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.

Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta Master Boy & Bear's Debut "Moonfire"

 

Crooning Aussie folk band Boy & Bear are on their way to the top with the recent release of their debut, "Moonfire," via Universal Republic/Island Records Australia. The lush 11-song album was mastered by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta.

Boy & Bear have come a long way since lead singer Dave Hosking started the group just over two years ago. Their debut EP, "With Emperor Antarctica," released in 2010, reached #63 on Australian ARIA charts, led to a series of performances supporting Mumford & Sons during their Australian tour and even caught the attention of their current labels Universal Republic/ Island Records Australia.  Fast forward past hundreds of shows and months of relentless songwriting/recording in Nashville with producer Joe Chiccarelli (The Shins, My Morning Jacket, Minus the Bear) and the band is now celebrating the release of a stunning debut LP! 

Peaking at #2 on iTunes Australia and #2 on the ARIA Top 50 Albums chart, Boy & Bear's "Moonfire" is taking them places, fast. If you missed them on their recent US tour, keep an eye out because their three-part harmonies & jangling guitars will surely be coming this way again soon!

Watch the video for the band's leading single, "Feeding Line," as well as "A Short Documentary On Boy & Bear" below for some behind-the-scenes footage and insightful commentary on the band's creative process and inspirations behind "Moonfire." 

Joe LaPorta Masters New Converse Single With Matt & Kim, Soulja Boy & Andrew W.K.

A party anthem just in time for the end of summer, "I'm A Goner," is a brand new collaborative single by Matt & Kim, Soulja Boy and Andrew W.K. released exclusively through Converse! Both Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino stopped by to master the song with Joe LaPorta who has also mastered their last two full length albums "Grand" and "Sidewalks." 

Download the track for FREE, check out the gruesome music video for "I'm A Goner" (starring a room full of corpses dancing like there's no tomorrow- huh? exactly.) and a watch a brief behind-the-scenes clip of the recording at Converse's free studio 'Rubber Tracks,' all right here! 

Want more free singles? Click here to listen & download last year's Converse single, "All Summer," by Best Coast, Kid Cudi and Vampire Weekend's Rostam Batmanglij- mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta

Mirror Mirror Master "Interiors" with Joe LaPorta

Brooklyn synth pop group Mirror Mirror have just released their sophomore LP, "Interiors," today via RVNG INTL.! Masterminds David Riley and Ryan Lucero both stopped by The Lodge to master the album with Joe LaPorta.

Reeling in layers of analog synths, brooding vocals and lyrics about "deals in themes of secret societies, escapist fantasies and psychological extremes," (RVNG INTL.), "Interiors" is a perfectly appropriate second step in the psychedelic excursion Mirror Mirror embarked on with their 2009 debut "The Society of the Advancement of Inflammatory Consciousness." Recorded in two parts, half of the record was produced by frequent Lodge client Chris Coady (Cold Cave, Smith Westerns, Beach House) and is centered around the duo's trademark entrancing electronic beats. The equally moody and expansive second half features production by Thomas Asenault and Zeljko McMullen as well as the pulsating live drumming of Joshua da Costa (Dinowalrus, Regal Degal).

Stream the album in all it's glory on Fact Mag's site here, download the eponymous lead single on Stereogum here and watch its video featuring Rumi Missabu of '60s San Franciscan drag queen troupe The Cockettes on Fader's website here.

Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta Go "Deeper Into Dream" with Ben Lee

Accomplished singer-songwriter Ben Lee has announced an October 11th release date for his eighth studio album "Deeper Into Dream" (Dangerbird Records). Lee stopped by The Lodge to master the record with Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta. 

One of the most personal releases over Lee's 20 year career, "Deeper Into Dream" consists of 10 songs and 3 conversational interludes-- all recorded at his home studio in Laurel Canyon and inspired by three years of studying dream work.  In his own words, “This album is about dreams, and like a dream, it bubbled up mysteriously from my unconscious. I’m listening to it wondering what it is, and why it came, what it has to tell me.” Intrigued much? Download the first single, "Get Used To It," straight from his website here!

Joe LaPorta Masters Ronnie Spector's Cover of Amy Winehouse

When the troubled, Grammy-award winning soul singer Amy Winehouse passed away recently, she left millions of fans and admirers around the world in dismay- including pop diva Ronnie Spector, of the definitive '60s girl group The Ronettes.

Spector, who was a major influence on Winehouse's career (right down to the beehive hair!), just released a cover of the young starlet's breakthrough hit "Back to Black." The track, which Spector has performed regularly since the eponymous album came out in 2007, was mastered by Joe LaPorta and  recorded with legendary producer/frequent Lodge client Richard Gotteher (Dum Dum Girls, Blondie).

Listen to Spector's cover and read what she had to say about Amy Winehouse's life and music on Rolling Stone's website here or purchase it on iTunes where proceeds of the sales will be donated to Daytop Village Rehabilitation Centers.

Ronnie Spector performing "Back to Black" live at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill last December:

Björk & Michel Gondry Team Up For Another Stellar Music Video!

