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SPF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Janet Adamana
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ally Sigurdson PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR Steff Shields
SOUND, PHRASE & FURY is a Canadian music magazine out to help promote musicians not usually covered in mainstream media. All music, photos and articles used are for the sole purpose of spreading the knowledge of these artists and their music. We always encourage readers to support every act through purchasing releases, merchandise and attending live shows.
may/June 2016
We Are All Made Out of Shipwrecks Note from the Editor
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Mastering Sound We profile Ones and Zeros Audio in this issue’s Industry spotlight
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Summer Jams 12 We go through this season’s best summer sounds
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SOUND-PHRASE-FURY.COM
info@sound-phrase-fury.com @soundphrasefury facebook.com/soundphrasefury
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EDITOR’S NOTE
WE ARE ALL MADE OUT OF SHIPWRECKS Let me first start by apologizing for the two-month hiatus we took during March and April of this year. Despite my stubborn desire to pretend everything was fine, my health was taking an undeniable nosedive during those first early months of the year. And again, despite my heart wanting to simply power through, my head kept reminding me that the best thing I could do was slow down. And thankfully, the rest did what it did best, and we are back in the full swing of things. So thank you to everyone for sticking around, despite the awkward silence we left in the last few months. It was this magazine and all those lovely people who have believed in us and continue to support us that really got me through. It reminded me of the very idea that became the foundation of what we do at SPF and why we still do it – that music saves us all. It does so in more ways than we could ever begin to repay it and all those who make independent music possible. So with every single ounce left in me, thank you. And allow me to relay the ever-so-important message I had to learn firsthand - Despite what others might try to tell you, always know it is okay not to be okay.
We All Have The Same Holes In Our Hearts Janet Adamana Editor-In-Chief
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Facebook.com/AestheticHeartPromotions MAY/JUNE 2016 • SOUND, PHRASE, & FURY 5
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From recording his own demos to working with international acts, Jordan Voth, owner of Ones and Zeros Audio, takes us through his humble beginnings, his overall process and his favourite projects thus far.
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SPF: What is Ones and Zeros and how did you get started in it? JV: One and Zeros is my recording operation. I started almost ten years ago just making my own demos. As I started playing more and in other bands I got further into the process of recording and I became really into it. By the time my last band called it quits I had progressed to a point where I enjoyed being in the studio and working with artists more than being an artist on stage. So I transitioned into that really nicely. I’ve been doing it part-time for the last couple of years. This is my first year where my only job is recording and mixing for bands; not just from here but also abroad.
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SPF: What’s a typical session with you like? JV: Traditionally, with bigger name producers and engineers they can be particularly harsh, like “Hey that was shit. That sucked, go home and practice.” I try not to do that because I don’t think there’s any benefit to telling a drummer or a singer that he sucks. I would rather take a more diplomatic approach to handling the artists while recording them, especially when there are positive things to say. I do try and stress that on the artists because I feel that just snowballs for them and they perform better. In a typical band setting I do like to start with drums. We’ll record several takes of drums and from there we can move onto a layer of guitars or bass, although that’s not necessarily the way I do it every time. I have done projects where it has been 90% live and we’re just adding a few things overtop of it afterwards. It really does depend on what the artist wants.
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INDUSTRY
SPF: Do you do most of your recording in your specific space or do you move around a lot to different jam spaces? JV: It has definitely changed a lot in the last year and a half. I can pack up my stuff and go somewhere to record so I can do parts of a production in one place and then move over to another. A lot of my more recent work has been done that way, where we’ve done drums here and then guitars there. That’s fun. It presents its own challenges but lately I’ve been moving most of my stuff over to where I have a space that I can use. I have been building a set up there. SPF: So is your ultimate goal to eventually do less mobile work and move into a permanent studio space? JV: I do like that it’s mobile. I like that I can put a multi-track rig in a backpack. I can bring it somewhere. I can do a live session. I can do just about anything with it. I like it because I have my equipment set up so I can take one piece out of my existing set up and leave. It’s very modular that way. I can break it down to a very basic mobile set up or I can leave it with a few more bells and whistles at my location. It’s honestly the best of both worlds. I have the ability to do whatever I want with it. SPF: Tell us about the project you have going on with Nic Herzog of TWO OH FOUR Designs? JV: Nic and I are doing a live session series. Basically, we are doing live film and audio. We just did our first one with Broadview. So if bands want their sets recorded, just give us a shout and we can come take care of that for you. With other people, you either get really good footage or you get really good audio, but in this case you get something that looks and sounds really good. It’s really hectic for me to do it. It’s pretty stressful but it’s a lot of fun.
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00111010010101010101010011101001 00111010010101010101010011101001 00111010010010011101001 01010011101 Its not enough anymore to just rec bands and ask for their money. I ha nothing but respect for all of my clients and I am extremely gratefu for the bands that continually cho to work with me. so I need to make s that on my end, I continue to offer value to them 01001010101010 100011
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INDUSTRY
SPF: Do you have any upcoming recording projects that you can talk about? JV: I have stuff for Nic Dyson coming up. I have something with this band from the UK called Orange that I’m going to be doing an EP for. I have stuff for Boys’ Club. I have a couple of heavier bands coming out as well. It’s pretty varied and it’s pretty exciting to be able to work with so many different styles.
