The Hilary Duff Live Concert Video has been released and is available for the first time on iTunes.  It contains my 5.1 surround sound mixes and an excellent widescreen picture.

Check it out here:  Hilary Duff Live at the Gibson Amphitheatre

C’mon!  You know you secretly want a copy of this.  Don’t lie.

You’ve heard this before, I know…

So why is it that so many of the current bands simply SUCK at performing live?  They release a fine studio recording, which is all good, but their live show is a big let down.  I’ve had the good fortune (or misfortune depending on how you look at it) of listening to a handful of bands recently on tour, and it is with great displeasure that I tell you that more than a few of these well-known acts simply SUCK! Actually it’s MOST OF THEM SUCK at performing live.

They either can’t sing in tune, or they can’t play their instruments, or they cannot tune their instruments.  Apparently, their guitar techs can’t tune their shit either.  Just as bad, they will end up with 3 or 4 guitar amps on stage THAT ALL SOUND THE SAME!  Are you kidding me?  Don’t they have a manager who listens to the sound check or who attends their rehearsals?  Don’t they know these guys suck?

It’s called PRACTICE, my friends.  Practice with your instrument and we wouldn’t have these problems!  I mean, if you’ve taken the time to compose and record what you think are some pretty cool songs, wouldn’t you want to at least be able to play what you’ve written?

Something else that bothers me is the fact that those attending the shows don’t seem to care either.  They scream and applaud and carry the torch, obviously oblivious of the fact that their favorite band actually SUCKS!  I guess being tone deaf or rhythmically challenged is a virtue.

What happened to the craft of making a record?  Of going into the studio and not expecting the engineer to just fix everything you can’t or are too lazy to perform correctly?  Of rehearsing until your fingers bled? Of knowing your songs backwards so that when you did get a chance to be on stage, you just killed it?

Now I know what you are thinking.  You think I’m just an angry geezer whose cynacism out weighs his love of the music he is so fortunate to be involved with.  Am I biting the hand that feeds me, sort of thing.  Well maybe so, but I think it’s time we demand better.  You are the ones paying for the tickets, paying for the records or downloads (you are paying right?).  So why not demand better?  It’s your money.

“TUNE YOUR GUITAR!”

You can now buy Ryan Kirwan’s album “10th St. Breakdown” on iTunes.  I mixed and performed some additional production on the record with Ryan and Mike Batista.  It’s a great listen with some truly excellent songs.  If you like Wilco, the Replacements, etc.,  you WILL like this.  Please buy it and support an indie artist who is just trying to get The Man paid.

Thank you and goodnight.

Here is a link to the iTunes page:  Ryan Kirwan - “10th St. Breakdown”

The Live Hilary Duff concert I mixed TWO YEARS AGO has finally been released. Go figure. It’s an audio only release for now, but the full concert is there, all 20 songs. Hopefully Hollywood Records will release the full HD video that was also shot that evening. It looks great and smells good too! You can see some of the video on Hilary’s You Tube channel.

You can purchase the digital audio version at iTunes here.

What will be for the coming year? Peace on Earth! Joy to the World? Promise of Economic Stimulus?

More songs from The Annamites! That you can count on!

Let’s pray for the Arts, my friends…

This weekend at 6PM PST on the DrumChannel.com, I will be recording and mixing live, Chad Smith’s Bombastic Meatbats, with special guest Kenny Aronoff.  This interview/live performance show will be incredible and informative.  This should be great fun.  Chad (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Chickenfoot) and Kenny (John Mellencamp, Melissa Etheridge, Bob Seger, etc.) should entertain with some great stories for all!  It’s also a chance for you to check out Chad’s band The Bombastic Meatbats.  Grab your favorite beverage and open the Holiday season with Big Loud Rock Drums!  Don’t miss it you dead beat!

Get more info here:  DrumChannel.com, Bombastic Meatbats

Let’s face it, December is traditionally a weak month and this year I am doing f-all.  I will mix your song for cheaper than you think!  No, not for free, but most likely within your budget.  Contact me for more info at: info@intonato.com

Happy Holidays!

It’s been a casual month.  I’ve been mostly writing songs and recording as one half of “The Annamites” with Adam Sedie.  We will begin to release this material soon, through our website and iTunes.

I’ve been listening to Natalia LaFourcade’s latest record, ” Hu Hu Hu.”  I’ve always liked everything she touches, as I have her previous albums, but this is fantastic.  Incredible melodies and rythmic textures which hit you like that fall sun you’ve waited for all morning to warm your cold, damp feet.  My spanish may suck, but this record does not.  I don’t know what she’s singing about half of the time, but it doesn’t matter, I believe her.  Her voice just slays me.  Listen to “Tiempo al viento.”  Wonderful.  Now I can forget about all that is not right in this world… at least for one hour.  Thank you, Natalia.  And if you want to sing on one of “The Annamites” songs, I have this great idea…

A new look to “The Annamites” website includes a Flash Player we have loaded up with some snippets, cues and full-length songs.  A regular cornicopia of aural goodness for your listening pleasure.  Check out the love here:   www.theannamites.com

We’ve been working on new songs to be released under “The Annamites” name.  Original songs, music cues and remixes are all underway.  Stay tuned for more fresh new music cooked to order here at intonato!