Just a few days ago, Björk unveiled the first music video from her massive upcoming release "Biophilia." Directed by the extraordinary Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Science of Sleep), the cosmic stop-motion video for "Crystalline" marks the eighth time the pair have worked together since their debut collaboration on the video for Björk's 1993 breakout hit "Human Behavior." So far, "Crystalline" is the leading single from the "Biophilia" album which was mastered by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta right here at The Lodge!

Watch the clip below via Björk's YouTube channel and stay tuned for more goodies to come-- it seems like another piece to the"Biophillia" puzzle gets posted every day!

Scott Jacoby's Eusonia Records Featured In Playback Magazine

Long time Lodge-collaborator & Grammy Award-winning engineer/producer Scott Jacoby was recently interviewed extensively for Playback Magazine regarding his 2007 startup, Eusonia Records. Visit ASCAP.com to read the article to learn more about what motivated Jacoby to enter the world of production and eventually found his own independent label. You can also keep up to date with new releases, tours and more from  Eusonia's up-and-coming artists Silya and Grammy-nominated Maiysha (who both mastered their debut studio projects at The Lodge) at Eusonia.com!

Ronnie Vannucci (of The Killers) Masters Solo Album with Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta at The Lodge

Ronnie Vannucci, best known as the drummer in pop/rock group The Killers released his debut solo album under the moniker Big Talk on July 19th, via his own imprint  Little Oil/Epitaph Records. The eponymous release was mastered at The Lodge by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta. 

Overlooking Greenwich Village, The Lodge is one of New York’s most  successful and unique mastering studios; catering to artists that seek an alternative and more personalized approach to mastering. The Lodge’s gear list pays homage to mastering studios of the past; equipped with a slew of vintage outboard gear that has attracted a wide spectrum of artists, including: David Bowie, Foo Fighters, The Shins, Lou Reed, RZA (Wu Tang Clan), Vampire Weekend, Garbage, Depeche Mode, Tiësto, Vanessa Carlton, Morrissey, BT, Natalie Merchant, The Prodigy, Destiny’s Child, and Moby - just to name a few.

When The Killers took a break last year after almost a decade of relentless touring & recording, drummer Ronnie Vannucci finally found the time to give his own songs the treatment they deserve-- and what a treatment they got! Produced by Joe Chicarelli (The Shins, My Morning Jacket) and mixed by Alan Moulder (Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters), the 12-song rocker also features cameos by  former Killers' bandmate Taylor Milne on guitar, former Weezer bassist Matt Sharp and frequent Killers' live guitarist Ted Sablay. 

Catch Big Talk in concert on the West Coast at the end of this month as they perform as a band for the first time ever! They'll also be making their TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live July 25th, so do your homework and peep the new singles "Getaways," "No Whiskey," and "The Next One Living" on Epitaph's SoundCloud right now so you can sing along when they hit the stage!

The Lodge Masters Music for Björk's Epic Multimedia Release "Biophillia"

Visionary Icelandic pop icon Björk is set to release her upcoming multimedia project "Biophillia" later this year. The music for the release- including a 10 song album and 10 musical iPad apps themed after each song's scientific subject matter- was mastered at The Lodge this March by Emily Lazar and Joe LaPorta alongside Björk and her long-time engineer Damian Taylor.

Intended to blur the lines between science and music, the "Biophillia" project also consists of a handful of fascinating instruments that Björk and Taylor invented themselves, a new interactive website based on the solar system and constellations, as well as future collaborations with local scientists and educational facilities in each of the 8 cities she plans to tour over the next few years in unique 6-week residencies. 

Read more about Björk's ground-breaking multi-faceted release and the concert premier in detail on New York Times' website right here!

Head over to Pitchfork.com to check out another in-depth interview  with the talented singer and read more about the series of iPad apps (the 'mother app' has been released on iTunes today!).

Listen to the first singles "Crystalline" and "Cosmogony" on Conseqeunce of Sound for just a little taste of what's to come!

Now, if all of this still isn't enough to satisfy your craving, you're in luck! Read more about the incredibly elaborate "Biophillia" boxset on LA Times' website.

Album teasers below:

-Popular Syrian singer Omar Souleyman recording a remix of "Crystalline" 

-An introduction to the Gamaleste (a Björk/Taylor invention) 

-A clever preview of "Crystalline" which was posted on her website before the single had been released.

Hooray For Earth Bring True Loves to The Lodge!

Brooklyn-based quartet Hooray For Earth released their lush sophomore album, "True Loves," on June 6, via Dovecote / Deathcote Records Frontman Noel Heroux stopped by The Lodge earlier this year to master the record with Joe LaPorta.

Boasting 10 gorgeously crafted songs, "True Loves" is equal parts synth-pop and indie-rock goodness. Self-produced and mixed by Chris Coady (Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs), each tune weaves seamlessly into the next, instantly pulling you into the depths of the dreamy-yet-commanding soundscapes that have come to be Hooray For Earth's signature sound. 

