Joe LaPorta Produces Beat For New Hasbro Commercial

Joe LaPorta is one of The Lodge's Senior Mastering Engineers and in case you didn't know, he moonlights as a music composer & producer. LaPorta recently placed one of his own productions (through our sister company The Lodge Music Production) on a Beyblades commercial, a new battle toy from Hasbro. Check out the video below to see the commercial and hear the fresh beat that Joe cooked up for the kids.

The Lodge on Rolling Stone's 2010 "Best Of" Lists

Continuing our year-end wrap up of the internet's "Best Of" lists, we're happy to report some Lodge-mastered bands made their way onto some more big countdowns: the Rolling Stone Top 50 Songs of 2010, and Top 30 Albums of 2010.

Gaining even more accolades, Vampire Weekend's "Contra" earned the #6 ranking on the Top 30 Albums of 2010. Mastered by Emily Lazar and assisted by Joe LaPorta at The Lodge, the album has found itself onto many of this year's "Best Of" lists.

The always lively Sleigh Bells clocked in at #21 on the Top 50 Songs of 2010 with "Infinity Guitars," while Vampire Weekend earned another impressive appearance at #7 with "White Sky."

Congrats, guys!

Producer/Engineer Scott Jacoby & artist Maiysha visit East Fordham Academy of Arts

The Lodge's dearest friend and long time client Scott Jacoby recently visited East Fordham Academy of Arts along with RnB artist Maiysha to teach the students the magic behind songwriting & production.
Scott is a Grammy award-winning producer/multi-instrumentalist who has worked with so many artists such as John Legend, Naturally 7 & Vanessa Hudgens. He also produced and engineered Dutch rock band Kane's platinum selling album "Everythingyouwant" & EMI France's Chimene Badi: both albums were mastered by Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta at The Lodge.

Check out this video of Scott & Maiysha with EFA students recording their track "The Next Generation"...oh and if you look a little closer you might notice Scott rockin' a Lodge t-shirt. We love you Scott!

Happy Holidays from The Lodge!

Joe LaPorta Wraps Up Smith Westerns Sophomore Full Length "Dye It Blonde"!

Chicago's infectiously catchy rock band, Smith Westerns are releasing their second studio album, "Dye it Blonde," on January 18, 2010 via Fat Possum Records. The album was mastered at The Lodge by Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

Smith Westerns have caught a whirlwind of attention since they debuted with their self titled record last year, gaining them high profile praise, press attention, festival spots, and every other perk that comes with being a hot young band; and they are young. With most of their members still teenagers, many wonder how Smith Westerns play with the precision and maturity they do. Don't get confused however, "Dye it Blonde" is an onslaught of young angst with memorable riffs. Mastered at The Lodge this fall and produced / recorded by Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio), the album is a collection of catchy rock songs with a scratchy edge that would make any 70's rock fan nod with approval.

Smith Westerns are currently on a Europe winter tour with MGMT and have a slew of US shows to follow in the new year so don't miss out!

Lodge-Mastered Bands Among Pitchfork's Best of 2010

Pitchfork Media staff have been busy compiling their annual favorites for 2010 and, as usual, it looks like they have good taste! Check out all the Lodge-mastered bands who made it on their radar below and click here to view the complete Pitchfork staff lists!

"Top 50 Albums of 2010"

06. Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up the Gun" [XL]

16. Sleigh Bells - "Rill Rill" [N.E.E.T. / Mom & Pop]

26. Twin Shadow - "Forget" [4AD / Terrible]

(Honorable Mention) Dum Dum Girls - "I Will Be" [Sub Pop]

"Top 100 Tracks of 2010"

14. Sleigh Bells - "Rill Rill" [N.E.E.T. / Mom & Pop]

23. Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up the Gun" [XL]

24. Teengirl Fantasy - "Cheaters" [Merok / True Panther]

51. Smith Westerns - "Weekend" [Fat Possum]

54. Vampire Weekend - "White Sky" [XL]

65. Dum Dum Girls - "Jail La La" [Sub Pop]

"Top Music Videos of 2010"

The Morning Benders - "Promises" [+1] (view here)

Vampire Weekend - "Giving Up The Gun" [XL] (view here)

"Best of Pitchfork News 2010"

Dum Dum Girls Interview (view here)

5-10-15-20 Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend (view here)

Director's Cut: Vampire Weekend: "Holiday" and "Giving Up The Gun" (view here)

Neon Indian Releases New Video With Psychedelic Visual FX

Glo-fi all stars Neon Indian recently released a new music video for their hit single "Mind Drips," featured on the Lodge-mastered debut "Psychic Chasms." As if the music wasn't wild enough, frontman Alan Palomo collaborated with Lars Larsen and Edward Leckie, owners of the visual effects company LZX Industries, to make use of their psychedelic, analog video "synthesizers."

