DNA Studios owners Mark Whitcomb and Brian Daly like to keep themselves in the thick of things in the Madison music scene. The studio was recently honored with a 2008 MAMA award for “Studio of the Year.” In a market of modest size such as Madison, the key to staying busy is diversity and the two producers strive and thrive on a surprising range of projects. Musicians both, Daly and Whitcomb each stay active with their respective bands: Sunshine for the Blind and Lorenzo’s Music. Sunshine for the Blind’s song “Drop the Weight” was nominated for a 2008 MAMA for best rock song. Whitcomb is putting the finishing touches on Lorenzo’s fourth studio release Bazar, which will be out any day now. The bands will share a bill at an upcoming show: Sunshine for the Blind w/ Lorenzo’s Music Saturday, June 7th 10pm $5 cover Cafe Montmartre 127 E. Mifflin St. Madison WI 53703
In addition to their work with bands, Daly and Whitcomb also compose and produce original music for hire under the name DNA Musiclabs. The latest Musiclabs production was a Loops for ACID music library for Sony: Black Paint. Filling out the production team on this project was DNA house drummer Scott Beardsley and DNA Engineer Mark Weber.
Sony: Black Paint: Indie Rock Anthems
Raw and edgy with just a hint of power pop luster, Black Paint: Indie Rock Anthems serves up a backstage deli tray piled high with rock’s main food groups—guitars, bass, and drums—organized into 15 distinct song structure folders that make this exclusive Sony Sound Series title an all-access pass to perfect tracks. A bulletproof toolbox full of indie rock nuts and bolts, Black Paint dials directly into today’s popular formats, from power pop ballads and dance-rock stormers to big time anthems with riffs that stick like duct tape. Each folder comes with its own royalty-free ACID project to help you get that all-important first gig off the ground, and each sound has been meticulously edited for best results in your ACID software station or any other program that jams out with .wav files. Not to be confused with fake rock made using drum machines and modeled amps, Black Paint is the real thing, with hot tubes, natural grooves, and pro studio cats at the board who work with hungry rock bands day in and day out. Tag your tracks with some Black Paint and make your mark. Read More
In keeping with the theme of diversity, here is an overview of recent production projects for other recording artists at DNA:
Mute Grey
Daly produced a six song EP to be release on June 13th. The young band (who was recently flagged as one to watch by Isthmus Magazine) debuts their unique sound to the world at large: a moody mix of ambient soundscapes and brutal metal riffs with gothic undertones. Ethereal female vocals by Meg frame aggressive screaming by drummer Suit. www.myspace.com/mutegreyband
Natty Nation
The Madison reggae vets tracked 5 songs live (vocals and all) with Whitcomb for their upcoming album, which will feature 9 electronic songs and the 5 rootsy live reggae tracks. Also in tracking their upcoming album with Whitcomb and DNA engineer Scott Lamps is Madison’s Nama Rupa, who also happen to be the backing band for Jah Boogie’s Natty Nation. The Nama record is a modern reggae production, combining styles like Stephen Marley, Damien Marley, Midnight, the Easy Dub Allstars, RX Bandits, the Police, and of course, Bob Marley.
K Mone$
As an emigrant from Kenya, rapper K Mone$ has followed the recent upheaval in Kenya with more than a passing interest. Deciding he wanted to bring his voice to call for peace, K Mone$ enlist Whitcomb to write and produce a track for him to lay his rhymes over with a message of peace and unity. As part of the project, Whitcomb brought in local video producer John Wiedenhoeft to help create a video. The trio shot footage at DNA and on location, and Wiedenhoeft camped out in DNA’s studio C for a couple days of editing. The final result can be seen here: www.dnastudios.us/kmonee
Marques Bovre & So Dang Yang
The venerable singer songwriter is working on an EP with Daly. As part of the session the group also recorded another song with a connection to global healing. “Dry Bones” will be heard on an upcoming compilation CD as part of the “Madison for Africa” project. Proceeds will benefit The Global Fund and the AIDS Network of Madison Jentri Colello: Upcoming talent alert! This wonderful ep of soulfully rendered folk/rock was recorded with Whitcomb in 4 days of ‘band camp’ in May.
Photos
Note: the music discussed in this article can be listened to on a media player at: http://www.dnastudios.us/mp3s/DNA_Demos_5-27-08/wimpy.php
Contact
Email: Brian Daly b1daly@gmail.com
Website: www.dnastudios.us
Phone: (608)235-5990
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