Colossa, we had to take a vacation-break. But as soon as all members return to earth we will continue recording vocals for their debut album.
Mixing is scheduled for early october. In the meantime you can you can visit one of their impressive livegigs and have a look at a video impression of the recordings so far:

Hopefully Patrick Le Duc's great debut album will be released soon. In the meantime Patrick came up with the idea to record a special live-session later this month. I look foreward to recording & mixing it.

Edison nominations

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:18:00 +0000

I am still on holiday, but received some news that I like to share with you all;
Bertolf is nominated for 3 Edison awards!!
-Best Male Artist
-Best Album (Snakes & Ladders)
-Best Song (Another Day)

How cool is that?

You can vote for Best Album & Best Song over here

phat energy bursts

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:43:00 +0000

Just got back from the first recording session with Colossa. We made some long days recording drums, bass and guitars. Will start recording the first vocals on wednesday.
It's going to be an awesome record containing a variety of phat energy bursts. If you enjoy music from acts like Triggerfinger, Dead Weather, Soundgarden, QOTSA, Raconteurs, Brant Bjork & the bros, etc etc, you will appreciate Colossa.
We cut some great and interesting guitartones, fat basses and big roomy drums. Singer/guitarist Remco Eijssen knows how to write catchy rockin' songs, and the boys know how to make em rock.

Click here for more recording pics

Short update

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:25:00 +0000

Worked hard on the demo recordings for Bullet-Ray's new band. (Bandname might be "Honeyburst"?).
All drums, bass and leadvocals are done. 95% of the guitars is also done. Still to do; backing vocals, precussion and the last few guitarlicks ;-)
Mixing is scheduled for september.

Tomorrow I will start with the album production for Colossa. Will be an a$$-kickin album I can assure you!
Will keep you posted!

Short...

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:39:00 +0000

Last couple of weeks have been very hectic because of some unfortunate events in the family.
But I am back in bizz again!

Did some mixes, and I have to say that I am still very happy with my mixing desk. It's sooooo nice to mix on!
Right now I am organizing/preparing for a couple of projects. Including a demo-recording with BulletRay his new band, and also a full-blast album-production for Colossa.

Promo Video

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 09:59:00 +0000

My friend Bullet-Ray made this great promo-video to show my new studio.

Megahit!!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:20:00 +0000

3FM just annouced that Bertolf's new single "Cut me Loose" is the new MEGAHIT!!

Great Polarskin review!!

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:18:00 +0000

Without the album being released (not yet that is), we received a very good review on the Polarskin album.
Here's a copy of the review that is in the August issue of Maverick:

Polarskin BLACK SWAN THEORY Self-released
****1/2

With no information on their myspace, or a handy booklet providing band member names, Polarskin remain an exciting mystery from the Netherlands. What If I is the opening track, full of an energetic performance, with the band playing tightly together. The lead singer holds a well controlled voice, without overpowering the music, or letting the music shadow his vocal. Hope is reminiscent of the band Keane, with the guitars strumming out mellow melodies, with the drums providing a steady beat. With all fifteen songs written by Polarskin, each one demonstrates how this group have found the right balance in making a great record. Stranger is not too far from the likes of Muse, sounding similar to the rock trio’s songs heard on mainstream radio. With the right promotion, there is no excuse as to why BLACK SWAN THEORY should not be on the shelves in music stores across Europe. Fear is a guitar anthem, sounding spotless. Stumble is a must hear with strong flavours from Muse really coming through. Even vocally, the lead vocalist shares similar attributes to Matt Bellamy. From track one through to track fifteen, the sound produced by this group is flawless, never straying from the mighty rock sound that they bring to the record. Well worth seeking out. CB

a$$ kickin' live performance

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:44:00 +0000

This morning I had to get up very early (4:20) because Bertolf had to perform at Giel Beelen's very populair morning show @3FM. I joined Bertolf & band to do the radiomix.
And the guys pulled out an electrifying performance of their latest single "Cut me Loose".
This is how it went down;

"Open Day"

noreply@blogger.com (Guido Aalbers) — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:19:00 +0000

Last friday we had an "open day" at Studio 41. Studio 41?? Yes; that's the name on the building ;-)
Inside you can find 2 mastering rooms from Saind of Sound, a postproduction studio (SoundFocus), and of course my own mix-&overdubstudio (aka GieSound).
I want to thank all the people who came by; it was a busy day that I really enjoyed!
Today I will be taking some nice pictures of my studio so all of you can see what it looks like.