The video, filmed by Black Magic Rollercoaster Productions pictures a girl and her stuffed teddy bear diving through a hole in her bed, floating through an abstract realm of colors and patterns, re-emerging from her bedroom ceiling, then falling through her bed again... Very trippy.

Watch the "Mind Drips" video below and visit LZX Industries' website here to learn all about the manipulative methods in which LZX machines achieve their unique, artistic visual effects.

Lodge-Mastered Bands Featured On Stereogum's Best of 2010!

December is the time of year for lists: lists to Santa, gift lists for relatives/friends and, if you're on the internet with any regularity, a lot of 2010 favorites lists. As the new year fast approaches, we've noticed a few Lodge projects have made their way onto some pretty awesome "best of" lists!

Popular music publication Stereogum recently compiled a "Top 50 Albums of 2010" as well as a "40 Best New Bands of 2010" list, both featuring Lodge alumn! Check out our hightlights below!

Stereogum Top 50 Albums of 2010 view here!

Lower Dens - Twin Hand Movement - #42

The Morning Benders - Big Echo - #36

Twin Shadow - Forget - #33

Tamaryn - The Waves - #24

Vampire Weekend - Contra - #07

Sleigh Bells - Treats - #06

Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands of 2010 view here!

Givers

Lower Dens

Tamaryn

Tanlines

Teengirl Fantasy

Grammy Nominated Artists Mastered at The Lodge

The 2010 Grammy nominations have been announced and we're proud to send our congratulations to two artists we're quite familiar with: Vampire Weekend and BT. Vampire Weekend's "Contra" is up for Best Alternative Album, while BT's "THESE HOPEFUL MACHINES," earned a nod for Best Electronic/Dance Album.

The hugely successful indie release, "Contra," was mastered by Emily Lazar and assisted by Joe LaPorta. Building on the success of their 2008 self titled release (also mastered at The Lodge), "Contra" is only the 12th independently released album to ever earn a number 1 spot on the Billboard Top 100 chart.

Trailblazing electronic artist, BT, improved on his already impressive resume in 2010 with"THESE HOPEFUL MACHINES." Mastered by Lazar and LaPorta earlier this year at The Lodge, BT continued his tradition of pushing sonic boundaries, particularly in mastering, by merging analog tape machines and digital domain together in the same song. The result of this epic effort was one of the most exceptionally well crafted electronic releases this year. Sonic Scoop interviewed Lazar, LaPorta, and BT about this process in February, click here to read all about it.

The Grammy Awards ceremony will take place on February 13, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA at the Staples Center. Tune in and help us show support for our friends!

Emily Lazar Featured in 7th Edition Modern Recording Techniques

If you've been reading the latest edition of Modern Recording Techniques (by David Miles Huber, Robert E. Runstein), you may recognize a familiar face on page 564: The Lodge's Owner and Chief Mastering Engineer, Emily Lazar. Featured in "Chapter 18: Mastering," Lazar's picture presides over a comprehensive primer of mastering process. Among the most insightful and well-respected books in the realm of audio engineering, Modern Recording Techniques, now in its seventh edition, can be found in nearly every audio school around the world. Look for the book in stores or online here for a good read.

Chief Releases New Video for "Modern Rituals" Single!

Los Angeles / New York indie band, Chief, have just released a new video for their single "The Minute I Saw It," off the Lodge-mastered debut full length, "Modern Rituals" (Domino Records). Produced by Emery Dobyns, "Modern Rituals" is a warm pop rock album with an easy-going aesthetic reminiscent of their home state, California. Gracefully paralleled by director Austin Peter's nostalgic visual work, the video is a piece of art you just have to see for yourself! Watch it below, or on Spinner.com here.

The band is currently on an east coast tour, including a show at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC next Tuesday, December 7th . If you're out east, keep an eye out for them in a city near you!

The Smith Westerns Stream Single From Upcoming Lodge-Mastered Album!

The Smith Westerns, Chicago's latest buzzworthy band, don't have an album due out until mid January, but are already catching some major attention. Stereogum recently posted the band's first single from their upcoming album, "Dye it Blonde" (Fat Possum), mastered by Joe LaPorta at The Lodge. The sweeping slide guitar and endearing melodies of the featured track, "Weekend," will surely warm you up as we approach the winter season. Check out the tune here: http://stereogum.com/565101/smith-westerns-weekend/mp3s/

The Killers' iTunes Christmas Song Mastered At The Lodge!

It's beginning to sound a lot like Christmas! Las Vegas pop-rock band The Killers have just released their 5th annual original holiday song, "Boots," along with a charming music video directed by Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite). The year's seasonal tune was mastered by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta at The Lodge and was released in partnership with Starbucks' Share and (Red) HIV/AIDS awareness program. Every time the"Boots" music video is viewed, Starbucks will donate 5 cents to the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS in Africa, so help make the world a better place and enjoy a new song by The Killers all at once! Watch the video on Starbucks' website here.

