Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta Master Ólöf Arnalds New EP!

Icelandic folk artist Ólöf Arnalds is slated to release yet another captivating studio project, "Ólöf Sings," on November 7th via UK Label One little Indian (Bjork, Sigur Ros). A delicate five-song EP, "Ólöf Sings" was mastered by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta at The Lodge.

Containing covers of some of the great songwriters of our century "Ólöf sings" is seventeen minutes of vivid performances only Arnalds herself could pull off with such sincerity. Produced by frequent Lodge client Skúli Sverrisson (who also produced Arnalds' debut Lodge-mastered LP, "Innundir Skinni"), the upcoming EP includes charming renditions of Arthur Russell's "Close My Eyes" and  Caetano Veloso's "Maria Bethânia," which fans may recognize from Arnalds' live sets. 

Want more Ólöf? Be sure to use the download code packaged with your copy of "Ólöf Sings," or download the EP straight from iTunes to receive several digital bonus tracks including Kyu Sakamoto's sunny"Sukiyaki," and a b-side of Arnald's Björk collaboration,"Surrender"!

Keep an ear open for more details on the release of Arnalds' sophomore full length rumored to be out next Spring and, in the meantime, check out this video of Arnalds effortlessly covering Arthur Russell's "Close My Eyes" below!

Joe LaPorta Masters Katie Herzig's "The Waking Sleep"

Grammy Award Nominee Katie Herzig released her fourth studio album "The Waking Sleep" on September 20, her first on Marion-Lorraine Records/Mercer Street Records. The album was mastered at the Lodge by Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta. 

A Colorado native, Katie Herzig's catchy folk/pop tracks have been featured in several TV shows including Bones and Bored to Death. With her new album, Herzig has revamped her singer-songwriter sound, experimenting with dance-pop beats without losing track of her folky roots. The album was produced by up-and-coming producer/composer Cason Cooley, and mixed by frequent Lodge client Justin Gerrish (Vampire Weekend, The Strokes, Ra Ra Riot).

Check out the inspiring behind-the-scenes clip here on Katie Herzig's site as well as the crafty new music video for "Free My Mind" below. Herzig is also just about to kick off on another cross-country tour, which promises to be a great time. Don't miss it!

Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta Master Jason Bajada's Sophomore LP "The Sound Your Life Makes"

Montreal based singer-songwriter Jason Bajada returns to The Lodge with his sophomore album, "The Sound Your Life Makes." The thirteen track project was released on September 13th via Maple Music Recordings and was mastered by Emily Lazar & Joe Laporta at The Lodge.

Jason Bajada has developed a substantial following over the course of his last three records with a signature piano-driven pop/folk sound. Teaming up for a second time with production team Les Troublemakers, "The Sound Your Life Makes" personifies the calm after the stormy love story of Bajada's 2009 Lodge-mastered "Loveshit." In a recent interview with the Montreal Gazette, Bajada spoke of mending his broken heart and simultaneously summed up the vibe of the album, "...I'm starting to feel OK, but I know I have to be careful. Baby steps, you know? Pain is a pet and you have to get used to letting go, to stop feeding it." 

Check out the music video for Bajada's mesmerizing new single, "Down with the Protest," below, created by Les Invincibles director Jean-Francio. Drama in high definition- we enjoyed it and think you will too!

Joe LaPorta Masters Vinyl Box Set By Neutral Milk Hotel

Just a few weeks ago, Jeff Mangum of iconic lo-fi folk band Neutral Milk Hotel very pleasantly surprised the world by coming out of a 13-year hiatus with announcements of a massive, vinyl box set due out November 22! Mangum visited The Lodge to participate in the critical mastering process with Joe LaPorta.

Known as the quintessential indie rock group before 'indie rock' had even become a common genre,  Neutral Milk Hotel's discography has reached almost legendary status over the years, influencing a slew of recent artists including Wilco, Franz Ferdinand, Rilo Kiley, and even pop producer Danger Mouse. To be the first official release since the band's critically-acclaimed "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" and their subsequent break-up in '99, this upcoming box set will undoubtedly be like magic to fanatical ears. According to a brand new Neutral Milk Hotel website, the box set will include:

"...two gatefold 12" records (In the Aeroplane Over the Sea and On Avery Island), two 10" records (Everything Is EP with bonus tracks and Ferris Wheel on Fire EP featuring eight previously unreleased acoustic recordings), two 7" records (Little Birds and You've Passed/Where You'll Find Me Now), one 7" picture disc with fold-out poster (Holland 1945/Engine), and two 24"x24" posters."

To top it all off, $1 per box set will be donated to Children of the Blue Sky foundation, and every newly-released song will be available as a pay-what-you-will download via BandCamp as of November 22. If you're dying for a sneak peek, head on over here to stream to "Oh Sister" and "Ferris Wheel On Fire" or listen to Mangum's eclectic and personally-crafted playlists to get yourself ready for the upcoming tidal wave of all things NMH. Oh, and don't forget to catch Mangum on a solo tour (yes, he's actually touring!)- complete list of dates here.

Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta Master Solo Debut By Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor

In the few years since joining crossover pop band Grizzly Bear, Chris Taylor has claimed a permanent place among indie royalty, extending his production credits to include debut albums by Twin Shadow and The Morning Benders, co-founding the brand new Terrible Records, and most recently, releasing his first ever solo album, "Dreams Come True." To be released on September 13 under the moniker CANT, "Dreams Come True," was mastered by Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta right here at The Lodge!

Typical of Taylor's musical endeavors, "Dreams Come True," is drenched in nuance, layered in effects and a shivers with a genuine sense of humanness. What's new to the scene, however, is 1) the heavy use of synthesizers opposed to his typical array of acoustic instruments and 2) Taylor's voice finally snags the spotlight! Self-produced/mixed/engineered, Taylor also called upon musical comrade George Lewis Jr. of Twin Shadow, whose critically acclaimed debut was also mastered at The Lodge. Mark it on your calendars, "Dreams Come True" will be released in less than few weeks via Warp Records/ Terrible Records and you won't want to miss the boat on this one!

Listen to the lead single "Believe" here and watch some sweet footage below of CANT's debut show at Mercury Lounge earlier this week to see how wonderfully the songs translate into a live set.