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: