Home Studios

Trying to create a home studio is exciting but also a time consuming task based on all the available technology at your disposal.

For some time now, I have been probing the brains of my friends and acquaintances for information as if they were alien abductees lying on a metal slab. After taking what valuable information I could, I then proceeded to research computers, widgets, gidgets, and gadgets on the internet. However, I only became more confused by the vast selection from which I could choose. Naturally, after narrowing down my decision, I realized that the technology I desired the most was out of my reach financially. It became a question of either “get what you can afford” or “wait until you can afford it”.

Yes, I would like to set up my home studio immediately. I dream of getting the melodies, which have been taking up half the space in my brain for years, orchestrated into real, concrete songs, but according to my computer addicted son, if I am going to do it then I might as well do it right.

Word to the wise, never get your teenager involved in your business. Suddenly, the technology you seek is not big enough or bright enough or advanced enough. They will lead you down the garden path to the most expensive set of equipment you can imagine. The 21.5” LED screen is now pathetic compared to the 27.5” LED screen where the images just pop out at you and scream “Buy Me!” Your teenager’s enthusiasm is contagious and can be very dangerous.

Ultimately, I opted for the “wait until you can afford it”, and will continue to save my pennies one by one until I am ready to purchase. In these economic times, I don’t think it is wise to throw hard earned money into something just because I want instant gratification immediately, now, today.

Cats and Dogs

Sometimes, as I go about my day, things occur that amuse me.
Yesterday, I was sitting in a veterinarians office, with my sick dog, bored to tears.
The waiting room was packed, as usual, and time was slowly ticking by. I found
myself starring into the eyes of an evil looking tabby cat. You know the look, the one
that says, “I’ll be taking over the world soon, and there’s nothing you humans can do about it”.

First of all, I don’t have a particular fondness for the feline species and I guess you’d say that I’m more of a dog person. A dogs eyes are full of love and respect for their master. On the other hand, a cat will look at you with an air of superiority and distain. They try to give the appearance of being more intelligent than their human counterparts, which in some cases may be true, and you can’t trust a cat because first chance they get they will trade you off for a bowl of meow mix.

Getting back to the waiting room, I stared down the evil feline and began studying the owners and their pets. There is a theory, supposedly, that people resemble their pets and there it was, as plain as day, sitting across from me, a perfect example. A short, stocky gentleman with jowls and loose skin was sitting slumped in a chair with an overweight bulldog lying at his feet. My first thought was that they could have been brothers or even twins. My second thought was about where I fit in with this theory, since my dog was a pug.

Number 9 Recording Studios

This week, I would like to take a short walk down memory lane.

It’s been a few years since we recorded our first album, Figures At Dawn.
I remember how excited we were to have our songs on vinyl. We meticulously
recorded and mixed our tracks at a small recording studio called Number 9.

George Rondina’s Number 9 Recording Studios has grown into a thriving business
with an impressive list of clientele. Graphic and web design, recording courses, and
pro audio rentals are just a few of the many services that Number 9 offers. You can
check out the website at http://www.number9.ca/ and even take a virtual tour of the
facilities. It is a great example of how hard work and dedication pays off.
On behalf of Figures At Dawn, I congratulate him on his success now and in the
future.

Love Will Know was one of the songs that Figures At Dawn originally recorded
at Number 9 Recording Studios. You can hear our recent remix on our website
at http://figuresmusic.com/ or click on the link below.

Love Will Know (Break It And Dance! Mix)

Sound 29 Studio

For the past 18 months, we've had the great pleasure to work with an extremely talented recording engineer and producer - Peter M. Junior - from Budapest, Hungary.  Aaron and I are  very pleased with the results of his efforts and we think of Peter as a new, "virtual" member of Figures At Dawn (FAD). The remixes he has produced for our group add a fresh, new perspective and sound to our current signature songs. We look forward to his ongoing creative input as a member of FAD as we collaborate on our new material as well.

