We could talk about all of Trevor Hall’s milestones in the music industry, but Trevor is so much more than that. Trevor gives so much in his performances and music while valuing personal connections with people and their stories. Even though thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened, we felt that we should give back by recording Trevor in an environment that would foster his spirit and love for what he does so well . We captured a special moment with Trevor while he performed a song that is dear to him in a meditation hall built in 1904 in Pt. Richmond. We feel honored to have been a part of such a special auspicious moment in time.
Bay Area hip-hop veteran Lyrics Born releases his new album Real People this week, and to mark the occasion, KQED caught up with him at Jingletown Recording for a sneak preview of the title track.
“With the title track ‘Real People,’” says LB, “I really wanted to open the album with something that you could really see what I experienced as a kid – immigrating to the United States, single mom, being in a situation where maybe it wasn’t ideal, but still there was support and there was love in the family. And especially in the business that I’m in, we have such overblown images and ideas of who artists are. So, you know, I just wanted to do something that was real.”
The band performed Real People and Rock Rock Away live in the studio while Starita captured the magic with help of Lee Bothwick. The tracks were then mixed at San Francisco’s Different Fur Studios making for a great all around Bay Area recording.
You never know who you’re going to work with in the Bay Area and these sessions were a testament to that. Eric Rachmany of Rebelution went into Different Fur Studios with Starita to lay down vocals and guitar on several collaborations. Amp Live of Zion I came through making for a very interesting day. We can’t say anything yet but, let’s just say there are some amazing things to come from these sessions!
Joseph Israel and Jerusalem Band have been holding it down on the Reggae scene for years. In 2006 Joseph Israel was signed to the New Door Records; a division of Universal Music Group. Joseph was the sole reggae artist to be signed to Universal Music in recent history, which is an impressive accomplishment with the record label that is home to Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Island Records catalog.
Joseph is in the final stages of a new release and brought in world-renowned percussionist, Leon Mobley, for a late night session while he was in town playing with Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals. In working with one of the top percussionists in the world, the room has to sound amazing. The obvious choice was Hyde Street Studio C which houses one of the best sounding rooms in the Bay. The guys tracked numerous songs and even got around to tracking Leon’s famous signature djimbe.
Keep an eye out for the new record from Joseph Israel and The Jerusalem Band!
Recently, the multi-talented recording artist and actor, Childish Gambino, ripped through the Bay Area performing a one off, sold out show at The Greek Theater with legendary artist Erykha Badu. Amazingly, he managed to pull this off while being deep in production for the upcoming film, Magic Mike 2, due out in 2015. While in town, Childish Gambino and Starita went into Jingletown Recording to lay down a new track for a new secret project that is sure to please. Stay tuned for updates on the release!