Music Mixing Blog

Introducing Young Jeezy

2008-08-12T01:51:00.003-05:00

So, i just finished creating the intro for the new Young Jeezy album. Its always a little extra special when you get your name on track #1, or the single, or the title track. In this case, just track #1. I'll take it. Not gonna spill the beans on what it is just yet, probably not at all what you think. I didn't mix it, (well, i mixed my part of it) i just created it, but it turned out to be quite an undertaking. Hopefully this will be another plaque on my wall. This is shaping up to be a fantastic year.

On another note, have any of you been watching the Olympics!!!! WOW! That Men's Swimming 4X100 Freestyle Relay was one of the all time best races i have ever watched in any sport ever. Sorry France, you might think twice about trash talking next time :-)
And the US Men clinching Bronze in the Gymnastics Team Competition was really awesome to watch. China was incredible. So much more to come i'm sure. Well, back to mixing. Gotta stay focused so i can take a few minutes a day to watch some Olympics!
-Ken Lewis

Josh Charles Tonight in NYC - 8/6/08

2008-08-06T04:16:00.003-05:00

Recently i had the distinct pleasure of mixing an album by artist Josh Charles. ( www.JoshCharlesMusic.com ) Josh describes his sound loosely as "NoTown", a fusion of New Orleans influences, Motown influences, soul, and modern pop. (i'm sure thats not exactly accurate, but you get the general idea, and there are songs posted on his website). At its core, the album has really great, memorable songs, with performances equally captivating. However, where the band truly shines is live on stage, and tonight they'll be playing at the Cutting Room in New York City at 8pm sharp. The Cutting Room is at 24th street between Broadway and 6th Ave. Go see them. I'll be there cheering!

Lots of great things have been happening for Josh, and i'm sure many many more are to come. Of special note, one of my favorite bass players in the world, and old friend, Paul Frasier, is on bass with Josh tonight. I've worked with Paul on many projects, most notably Paul played on the David Byrne album "Look Into the Eyeball" which i recorded and mixed, and played on a couple songs myself. Paul is truly amazing, as is the rest of the band. If your at the show, look for me and say hello! And if you miss the show, then check out the music on Josh's website, and let me know what you think of the mixes :-)

-Ken Lewis

Best Ears In The World

2008-07-28T03:44:00.002-05:00

I just thought this story was so inspirational and kind of reminded me of the show "Heroes" only in real life. I tend to think that we get a glimpse into our evolution 10,000 years into the future (if we make it that far) with people like Autistic Savants. The human brain and the human body are capable of doing the most unbelievable and extraordinary things, but almost always because they are highly crippled in some other way. Watch this kid (he is not autistic) who has developed echo location abilities, much like dolphins and bats have. He is also blind since the age of 2. This kid has the most incredibly tuned in pair of ears on the planet. If he ever wanted to be a mix engineer, the rest of us might just hang it up. Enjoy!!

Best Ears In The World

here's a bonus. one of my favorites. Daniel Tammet, a savant, but amazingly not autistic. There's an hour long documentary on him, this is just a 4 minute excerpt. the full documentary is simply beyond belief. This 4 minute clip is also pretty astounding. Like i said, this seems to me that a handful of people on Earth have unlocked the evolution of the human brain and body and are giving us a glimpse of what our distant future as a species might hold. Imagine if everyone could do these things!!!!

Daniel Tammet - Math and Language Savant

Enjoy!
-Ken Lewis

Death of a Great Man

2008-07-25T21:30:00.002-05:00

For those of you who do not know you Randy Pausch is, you owe it to yourself to learn who he is and to watch his "Last Lecture". Randy Pausch was a researcher and lecturer at Carnegie Mellon. Several months ago, he was diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic cancer, and today, Friday, July 25, 2008, it claimed his life. I could give you 100 reasons why you should know and care who he was, but instead, you owe it to yourself to spend one hour of your life watching his "Last Lecture". He is one of the strongest, most inspirational people I've ever heard. If you dont have an hour to spend, I've included a ten minute version of his Lecture which he gave on the Oprah show, just as inspiring. I promise you, it will change you. Rest In Peace Randy.

Randy Pausch Last Lecture - 1 Hour

Randy Pausch Last Lecture - 10 Minute Ver.

-Ken Lewis

Video Blog from Monday night 7-21-08

2008-07-25T00:56:00.002-05:00

Hey there!
So i fired up my webcam Monday night and rattled off a new little video blog. Just a general update really, not much of a tech blog but thats coming in a day or so. So, if you're bored and have 7 minutes to kill, kick back and catch the update!

-Ken Lewis

PMP WORLDWIDE - Interview

2008-07-22T14:24:00.002-05:00

I just did a really nice interview with PMPWorldwide.com

They run a great website for producers (PMP= Producers Market Place), so if you are an aspiring urban producer, check out the site and while you are at it, check out my interview, its a pretty good read. Its on the main page at....

www.pmpworldwide.com

and while your at it, you can check out my own producer page on PMP

The Skywalkers Producers

Enjoy!

-Ken Lewis

Returning to Daddy's House Studios

2008-07-16T18:53:00.003-05:00

Last Tuesday i returned to Daddy's House Studios, the recording home of Bad Boy Records, to continue mixes on MTV Making The Band solo artist, Donnie Klang. I mixed 2 songs last week, and so far two more songs this week, and I'm about to begin another mix now (8pm Wednesday evening). I already mixed Donnie's fist single "Take U There", which Donnie recently shot a hot hot HOT video to. The single should be dropping early next month to coincide with the new season of Making The Band on MTV, which i think starts in early August. As Diddy has already announced, this coming season will be "Making the Tour", as the cameras have been following Danity Kane, Day 26, and Donnie Klang out on tour. No cameo's for me this season, my 15 seconds (literally) of airtime last season was all she wrote.

So, this is also the return of the incredibly high track count mixes. The one i just finished had over 192 tracks!!! The one i'm about to start is equally daunting. Donnie's got some really hot songs on this album, I'm really proud to be working on it. Its always fun making records you think will be hits. Hell, i get to make records for a living, its hard NOT to have a fun day :-)

And on that note, my next mix is ready, back to work for me.

-Ken Lewis

5th From the Bottom

2008-07-15T21:08:00.001-05:00

Please watch this video on YouTube.com

I could not believe my own ears.

5th From the Bottom - Video

-Ken Lewis

Arianna Grande Production - Day 1

2008-07-03T23:24:00.003-05:00

This week on Wednesday i started production with a new artist named Arianna Grande. Arianna just turned 15 and what can i tell you about her except that she's got one of the best voices I've ever recorded and she's soon to be starring in an ensemble cast on Broadway for a highly anticipated new play called "13" making its Broadway debut in October! Yeah, I'd say she's got alot going for her. Not the least of which is charisma that just lights up a room.

So, I'll be producing 4 songs with her, and yesterday we started on the 1st of the 4. We did some songwriting on a new song and completely reworked it. Its coming along really well, but has a long ways to go, and it will get there. I co-wrote all 4 songs I'm producing with her and I'll be enlisting my two very talented staff guys, Brent Kolatalo, and Cooper Anderson to co-produce 3 of the 4 songs with me. I am REALLY excited about this project and I think Arianna is just going to bring magic to these songs.

Just for clarification, this project sounds NOTHING like a broadway singer. Its definitely pop, i guess leaning towards rhythmic pop, maybe along the lines of Rihanna or Natasia Bedingfield, in that general vein without sounding like either of those two artists. I'm sure i'll be blogging more about it as these songs develop and this project evolves, but we're off to a great start!

-Ken Lewis

Lee Carr Mix Session

2008-07-03T23:17:00.004-05:00

I just finished an all day mix session at my studio with the amazingly talented Jive Records artist Lee Carr. Lee and I just put the finishing touches on the final mix of Lee's next single. I'm not sure if i'm supposed to reveal the title of the song just yet, so I'll err on the side of caution and simply tell you that this song is a SMASH and you will most definitely be hearing it on the radio soon! We also recalled a mix for an artist Lee Carr is producing named Tezzy. Lee is also co-owner of Third Lane Records and Tezzy is Third Lane's newest signing. So, I mixed Tezzy's single last week, but tonight after Lee's single was finished, we pulled up Tezzy's single for about an hour and put some nice polish and shine on it and its ready to go! What a day! I think i am going to go out to my favorite diner, sit and have a nice meal and a tall glass of German beer and enjoy the rest of my night. Its 12:30am now. Oh, so i guess that means HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!! its the 4th of July!

-Ken Lewis

Beast of the Beats II

2008-06-30T13:29:00.002-05:00

Yesterday (Sunday) was the iStandardproducers.com "BEAST OF THE BEATS II" and there were i think 20 producers who were winners of previous Monthly Beat Battles from NYC, Philly, Chicago, and Atlanta, who all came together to battle it out for some pretty awesome prizes and supreme bragging rights. The competition was heated as everybody brought their best shots.

When the dust cleared, producer "The Letter C" stood atop the rubble as the winner of Beats of the Beats II. A very big congrats goes out to The Letter C, and as i was a sponsor of the event, The Letter C also wins a free mixdown from me. I wish i could offer a free mix to all of the producers as they were all incredibly talented. The top 4 winners were

1. The Letter C
2. JPat
3. Canei Finch
4. El Boogs

Some of my other personal favorites included PersuaZion, Pyro, and the Rockstars, but man, everybody really had some heat. The event was at a club in Manhattan called "Touch", which just had a monsterous sound system and a nice stage area. The judging panel included industry heavyweight Dave Lighty - A&R at Jive Records, and Pete Rock, whom i recorded his Soul Survivors album with. I havent seen Pete in 10 years! though we worked together on "Dogs of War" for the Ghostface Killah "Fishscale" album. Also, much to my complete surprise, Just Blaze was in the building, which i didnt know at first and apparently i walked right past him when i went over to say hi to Pete Rock and totally missed Just Blaze. When i found out Just was there, i went back to and caught up with him for a good half hour, I havent seen him in a while, though not long ago we did a bit of work together on the Saigon project.

Anyway. What a night. Congrats to all the producers and Kudos to Don Di Napoli and J Hatch of istandardproducers.com for putting on such a high profile and well run event!

-Ken Lewis

Viva Espana!

2008-06-30T13:27:00.002-05:00

Congrats to the Spanish National Soccer Team who won the Euro Cup 2008 Tournament on Sunday beating Germany 1-0. A very enjoyable match in which Spain clearly dominated the German squad on both offense and defense. Sorry Ramon, my team won :-)

-Ken Lewis

ESPANA!!

2008-06-27T02:43:00.002-05:00

I only saw the second half of the match, but Espana really dominated Russia in the Euro 2008 Semi Final today, beating them 3 -0 to advance to the finals. Beautiful goal scoring and offenseive play in general. Spain faces Germany on Sunday for the Cup Finals! Germany, you know I love you, but I'm picking Spain to win it all. Ramon, who are you picking? :-)

-Ken Lewis

Small Town Sleeper Enters the Charts!!!!

2008-06-26T02:48:00.002-05:00

Ohio Pop rock band "Small Town Sleeper", signed to my production company and Upper 11 / Fontana Records is finally on the charts. This has been a long time in the making to say the least. I met the band in 2000 (yes 8 years ago) and began developing them. I got them signed in 2006 and began producing their debut album which we finished in March of 2007.

Their first single "Backseat" has now been serviced to radio and is starting to make its presence felt. hopefully this is just the very beginning of a long chart run. "Backseat" debuted last week on the"CHR / Top 40 Indicator" chart last week at #37 and climbed to #36 this week. I've included a screenshot of the chart. Most notable is who's on the charts next to them. American Idol, David Cook, at #38, Taylor Swift at #32, Maroon 5 at #28. I'd say they are in excellent company indeed. You can listen to (and buy) "Backseat" on the band's myspace page, www.MySpace.com/SmallTownSleeper

Give it a listen! I am extremely proud of this album. (there are also Listen clips on my home page).

-Ken Lewis

Germany Denies The Turks!

2008-06-26T02:42:00.002-05:00

Did anyone see the Euro Cup 2008 Semi Final Soccer match, Germany against the Cinderella Turkish squad. WHAT A MATCH!!! I thought Turkey dominated most of the game, and certainly had more scoring opportunities, but they did dodge a bullet with a flagrant foul in the penalty box that went uncalled, and would have been a penalty kick. Turkey trailed late in the game 2-1, and tied it up with several minutes left in the match. Just as it looked like overtime, Germany scored an amazing goal to win the match 3-2. Congrats Germany and good luck in the finals! Turkey, what can you say, they've had the most amazing tournament of any team and should be immensely proud as a team and nation. they played a great game tonight. -Ken

No End In Sight - You MUST Watch This

2008-06-23T22:19:00.002-05:00

My production partner recently saw a documentary on the Iraq war called "No End In Sight". He was so moved by it that he told me i absolutely MUST watch it. So i just watched it, and I am now telling you, YOU MUST WATCH THIS. Rent the movie. Steal it from the internet. but watch it. It gives such deep insight into the (complete lack of) post war planning, and generally breaks down in shocking detail how everything in Iraq got so beyond fucked up. This is a not a Bush bashing propaganda film. It mostly relies on direct interviews with major players behind the scenes. The people who were there, knew what they were doing, or didnt, and either did not have the resources, or the man power, or were fired and replaced with completely incompetent people, or were sidelined while the Bush Administration made incredibly blunderous, short sighted, mistakes that led us down the path we're still on. I cannot begin to describe to you how the impact this film will (should) have on you, only that you, as an American, owe it to yourself to be much better informed than you currently are. Here's a link to the film trailer, and I have also provided several other links to additional articles and additional interviews with some of the people interviewed for the film.

