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:

Lodge-Mastered Bands At Pitchfork Music Fest!

Indie music's favorite media publication, Pitchfork, is counting down the days till Friday, July 16, the first day of their annual summer music fest! This year, nearly 50 incredible acts are scheduled to rock the three-day event set in Brooklyn's Union Park.

Here at The Lodge, we're extra excited because bands we have recently mastered material for are joining the party:

Saturday:

Bear in Heaven

Sunday:

Neon Indian

Sleigh Bells

Beach House

If you haven't already bought tickets for the sold-out show, Pitchfork has just announced that there will be extra passes available to purchase in-person on Thursday, July 15!

Click here to go to the Pitchfork Music Festival 2010 official website for more information about the artists and events.

Hope to see you all there!

Indie All Stars Present "All Summer"

Popular indie artists Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend), Best Coast, and Kid Cudi teamed up to write the breezy "All Summer," for a Converse exclusive release. Part of Converse's music-collaboration series "Three Artists, One Song," the seasonal track features Batmanglij's smooth pop production, signature glassy vocals by surfer-rock songstress Bethany Consentino (Best Coast) and carefree rhymes by rapper Kid Cudi. The song was recorded by Justin Gerrish (John Mayer, Weezer, Muse, Vampire Weekend) and mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta.

Watch SPIN Magazine's behind-the-scenes video coverage here.

And click here to download the summer jam for free from Converse's website.

Chromeo Turns The Lights Out At The Lodge

Montreal's electro-funk duo Chromeo released their latest single "Don't Turn The Lights On" (Vice Records/Atlantic) on June 29, 2010. The track was mastered at The Lodge, by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

Chromeo have been garnering fans world-wide since the pop duo first formed in Montreal in 2001. The band is composed of two long-time friends David "Dave 1" Macklovitch on guitar and lead vocals and Patrick "P-Thugg" Gemayel on talk box, keys and synths. Notorious for their infectious 80's-retro dance beats and lyrical hooks, it is no surprise that their latest single, "Don't Turn The Lights On," is full of catchy vocal hooks, funky electric guitars, and analog synths galore. A masterfully crafted pop song, the song is the first collaboration between The Lodge Mastering and Chromeo, as well as engineer/producer extraordinaire Phillippe Zdar (Cassius, Phoenix, The Rapture, MC Solaar) who mixed the track.

Chromeo are also planning a cross-country summer tour through the months of July and August and are even teaming up with Neon Indian (also mastered at The Lodge) for a few shows- don't miss the chance to get your dance on!

Click here to check out Stereogum's Premier of Chromeo's "Don't Turn The Lights On"

Window Shopping

Passing by Other Music today, I saw this...


Sleigh Bell's "Treats" & Suckers' "Wild Smile" are 2 debut albums by 2 Brooklyn bands that are gaining quite a bit of attention right now. Both albums were mastered at The Lodge and are on their way to being the soundtrack to your summer. Loving the window display!

Lodge-Mastered Bands Join 2010 Bonnaroo Bill!

This past weekend (June 10-13), over 250,000 music-lovers gathered in Great Stage Park in Manchester, Tennessee to experience one of the most widely-celebrated annual arts festivals of this generation. Superfly Productions' "Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival" is a glorious, round-the-clock, four-day venture, featuring bands of all genres including rock, hip hop, country, electronica, and more. This year, Neon Indian, Against Me!, and The Postelles, joined the lineup, performing songs from their latest Lodge-mastered releases.

(Above) The "That" Tent, Thursday, June 10:
Manhattan's pop-rock band The Postelles played a set of their signature jangly, love-struck tunes for new and familiar fans alike. Their self-titled debut full length is due out July 27th on Astralwerks/Capitol Records, and was mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta.

(Above) The "This" tent, Sunday, June 13:
Punk rock all-stars Against Me! put on an explosive show for a full house of raucous fans. Their set list mostly consisted of songs from their newest album "White Crosses," (Sire) which was mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta.

(Below) The "That" Tent, Thursday, June 10:
Acid-infused electropop group Neon Indian performed songs from their debut album "Psychic Chasms" for screaming fans, including some who dressed in feathered headdresses and neon-paint. Originally released in 2009, "Psychic Chasms" was re-mastered at The Lodge by Joe LaPorta and re-released on New York's FADER Label/Cornerstone Promotions on June 8, 2010. Check out the video below of Neon Indian performing "Ephemeral Artery", live at Bonnaroo.

