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Fall 2009 - Notable Album Releases from PMD

In the fall of 2008 we opened a private tracking studio north of Charlottesville. It is not a typical studio at all. It is designed to combat all of the problems that I believe make the music of the last ten years "less that it could have been." It embraces the current music artist and allows for a wide variety of methods to completing an album. We are finally seeing the result of our vision with two recent releases from The Wrinkled Neck Mules and The Blackout Project.

Interestingly, both bands recorded in a similar way. They recorded the basic tracks, drums, bass, and guitars at our studio, then used their own recording systems to finish their projects. After completing the recording, the tracks came back to be mixed at our mixing/mastering suite in Charlottesville. This is just one of the new ways artists are keeping costs low and quality high.

The Blackout Project: A Second Look

The Blackout Project

What a melting pot of music. These guys fuse funk, soul, rap, rock, and jazz. They really do. Sign up for their e-mail list and receive their EP "A Second Look" for FREE!!!!. We want everyone get to know The Blackout Project better so be sure to follow the link below to download thier interview.

The Blackout Project Website
An interview with The Blackout Project

The Wrinkled Neck Mules: Let The Lead Fly

The Wrinkled Neck Mules

These guys do not fuse funk, soul, rap, rock, and jazz. However, they do everything else : ) They prove once again that a talented music group can produce their own album. I think the key is with their -talent- and in allowing taking enough time to get it done properly and completely. And here is yet another successful release from the Mules, "Let the Lead Fly". It debuted at #2 on the Euro Americana Charts and made the Bird List top 20 albums of 2009. Awesome! We also have an interview with The Mules and hope we can help new people to get to know them better. See the links below.

The Bird List Top 20 Albums of 2009
An interview with The Wrinkled Neck Mules
Debut at #2 on Euro Americana Chart
The Wrinkle Neck Mules Official Web Site

Dave Matthews Band

2006 to Present - Live Trax Series

Mixing the Live Trax series has been one of the most rewarding challenges I have had in my career (17 concerts and counting). The complexity of the music and varying factors makes every mix new and unique. I'll admit that you cannot listen to these guys as much as I have and not become a fan. Chris Kress

Summer 2009 - Austin City Limits - Dave Matthews Band

I was very excited to fly to Austin to mix DMB and Kick off Austin City Limit's 35th season; as in "35 years" of this show. When I walked into the studio I was amazed to see the multitude of photos of all the performers I saw when I was little boy. It is living history. The ACL staff were of the nicest and most professional people I've met. Click on the link below to see the entire performance. Chris Kress

Dave Matthews - Austin City Limits Full Show

Winter 2009 - Haiti Relief

What a great humanitarian effort that is made by the Dave Matthews Band. I mixed the Haiti relief album late in 2009/early 2010. The project came together super fast as you can imagine the urgency. I remember working long days, every day because I felt that every day that went by was another day people would suffer. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I am proud and thankful to have had the opportunity to do my little part. I believe that 100% of the proceeds go to the cause. If you have not contributed to Haiti, this is an easy was to do so.... and receieve 5 cool DMB songs. Chris Kress

Click here to buy The Haiti Relief Project and donate to Haiti

Fall, 2009 - Europe 2009

Yet another cool DMB project. It has been exciting to see new fans coming on board from all over the world. I mixed the 3-cd concert. Chris Kress

Fall, 2006 - Zaba Grace: My Own Skin

Producing and engineering this album was a true honor. I have rarely worked with such a motivated and passionate artist. This album was nearly two years in the making including writing, pre-production, recording, mixing and mastering. If you listen to it and read the reviews, you'll know that it was worth every minute of it.

It was immediately featured and reviewed by CD baby on their web site and has gone on to receieve excellent reviews. It was awareded CD of the month on Bluesbunny and went on to have one of it's songs "Voices" in the top 20 songs of the year. See the links below for more information. Chris Kress

Quote from Zaba's web site:
With crunchy elements similar to Alanis Morrissette, bad-girl, rebellious genius like Ani Difranco and "deal with this" attitude often associated with Avril Lavigne, Zaba Grace wraps up a chunky, bristling mix of pop, rock and unapologetic, in-your-face pleasure. Sonic, soaring, loud and bold, her music draws from various time-lines in pop and rock and encompasses whatever seems to make a song fly, with no reservations or inhibitions. Those looking for gutsy chick rock will find plenty to appreciate in, "My Own Skin."

Bluesbunny Review - CD of the month: My Own Skin
Bluesbunny top 20 songs of the year: "Voices"
CD Baby featred Artist, Zaba Grace: My Own Skin

Spring, 2006 - Dave Matthews Band: Stand Up

I spent about three months as chief engineer on this album, doing so during the writing and recording the album. I also mixed some of the songs on the bonus disc. Cool stuff.. Chris Kress

The Dave Matthews Band Official Web Site

Fall, 2005 - Wrinkle Neck Mules: Pull the Brake

I co-produced this album with the band. I hope to have the opportunity to work on everything they ever do. The songs are pure in spirit, meaningful, and powerful. Give it a listen and you'll hear banjos with drum loops, mysterious ballads with orchestral accompaniment, and other songs with a modern, southern-rock edge. The song "Lowlight" features guest artist Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie Prince Billy. It is a great listen for anyone who likes music, a real melting-pot. Follow the link below to their web site. Look in the press section for great reviews by Americana UK and others... Chris Kress

Quoted from Shut Eye Records:
The second full length from the Richmond, VA Americana act. Pull the Brake contains 15 tracks and features special guests Bonnie "Prince" Billy, Brian Jones (Agents of Good Roots), Anne Marie Calhoun-Simpson (Old School Freight Train),as well as Matt Pierson and Bo Vaughan. This album hit #2 on the EuroAmericana radio chart, as well as #20 on the Roots Music Report - Roots Country chart, and #51 on the R&R / AMA Americana Radio chart. The album also hit #40 on the AMA Americana Internet Radio Chart. The album spun at CountryBear, KBSO, KFAN, KRCB, KRFC, KUSH, KVMR, KWRP, KXCI, KZSU, WETS, WFDU, WFPK, WGCS, WHAY, WMMT, WOUB, WQBR, WVMR, WVLS, WCHG, WYOU and many more!

The Wrinkle Neck Mules Official Web Site
Shuteye Records airplay report