Music Mixing Blog

Kanye's Heartless Cracks Top 5!!

2009-01-03T15:18:00.002-05:00

What a great way to start my New Year!!! "Heartless" jumps to #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart!

2008 - Auld Lang Syne

2008-12-31T17:34:00.000-05:00

Another year has passed us by. Where does the time go?! 2008 turned out to be quite a great year for me career-wise. This years highlights included scoring four #1 albums!!! (Danity Kane, Day 26, Young Jeezy, Kanye West). On top of that, i mixed a Top Ten Billboard Single, "Damaged" - Danity Kane, and played on another Top Ten single "Heartless" - Kanye West.

To start 2008 off, i bought an SSL mixing console, which has been a great investment. I've worked with many great artists this year, and at my own studio, I've mixed songs this year by (or featuring) Danity Kane, Day 26, Lee Carr, Fabolous, Joe Budden, The Game, Sullee, Busta Rhymes, Donnie Klang, Marina Chello, Notorious BIG (Notorious Soundtrack), Ariana Grande, Josh Xantus, Jadakiss, Ben's Brother, Joss Stone, Bizzie Bone, King Phaze, DMX, Sheik Louche, Stylez P, KK Alese, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Sizzla, and I'm sure I'm forgetting someone. In addition, I mixed an album here for Asian mega-star "Rain". I also created alot of music here for three songs on Kanye's new "808's & Heartbreak" album and worked on Jeezy's album here too. And i've done mixes elsewhere featuring Rick Ross, Fat Joe, P Diddy, Mario Winans, and others. As i'm writing this off the top of my head, i'm sure i'm forgetting some great label clients, but wow! What a year!!!!

That all doesnt even scratch the surface of some of the great indie projects I've been fortunate enough to be involved with in 2008. Start to finish, this has truly been a great year, and I have loved every minute of it. Having said all that, i think 2009 is going to top 2008. I dont know how for certain yet, but i have very high hopes for 2009, and every bone in my body tells me its going to be a phenomenal year. I'm really excited about a new artist I'll be developing, as well as some seriously awesome songwriters i've been working with. Watch out for my Skywalkers Production team to have a serious breakout in 09. I was also recently contacted by one of my musical idols about doing some production and mixing for an artist he is developing. I wont say who he is until the gig fully materializes, which should be soon, but lets just say that round here we stay up very very very late. And i'll leave it at that. I am VERY excited about that project, as it might also include another one of my favorite artists as a guest appearance. All i can do is Breathe in for Luck.

2009 should start off with a bang credit-wise as i will have my first big release of the year on January 13 with the NOTORIOUS SOUNDTRACK. I'm hoping to add to my current tally of 48 Gold & Platinum records with that Soundtrack, and i hope to finally surpass 50 by the end of the year. I got 4 more plaques this year so two more for 2009 doesnt seem like an insurmountable goal to achieve. Lee Carr's album on Jive Records could certainly bring me to 50. Watch out for Lee's new single "Breathe" which i mixed here. it is a GREAT song and should be a big hit if Jive does their job, and the album will hopefully be a big hit as well. Its truly a collection of great songs, which i rarely say, but he's really got some heat on that album, with plenty of singles to follow "Breathe".

2009 should also see the release of the first single and album by "Small Town Sleeper". they are signed to my production company as well as Upper11 / Fontana Records. I developed them and got the band their record deal then produced and mixed their album "Conversations". Check it out on itunes! The label is gearing up to go to pop radio with STS's first single "Backseat", a song that I've known could be a big hit from the first moment i heard the acoustic demo. Small Town Sleeper has already toured with Daughtry as well as Candlebox and has shared the stage with many other big big artists. Hopefully 2009 will see them capture the spotlight we've all worked very hard to get them.

So, now i'm off to enjoy my New Year's Eve with family and friends!!! I hope your 2008 was healthy, happy, and prosperous, and that your 2009 brings you all of the success and happiness you are striving for. I know it will bring that and so much more for me.

