Shaking Through Promotional Deck 2012
The Birth of a Song
All Images link to corresponding episodes Tim Showalter of Strand of Oaks, February 2012
Shaking Through.... is a documentary series about the birth of a song. Each year we give 10 of the most promising new minds in music a challenge: One Song in two days.Â
Twin Sister, February 2012
From first take to final mix. No extensions. No safety net.
A New Music Incubator... We pair the best young minds in music with top artists, producers and film makers. Whether a one-time collaboration or a band that’s been around for years, our episodes showcase the best new ideas in music today.
Cat Martino and Sufjan Stevens, April 2012
Exceptional Content Shaking Through is a visionary new way to experience the art of making and recording music. Every episode is carefully crafted, from the artists’ experience in the studio, to the viewers’ experience at home. We share the artists’ vision, the producers’ choice of microphones and engineering techniques--Every detail makes a new song come to life.
An Innovative Community Shaking Through is innovative and educational. We strive to make our episodes interactive and collaborative across cultures and borders. For every Shaking Through track, we share the unmixed, raw audio files with fans around the world. Fans download and interact with the building blocks of these professionally produced songs to create their own mixes, and participate in conversation with hundreds of others doing the same. By promoting the process of making music, Shaking Through creates conversation and collaboration among thousands of people in 99 countries around the world.
“An inspired recording project.”
Why We do This As producers of this series, Weathervane Music's mission is to create projects that support and enhance independent music. Over three years and 32 episodes, Shaking Through has involved some of the most exciting names in indie music, given the public educational insight into the art of making music, and provided professional development, skills and experiences for the great new artists of tomorrow.
“One of the best online music series.”
Shaking Through has received support from
The Muse Educational Foundation Philadelphia Cultural Fund Pennsylvania Council on the Arts The Patriarch Foundation The Samuel S. Fels Fund WXPN Non-commercial Radio from The University of Pennsylvania
Creepoid, October 2011
Peter Silberman of The Antlers and Nick Principe of Port St Willow, February 2011
CURATION / ARTIST SELECTION Since 2010, we’ve found the best way to attract a wide and ever evolving range of artists for Shaking Through is to reach out to known and respected members of the independent music community to serve as episode guest curators. Guest curators can be well known musicians, record producers, concert promoters, radio personalities, record label figures, music critics, or any combination of the above.
Mike Polizze of Purling Hiss and Adam Granduciel of The War on Drugs, May 2012
Part of the magic of Shaking Through comes from seeing emerging musicians interacting with established figures in music. Curators often produce or play on the projects they select, lending their considerable skill to the final product. This partnership helps Shaking Through create remarkable art, episode after episode while retaining credibility through a diverse, relevant, and ever changing cast of characters.
Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear with Family Band, September 2011
NOTABLE PAST CURATORS AND GUEST MUSICIANS
Sufjan Stevens Adam Granduciel, The War on Drugs Daniel Rossen, Grizzly Bear Marissa Nadler Chris Powell, Man Man Scott McMicken, Dr. Dog Peter Silberman, The Antlers Mark Schoneveld, Music Blogger, YVYNYL.com Ben Swanson, Owner, Secretly Canadian Records Grayson Currin, Writer at IFC, Pitchfork
Top to Bottom: Scott McMicken, Marissa Nadler, Chris Powell, Sufjan Stevens and Daniel Rossen
Stand-out Episodes
Sharon Van Etten
Vol 1 Ep 1 Song Love More Hometown Brooklyn, NY Curator Weathervane Music Release Date January, 2010
In January 2010, Shaking Through was brand new and untested. Sharon Van Etten, an unknown indie singer-songwriter with a punishingly beautiful voice and powerful lyrics, would be the first artist for the entire series. Little did we know, this trial episode would be such a stunning success.
Now Notes • This was her first experience working with professional engineers and producers. • In her episode she articulated her powerful back story, one of pain and redemption. • Shortly after the episode release, Love More was reviewed and offered for download by Pitchfork and several other key music resources • 2012 Grammy Award winner, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver heard Love More and began to cover it during live performances • Within three months Sharon signed a record deal with BaDaBing Records to release the album Epic (including Love More) • She toured the US, Europe and Japan with artists like The National, Bon Iver, and Marissa Nadler
“
It really all comes back to Shaking Through. All the amazing opportunities, what I’ve been able to do the last 3 years. I’ve been so lucky.
”
Released 2 albums, “Epic” and “Tramp” to critical acclaim.
Stand-out Episodes
Port St Willow
Vol 2 Ep 2 Track Stay Even Location Portland, OR Curator The Antlers Release Date February, 2011
Port St. Willow is Nick Principe, a percussionist and multi-instrumentalist from Portland, OR. He was brought to us by Peter Silberman from The Antlers, and if you hear a similarity in the music, there’s a reason: The two are childhood friends who, Silberman says, learned to make music together. Returning to the studio after years apart, the resulting song, “Stay Even” is a lush, melancholy meditation.
Now Notes • A gifted home-recording enthusiast. This was Principe’s first time collaborating with professional producers and engineers. • The collaboration sparked a series of live collaborations between Principe and Silberman. Including a private event for Weathervane donors. • The episode was also Silberman’s first experience producing a track other than his own. He called the episode “a big learning experience.” • The final track and episode helped raise Nick’s profile, setting the stage for a well received album “Holiday” the following year.
“
I think Shaking Through really proved to me that I can do this--that I can make great art. But what made it possible was the support I got. Being asked to do an episode was such an honor.
”
Album “Holiday” released in Summer 2012 to critical acclaim. Pitchfork calls it “a rich, lush listen.” Touring with The Antlers this fall.
Stand-out Episodes
Family Band
Vol 2 Ep 8 Song Again Hometown Catskills, NY Curator Daniel Rossen Release Date September, 2011
With only one day to get basic tracks, switching songs at the last minute is a risk. It had never happened before Family Band. With help from Curator/Producer Daniel Rossen from Grizzly Bear and Department of Eagles, they tackled arranging and recording 'Again' as they went. It was a difficult road at times. But the sparse, haunting track was well worth the effort.
Now Notes • Having recorded mostly in their two room cabin, this was the bands first experience in a studio. • The drum track came late in the recording. Almost added as an afterthought it changed the entire course of the recording. • Though nervous about their last minute decision, the band grew increasingly excited as the song fell together in unexpected ways. • Daniel Rossen’s selection shined a valuable spotlight on the band and their unusual style. • Rossen, inspired by the episode, chose to record some of his new solo record at Miner St with Shaking Through engineer Jonathan Low.
“
As artists, it’s so rare to walk into an environment where the focus is entirely on the art. It was such a genuine and inspiring experience. We still haven’t seen anything like it.
”
New album “Grace & Lies” out July 2012. It includes “Again”
All Past Artists (names link to episodes)
Volume 1
Volume 2
Sharon Van Etten Sonoi Strapping Fieldhands The Man Suits Floating Action Springs Ben + Vesper Twin Sister Reading Rainbow Party Photographers
A Classic Education Port St Willow LA BIG VIC Big Troubles Hezekiah Jones Dreamers of the Ghetto Sweet Lights Family Band Creepoid Snowmine
Volume 3 Filthy Bird Strand of Oaks Faces on Film Cat Martino Purling Hiss Ava Luna Secret Mountains (Sept ’12) Auctioneer (Oct ’12) Grants (Dec ’12)
Support Shaking Through
Your Donation... • Produces videos that are raising the public awareness about music, the creative process, and the role that every listener plays today in bringing great new artists’s music to our culture • Produces an educational power-pack of Raw Audio Files, Mix Stems, and Track Sheets for amateur musicians and aspiring recording engineers all over the world to learn from
Your Sponsorship... • Delivers exceptional content to your audience to deepen their emotional engagement with you & your brand • Demonstrates the alignment of missions between you & Weathervane Music • Connects you to well-known and respected curators involved in Shaking Through
• Enables professional development in an era where there are few opportunities of this kind
• Associates you with hip new artists & lets you claim a role in their successful careers
• May literally launch an artist’s career, forever linking you with their success
• Demonstrates that you are in tune with the cultural concerns of your audience & that you understand the important issues facing musicians and the music industry.
Donate by Check:
For information or to make a corporate contribution contact:
Payable to “Weathervane Music / Positive Space” PO BOX 29498 Philadelphia PA, 19125
Brian McTear brian@weathervanemusic.org 267-235-2710
or online at http://weathervanemusic.org/donate.html
Secret Mountains (Coming Sept ’12)
All episodes available at shakingthrough.com
Weathervane Music is a project of PositiveSpace, a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gifts made to Weathervane / PositiveSpace are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.