Summer Blockbuster Mastered at The Lodge!

Universal Picture's "Get Him to the Greek", a hilarious spin-off of 2008 comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall, hit U.S. theaters last Friday, June 4. The soundtrack was mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta, and includes songs written by Jarvis Cocker (Pulp) and performed by the movie's fictional artists Infant Sorrow and Jackie Q. The comic album was produced by Jonathan Karp and Lyle Workman and mixed by Billy Bush (Garbage, The Subways).

Written/directed by Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Yes Man) and produced by Judd Apatow, the film follows the outrageous story of British rock star Aldous Snow (played by Russell Brand) and his record label's awe-struck intern (Jonah Hill) as they hustle from London to L.A. for a 10th anniversary show at The Greek Theater.

Cameo appearances include Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Sean "P.Diddy" Combs, who plays the head of Infant Sorrow's record label.

"Get Him to the Greek" is a total riot, and is now playing at a theater near you!

Suckers drop "Wild Smile" TODAY!

Suckers have been ruling the Brooklyn music scene for quite some time now and they have finally released their debut album "Wild Smile" (Frenchkiss Records) TODAY! The album was mastered at The Lodge by Joe LaPorta and produced by Chris Zane (Passion Pit, The Walkmen, Asobi Seksu) earlier this year.

Preorder the album on iTunes H E R E

They are currently on tour with label mates Local Natives so try not to miss these guys live- each band member plays at least 3 instruments (sometimes even simultaneously!)

06-10 Manchester, TN – Bonnaroo
06-13 Isle of Wight, England – Isle of Wight Festival
06-15 London, England – Shepherds Bush Empire
06-24 Glastonbury, England – Glastonbury Old Queen’s Head
06-25 Glastonbury, England – Glastonbury Festival
06-27 Paris, France – Solidays Festival
07-02 Hérouville-Saint-Clair, France – Beauregard Festival
07-04 Rosklide, Denmark – Rosklide Festival
07-18 Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Festival
08-05 Boston, MA – The Middle East
08-06 Philadelphia, PA – The First Unitarian Church Sanctuary
08-07 New York, NY – Governors Island
08-11 Cannes, France – Pantiero Festival
08-12 Haldern, Germany – Haldern Festival
08-13 Gothenburg, Sweden – Way Out West Festival
08-14 Oslo, Norway – Oya Festival
08-15 Leicester, England – Summer Sundae Festival

Lower Dens To Release "Twin Hand Movement"

Baltimore-based rock quartet Lower Dens will be celebrating the release of their debut full-length "Twin Hand Movement" (Gnomonsong) on July 20, 2010. The album was mastered at The Lodge by Sarah Register.

Drawing inspiration from new-wave, post-rock heroes Sonic Youth, Joy Division and The Cure, Lower Dens' "Twin Hand Movements" is a wash of swelling electric guitars, overdriven bass, rich, textured drums, and front-woman Jana Hunter's smoky melodies. The resulting sonic soundscape is incredibly captivating. "Twin Hand Movements" was recorded at Beat Babies studio by Chris Freeland (former Oxes' drummer) and mixed in NY by producer/engineer Chris Coady (TV On The Radio, Beach House, Grizzly Bear, Yeah Yeah Yeah's).

Lower Dens will be joining hometown friends Future Islands (who also mastered their latest release, "In Evening Air," with Heba Kadry at The Lodge) for a cross-country summer tour blitz. Don't miss out on an awesome show!

Listen to Lower Dens' "Hospice Gates" here!

Summer Headliners Mastered at The Lodge

The Lodge Mastering invites New York to celebrate summer as some of the hottest bands on the scene gear up for their seasonal tours. In support of recent releases, all of which were mastered at The Lodge, Vampire Weekend, Minus the Bear, Sleigh Bells, Dum Dum Girls, The Morning Benders and many more will be performing in and around the New York City area. See below for a complete listing of upcoming shows, and be sure to pick up a copy of the artists' latest albums!