No End In Sight - Film Trailer

interview with the Director

Video Interview with Colonel Paul Hughes

Sincerely,

-Ken Lewis

Sign O' the Times

2008-06-22T23:13:00.002-05:00

Give this article a quick read.

Gas Prices Thwart Indie Band Tours

On an unrelated note, a big congrats to Spain who advanced to the Semi Finals over Italy today! They play Russia in the semi final for Euro Cup 2008 Soccer!

-Ken Lewis

Costs Of War

2008-06-21T12:41:00.003-05:00

Please take 60 seconds out of your day to watch this. With over 4,100 US Soldiers dead, tens of thousands wounded, almost $600 Billion spent to date (mostly borrowed money from China) with projections of 3 TRILLION in costs. What are we gaining from occupying Iraq?

Costs Of War

Thanks for watching

-Ken Lewis

Heartbreak Kids

2008-06-20T17:37:00.002-05:00

Wow, what a finish!!!! I just watched the Croatia Vs. Turkey Quarterfinal match for the Euro Cup 2008. WOW! It was 0-0 into the second overtime period. Croatia scored late in the period which looked like it would certainly clinch the game. But Turkey was not to be denied, as they have been the comeback kids all tournament, Turkey scored the equalizer goal in stoppage time at the very end of the second overtime to throw the game into Penalty Kicks. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Well, if that wasn't unbelievable enough, Croatia missed 3 of 4 Penalty Kicks, and Turkey made all of their first 3 Penalty kicks to win the match. I know the whole country of Croatia must simply be heartbroken and at the other side of the pendulum, all of Turkey must certainly be partying like its 1999! Congrats Turkey! You get to face Germany in the Semi's. Yikes!
-Ken Lewis

Danity Hangs Tough!

2008-06-20T17:33:00.002-05:00

THis weeks "Damaged" update report. All of the singles chart positions for Danity Kane's hit single "Damaged" have held even.

Billboard Charts.....

Pop 100 Airplay #3 (last week #3)
Pop 100 Singles #5 (last week #5)
Hot 100 Airplay #8 (last week #8)
Hot 100 Singles #14 (last week #13)

Go DK go!

-Ken Lewis

Gas Prices - Explanation

2008-06-19T21:28:00.002-05:00

OK, here's a bit of info for you as to why gas prices are so high and how they might stay that way....... or not. It gets REALLY interesting around 6 minutes in, but is definitely worth watching the whole 10 minute clip.
Knowledge is Power.

High Gas Prices - Video

-Ken Lewis

A Little Something to Brighten Your Day

2008-06-19T04:13:00.002-05:00

OK, probably only real Star Wars fans will appreciate this, but i imagine thats ALOT of people. I am one of them, just call me Kenobi.

These are clips from "Robot Chicken", which in my view might just be the best show on television. The #1 clip has got to be the 2 best minutes of TV ever created.

Star Wars - Watch Clip #1

ENJOY!

-Ken

PS. Portugal plays Germany today!!! Euro Cup 2008! I've got a bit of Portugese blood in me, so I've got to go with my ancestry.

Who's Watching Soccer? Euro Cup 2008

2008-06-17T19:44:00.002-05:00

Congrats go out today to Italy for its 2-0 smackdown on France, which advanced Italy to the Quarter Finals along with The Netherlands from their group. Better luck next year France, you know i love you. I'm looking forward to watching Sweden play Russia tomorrow as well as Greece against Spain. I love soccer. I played year round my whole life from 6 years old until i was 22 (when i moved to NYC). I also got to attend several matches during the 1994 World Cup in America, where i saw, among other games, Bulgaria beat the mighty Germany!

Who else is watching the Euro Cup?
-Ken Lewis

Damaged @ #3!

2008-06-12T14:55:00.002-05:00

This weeks chart update on Danity Kane "Damaged"

Pop 100 Singles Airplay - #3 (up from #5!!)
Pop 100 Singles - #5 (up from #10!!)
Hot 100 Singles Airplay - #8 (last week #8)
Hot 100 Singles - #13 (down from #12, peaked at #10)

Damaged Remix featuring Fabolous

2008-06-12T02:29:00.002-05:00

I just finished mixing Danity Kane's "Damaged" Remix featuring rapper Fabolous. Its basically the same version as before but with a section added for Fab to rhyme over. Of course as usual, Fab spit fire on the track. Keep your ears open for this to hit radio soon. Bad Boy usually makes this stuff happen pretty quickly.
I'm also in the middle of mixing 6 songs for new Jive R&B artist Lee Carr. This dude is gonna be a star. I love every song I've mixed so far. His current single "Stilettos" is on the radio now (i did not mix that song, i came into the project after it went to radio). More about this project later.
-Ken Lewis