SPF: Is that based on how the project turned out or the whole process of it? JV: When we did that album we started with the acoustic guitar and vocals first and then we said, we’d add drums and bass. I wasn’t sure what to expect at that point, but when the final product came out I was so impressed with it. It brought everything to a new level. I had no idea that was what we were going to get. It is still hands down my SPF: Aside from recording, you do other favourite. There are some really unique stuff things like helping artists with other as- in there and I think Franky is really talentpects of their careers. What else do you ed. His brother [who played drums] is just do for your clients? as talented so it came out way beyond my JV: Anything a band needs to get going. expectations. I kind of have an idea of how to do it or I know someone who knows how to do it. It’s SPF: So if that a band wants to work with not enough anymore to just record bands you, what should they do? and ask for their money. I have nothing JV: They should make sure they are ready, but respect for all of my clients and I am like know your songs. Make sure you pracextremely grateful for the bands that con- tice with a click track if that’s what you’re tinually choose to work with me, so I need going for, and then just shoot me an e-mail. to make sure that on my end, I continue to I generally need some lead time. If someone offer value to them. If that means helping calls and says ‘I need to get in next week,’ it’s them get in touch with press, or point them very rare that I will have time. So if you’re in the direction of someone who can do vid- planning on recording in June, now’s the eos, photos or websites. Whatever they need time to message me. I usually need a couple to accomplish their goals that I know how to of weeks in advance. Also send me reference do I will totally help them do. material. A lot of bands don’t give me much point of reference for what they’re going for SPF: What has been your favourite proj- and that doesn’t work to their benefit. So if ect so far? a band wants to do something more raw and JV: It’s hard to say. I tend to love the last proj- live sounding, give some reference materials ect I worked on the most, but I would have to what you like. Other than that, you can to say I really do like Alone I Walk’s Lost At send me an e-mail message me on Facebook Sea. That would have to be my favourite. or tag me on Instagram.
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Get in touch with Jordan at onesandzerosaudio@gmail.com. Like on Facebook.com/OnesAndZerosAudio or follow on Instagram @onesandzerosaudio.
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Sum mer jams Here are the latest tunes that undoubtedly need to be on your summer playlist. 12 SOUND, PHRASE, & FURY • MAY/JUNE 2016
compiled by Janet Adamana
a place in time
poppunk/Maryland
RECOMMENDS
Pop-alt trio A Place in Time brought us “Perish the Thought.” Their first release since 2014, it’s obvious they’ve lived, learned and grew into a new sound – one that might leave some early fans a bit perplexed, but we love it. Alas, the band hasn’t completely abandoned their easycore roots. “Perish The Thought” continues the band’s raw sound but turns it up a notch producing a heavier, darker vibe think My Chemical Romance’s I Bought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, and for that, A Place in Time solidifies a spot on our summer music radar.
facebook.com/aplaceintimemd aplaceintime.bandcamp.com
The Winnipeg-based folk-rock group, Yes We Mystic, is known for their brooding, ghostly vocals, intricate melodies, and strong moody anthems. With their new album, Forgiver, the band takes what they have and amplifies it two fold, offering up their most emotional release yet. Equal parts eerie and pretty, Forgiver is a heart-wrenching yet beautiful piece of musical mastery.
facebook.com/YesWeMystic yeswemystic.bandcamp.com
yes we mystic
folk-rock/Winnipeg, MB MAY/JUNE 2016 • SOUND, PHRASE, & FURY 13
RECOMMENDS
jane Decker
indie-pop/cincinnati
SPOTLIGHT
We’ve been following this budding pop princess since her debut solo back in 2013. Since then she’s been gracing listeners with her progressive take on mainstream pop. Her new single, “Don’t Do That,” teases a bit of a new sound. Building upon her indie-rock roots, the new track boasts some bubble-gum pop vibes with fluttering electro-dance reminiscent of MGMT. Decker’s been in the studio since January as we excitedly wait for the spectacular follow-up to her 2015 EPs, 55 and Stonewallin’.
facebook.com/janedeckermusic jane-decker.com
It’s safe to say The Stolen will become every pop-rock fans new obsession (if they aren’t already). Their new EP, I’m So Dead, is absolutely brimming with catchy-pop tunes, you’ll be looping this album for days on end. Melding traditional pop-rock elements with electro-pop and funk vibes, The Stolen’s sophomore release is a pop-rock lovers dream.
facebook.com/thestolennj & itunes.apple.com/album/im-so-dead-ep
the stolen
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RECOMMENDS
Angsty and energetic, Small Parks’ debut album, ‘Honest Light’ will tug at those emoloving heartstrings. The Lansing, Michiganbased band cleverly bottles that sad and dreary spirit often associated with American mid-west pop-punk. The 10-track album is full of pain-tingled vocals upon dark instrumentals, trapping the listener into the damaged pessimistic mood, perfect for those long night highway drives.
to be different. & facebook.com/smallparksband smallparksband.bandcamp.com
cup check Pop-rock/ Chicago, IL
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Small Parks emo/Lansing, MI
Cup Check’s new album, Jouska has been on-repeat since it’s release this spring. For all those saddened Paramore fans that have longed for the return of their All We Know Is Falling essence look no further - Cup Check gives you everything you wanted and more. The female-fronted pop-punk band fills the void left by Hayley Williams and co. Successfully coupling the fast-paced roots of early 2000s pop-rock, with front-woman Michaela Kramer’s delicate vocals, Cup Check presents the ideal pop-infused summer playlist. &
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