Against Me! -- June 24 @ Wellmont Theatre

Chief -- June 2 @ The Mercury Lounge

Future Islands/Lower Dens -- June 12 @ Bowery Ballroom

Maps & Atlases -- August 12 @ The Mercury Lounge

Matt Pond PA -- June 27 @ The Bowery Ballroom

Minus the Bear -- July 8 @ Webster Hall

The Morning Benders -- June 5 @ The Fillmore, July 27, 28 @ Central park Summerstage

The Postelles -- July 28 @ The Bowery Ballroom

Suckers -- June 18 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg

Vampire Weekend w/ Beach House & Dum Dum Girls -- September 15 thru 17 @ Radio City Music Hall

Three Lodge-Mastered Bands Tour Together

This fall will grant three big wishes to millions of fans throughout Canada and the U.S. as indie rock powerhouses Vampire Weekend, Beach House, and Dum Dum Girls team up to create somewhat of a super-tour. Coincidentally, this trio of groups have each mastered releases right here at The Lodge: Vampire Weekend's "Contra", Dum Dum Girls' "I Will Be" and Beach Houses' "Zebra EP".

The tour, headlined by Vampire Weekend, will begin on August 28th at Vancouver's Malkin Bowl and end off with a three-day stay in Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall, stopping in nearly 10 major North American cities along the way. This tour is guaranteed to be emblematic of 2010 and we are excited for the musical possibilities that could come from cramming these three bands together on a bus.

Check out all the dates and venues the tour will hit here!

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:

The National Rocks An Abandoned Castle!

Brooklyn indie-rockers, The National, have released a gorgeous live Pitchfork performance, mastered at The Lodge by Joe LaPorta. The performance is part of a Pitchfork.tv "Special Presentation" series that includes 4 new tracks from the band's highly anticipated fifth studio album "High Violet" (4AD)- out May 11, 2010. The performance was recorded and mixed by producer/engineer David Tolomei.

Truly cinematic, the video features an epic live performance of the band rocking out in an eerie abandoned castle on the Hudson River. It's quite amazing!

Talk Normal making waves!

Lodge mastering engineer and total badass Sarah Register's band Talk Normal has been making some serious waves in the NY indie music scene. They just landed a cover spot on The Deli Magazine and recently opened up for Sonic Youth in late 2009 (gasp)!! Kim Gordon is apparently such a devoted fan, she has a Talk Normal painting as part "The Noise Paintings" exhibition held at an Upper East Side bookstore. Here's a link: http://70.32.78.35/sonicnews/?p=747

Click H E R E to check out The Deli magazine cover

And here's the video for their insanely awesome single "In A Strangeland". Yeaaah!

The Morning Benders Bring "Big Echo" to The Lodge

It seems as though nothing can stop this talented quartet as they continue to cause quite the stir in the indie blog music world. Their recently released sophomore album, "Big Echo," (Rough Trade) was co-produced by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor and has established this group of young men as one of the most popular and sought after bands out there. "Big Echo" was mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar and Joe Laporta.

The band was founded by frontman Chris Chu, who began by releasing a few EPs on his own. By late 2006 the band filled out with Julian Harmon on drums, Tim Or on bass, and the multi-instrumentalist, Joe Ferrel switching between organ and guitar. With the complete band in place, they released a full length album, "Talking Through Tin Cans," (Brown Bottle) in 2008, which was mastered by The Lodge's Sarah Register.

With "Big Echo", Chu and the group have proved themselves to be thoughtful, sophisticated songwriters while maintaining their incredible pop sensibility. With sweet, looping singles like "Excuses" and the thundering drums and gentle vocals of "Mason Jar", this album sucks you into their lush Spector-esque "wall of sound" and exemplifies the kind of growth and musical maturity that makes a perfect second album. We're all really excited about this one!

Check out the first video from "Big Echo," "Promises":

Against Me! Masters "White Crosses" at The Lodge

Gainesville's Against Me! has returned to The Lodge to master their second major label record, "White Crosses" (Sire), with Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta. The latest project, produced by Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage), will be released on June 7th and 8th this summer .

Against Me!, which started off with just Tom Gabel and an acoustic guitar, has evolved over the past thirteen years through different permutations of band members and record labels to become the internationally-loved punk rockers they are today. The band currently consists of front man and guitarist, Tom Gabel, guitarist James Bowman, bassist Andrew Seward, and drummer George Rebello and has found a home at Sire Records.