Bellevue's Finest Master Self-Titled EP With Joe LaPorta

New York City's electronic pop newcomers, Bellevue's Finest are a shining example of how an indie band in 2010 should sound. With their new self titled EP, mastered by The Lodge's Joe LaPorta, Bellevue's Finest marry their DIY sensibility with old fashioned, studio quality recording. A living testament to the schizophrenic nature of modern recording as an indie band, the EP was produced by the band themselves and pieced together between sessions at home and at pro-studios around the city.

In the midst of their recording venture, Bellevue's Finest has been incredibly busy with their "Summer of Singles" series which consisted of one new digital release for every month of the season. Their latest EP is a collection of the three resulting songs "Echo On My Mind," "Homies On The Block," and "In My Dreams (ur txting me)" as well as one brand new track "Wannabe."

Bellevue's Finest recently held their CD release show at NYC's The Cake Shop to celebrate the self-titled EP and are known to play around the city quite frequently. Visit the band's website here to download "Bellevue's Finest" for free and check out their interview with Sonic Scoop here!

New BT Video For Lodge-Mastered Hit "The Emergency"

Brian Transeau, better known by his stage moniker BT, has produced and written original music since the early '90s. Wildly popular for his intricate trance and dance compositions, BT has also become an accomplished contributor to many genres, collaborating with a variety of artists such as Tori Amos, Tiesto, NSync, David Bowie, Armin van Buuren, The Roots and many more.

Longtime client of The Lodge, BT's latest full length "These Hopeful Machines," (Nettwerk) released in February of this year, was mastered by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta. One of the album's star tracks, "The Emergency," is still ranked #1 on Sirius / XM Radio's dance music channel "BPM," and was recently paired with beautiful visuals in a new music video directed by Nicolas Vantomme (Richard Durand, JES).

Watch the video below or on Nettwerk's website here and read all about Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta's experience mastering "These Hopeful Machines" in their interview with Sonic Scoop's here.

Don't forget to pick up a copy of BT's latest in stores near you!

Joe LaPorta Masters New Matt & Kim Album "Sidewalks"!

Brooklyn's energetic dance pop duo, Matt & Kim recently released their third studio album, "Sidewalks"(Fader Label) on November 2. Lead singer Matt Johnson stopped by The Lodge earlier this autumn to attend a session with Joe LaPorta who also mastered their 2009 release "Grand."

After a hugely successful year of touring and various placements across TV, film, video games, and radio, Matt & Kim returned to the studio to record their highly anticipated third album, "Sidewalks." Their DIY sensibility has gained them a substantial local and national following since the two began making music in 2004 while attending the Pratt Institute. Heading way south of Brooklyn for the recording of "Sidewalks", Matt & Kim visited producer Ben Allen (Gnarls Barkley, Animal Collective) in Atlanta before returning home to New York to check in with Joe LaPorta at The Lodge for mastering duties. Building on what the duo does best, "Sidewalks" is another incredibly fun and danceable album full of melodic hooks and carefree lyrics.

Matt & Kim are currently on tour across the United States and recently sold out two consecutive nights at NYC's Webster Hall. Known for their energetic, lively performances - complete with crowd surfing! - don't miss out on a show near you!

Click here to listen to the first single from the album, "Cameras," streaming from Matt & Kim's official Facebook page, and watch the video below!

The Suzan Brings Golden Week For The Poco Poco Beat To The Lodge!

Japanese garage-punk girl band, The Suzan, are all about having fun! Their new album, "Golden Week for the Poco Poco Beat," mastered by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta at The Lodge, is a fusion of genres that are outwardly unconventional, but result in a poppy, upbeat, and danceable mashup of funky drums, jazzy melodies and swinging rhythms. The group's energy caught the attention of Bjorn Yttling (Peter, Bjorn, and John), who produced "Golden Week for the Poco Poco Beat," and the result is really something to enjoy!

Traveling from their native Tokyo, the girls recently finished up a wildly successful series of shows in NYC for CMJ week, including a Halloween show (complete with cat costumes). "Golden Week for the Poco Poco Beat" is available now via Fool's Gold / Downtown Records so be sure to check it out!

Bear Hands "Burning Bush Supper Club" Mastered At The Lodge!