Be sure to catch them on tour with Cymbals Eat Guitars in the coming months and watch the EPIC video- directed by the production team Young Replicant team- for their popular title track, "True Loves," on Pitchfork here!

Above & Beyond Bring Group Therapy to The Lodge!

British trance icons Above & Beyond released their latest studio project, "Group Therapy," on June 6th via their own imprint, Anjunabeats. The album was mastered by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

Since their formation in 2000, Above & Beyond's Jono Grant, Tony McGuinness and Paavo Siljamäki have lit up radio, clubs, stadiums and festivals around the globe with their unique brand of self-proclaimed 'uplifting trance' music. Their third full length to date, "Group Therapy" highlights the trio's ability to not only create enviable dance grooves but to also craft songs and pen lyrics that will make your soul ecstatic. In addition to producing original, critically acclaimed releases, Above & Beyond boast a vast catalog of remixes for such A-list acts as Madonna, Britney Spears, and Dido and have been ranked among the top five of DJ Magazine's Top 100 DJs every year since 2008!

Above & Beyond will be performing relentlessly on a three-month world tour this summer so don't miss your chance to catch some of the best dance music around today!

The Lodge's Emily Lazar & Joe LaPorta Master The Postelles Debut Album!

New York indie rock band, The Postelles, released their heavily anticipated self titled debut on June 7, via Plus One Records. The album was mastered at The Lodge by Chief Mastering Engineer Emily Lazar and Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta.

The four-piece- consisting of vocalist Daniel Balk, guitarist David Dargahi, bassist John Speyer and drummer Billy Cadden- formed in high school and have since established a retro Motown-meets-downtown NYC sound. Their catchy pop melodies and lo-fi grit, equally influenced by '50s era rock/swing and modern day indie pop, caught the eye of musician/producer Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes, who engineered and co-produced their upcoming album. The Postelles' debut will undoubtedly be an instant addition to your summer playlist!

The Postelles will be touring from coast to coast this summer. Be sure to check them out when they come to a town near you! In the mean time, watch their most recent music video for  their single "Sleep On The Dance Floor " here: http://vimeo.com/20811754

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:

EMA's Debut "Past Life Martyred Saints" Mastered By Sarah Register

Ex-Gowns' singer/guitarist Erika Anderson ("EMA"), has recently exploded on the blog scene with the release of her debut solo album "Past Life Martyred Saints." Mastered by Sarah Register right here at The Lodge, the highly anticipated LP was released just a few days ago on May 10, via Souterrain Transmissions, and has already received high praise from audio aficionados Pitchfork, Stereogum, and many others.

As the frontwoman of Gowns, Erika made a name for herself with the alluring contrast of her raw, fuzzed-out guitar riffage and strikingly intimate vocal performances. Though the songs on "Past Life Martyred Saints" may be slightly more hummable than something from Gowns' catalog, Erika remains true to her rugged signature sound, letting spontaneity and raw instinct guide her wicked guitar playing and hushed, vulnerable lyrics.

If you're in the UK or on the West Coast, don't miss the chance to catch EMA on tour this Spring. In the meantime, check out these wild videos for "Milkman" (Directed by William Rahilly) "California" (directed by Leif Shackelford) below and learn a little more about the Erika in her interview with Pitchfork here!

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!

Joe LaPorta Rings In Spring With New Releases by Dum Dum Girls, Smith Westerns, tUnE-yArDs and more!

(Pictured from left to right): Richard Gottehrer, Alonzo Vargas, Dee Dee (of Dum Dum Girls), Joe LaPorta, and Sune Rose Wagner

As the seasons turn, 2011 has already proven to be quite a productive year for The Lodge Mastering Engineer Joe LaPorta. 

The first of many impressive albums mastered by LaPorta this year includes Dum Dum Girls latest EP "He Gets Me High" (Subpop) which was produced by Richard Gotterher and The Raveonettes' Sune Rose Wagner, with Alonzo Vargas on mixing duties. Other recent projects include the critically-acclaimed "Dye It Blonde" by Fat Possum Records' Smith Westerns and "Cherish The Light Years" by Matador Records' Cold Cave (both produced/mixed by Chris Coady), as well as the eccentric and soulful tUnE-yArDs' album, "w h o k i l l" (4AD), recently featured on NPR's "First Listen."    

The coming months will also see the release of several amazing albums mastered by LaPorta, including: Ford & Lopatin's LP "Channel Pressure" (mixed by Prefuse 73 and out via Software/Mexican Summer), another Chris Coady-mixed album dubbed "True Loves" (Dovecote Records) by New York's Hooray for Earth, singer/songwriter Robert Ellis's beautiful "Photographs" for New West Records (mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Steve Christensen), and a 7" by the much buzzed-about Blood Orange (Terrible Records) produced by Grizzly Bear's Chris Taylor.

Currently, LaPorta is in the studio wrapping up new full length albums by Sadat X & AG, Class Actress, Zambri, Pink Skull & Dum Dum Girls in addition to mastering tracks for Oh Land!, Freelance Whales and Lil Jon!