Happy New Year!!!

-Ken Lewis

Christmas Card

2008-12-24T22:19:00.003-05:00

Well, its Christmas Eve. This is the night my family always celebrates Christmas, so we've already had our Christmas dinner and opened some presents, but i wanted to send out a special Christmas Card to you, my family, friends, clients, co-workers, and everyone i've worked with this year. Thats ALOT of people!!! So, Merry Christmas to all of the artists, musicians, vocalists, producers, engineers, managers, label people, songwriters, blog readers and everyone else who has made this year such a memorable and exceptional year.

I really wanted to get Christmas cards out this year, but just about every minute of every day for months on end has been going from this mix, to that production, to this performance, to that songwriting session. Don't get me wrong, these are WONDERFUL problems to have. Being too busy in this business is truly a blessing, and fortunately for me, i still very much love what i do, thanks in large part to all of the genuinely great people i get to work with and around all the time.

So, i know this is kind of cheating, but its the best i could do this year. To all of you, have a very Merry Christmas!!!

-Ken Lewis

Kanye "Heartless" at #7

2008-12-20T00:38:00.002-05:00

Those staccato Flutes that come in right after the intro and basically keep time thru the song. Thats me. How could you bee so Heartless........

BMV is #1 in Macendonia

2008-12-14T14:13:00.002-05:00

Recently i finished production and mixing of an album by Icelandic pop rock artist "BMV". BMV has been busy promoting the album worldwide, and i just got word that the single "Runaway" is #1 in Macedonia of all places!!! For those geographically challenged, Macedonia is a small country in Europe bordered by Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, and Serbia & Montenegro.

Radio 106, the biggest station in the country, is spinning "Runaway" 14 times a day!!!! Holy Cow! You can hear "Runaway" and several other songs on BMV's myspace page at MySpace.com/BMVsounds

You can also buy the song straight from his MySpace page if you really like it. Don't be shy! Here's a screen capture of the Macedonia Chart. Quite an impressive list of artists beneath him :-)

-Ken

#1

2008-12-07T20:09:00.004-05:00

808's & Heartbreak

2008-11-27T09:54:00.002-05:00

Kanye West's new album, "808's & Heartbreak" came out Monday and is set to debut #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart next week (my 4th #1 album of the year - Danity Kane, Day 26, Young Jeezy). However, the title of the album holds special meaning to me, at least the HEARTBREAK part, because, once again, my work is all over the album, but my name is missing completely from the credits. UGH. This happened to me as well on Gold Digger which i created music for, but my name was absent from the credits.

I contributed music to "Heartless" (the steady staccato flute is mine), "Welcome to the Heartbreak" (the piano line is me), and My biggest contribution to "808's...." is on the song "Robocop". There's a string section that starts the song, its a simple steady marching string section. Thats not me. Thats Larry Gold's string section. when the chorus comes in ("OK, OK, OK, you'll never stop it now") the big soaring orchestra in that section is all 100% me. and the orchestral music underneath the "Cause I dont want a Robocop...." is also all me.

When i say all me, I created it all. A basic breakdown of the instrumentation i used, all from sample libraries, alot from IK Multimedia's Miroslav Philharmonik, as well as East West Quantum Leap Symphonic Orchestra Platinum, and some of my other EXS 24 Logic sound libraries. Basically an entire orchestra, 1st violin section, 2nd violin section, viola section, cello section, double basses, french horns, trumpets, trombones, flute, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, english horn, harpsichord, tympani, orchestral snare, glockenspiel, and bassoon. It took me about 9 or 10 days to create it all, as there are several different passages, and lets face it, trying to create a full orchestra that fools the ear is quite an undertaking if you want it to sound real. Of course, Kanye sped up the orchestra, which also raised the pitch by 300 cents, so if you want to hear exactly what it sounds like at its originally created speed and pitch, you'll have to slow the record down, just like slowing a vinyl record down to drop the pitch by 300 cents. In fact, when i get back to my studio, i will take a clip from the chorus and do just that, and post it here for listening. I'd love to post a clean file of only the orchestra, but while i did all of the work, the record company owns all of the rights to it, so I can't really do that.

I was called in to work on the songs very near the completion of the album. In fact, as soon as i would finish something, and Kanye would approve it, I would send it straight off to Manny Marroquin in LA so he could drop it into the mixes (I think Manny mixed the whole album). I hope and suspect that the lateness with which i was called to contribute is why my name got left off, as i assume the credits and artwork had already gone to press. I was literally working on this album the first week of November and it was released on November 24th, which is virtually unheard of in the record making world. Though actually, the same time frame happened when i was working on Young Jeezy's album, and they managed to get me properly credited.

All i can say about it is that i love the album, and I'm very proud to be a part of it, but it is utterly depressing to not be properly credited for my work time and time again. People like me survive and thrive from the credits we earn, and when that credit is left off, its like taking money straight out of my pocket from lost future work. I will still of course put the credit on my discography, but the millions of albums that should have my name in them, won't. What can i say, Welcome To The Heartbreak.

-Ken Lewis

Joe Budden brings The Game

2008-11-17T03:43:00.004-05:00

I just finished mixing the first single on Joe Budden's upcoming album. The song is called "The Future" and it features The Game as well. I did some mixing on The Game's first album "The Documentary", and also mixed a track that he rhymed on from Cuban Link's last album, so this is the third time i've gotten to mix him. Joe Budden and i go back to his first Def Jam album as well when i mixed 3 songs for his album. I've done lots of mixing for Joe over the years and I think he's one of the most lyrically gifted rappers on earth. The Game is no joke by any means either. I heard a mix tape a while back that The Game was on and he must have rhymed for about 5 minutes nonstop, no hook, just a straight verse, blazing hot.

Anyway, this song should actually start hitting clubs by the end of the week, and i imagine they'll start rolling out radio promo by the new year. Keep an ear out for it, i love the song! Tomorrow i have to wake up crazy early and mix a very special song for Bad Boy Records. I'm not sure if i can talk about it yet, so i'll hold off on details til i know its safe, but i'm excited about it. A great way to start off the week!

-Ken Lewis

Ariana Grande's Leading Lady Debut on Broadway

2008-11-15T16:49:00.003-05:00

What a week. Let me back up to July. In July i began producing 14 year old Ariana Grande. Envision the voice of Christina Aguilara with loads of charisma, excellent acting skills and stage presence, etc... I produced 4 songs for her which are getting mastered in a couple days. they came out spectacular, i'm very happy with them. Well, Ariana is also in the cast of the new critically acclaimed Broadway play "13" the Musical. Envision the Junior School version of High School Musical, except more honest and realistic and you have "13". Nothing against High School Musical at all, but you know, its Disney, there are only so many subjects they can honestly tackle without the Disney censor.
Anyway, out of over 7,000 kids who auditioned for the play, Ariana was cast as "Charlotte" and she also understudys the lead role of "Patrice". Well, last night was Ariana's time to shine. She got the call 3 hours before curtain that Friday Nov 14th would be her debut as Patrice in the leading role. She has understudied the role for a couple months, but has never had a full rehearsal with the cast, so there was plenty of tension and anticipation as to how well the show would go and how she would handle the pressure and opportunity. Well. Lets back up to Wednesday night.

Wednesday night i saw "13" for the first time, with Ariana in her cast role as "Charlotte" which she totally rocked. and I got to see the regular Patrice lead (her name escapes me but she's fantastic). So, from the Wednesday show, i knew how the Patrice role was supposed to be played and could compare Ariana's performance in the role on Friday night. Ariana ROCKED the lead role of Patrice and her lead debut! She flawlessly stepped into the role and onto the stage last night and hit every note, every cue, every stage position like she was born for the role. Scary good. I think this girl hasa very bright future, she's one to watch, and i'm lucky i get to watch from up close. check her out at Myspace.com/arianagrande and check out "13" at www.13themusical.com

-Ken Lewis

Man On Earth Climbs to #1

2008-11-15T16:42:00.003-05:00

Well, its been a crazy month, and i havent been blogging much. Just trying to keep one step ahead of my never ending workload. First, CONGRATS President-Elect Obama!!!
Man On Earth, the indie rockers from New York City who's new album "The Time Spent Wondering" i recently produced, just told me their first single "All We Want" is currently in its 3rd week at #1 on Amarillo's FM rock station, KACV. The single officially went for ad's nationwide on November 3rd so we'll see pretty soon how the rest of the country feels about them. Check out the video of their single "All We Want" on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65TEz6a88HQ

-Ken Lewis

President-Elect

2008-11-05T00:21:00.000-05:00

This is a great night for America.

-Ken Lewis

I Voted!!!!!! Did You?

2008-11-04T06:45:00.002-05:00

6:45am, Tuesday November 4th. I just got home from casting my Ballot for Barack Obama. I'm very excited! Get out there and vote today! OK, i've really got to go to sleep now.

-Ken Lewis

Vote Tuesday

2008-11-03T03:27:00.003-05:00

Hey You. Yes, you American 18 or older reading this right now. Vote Tuesday. Don't be a slacker and blow it off. If you don't vote, you relinquish your right to bitch about our Government for the next 4 years, so get out and vote! Preferably for Obama, but hey, if you've decided on McCain aint nothing i can say thats going to change your mind that the last two months shouldn't have done.

And i leave you with my favorite little website. Its only funny because there's a real thread of truth thru alot of it, but mostly, its just funny. Click around on everything, and click things more than once. I didn't stop laughing for about ten minutes.

www.PalinAsPresident.com

-Ken Lewis

McCain Tax Cuts

2008-10-29T14:12:00.002-05:00

Just to set the record straight on John McCain. Maybe his memory is fading in his old age and McCain doesnt even remember what his own positions were 4 and 8 years ago. And of course I dont think McCain has yet figured out that there's this thing called the internet that can stream video of recorded interviews done 8 years ago, so people can hear, in his own words, what McCain's former positions on taxes have been, and what he's trying to say about Obama's tax plan now. Please watch. This is interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3AvZqYC4mw

-Ken Lewis

Closing Arguments

2008-10-28T00:45:00.002-05:00

"Closing Arguments - Obama"

I have longed to be inspired by my President, inspired by my Country. Its been a long time since i have. Barack Obama inspires me. Not just because he gives a good speech. But because he leads by example, and he asks the citizens of this great nation to contribute to our Nation's well being. As he put it, after 9/11, George W Bush told us to go shopping. He never asked us to sacrifice, to contribute to our nations wellbeing, nothing, just go shopping. He didnt tell us to conserve energy, buy more fuel efficient cars, recycle, invest in green energy. Nothing. In fact in 2001, George Bush, via his Press Secretary said "The President believes that it is the American Way to drive your big SUV's and consume more than the rest of the planet, it is our God given right as Americans". Imagine if, after 9/11 he declared "in ten years, we need to rid ourselves of dependence on foreign oil". Imagine where we would be as a nation right now!!!! Instead we are 8 years behind the curve. There are so many things about this Government that need to be changed. Barack Obama is the man for the job.

I'll leave you with these few little facts. Barack Obama was still paying off his student loans when he became a US Senator. In other words, he was Middle Class. 1 house, 1 car. Joe Biden is the second to lowest earning US Senator. He makes $245K a year total. His wife teaches and earns $66K. On the Eastern Seaboard, that is Middle Class. John McCain and his wife, incidentally, are worth approximately 100 Million. Cindy McCain earned over 4 Million dollars in 2007 alone. They own a jet, over a dozen cars, 9 houses. Does anybody honestly believe this man has a clue what working class American's are going thru? He is surrounded by Lobbyists. His campaign is run by two of the biggest lobbyists in Washington. Obama does not take a single cent of lobbyist money.

