In the Studio: The Old American Can Factory

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PitchBlak laid down three tracks with Don Godwin at the Old American Can Factory in Gowanus, Brooklyn yesterday. With the exception of the vocals, we tracked everything live. I just heard the rough bounces and these tracks are going to be straight fire!

I used my Roland SPD-SX in the studio for the first time for some 808 bass drum and hi-hat sounds. We also ran the click from the SPD via the sub output on that same track (the only one we used click on). It ran like butter! I love that thing. 

About to record three tracks with @pitchblakbrass. First time using the SPD-SX in the studio!

A photo posted by A. Baier (@ay_bear) on


PitchBlak Summer: Fare the well

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The whole gang, smiley and giggly at the start of tour. 

I told myself I would blog every day while I was on tour, but of course I didn't, so how about a recap? 

Day 1: Flew EWR->LAX. Slept almost the entire flight (rare). Once we landed we had to pick up the van as well as the drums I rented (thank you Joseph Muskat for the beautiful looking and sounding Yamaha kit) and then it was time for some fun on our only day off! First stop was In-N-Out (overrated but good as always) and then a trip to Dodger Stadium with Max and Brian to watch Clayton Kershaw dominate the Padres. Got back to the hotel for a late-night hot tub session with Bryan, Alison, Brody, and Max. 

Day 2: Drove to San Francisco for our first show of tour at Neck of the Woods. Had some just ok Vietnamese beforehand and caught a random Phish cover band at Cat Club (I heard Reba, First Tube. E: Wingsuit, Llama. Took a moment to reflect on the fact that I would not be at Dick's this year.)

Day 3: Spent the day wandering by myself in Haight-Ash where I picked up some Grateful Dead playing cards and a hoodie. Checked out the Grateful Dead house. Short drive to play in Nevada City where we found out pretty much the entire town goes to Burning Man. Got back to our apartment in Oakland just in time for the earthquake! #wesurvived. 

Day 4: Played an afternoon show for 350.org, busked for a hot minute in Berkeley, and then played at Cafe von Kleef in Oakland. 

Day 5: Started a long drive to Arcata with a busted tire. Thankfully we were close to a Mercedes dealership and they were able to quickly get us back on the road. Thank god because it was time for my favorite part of the trip - the redwood forest! I have seen redwoods before, but this community forest in Arcata was simply breathtaking. A true marvel! Played at Jambalaya and drove 4 hours afterwards to Roseburg, OR. 

Day 6: 6-hour drive to Seattle. Had coffee from a Dutch Bros. The dudes working there commented on my Phish shirt so they got a PB business card. Seattle's Nectar Lounge is a great spot to play and the sound engineer, Mell Dettmer, was among the best I've ever worked with. Also got to see Jasmine, a friend from home, who now lives in Seattle. Went to a clubby-club afterwards but ended up at a quiet gay bar because all I really wanted was a drink and not a fight with some jerk I crossed paths with. 

Day 7: Short drive to Portland. Stopped off at one of the stores you can only find in Washington or Colorado. First time having Voodoo Doughnut (maple bacon bar), first time at a strip club (the entire band went and it wasn't sleazy at all). Free Buck Hunter backstage at the Star Theater. Thought we lost the keys to the van. Oye.  

Day 8: Brunch at Emily's (sax player in Cherimoya) and a quick stop in Hawthorne. Got a hair cut (and complimentary High Life) at Bishop's just as I had 5 years ago on Good Asian Drivers tour. Short drive to Eugene. Second time having Voodoo Doughnut (maple cream) and a short set at Cozmic. Back to the hotel early to crash. Rest was very much welcomed. 

Day 9: Absolutely gorgeous drive to Chico through Shasta National Forest which included distant forest fires and a very dry Shasta Lake.  Opened for Afrofunk Experience at Lost on Main. Loved their drummer Paul who took a picture of me because I look a lot like his sister, apparently.  Got invited to the Conch (aka #SecretStonerMILFCave). Slept in Andrea's pool house.

Day 10: Last drive of tour! Woo! All the way to L.A! Boo! Somehow stopped at the same gas station we stopped at on the way up to San Francisco. Walked around Little Ethiopia, played at the Mint, got to see my old co-worker, Nate. Julia Nunes sat in with us and we stayed at her apartment. Brian, Max, TJ, Ben and I went on a late-night excursion through Hollywood and ate at Mel's Drive-In. 

Day 11: Dropped off the drums and the van, got through security at LAX, and immediately started celebrating the end of tour with Max and Brian. I slept most of the flight home, too. Glad to be back east.  

Heading West!

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A week from today, my band - PitchBlak Brass Band - will be flying west to embark on a 10-day, 8-city tour.  Do you live in any of these cities? If so, the best thing you can do (next to coming to the show) is to tell your friends about it. We don't know a lot of people in many of these towns, so we could really use your help spreading the word.

Click the name of your city below to get info on the show. Thank you so much for helping get the word out. It means a lot to me and the rest of PitchBlak! 

Aug 22 - San Francisco 

Aug 24 - Oakland

Aug 25 -  Arcata

Aug 26 - Seattle

Aug 27 - Portland

Aug 28 - Eugene

Aug 29 - Chico

Aug 30 - Los Angeles

It's in the details: Sectionals

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Photo by @TubaFresh

 

Last night, the PitchBlak Rhythm section (Ben Brody, Chris Johnson, myself, and Chanell Crichlow) got together for a little sectional. We are heading to the west coast for the first time in August, so we want to be sure the band is as tight as possible, and that starts with us. We fleshed out a few problem spots in existing tunes, worked on the groove for some new rep we will introduce on that tour, and most importantly, really focused on listening to each other. It's amazing what you can accomplish in just two hours together!