For the latest, "White Crosses," the band has returned to Nevermind producer, and the man responsible for their 2007, "New Wave," Butch Vig. Aside from his production fame, Vig is also known for his work as drummer of the Post-Grunge, alternative rock group Garbage, whose 2005 Bleed Like Me and 2007 Absolute Garbage were mastered at The Lodge.

As a preview to "White Crosses," Against Me! has already released a video for "Rapid Decompression" and as well as an EP, "I Was A Teenage Anarchist," featuring two songs from the album and two bonus b-side tracks. The band begins their summer tour of North America in Orlando, Florida on June 15th, so be sure to check them out!

Check out their new video for "Rapid Decompression" off of "White Crosses":

New Ravi Shankar!

Ravi Shankar celebrated his 90th birthday last week with the launch of his new record label, East Meets West, and a sneak preview of his new album, Nine Decades: Volume 1 (1967 - 1968), mastered by Joe LaPorta at The Lodge.

Shankar, world-reknown for his work in incorporating traditional Indian Sitar music into the West's mainstream culture, has released nearly fifty albums over his sixty year career, collaborating with artists like George Harrison and Phillip Glass. His new album, the first of what will most likely be a series of releases on his new label, will officially hit stores tomorrow, April 13th. It is a look back at a never-before mastered concert from 1967, and contains some cool extras as well.

Though Shankar has now entered his ninth decade of life, he shows no signs of slowing down. With the new album, the new record label, and a recently completed tour through New Zealand and Australia, it seems as though we may have another ninety years to look forward to from this musical visionary.

Check out this video of Ravi Shankar playing live at the Monterey Pop Festival as a young man. It is explosive!

Minus the Bear Masters OMNI at The Lodge!

Minus the Bear stopped by The Lodge to work with engineers Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta on mastering their new album OMNI, produced by Joe Chiccarelli. The band has already unleashed a single called "Into The Mirror", with a B-side bonus track, "Broken China". OMNI is all set to be released on May 4th of this year on their new label, Dangerbird, and promises to be yet another indie treasure from this talented group.

Formed in Seattle in 2001, the band consists of lead singer and guitarist Jake Snider, guitarist Dave Knudson, bassist Cory Murchy, drummer Erin Tate, and Alex Rose (picture above) who joined the band playing keyboard in 2006 when producer Matt Bayles decided to give up his career as a performer in order to focus on producing. He went on to produce their 2007 album, Planet of Ice.

However, with their new album being released on their new label, it was only fitting that they get a new producer-- Grammy Award-winner, industry legend, and longtime friend of The Lodge, Joe Chiccarelli (The White Stripes, The Shins). Between him and the Minus the Bear boys, "Into The Mirror" and OMNI will knock your socks, shoes and leggings off!

Check out this live performance of Minus the Bear's new single, "Into the Mirror"

Dum Dum Girls!

Dum Dum Girls' brand new debut album "I Will Be" (Subpop) just came out yesterday and is already causing quite the commotion.
Mastered by Joe LaPorta, "I Will Be" is a throw back to 60's girl group nostalgia with a punk swagger--- Think The Ronettes meets The Ramones.

The album was produced by the legendary Richard Gottehrer (who co-wrote "My Boyfriend's Back" and produced artists such as The Go-Go's and Blondie) and engineered/mixed by Alonzo Vargas.

One of our fave albums this year thus far- you can buy the album here. Watch the video for the single "Jail La La".

Beach House master new EP at The Lodge

Just a few months after their critically acclaimed album "Teen Dream" (Subpop), Beach House are getting ready to release a new 12" for their single "Zebra". The tracks were mastered by Joe LaPorta at The Lodge.
The new EP will include a UK radio edit of the title track, 2 new tracks and a dreamy remix of "10 Mile Stereo" aptly titled the "Cough Syrup Remix". The EP was produced & mixed by Chris Coady (who also worked on their recent album) and is bound to fulfill your Beach House crave (if you still haven't had enough of them!)

The band plans to exclusively release the 12" on April 17th at independent record stores in honor of "Record Store Day". "Zebra EP" will be available at Other Music, Bleecker Street Records, Generation Records and several other music shops throughout the city (and the world). For all participating stores, check out Record Store Day's Venue Listing here.

Check out this gorgeous live performance (and brilliantly filmed) piece on arte: