Treelady News

Around the Word recently hit #2 on Amazon.com’s Neo-Soul Charts

‘Around the World’ reaches number two on the list of the bestselling MP3 songs in neo soul at Amazon.

CoreCre8 released Around the World, the rap/sung collaboration by Art featuring Ike C, on March “CoreCre8,” 2013.  Now available at Amazon, CD Baby, iTunes, and other Internet retailers, the song incorporates elements of neo soul and electronic dance-music. On March 17, 2013, Around the World reached number two on the list of the bestselling MP3 songs in neo soul at Amazon.  The song includes the following performers:

• Art: rap vocal
• Ike C: sung vocals
• Charles Constantino: synthesizer bass; synthesizer drums/percussion; synthesizer electric-pianos; synthesizer strings
• Garrett Haines: Mastering Engineer

CoreCre8, a division of Core Media House L.L.C., took Art and Ike C from the Pittsburgh stage to Los Angeles club play in one month.  “I had a showcase in Pittsburgh for a promotion company that was helping me with a mixtape-release project.  That’s where me and Art performed a track,” says Ike C.  Art recalls, “The very moment I stepped off the stage, CoreCre8 meant business and believed in my talent.”

Steven “Art” Williams wrote the rap lyrics for Around the World.  Isaac “Ike C” Cummings and Charles Constantino wrote the sung lyrics.  Core Media House co-founder Charles Constantino wrote and arranged the music for Around the World and produced the song.  Ike C says, “With the help of Charles producing the final beat and arranging the vocal placement, we recorded the track.  Within days, our track was mixed and mastered and being played by popular deejays in the Los Angeles area.”  Charles Constantino Publishing—a member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers—is the exclusive publisher of Around the World.

Mastered for iTunes

Treelady Studios’ Garrett Haines has joined the select list of mastering engineers who have been approved to participate in Apple’s Mastered for iTunes project. This list includes mastering engineers who understand the new guidelines, possess the proprietary tools to review the audio, and have adopted best practices for this new iTunes standard. Presently, this list is limited to mastering engineers with major label credits, award-winning projects, or who have participated in the technical discussions surrounding the Mastered for iTunes program.

The Mastered for iTunes initiative allows approved mastering engineers to submit high-resolution files to Apple, instead of a standard-resolution CD. By using the higher resolution file, the resulting iTunes product can sound as good or better than a store-bought CD, according to tests done by Apple.

“This could be a major improvement in fidelity for iTunes users,” explained Haines. “After speaking with Apple’s program director, I am impressed with the level of commitment the company is showing towards improving the quality of the files sold on the iTunes store.”

“While I’m honored to be approved by Apple to added the Mastered for iTunes list, I want to make sure people understand the process,” related Haines. “I’ve seen some studios advertise that they are certified or licensed to Master for iTunes, and that’s not exactly the situation. Presently, Apple keeps a list of approved engineers, and yes, it’s a small list, but I foresee the group expanding rapidly in the future. Apple is concerned that people participating know the rules, follow the best practices, and use the tools to provide the best audio possible. As the program tested and expanded, I’m sure many more studios will join the initiative.”

Clients who are interested in the Mastered for iTunes program, or want to make sure their masters are completed under the new guidelines, should contact the studio for more information.

PORTLAND, OR – Treelady Mastering client Mission Spotlight‘s latest CD has been named a “Staff Pick” by CD Baby. The new release “Everything That Floats,” was recorded and mixed at Jackpot! Recording Studios by Larry Crane, and mastered at Treelady Studios by Garrett Haines. It includes six original songs and a cover of the Spinanes’ “Noel, Jonah and Me.”

From the CD Baby Review:
“Their high-and-lonesome country sound is easy on the ears while it tugs at the heartstrings.” — Portland Mercury Mission Spotlight writes songs about the new American West, drawing inspiration from the classic country ballads of George Jones, the early country rock of the Flying Burrito Brothers and the modern sounds of Wilco. The songs on Everything That Floats tell stories of places from Paris to Winnemucca and of the drug dealers, adulterers, lost souls and bicycle-riding kids who inhabit them. Everything That Floats was recorded and mixed with producer/engineer Larry Crane at Jackpot! Recording Studios in Portland. It features six original songs and a cover of the Spinanes classic “Noel, Jonah and Me,” which was recorded as part of the Jackpot! Covers Portland project. Mission Spotlight is made up of long-time members of the Portland music scene with players from Worthington, Blue Giant, We Miss the Earth, Swords, Sharpening Markers and Recall Seven. The band includes Fasil Debeb (electric guitar), Jeremy Dietz (bass), Kurt Foster (acoustic guitar and vocals), Ryan Lynn (pedal steel and electric guitar) and Evan Railton (drums).

PITTSBURGH – MythBusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage recently spent the afternoon recording at Treelady Studios. The pair were in town for the “MythBusters: Behind the Myths Tour,” but had to provide audio for an upcoming production.

The duo had over a dozen pages of over dubs for the April 1, 2012 show “Unchained Reaction.” Which is a science and engineering reality game show that airs on the Discovery Channel.

Senior engineer Dave Hidek recorded the session, and worked with the Discovery Channel to process and deliver the audio.

Adam Savage at Treelady Studios with Dave Hidek in Studio D

“They were coming off of nine shows in eight days,” relates owner Garrett Haines. “They were supposed to have a few hours off for downtime, but the producers at Discovery Channel needed this audio for an immediate air date. Once they arrived, we took their caffeine orders and they got to work. Both men were organized, polite, and wonderful to work with.”

The two had little time for socialization, but Savage took a full tour of the Treelady facility. Of course, musical instruments and microphones weren’t their favorite things. “I like this room!” said Savage of the Treelady Laboratories. It was just like home.

ABOUT: MythBusters and logo are trademarks owned by Discovery Communications, LLC. For more information, visit the official website at: http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/mythbusters/ or visit Discovery Channel at www.discovery.com

LOS ANGELES – Treelady Mastering client The Sugar Free Allstars won the Grammy Award for Best Children’s Album at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards. A handful of major trophies were presented before the main Grammy ceremony, which kicks off from the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 8 pm EST, including Best Children’s Album.

The Album, All About Bullies… Big And Small, featured various artists, including the song Sugar Free Allstars “Cooperate,” which was mastered by Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios in Pittsburgh, PA. The track was recorded and mixed at Bell Labs Recording in Norman, OK, by Trent Bell. Please join us in congratulating the winners.

Vocals for the Official Soundtrack to Underworld: The Awakening were recorded at Treelady Studios.

“Heavy Prey,” a single from the Official Soundtrack for the major motion picture Underword: Awakening, was written by by ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo.

Modern technology makes cross-country audio collaboration commonplace. Music was by recorded Lenardo in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Dave Hidek recorded Lacey Sturm’s vocals at Treelady Studios in Pittsburgh. Sturm, who is best-known as the lead singer for Flyleaf, also wrote the lyrics to the track.

Soon after the vocals were completed, Ms. Sturm was back to LA for the official video shoot. In the January 18, 2012 issue of Rolling Stone, Sturm explained, “”Making the video for ‘Heavy Prey’ was such a cool experience. I love the Underworld series, so it was awesome to see how they used lighting to make everything feel like the movie. It was the first time doing something like that since my son was born nine months ago. Everyone was very accommodating, leaving time for us to play when he needed his mama.”

Lacey Sturm takes a break while shooting the official Underworld: Awakening video for "Heavy Prey."

The Lakeshore Records album will feature 17 tracks of rock/metal songs that meld with the dark aesthetic of Underworld: Awakening. Other artists contributing to the recording include: Lacuna Coil, Black Light Burns, the Cure, and Linkin Park. The recording will be available in stores on January 17th, three days before Underworld: Awakening’s January 20th release.

Track Listing

Evanescence – “Made of Stone” (Renholder Remix)
Lacey Sturm – “Heavy Prey” (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo)
Linkin Park – “Blackout” (Renholder Remix)
The Cure – “Apart” (Renholder Remix)
Stella Katsoudas of Sister Soleil – “Killer & A Queen” (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo)
Ministry – “Watch Yourself” (Renholder Remix)
Lacuna Coil – “Trip The Darkness” (Ben Weinman Remix)
The Naked and Famous – “Young Blood” (Renholder Remix)
Black Light Burns – “It Rapes All In Its Path“
William Control – “The Posthumous Letter“
Civil Twilights – “How’m I Supposed To Die“
& Sons – “Consolation Prize“
8MM – “Liar” (Revenant mix by 8mm)
Ryan T. Hope – “You Won’t See The Light (feat. ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo)
Combichrist – “Bottle Of Pain“
Collide – “Intruder“
Justin Lassen – “Exit Wounds” (Justin Lassen Remix) (feat. Silent Fury)

Garrett Haines will be mastering a new compilation of Portland music at Treelady Studios. The Project, entitled “Jackpot! Covers Portland” will be recorded at Jackpot! Recording Studios, by owner Larry Crane and/or studio manager Kendra Lynn. Larry Crane is best known as the Oscar-Nominated Engineer who has recorded Elliot Smith, Sleater-Kinney, and the Shins (et al) as well as being the founder of Tape Op Magazine.

