So much to do, so little time But Im not complaining! :-)

Posted in Latest news with tags , , , , on 17/11/2010 by Matt McDonough

Ok, so I started this blog some time ago with the honest intention of regularly updating it, however I’ve been so busy that I just haven’t had the time!! And to be honest, the way things are going, I think my blogs may be fairly periodic… But, this is a good thing as in the music industry, being busy is great and I am eternally greatful for this!

So since I last posted I’ve done lots of exciting things, but Im just going to post about the ones which at this moment are popping into my head…

Gemma Mewse

In Sep I went to Banff in Canada for 2 weeks to record Gemma Mewse’ album. It was amazing out there. The Banff centre studio is in the middle of the Rocky mountains and is a bit of a secret place. Facilities there are incredible, not only in terms of the studio itself, but in terms of the food, gym facilities, and of course the incredible mountains and forests of the Rocky mountains. I’ll see if I can stick some photo’s up here. The album is set for release in Feb and Im really looking forward to hearing it finished. Keep an eye on Gemma at  www.gemmamewse.com

MISDAFUSS

Australian rapper MISDAFUSS is now here in the UK. We are currently working on the final touches of his album and this will also hopefully be released in Feb. Watch this space…

 

FLORRIE

Florrie

I’ve been covering a couple of gigs for Mark Pusey with singer FLORRIE. She is a Xenomania artist and is also the face of  the perfume Nina Ricci (you will have seen her wondering through a garden of apples on the TV advert!). She most recently played in Barcelona at Razamatazz and Im off to Paris on the 25th Nov with her supporting 2 door cinema club. Im loving the electro pop vibe here and the gig involved acoustic / trigger pads. All great fun!

 

 

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The latest goings on…

Posted in Uncategorized on 21/07/2010 by Matt McDonough

Gemma Mewse

Been out on the road loads with Gemma. We’ve been playing all the usual industry venues and recently a film awards at the Troxy in London. Gemma will be recording her album over the next few months, so Im prepping that with producer Chris Ryan along with getting her marketing sorted etc. Check out her MYSPACE!

Here’s a pic of Gemma at the Camden Crawl where she won best new song award

Gemma Mewse @ the Camden Crawl

MISDAFUSS

Australian Rapper MISDAFUSS is landing in the UK in Sep with SONY behind him. Im currently working on the final bits of the production of his album, along with producer Chris Ryan. Amazingly, Bill Withers estate has given permission for a new release of a very well known song, which MISDAFUSS will be releasing next year . Check You tube link for “Lyrical superhero” (unmixed) and watch this space for more future info on this amazing rapper!

Other Bits

Aside from all the usual Jazz gigs, funk etc, Im playing at a monthly residency with Caroline Jay. This is in Collaboration with the every talented Mr Juan Zelada. The Queen of Hoxton hosts the night, which is packed with London musos and an awesome crowd. Come along – you’ll love it! Next gig Aug 5th…

Here’s a couple of pics from a gig I did at Nottingham Trent Arena a few weeks ago. I LOVE playing drums in Arenas! LOL!

Trent FM Nottingham Arena

BIG Drum sound!

Trent FM Nottingham Arena

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Things moving soooo fast!

Posted in Everyday things, Latest news on 28/04/2010 by Matt McDonough

I haven’t updated for a few weeks…but that is simply because my diary has been so packed andI haven’t had a spare minute! Read on for more details…

Gemma Mewse

Gemma Mewse

Gemma Mewse gigs have been awesome. Big audiences and big responses! We are recording a live album in a few weeks with Producer Chris Ryan which Im looking forward to. The difference between simply being a hired player and being the Musical Director though is that I am the central liason point between the producer and the musicians, which in itself means a load of work in terms of sorting out dates of availability for gigs, rehearsals and recording between 4 different people who are all very busy in their own right. Along with this is the strategy’s and approach we want to take in terms of how to record the live album, where to record it, budgets, what we want from the Live show etc. All challenging, but something I love doing!

Brixton Jamm Crowd

This weekend Gemma is playing at the Camden Crawl after winning the Best Song award at the emerging talents competition. This is a GREAT festival to play at, as Im sure some of you know. Gemma has also just signed a deal with Producer Chris Bailey who has remixed a couple of her songs and they are now being played on radio across the UK.

Make sure you keep checking her myspace page: www.myspace.com/gemmamewse

Malham Road

Malham Road

Malham Road - The Band

Things are really happening quickly with the band. We had a massive gig @ Cafe de Paris on the 23rd of April. The response from the Industry has been just overwhelming. Really excited about the things going on with this group. Similar things to deal with here as well in terms of being the MD of this band – rehearsals, availability, live show strategy, etc. Watch this space! Check out their Myspace page: www.myspace.com/malhamroad You can also look them up on facebook – ADD THEM!

Other Stuff

So Gemma Mewse and Malham road are taking up pretty much most of my time at the moment, which Im dead happy about.

Im also working with a few different producers and musicians with regards to online recording sessions and loops websites. All very exciting stuff. Also got the usual random gigs – Jazz trios, functions etc

Im also playing at Jazz Cafe, Camden with Caroline Jay (May 14th)- But Ill write more about that nearer the time.

Right, back to the grind!! – It’s a good thing :-)

www.uksessiondrummer.com

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Gigs, gigs, gigs (with videos)

Posted in Gigs, Latest news on 01/04/2010 by Matt McDonough

So Fri 26th March saw me playing with Caroline Jay and the lads at the Bloomsbury Ballroom. Funny old room this – Massive, and I not really the best acoustic. Still it was packed – around 400 people there and the gig wa great fund, despite Ryan’s Guitar amp not working (it was someone else amp) and various other pretty major sound issues (the singers had a VERY tough job at this venue, but did really well considering the awful foldback). Here are some vidoes from the gig:

More Malham road fun on Sun too. Watch out for this band. That’s all Im gonna say for now!

Ciao

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Emily louise recording session vids

Posted in Gigs, Latest news with tags , , , , , , , , on 26/03/2010 by Matt McDonough

In Dec 2009 I recorded and produced an album for Singer Emily Louise and have just got back the tracks. At the end of the day I decided to set up my trusty camera whilst recording after remembering a few requests for more videos from visitors to my website. I managed to catch two tracks which are now on you tube.

You can hear all of the tracks on Emily’s website www.emilylouisemusic.com

Emily has a very strong powerful voice and is great in the studio. Her intonation and phrasing was so accurate that much of the vocals on the album were first takes.

Most of the instrumental parts were also first takes and we recorded 6 songs over the day.

The other guys on the album are: Andy Tolman – Bass, Ryan Habefield – Guitar and the amazingly named – Ross Power on Keys (Yes, his parents actually called him that!)

Here’s my favourite of the 2 videos: “Heavy on My Heart”

Gig tonight – Caroline Jay

Tonight Im playing at the Bloomsbury Ballroom with Caroline Jay – On stage at 20:00 for whats going to be a top night! Tickets can be bought on the door, or drop me an Email to contact@uksessiondrummer.com (which I’ll receive on my phone) and Ill get some tickets to you  at the venue. Check my previous posts for more info.

Cheers!

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Brief Updates – Malham Road, Caroline Jay, Gemma Mewse

Posted in Everyday things, Latest news on 24/03/2010 by Matt McDonough

Hey y’all,

Thought Id better give you a brief update as to the latest goings on. More rehearsals with Caroline Jay this week in Preperation for Friday’s gig at the Bloomsbury Ballroom.

You can get tickets at Caroline Jay’s website It’s a great line up and the bands are all fantastic musicians.

Malham Road has been picking up lots of pace – meetings taking place behind the scenes and currently 2 gigs lined up:

Apr 23rd – Cafe De Paris, Piccadilly, London

May 19th – FymFyg bar, Cambridge heath Road, E1

See the Myspace for more info: Malham Road Myspace

And of course Gemma Mewse. Lots of dates lines up with her too. Again check her Myspace for more info: Gemma Mewse Myspace

Im working on production stuff at the mo for some of the technical aspects of the Malham Road show. Looks like Ill be getting a load of triggers to incorporate to my electronic kit, which Im looking forward to!

Anyway, just a brief update for now. Ill be uploading some new vids soon from the Emily Louise sessions we did over xmas. In fact it might only be 1 vid as I don’t think the other came out properly. But anyway, keep an eye out for them.

Cheers!

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Malham road rehearsals and photo shoot

Posted in 1 with tags on 16/03/2010 by Matt McDonough

Had another Malham Road rehearsal on Sun night. This is such an exciting project! The music is wicked and so much fun to play. Phat grooves and the crew are such a laugh. The booking agent is totally on it and we are raring to go! Just going through technical rehearsals at the mo. Check Malham road out at www.myspace.com/malhamroad and ad them as a friend. Here’s a couple of photos from the shoot…

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