Anyway, Barack gave a powerful substantive speech today in Canton, Ohio. His "Closing Argument" for his candidacy. Here is a link to the speech on YouTube. Its a half our of your time extremely well spent. Enjoy. and on November 4th, get out and VOTE!!!

"Closing Arguments - Obama"

-Ken Lewis

Conservatives For Change

2008-10-23T19:07:00.001-05:00

Please take 2 minutes and go to this website

ConservativesForChange.com

-Ken Lewis

Man On Earth rocks KACV FM in Amarillo

2008-10-22T14:26:00.003-05:00

Man On Earth, the indie rockers from New York City who's new album "The Time Spent Wondering" i recently produced, just told me their first single "All We Want" is currently up from #3 to #2 most played song on Amarillo's FM rock station, KACV. The single is officially going for ad's nationwide on November 3rd. You can check out Man On Earth at the link below, or watch their video for "All We Want" on Youtube. Here are the links!

MySpace.com/ManOnEarth

ALL WE WANT - Music Video

Enjoy!

Ken Lewis

Colin Powell Endorsement

2008-10-19T15:28:00.002-05:00

Colin Powell on Meet The Press

For those of you who haven't seen it, this is a must see. First off, if you don't know exactly who Colin Powell is, He was Secretary of State under George W. Bush, Colin Powell was also Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the 1st Gulf War, as well as a National Security Advisor during Bush Senior's administration. Powell is one of the most accomplished and respected Republican's in the Nation. I have always held great personal respect for him and I was disappointed when he decided not to run for President in 2000. I think he would have made a great one.

Today on "Meet The Press", Powell gave one of the most eloquent, well thought out, well delivered endorsements i've seen, and he put his full support behind Senator Barack Obama for President. This is 7 minutes long and it is an absolute must see. Keep in mind, Powell is a highly respected War hero and elder Stateman, and a Republican.

Colin Powell on Meet The Press

-Ken Lewis

what a week

2008-10-11T04:24:00.003-05:00

I haven't stopped working in weeks. Holy cow. I really thought tackling this much work for this long would steer me toward burnout, but it seems to be having the opposite effect. I wake up every morning lately energized to make another record, nail another mix. I don't know where my energy and focus is coming from but I'm sure glad i have it. 5:30am on a Friday night after a very long day of work. Time to call it a night and wake up tomorrow to tackle a new day. Hope your all doing well too.

Ken Lewis

Register to VOTE - Deadline this week!

2008-10-05T17:44:00.003-05:00

OK, if you are 18 or over in America, and not yet registered to vote, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!! Register right here right now, in 3 minutes. Then its done, and you can vote. If you dont vote, you forfeit your right to bitch about our politicians and political system, and who wants to give up that right??!!

3 minutes. READY....... GO!!!!!!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TO VOTE!

Thanks!
-Ken Lewis

PARTY TONIGHT in NYC!! FREE BAR and a GREAT BAND

2008-10-03T14:59:00.001-05:00

Hey friends,
Ken Lewis here. Come join me tonight (Friday Oct 3rd) in NYC at Crash Mansion for the album release party for New York City indie rockers "Man On Earth"! I've worked hard with the band over the last year producing their new album "The Time Spent Wondering" and tonight they debut it to the world. Man On Earth is also performing at 10:30pm.

There's a FREE open bar from 9pm to 10pm, so i'll be feeling great by showtime. Man On Earth will be joined on stage tonight by very special guest Matt "Doctor" Fink, keyboard player for Prince & The Revolution. Matt played on the first TEN Prince albums!!! Dr Fink played on the album and will join the band for their set on stage tonight.

Crash Mansion is downtown at 199 Bowery Street, a few blocks south of Canal Street on the lower east side.