Technology has come a long way over the years. It has opened up a whole new world of collaborative music making with just the click of a mouse. Aaron and I welcome our new FAD member and invite you to check out his amazing Sound 29 online mixing, mastering and remix production studio. Have a listen to Through The Fire. It's well worth your time and you’ll hear why we're so impressed by his talent. 
03 - Through The Fire (Ancient Glow Mix)

Epica - 04 - Cry For The Moon @ Wacken 2009

Can opera be sexy?
Well, yes it appears that it can be.

Take one very hot singer, make sure she can sing opera, and throw her into the middle of a heavy metal band. It can either end up as a recipe for disaster or a fine gourmet meal in a high class restaurant. You could liken it to trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
There are many analogies that I could use to describe this music genre, but on the whole, it either appeals to you or not. There are a number of these bands in Europe which fall into this category called Symphonic Opera Metal. To name a few there is Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Therion, and Epica. Some of these bands come from countries like Holland, Italy, and Finland.
Even after studying classical music and opera for many years, I for one am not particularly fond of the majority of these singers and bands. Consequently, I will show you one example of this genre then move on, probably forever, to something completely different. For now, I invite you to view the video by Epica, “Cry For The Moon”.

Within Temptation Running Up That Hill HD English Lyrics + Subtitulado

Few female vocalists ever reach a status where their voice, style, and music influences other musicians. Such is the case with Kate Bush.
The first single from her 1985 album, The Hounds of Love, was called Running Up That Hill. Since that time, this hit song has been covered by the alternative rock band Placebo, dark wave act Faith and the Muse, gothic metal band Icon & The Black Roses, the band Chromatics, recording artist John Forte from the Fugees, symphonic rock band Within Temptation, and the list goes on.
 The most recent cover of this song was recorded by the band Track and Field and was used in the sci fi TV series Warehouse 13, proving that a good song never goes out of style.

It’s fascinating to listen to each artist and compare their varying interpretations of this song. I personally prefer the original sung by Kate Bush and the cover by Within Temptation. It is a valuable lesson in how a vocalist or band can take a song and make it their own.
Sue

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill Live

Listening To New Female Vocalists

If you asked me to list some of my favourite artists/bands, I would most likely choose a number of female artists. Yes, I admit that I am biased toward female vocalists like Enya, Kate Bush, and Sarah Mclachlan. Believe it or not, I would even throw Shakira and Britney Spears into the mix.

But the phrase “heavy metal” has no place in my vocabulary. However, much to my surprise, I may have a change of heart. I have come across a Dutch symphonic metal/rock band from the Netherlands called Within Temptation. The band is fronted by Sharon den Adel, a truly amazing female vocalist. Their music videos reflect a certain dark mood that you may or may not like. Strangely enough, this band has convinced me to be more opened minded towards different types of music and cross over to the dark side …

Tell me what yo think.

Sue

Recently, a friend of mine sent me the following quote,
"It is never too late to become what you might have been."　

Is it too late? Is it ever too late to do the things you enjoy doing?

Maybe, I'm feeling how a dancer feels when she finds her old dance shoes at the back of a dusty closet and realizes that they may no longer fit but she is going to try them on anyway. And if she manages to even take a few steps in them, she will be satisfied because at least she had the courage to do so. However, if by chance they do fit, then maybe she will dance again. Only this time she will dance for herself and the pleasure it gives her, not just to please others.
Is it ever too late to enjoy the song or the music or the dance?
Fortunately, I don't believe so.

 I can’t say for certain when Figures at Dawn will perform live again in front of an audience but I can tell you this: Yes. We want to make new music for an entire new generation of fans. We’ll shoot videos to promote our new material and we would love to hear these songs performed by younger up and coming singers and bands.When I listen to groups like Florence & The Machine I feel that this is the time for our music too. If you’ve never heard this amazing singer then do yourself a favour and watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EIeUlvHAiM

I can tell you if we had a chance to open up for her we'd rehearse until we owned the stage ! :0)　Talk to you soon,　
Sue　　

Figures at Dawn