Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta Master Conceptual Album by Punk Band Fucked Up

Toronto's one-of-a-kind experimental punk band Fucked Up are set to release their conceptual sophomore LP "David Comes To Life" June 7th, via Matador Records. The album was mastered earlier this Spring by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

As their name might imply, Fucked Up is a lyrically and musically confrontational hardcore six-piece who use their art to narrate stories of modern day plights. Unlike most bands in their genre, Fucked Up have become known for meshing their classic punk antics with a sense of theatrics- clearly exemplified in their latest work, the epic 18-song rock opera "David Comes To Life." Produced by Shane Stoneback (who also worked on the Lodge-mastered Cults' and Sleigh Bells' debuts), the songs are dense with layers and layers of roaring electric guitar, pummeling drums, bass and the growls of singer Damian Abraham as he weaves the tragic story of a man named David, accused of murdering the love of his life. A perfect marriage of studio tricks and raw, live energy, "David Comes To Life" is an album you won't want to miss.

Catch Fucked Up on their East coast tour this summer, including one show in their native Toronto opening for the Foo Fighters (who also mastered their chart-topping "Wasting Light" with The Lodge)!

Watch the trailer for "David Comes To Life" below:

Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta Master Cults' Self-Titled Debut

New York pop duo Cults are slated to release their self-titled debut on June 7th via Sony/Columbia/In The Name Of. Vocalist Madeline Follin and guitarist Brian Oblivion stopped by The Lodge this January to wrap up their 60's-inspired full length with Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta. 

It was only about a year ago that Cults seemingly came out of nowhere and took the audio blogosphere by storm with their infectious, self-released single "Go Outside." Almost as quickly as they appeared on the scene, the young couple were signed to chart-topping singer  Lily Allen's Sony/Columbia offshoot, In The Name Of-- an impressive feat considering that the two were in still in film school when the single came out! Engineered, mixed, and co-produced by long-time Lodge client Shane Stoneback (Sleigh Bells, Vampire Weekend), the album's 10 tracks are youthful, energetic and just about impossible to get out of  your head! 

While you eagerly count down the days to the release date, watch Cults' star-studded music video for their Lodge-mastered hit single "Go Outside" on MTV.com here. Directed by Patrick Hoelck and featuring popular actress Emma Roberts (Julia Roberts's niece) and Dave Franco (James Franco's younger brother), the retro-themed video was a part of MTV's latest production series dubbed the "Supervideos" project. MTV.com describes "Supervideos" as "collaborations between a cool director, cool actors and even cooler music."

If that's just not enough to satisfy you, watch Cults' latest video for "Abducted" below, or take a peek at their video for "Oh My God" -- directed by Daniel Garcia and featuring eccentric balloon art by Jason Hackenwer-- or even check out Madeline's brother's band The Willowz' 2009 album "Everyone," also mastered right here at The Lodge!

Magic Kids Bring Memphis To The Lodge

Indie pop's latest crush, Magic Kids, are counting down the days till their summery debut album "Memphis" (True Panther) is released on August 24, 2010. The album was mastered at The Lodge by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

Magic Kids are a joyfully talented and incredibly charming sextext from Memphis, Tennessee. The band, composed of childhood friends Will, Ben, Michael, Alice, Al and Bennett, is gaining a reputation for their endearing, lighthearted lyrics and colorful '60s pop inspired arrangements. Reminiscent of early Beach Boys and Electric Light Orchestra, Magic Kids' singles "Hey Boy" and "Summer," featured on the upcoming debut, have already caught the attention of recent buzzbands The Morning Benders and Ariel Pink, and have even earned them an interview by the popular indie-centric magazine Nylon. The band's shimmering debut "Memphis," to be released on True Panther, was produced and mixed by Shane Stoneback who recently collaborated with The Lodge on Vampire Weekend's "Contra" and Sleigh Bells' "Treats." Previous True Panther albums mastered at The Lodge by mastering engineer Joe LaPorta include: Lemonade's "Pure Moods," Tanlines' "Settings," Teengirl Fantasy's upcoming full length "7AM," and (former True Panther artist) Tamaryn's "The Waves."

Magic Kids are currently on a cross-country summer tour with Ariel Pink through the months of July and August. Stop by a venue near you and let their sunny music remind you what the season is all about!

mp3: Magic Kids - "Summer"

mp3: Magic Kids - "Superball"

Watch Nylon magazine's interview of the Magic Kids:

Sleigh Bells Brings "Treats" To The Lodge

Brooklyn’s blitz-pop power-duo Sleigh Bells will be releasing their debut “Treats” (N.E.E.T. / Mom+Pop) on May 11, 2010. The album was mastered at The Lodge, by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta.

Since their chance-meeting in 2008, Sleigh Bells' vocalist Alexis Kraus (public school teacher/former member of teen pop group Rubyblue), and guitarist/electronic drum producer Derek Miller (former member of post-hardcore band Poison The Well) have been taking the music scene by storm with a unique, high-powered blend of catchy vocal hooks, crushing drums, and driving distorted guitars. Developing quite a buzz with some free demo releases and raunchy, energetic live performances, it didn't take long before the band caught the attention of British pop star M.I.A. and signed on to her record label N.E.E.T.

Two years later, Sleigh Bells are finally ready to reveal their epic debut album to the world! Mixed by Shane Stoneback, (Vampire Weekend, Discovery), "Treats" is slated to be one of the most anticipated albums of 2010.

Watch Sleigh Bells perform one of their slammin' singles "Crown On The Ground" here: