Yeah it’s me again you know how I always start trouble I mean new series around here. Well as we look at the calendar we can see that we’re 25 years out from that seminal year of 1988 (yes I’m dating myself as a proud member of graduating class of double ocho). My senior year of high school the production duo of L.A.& Face were heating up. They had a hot joint out the previous Summer on their label mates The Whispers, The Deele was riding the crest of two bangers, and the duo took on some outside work with none other than Pebbles.

As I mentioned on twitter just a few minutes ago in regards to Jam & Lewis, I will make the same statement re: L.A. & Face: These folks didn’t need gimmicks, reality shows, clothing lines, calendars, sodas, water, hat, coats or breakfast muffins. They let the music speak for itself, because when it’s all said and done, when the temporal phase of celebrity fades we will still have the music. The music is all that matters.

So join us throughout this year as we focus on what was happening with the music in culture not so long ago

Ok so a little context first…checkout this demo and interview with one of the designers of the Fairlight Peter Vogel from 1980.

Next you can watch this video of Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones working out with a Fairlight and you can also read a post that I wrote about my feelings on their use of the equipment here.

And finally the inspiration for this post…

I literally was talking about this with one of musical cohorts the other day before the Whodini episode of Unsung came on and when they started talking about their use of the Fairlight in the studio and the fact that at that particular time there were on 12 in the world. When you work with a tool that not many have access to, and you can work with it skillfully that is going to immediately put you front and center or it should. (more…)

Photo Credit: Shalon Goss

Recently we had the opportunity to chat with Multi-Instrumentalist/Vocalist/Songwriter/Producer Van Hunt about his new album What Were You Hoping For? (Due out September 27th) his origins in Ohio, what it takes to put together a solid backing band and much, much more.

Van Hunt Interview by GrownFolksMusic

Van will be hitting the road in support of What Were You Hoping For? Beginning September 19th, check the tour schedule here after the jump. (more…)

Wanted to put up a triple play today of one of my favorite web series brought to you by G Koop & O-man. What I love about their approach to music making is that in my opinion they put the music first. You have to put the time and the homework in just to even get to the level where you understand how important it is just to respect the music. As a viewer, their respect for the process of music making is very evident and the results they get I believe are a direct product of that perspective. Enjoy! And in the words of Bill: “… you might learn something before we’re done!”

Catch 19 & 20 after the jump. (more…)

This is “Bridging the Gap” personified. The perfect marriage between musicianship and technology. Special shout out to Sarah Crisman for tweeting this out the other day.