From the organizers: “Jackpot! Recording Studio has been recording wonderful local music (and lots of people from other places) for 15 years. The music scene in Portland, Oregon, has been very good to Jackpot!, and now we want to give something back to the world of musicians and fans that has supported us. We will be offering recording time to musicians that we like and asking them to track a song written by a Portland-based songwriter or band from any time past or present. We will record and produce the song, and then we’ll offer it up for free download on our website. So please drop by and check out some free music that celebrates the creative spirit of the town we call home, Portland, Oregon We will be mastering all of these downloads at Treelady Studios in Pittsburgh with the talented Mr. Garrett Haines”.

The first track, “Noel, Jonah, and Me,” was released on January 1, 2012. Performed by Mission Spotlight, the song is a cover of a ‘Spinanes’ track from their debut album Manos (Sub Pop, 1993). For release info, please click here.

Treelady Mastering Client The Haygoods have landed their own Television Series on the RFD Network.    The Adventures of The Haygoods gives a first hand look into the life and music of one of Branson, Missouri’s most popular and entertaining performing families. The Haygoods are 7 real life brothers and 1 sister who have performed in Branson for 20 years, for over 5 million people! The family includes Timothy, Patrick, Dominic, Shawn, Michael, Matt hew, Aaron and the only girl in the family, Catherine. They range in age from 33 to 17 and are a truly unique American musical success story.

Watch the Haygoods on RFD-TV

The Adventures of the Haygoods TV show will have a weekly live music performance featuring the Haygoods playing their 20 instruments, the tight harmonies they are known for.   The Haygoods also give back to the community by encouraging underprivileged children, giving them instruments and offering advice to help them reach their dreams of playing music.

The story of The Haygood family began in a small singlewide mobile home in the backwoods of Boerne, Texas. Mom Haygood started the youngest Haygoods playing the violin as soon as they could rosin the bow, as a way to keep them out of trouble. The family grew up playing music together and in 1988 started touring all around Texas and eventually all over the Midwest playing festivals and fairs. Playing music together brought them out of a difficult economic situation and also brought them closer together as a family. In 1993, the Haygoods packed their bags and moved to Branson, Missouri where they began performing at Silver Dollar City, a local theme park. What started as a 2 week contract ended up lasting 9 years! As the Haygoods grew up performing at Silver Dollar City, they took up more instruments and honed their talents, eventually moving their show to the Branson strip in 2002. Since that time the show has been a smash hit and has become a Branson tradition enjoyed by tens of thousands every year.

Treelady Studios client Broken Fences‘ song “Wait” is featured prominently in the latest installment of the television drama Flashpoint.

The episode entitled “Priority of Life” aired in Canada on December 6 and is scheduled to air in the United States on CBS on December 20, 2011.   (If the clip remains on YouTube the song starts at about 9:50 in the scene 4/4).  And, of course, everyone can download “Wait” on iTunes.

Broken Fences are currently working on their full-length album at Treelady Studios.   The album is slated for an early 2012 release.   They are documenting their studio experiences in their studio blog, which can be read here.

About Broken Fences:

Morgan Erina & Guy Russo began writing and performing together as Broken Fences only a short while ago, but have already developed a sound that recalls Belle & Sebastian, or Iron & Wine at their most introspective. They’ve managed to take their vastly different worldviews (she’s from NYC, he’s from Pittsburgh, PA), and meld them into an honest & powerful style of indie-folk, one that’s as hip as it is timeless.

Treelady Studios Chief Mastering Engineer Garrett Haines teamed up with legendary producer/enginer Joe Chicarelli in Tape Op Magazine issue 85.    The two reviewed the new  Fraunhofer Pro-Codec Plug-In by Sonnox.

The Sonnox Fraunhofer Pro-Codec Plug-In

The software  is designed for the real-time auditioning, encoding and decoding of audio signals using Fraunhofer codecs.    Before this new invention, it had not been possible to critically audition and then encode multiple formats in real time within a host DAW environment.

In the first part of the review, Chicarelli discusses the improvements in workflow, speed, and accuracy provided by the Sonnox application.   In the second part, Haines covers how internet music gatekeepers (such as Apple, CD Baby, TuneCore, et al) do not permit artists or mastering engineers to submit digital assets.   He calls for a change to this practice, suggesting some form of certification or licensing process.

Joe Chicarelli in the studio

Tape Op magazine is available in the United States, Canada, and the European Union.  Free Third Class subscriptions are available for US readers.   For more information see the Tape Op website.

About Sonnox: Sonnox Ltd. has evolved out of Sony Oxford, which in turn traces its history back to a group of five dedicated audio professionals that first worked together in the early 1980s. These engineers spent many years together designing analogue and digital consoles for Solid State Logic, and subsequently left to start a new Company in 1988 that was called Oxford Digital. Over the following few years the team slowly expanded, until in 1993 it became Sony Oxford.

Full text of the review can be found: Here