An ongoing project in midi integrated pedals to form a portable version of the famous Line6 Dream Rig. This video was done some 3 months after the fledgling creation of a facebook group for MIDI and the Helix family of guitar processors. Check out The Line6 Midi Mad Scientist Club … Here we have a general talk about the state of MIDI control today and a quick run through all the pedals that so far are making up this little dream rig project. The idea is to shrink the massive Line6 Dream Rig concept from presenters like Paul Hindmarsh and Sean Halley into something which you could travel with. If you’ve never seen a Variax guitar, go check those out. The idea is one guitar can do many guitars and many tunings. This system that I’m putting together is working to do something similar but for any guitar. Specialized for travel. 1 guitar, becomes many, along with many amps and effects and ways of being output. A system that learns with you and keeps your research organized so your search for Tone moves forward. Hope you enjoy this and the concepts presented. A.B
Pretty much a staging ground for testing I’m doing as the Line6 Midi Mad Scientist Club, also content dedicated to The Strymon Iridium Owners Club and the WAZA Air Owners Club. All good groups for ideas and assistance with your pedalboard and overall workflow – A.B
Hello seniors of BERMUDA Just a few songs to say I miss you – maybe if we all do our part we can return to normal soon. Stay safe and well …. Love you guys xxx Please support the charity – TonyB
Formed in February 2013 & driven by a shared passion to create music with purpose, The Western Den is the collaborative work of Deni Hlavinka & Chris West, who together blend compelling folk harmonies with ambient textures to produce a sound all their own.
The duo released their debut EP, Battle Hymns, in May 2013 and premiered that summer by opening for Melissa Ferrick on the northeastern leg of her national tour. The Western Den is based in Boston, performing and working on a full-length album.
Deni Hlavinka: voice Chris West: voice, acoustic guitar Alec Alabado: trumpet, voice Jon Hubbell: electric guitar Tim Reynolds: violin Ro Rowan: cello Hayden Cotcher: drums, percussion
Recorded live @Berklee Internet Radio Network Ryan Walsh: recording engineer Simon Katz: mixing engineer, assistant recording engineer
Video by 21summit Productions Joe Barnard: videographer, editor
Mastered by M Works Studios Jonathan Wyner: engineer
Honest music – ‘her enchanting voice snakes in between the rhythm and beat … Possessing a strong jazz-influenced aesthetic … marries with poetic lyrics
Welcome to my Kickstarter campaign. I’m so glad you’re here to join me in the making of my 7th full length studio album, This Love.
The writing and recording of This Love has led me to a deeper engagement with myself and with my singer/songwriter roots: Through this process has come a full, fresh immersion in the authentic feel of the music – both for me playing the songs, and for you, my listeners and friends.
You’ll hear lyric driven melodies backed by raw acoustic guitar and sparse but focused studio instrumentation and sound.
This album is an intimate meditation on life, destiny, loss, forgiveness, renewal. Above all, it’s a celebration of love.
The release of This Love will also mark the 20 year anniversary of my 1999 debut album. And the sound of this new album is reminiscent of that first album in the acoustic nature of the songs. So, it truly is a reflection on all the years gone by: of living, of loving becoming a father and a husband traveling the world meeting the most amazing people everywhere that the music has taken me, making friends and playing with great musicians
There have been a few sad goodbyes along the way but essentially it has been a journey of adventure and gratitude.
At the heart of it, I’m still A Guy With a Guitar and I am still here singing these songs for you. I am so grateful to be able to share this inspiration with you.
I am pleased to invite you all to be an integral part of the making of This Love.
Scroll down below to find lots of different ways in which you can dynamically contribute and support the release of This Love into the world.
Thank you for all the support and love over the years. I give you This Love in heartfelt return.
Risks and challenges
Over the past few years we have learned much about the challenges associated with crowdfunding campaigns and how unexpected bumps in the road can lead to poor supporter experiences.
With This Love, the risk reduction strategy started with the demo process. This time I have really slowed the music marination down, not rushed, not settled for ‘good enough’. Musically, I gave myself the time to thoroughly test a few different approaches to the writing process. Songs you believe in is half the battle in this game.
With the benefit of a solid local team and Garage Band, our demo and pre-production costs have also been close to zero, which helps a lot. We are recording at home here on Maui and mixing and mastering in Australia with the best in the business so I’m 100% confident the product will be quality. We have been far more proactive with our rewards fulfilment strategy and have resisted offering items that we will later come to regret.
We have also taken time to build the right partner network. My biggest partners in promotion, live performance, streaming are signed onto be part of the project team and will ensure we get our message in front of more than just my followers.
Of course, the main risk is that we just don’t make it.
But we’ve done it before and we’re doing it again.