Popular in the experimental pop scene, Brooklyn's Bear Hands are set to release their new full length studio album, Burning Bush Supper Club, on November 2, 2010 via Cantora Records. The album was mastered at The Lodge by Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

Formed in Brooklyn by a group of college friends in 2006, Bear Hands have hit the indie scene with a splash since they began touring a few years ago. Burning Bush Supper Club will mark their first full length effort since releasing an EP in 2007. James Brown (Foo Fighters), the album's engineer, stopped by The Lodge late this summer to work with mastering engineer Joe LaPorta, after spending months crafting the album with producer Chuck Brody (Lykke Li, Santigold). Much like the work of their Brooklyn contemporaries, Bear Hands have traces of many eclectic influences in their music. From psych-rock sounding songs to brightly upbeat pop anthems with booming drums, Bear Hands has a little something for everyone. They also recently headlined the Lodge-sponsored CMJ showcase at NYC's bowling alley/venue, the Brooklyn Bowl in October!

Bear Hands have been touring relentlessly since the summer, and are gearing up for even more dates with their friends and pop-rock giants MGMT this fall and winter. Come out and see these road warriors at a venue near you.

The Smith Westerns Debut Their Lodge Mastered Track On Stereogum!

Chicago's infectiously catchy rock band, Smith Westerns are releasing their second studio album, Dye it Blonde, on January 18, 2010 on Fat Possum Records. The album was mastered at The Lodge by Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

Smith Westerns have caught a whirlwind of attention since they debuted with their self titled record last year, gaining them high profile praise, press attention, festival spots, and every other perk that comes with being a hot young band; and they are young. With most of their members still teenagers, many wonder how Smith Westerns play with the precision and maturity they do. Don't get confused however, Dye It Blonde is an onslaught of young angst with memorable riffs. Mastered this fall at The Lodge by Joe LaPorta, and produced and recorded by Chris Coady (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV On The Radio), the album is a collection of catchy rock songs with a scratchy edge that would make any 70's rock fan nod with approval.

Ólöf Arnalds Masters Sophmore Full Length At The Lodge

Iceland has proven once again that it can produce exceptional singer/songwriters, with the ethereal multi-instrumentalist Olof Arnalds' latest release, "Innundir Skinni." Mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta, the album hit stores September 14 via One Little Indian Records and earned an 8 of 10 rating from Spin Magazine. The whimsical full length was produced by Kjartan Sveinsson (Sigur Ros), recorded by Birgir Jon "Biggi" Birgisson (The Album Leaf, Mum) at Sigur Ros' studio Sundlaugin and even features vocals by her all-star friend Bjork on the song "Surrender."

The video for title track"Innundir Skinni" premiered on Stereogum over the summer- click here to view their full presentation, or simply watch the video below!

Listen to The Pains of Being Pure at Heart's "Heart In Your Heartbreak" Now!

Pitchfork is streaming the latest single from The Pains of Being Pure at Heart here!

The song, "Heart In Your Heartbreak," is the A-side to a 7"/digital single, alongside "The One," to be released December 13.

Both tunes will be featured on the New York pop band's upcoming sophomore album "Belong," (Slumberland) which was recorded by Flood (The Smashing Pumpkins, Sigur Ros, U2), mixed by Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and mastered right here at The Lodge by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta! Stay tuned for the full-length's release next March!

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart are planning a tour along the West Coast and Europe all through November, so keep an eye out for a show near you!

Nadine Coyle Masters Debut Solo Album With The Lodge

Irish singer and pop starlet, Nadine Coyle is set to release her debut solo album, "Insatiable", next Monday, November 8.The album was mastered at The Lodge by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

A longtime member of the hugely successful British pop group Girls Aloud, Nadine will venture into the solo world for the first time with Insatiable. Showing maturity since her days of teenage pop stardom, Nadine has crafted a confident, but youthful sound for herself. Now able to show off her dynamic voice, Nadine's backdrop is an album full of memorable hits produced and co-written by some of the best in the industry. Taking nearly 2 years to complete, "Insatiable" is the product of long, grueling studio and writing sessions with some of the top writers and producers in the music world today, including Toby Gad (Beyoncé), Guy Chambers (Robbie Williams), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem, Maroon 5), and William Orbit (Madonna). To add the final polish to the all-star supporting cast, she dropped by The Lodge late this summer to master Insatiable with Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta.

Nadine is currently rehearsing with a full band and planning a world-wide tour, so keep an eye out for any shows near you!

Watch the music video for the album's soulful single/title track "Insatiable," directed by Wayne Isham:

Lodge-Mastered Bands on Top 100 DJs!

Congratulations to the three Lodge-mastered artists who made Trackitdown.net's annual Top 100 DJs list!

Musician/producer and frequent Lodge client, BT, clocked in at #79. Dutch electronic producer extraordinaire, Tiësto, was dubbed #3. And the #1 Top DJ title- for the fourth consecutive year- went to Armin van Buuren, who mastered his latest full-length "Mirage" with Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

Check out Trackitdown.net's full Top 100 DJs list here, and don't forget to check out Armin van Buuren's 2010 release "Mirage," BT's "These Hopeful Machines" and Tiësto's "Kaleidoscope" -- all mastered at The Lodge and in stores near you!