2016.06.19     I’m hard at work putting the finishing touches on the new Finn’s Motel release. It’s epic! And what could befit an epic release more than adding an epic string quartet to the mix? This photo is from Sunday’s recording session. Pictured from L to R is the world class string quartet Sarah V assembled: Joe Gutowski (viola), Jake Brookman (cello), Sarah Velasquez (violin 1) and Alyssa Avery (violin 2). To capture a glorious natural reverb, we recorded at St. Matthew’s church at Potomac and Jefferson in downtown St. Louis. Coincidentally, this recording session landed on Father’s Day. As many of you close to me know, my dad was an avid fiddler. I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to my dad and celebrate his musical passion than recording a big batch of fiddles on Father’s Day. What a great day! \mm/ #stlmusic #ibcshadowsmusic #churchrecording #naturalreverb #localmusic #sleepwell #recording #recordingsession #stringquartet #joegutowski #jakebrookman #sarahvelasquez #alyssaavery #classicool #stl #cityofstlouis #stmatthews #cello #viola #violin #classicalmusic #finnsmotel #jupiterrex #potomacstreet #jeffersonstreet #noac #butwehavechampagneonice

    2016.04.20 Wednesday I recently went into Firebrand studios with local pop superstar, Brian McClelland and his Whoa Thunder outfit. The result is the new smash single, “Hop To It” b/w a fresh re-mix of an older, unreleased WT tune, “President’s Book Of Secrets”. Along with global digital distribution, the single will be released on fun, vinyl flexi disc! That’s Whoa Thunder bassist, the lovely and multi-talented, Syrhea Conaway in the photo. Such a wonderful artist! And that bass is quite lovely as well, eh?   \mm/   #newreleases #stlmusic #ibcshadowsmusic #whoathunder #hoptoit #recordingstudio #localmusic #synasopro #cherokee #cherokeestreet #firebrand #stl #stlous #stlouismusic #localmusic #buzzfeedmusic #newmusic #landoftheloud #musicforlife #bobludwig #gatewaymastering #popsongs #yournewboyfriendistoostupidtoknowabout

2015.11.18 Wednesday Tomorrow I leave for Memphis. But tonight I have a big announcement! IBC Shadows Music is very pleased to announce a troika string of dates to celebrate the release of Soma Jet Set’s fantastic new album, “hana”. Here are the confirmed dates: Thu Dec 3 from 7-9pm: SOMA JET SET “hana” LISTENING PARTY at Tick Tock Tavern, 3459 Magnolia Ave, STL MO 63118. Admission is FREE. We will spin the new album a few times, chillax and shoot the breeze. Yahtzee, Twister and Settlers of Catan are other possibilities. Fri Dec 4: SOMA JET SET “hana” DROP DATE. The album will be released globally online. It will be available for both downloading and streaming. Prepare your listening devices! Sat Dec 5 from 9pm-12am: SOMA JET SET “hana” RELEASE PARTY at Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust, STL MO 63103. Teenage rockers, Million Hits will kick off the night’s music at 9p, followed by melodic punk-rockers, Breakmouth Annie and then, the main attraction, Soma Jet Set will close the evening out with their dirty water rock’n’roll. Admission to the show is FREE and open to ALL AGES, although minors must be accompanied by an adult. We will have professionally pressed CDs of “hana” on-hand along with other merch and probably some giveaways as well! I like giveaways! Yay for new music! Yay for rock’n’roll! \mm/ #newreleases #stlmusic #ibcshadowsmusic #somajetset #hana #songwriting #greatsongs #shlaflytaproom #breakmouthannie #millionhits #millionhitsband #newalbum #albumrelease #recordlabel #recordingstudio #birthday #stl #stlouis #stlouismusic #localmusic #buzzfeedmusic #livemusic #stltoday #newmusic #landoftheloud #lemay #tombaker #raisedonchuckberry ...

2015.09.15 Tuesday Last weekend was filled with live show action! Fri Sep 11: I caught Million Hits’ last-minute fill-in set at Fubar. They sounded great! Another packed show was going on next door. And through word-of-mouth, older kids from the show next door trickled in to check out Million Hits’ set and see what the buzz was about. After the set, a few of them approached me, gushing about the band and asked which one was my kid. Ha! Pretty neat to witness Million Hits win over new fans like that. Sat Sep 12: I had the pleasure of sharing The Pageant stage with my Thunderhead friends and special musical guest, Sarah Velasquez, an extremely talented classically-trained violinist. It was a real treat to perform beside such talented musicians and for such an enthused AND LOUD audience. The applause after Sarah’s cameo was truly deafening. Sarah will also be guesting on some upcoming Finn’s Motel recording sessions. That’s her in the pic. The one with the 200-year old violin. #stlmusic #ibcshadows #millionhits #millionhitsband #fubarstl #stl #stlouis #stlmusic #stlouismusic #buzzfeedmusic #summermusic #summerconcerts #livemusic #stltoday #ltm_stl #classicoolmusic #violin #violinist #worldclassviolinist #amativiolin #thepageantstl #thunderheadrush #thunderchicken #finnsmotel #musicforlife #landoftheloud #ifyouwenttoloufestyoumissedallthis

2015.08.29 Saturday Today, I drove out to Sky Music Lounge in West County St. Louis to catch an all ages matinee show from Million Hits. Here’s a shot of the teenage band with their “hitsters” fans just after their set wrapped. The band sounded great. They rocked for nearly an hour solid. 100% original tunes. And they even broke out a couple new songs. Very catchy! Neat watching this band develop. Love these kids! Watching Eli bash his drums. Hard. Watching Christian shred leads on his Les Paul. Watching Connor’s quiet enthusiasm and passion for music unfold. (“Hey, Matt. Do you like Elvis Depressedly?”) Watching Olivia soldier through the set and not miss a note despite battling a sinus infection. Watching Jonah spearhead new material and chase his rock star dreams. Watching parents, teens, tweens and even toddlers(!) toe-tap, hand-slap, head-bob and dance away to the beat. It was a feel-good day and reminded me why I love St. Louis area music so much. Good show, Million Hits! \mm/ #millionhitsband #ibcshadows #skymusiclounge #stlouis #stlouismusic #stlpunk #buzzfeedmusic #summermusic #livemusic #stltoday #newmusic #landoftheloud #iloveitloud #freshman #rocknrollhighschool #hitsters #raisedonchuckberry #futurelegendsofrock