Check out Man on Earth at Myspace.com/manonearth

See You Tonight! Come say hello!
-Ken Lewis

This Needed to be Said

2008-10-02T02:46:00.002-05:00

Click Here - Watch This Important Speech

Wow, this really needed to be said. Damn, did this ever need to be said, especially by somebody in a position of power and respect. This is a speech from AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka. This really needed to be said.

If you care about this election, and you really should, please watch this speech.

Thank you

-Ken Lewis
PS. are you registered to vote yet? What are you waiting for??? Click Here to Register Online in 3 Minutes

Cheney Tells the Truth About Iraq

2008-09-28T01:10:00.002-05:00

I know this administration is almost gone, but the next administration will either keep us fighting in Iraq or pull us back to a marginal force. I for one was against invading Iraq since before we went in. I never thought it was a good idea. I said to my family, who supported the invasion, 3 days before the invasion "This will be a quagmire and alot of Americans will lose their lives and Saddam isn't worth it right now". This Administration also said the war, in TOTAL, would cost us less than ten billion. It now costs ten billion a MONTH, and economists say it's long term effect could cost 3 TRILLION. This war has now lasted longer than World War II.

If you still somehow support the Iraq war, please watch this video, and tell me our leaders did not know what they faced if we invaded Iraq. This is an interview with Dick Cheney (who served in Bush Senior's administration during the first Gulf War, which i did support). This is 1994, and he sounds like he's got a crystal ball into how the current Iraq war has played out. Remember, this interview is from 1994.

1994 Dick Cheney Interview Video

They knew. We went in anyway. John McCain will keep us fighting there. If you haven't yet registered to vote, the deadline is approaching quickly. I posted a blog last week with an easy link to Register to Vote online. it takes 3 minutes. Do it. Then vote on November 4th.
-Ken Lewis

Mixing "RAIN" aka Jung Ji Hoon

2008-09-24T15:57:00.002-05:00

I havent been blogging much lately. There's a reason, i have been swamped with great songs to mix. If you don't know who "Rain" is, you are most likely not Asian. I think it would be safe to call Rain a mega-star in Asia. Rain is a Korean pop star (also film star - he had a major role in"Speed Racer"), model, actor, etc... He is very popular throughout Asia, especially in Japan, China, and Korea.

Time Magazine placed Rain on their "100 Most Influential People In The World" list for 2006, and last year he sold out Madison Square Garden 5 nights in a ROW. He was even on the "Steven Colbert Show".

I am currently mixing Rain's new album, due out in October. I've finished 4 mixes so far and (though i cannot understand alot of the lyrics) i am really impressed with the album. I think they are shooting a video to the first single right now. I'll keep you posted!
-Ken Lewis

Economics & the Presidential Campaign

2008-09-23T01:18:00.002-05:00

Suffice it to say, as happened to alot of people, I watched helplessly last week as alot of my financial wealth (i use that term loosely, i am anything but wealthy), but i watched alot of my own financial wealth vanish. Fortunately, some of it came back this week with the market bounce. One thing it definitely did do is make me read and listen to anything and everything about the economy, past, present, and future. What the many causes of the meltdown were and who might best fix it. Its no secret I am a strong Obama supporter, but i didnt get there by accident. I got there by absorbing every bit of knowledge on every candidate, democrat and republican, and formed a decision. I personally think Obama is by far the strongest candidate, for whatever thats worth.

I just read a great article on the current crisis. you should read it. all of you. read it twice. The most striking message of the article is basically who surrounds themselves with better people, draws from their experience and expertise, then makes the right decision. I think John McCain is terrible at it, as was demonstrated by picking Sarah Palin, the governor of the 3rd smallest state (by population) in the country, who has been in office just over 18 months, and her only experience before that was as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, population 7,000. I've been there. Is this the caliber of person you want a heartbeat away from the presidency? Is this the caliber of person you want filling Dick Cheyney's shoes? Yikes. Anyway, back to the economy. Please read this article, its excellent. knowledge is power.

Economy Article

Ken Lewis