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DrumCat
/1-a-&, &4!
/When Judge John Hodgman orders you to learn the theme from Night Court, you do what you gotta do to make it happen.
Burlington, 9/4/16
/Photo by Luke Awtry
Traveling
/One of my favorite parts of being a musician is that I get to travel all over the country as part of my job. I had a lovely weekend in Western Mass and Burlington. BTV is one of my favorite places in the world and every time I get up there it's like hitting the reset button. Trying to keep the zen mentality I acquired there as I integrate back to NYC life!
August Work
/The last few weeks have been a busy blur, so I thought I would give a little update as to what I've been up to.
Two years ago, I helped develop the drum book for Pryor Rendering, a new musical by Frank Schiro. We did a reading and recorded a few tracks in the studio. The show is about to receive its world premiere in Oklahoma and I have been working hard to prepare the drum book for the percussionist. Here is the smallest of previews:
Keeping with the music notation theme, I was contacted by a fellow drummer and Phish fan who came across my transcription of Limb by Limb and asked me to write out three more Phish songs - It's Ice, Twist, and Mike's Song. On the surface, I thought these would be easy. They were not. The intricacies of Jon Fishman's playing are unparalleled and I have even more respect for him now than I ever did before. If you are in need of transcription services, please get in touch. Here's LXL in case you missed it the first time around:
In recording news, I tracked 6 songs for Craig Miller with engineer and guitarist extraordinaire Chris Takita. We recorded in my apartment and the drums sound incredible. If you are in need of some drum tracks at studio fee free prices, let us know. Here are a few pics Chris took from the session:
After three years of hard work, Trumpet Grrrl's EP Just Listen is now out. We played a live show at Silvana in Harlem to celebrate. Christina wore a space suit and I smiled a lot. Grab this disc now!
In PitchBlak news, we recently signed with Hoplite Booking Agency and have a slew of upcoming dates, including two this weekend in Western Massachusetts and Burlington, VT. Last night was the 8th installment of the 2016 PitchBlak Playlist and as usual, it was a blast. JusMoni killed it and I am obsessed as ever with her track Axela.
Is that it? I think that's about it. Hope to see you in the city or somewhere on the road!
xoxo,
Ashley
Out Today: Trumpet Grrrl - Just Listen
/I'm extremely proud of my friend, Christina, aka Trumpet Grrrl on the release of her new EP, Just Listen. She spent 3 years recording this thing the right way and it sounds amazing. I had a blast playing on it and couldn't be happier with the way the drums sound. Check it out!
Tracking: Craig Miller - A Spark
/Craig Miller, a wonderful musician from my hometown (banjo player in the bluegrass band, Grand Ole Ditch) asked me to record a few songs for his upcoming solo album. I was honored! The 10 minute tune is a musical odyssey that I had to split into 6 parts in order to wrap my head around it. I can't wait to hear the finished recording!
A Gig with a View
/Last night's gig did not suck.
Russ Lawton
/I got to chat with one of my favorite drummers, Russ Lawton, at Solarfest this weekend. I've been playing along with him since Trey Anastasio's 2002 self-titled release.
Russ has one of the greatest pockets out there! He also co-wrote some of the grooviest staples in the Phish catalog -- First Tube, Sand, and Gotta Jibboo. It's always a pleasure to hear him play and talk DRUMS!