NORD LIVE Philly Sessions

NORD LIVE Philly Sessions brings some of the East Coast’s finest keyboardists to Forge Recording’s Studio A. Produced by Daniel Weatherspoon (Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Paula Abdul) and recorded by Forge Recording Lead Engineer Ron DiSilvestro, the two-day event showcases 8 featured artists plus backing band.

 

Daniel Weatherspoon
is a multi-award winning producer/keyboardist based in the Washington, DC area and has worked with world-renowned artists such as Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Paula Abdul, Carl Thomas, The Clark Sisters and many more.

Parris Bowens
is a sought-after keyboardist/producer/songwriter from Philadelphia, PA who has worked with a wide range of artist including Tye Tribbett, Timbaland, The Roots, Janet Jackson and Brandy.

Joseph Pryor
is an in-demand keyboardist/producer based out of Baltimore, MD and has worked with Gospel artists such as Jonathan Nelson, Tye Tribbett, John P. Kee and many more.

Glenn Gibson Jr
is a highly respected musician from Queens, NY and has worked with artists such as Le’Andria Johnson, Donnie Mcclurkin, Kim Burell, Bebe Winans, Kierra Sheard, Jonathan Nelson and many others.

Natalie Tenenbaum
is a critically-acclaimed pianist/keyboardist, composer, producer and singer-songwriter based out of New York City. Natalie has appeared as soloist and with orchestras all over the world and premiered her original compositions at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall.

Doobie Powell
is a legendary gospel recording artist from Hartford, CT who has worked with the likes of Kim Burrell, the Clark Sisters, Tramaine Hawkins, Kelly Price, Rance Allen, John P. Kee, Billy Preston, Tye Tribbett, just to name a few.

Kevin Powell 
is a renowned organ/keyboard player and producer based out of Hartford, CT who has recorded/produced for a wide range of gospel artists.

HAEIN (Haein Kim)
is a gifted multi-instrumentalist, producer, film composer and musical director based in the Philly area. She is currently a musical director for DRO X YANI and has played for artists such as Wyclef Jean, Sweet Micky, Parris Bowens and Jesús Molina.

Watch the full-length version below or link to the Nord playlist

The band consists of
Guitar: Kenny Kohlhaas
Bass: Alvin Spratley Jr
Drums: Greg Clark Jr

 

 

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Forge Recording Debuts Livestream Concerts

Forge Recording unveils its livestream capabilities with a broadcast from Studio A. The production has multi-track audio, 4-camera live video switching, lighting and internet connectivity.

Livestreaming is essential for musical performers during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Livestreaming provides a safe way for artists to connect with their fans when unable to perform in front of a live audience.

Forge Recording’s world-class studio delivers a controlled environment that produces immersive audio and video. Lead engineer Ron DiSilvestro mixed the audio while Jovon Jordan and Jack Sprague ran the video and streaming.

The concert features Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/performer Maimouna Yussef (aka “Mumu Fresh”), Darrell Robinson-Music Director-on drums, Rayfield Holloman on guitar and keyboard, Dwayne Moore on bass, backup singer A.D. Harmon and dancers Folashade Forman, Ama Schley and Yusuf Young. The broadcast was carried on the Soul City Network for the 2020 Harlem Music Festival.

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WMMR’s Caseyboy Records Eagles Rock Anthem

WMMR 93.3’s Casey Boy records Ready to Go, The Philadelphia Eagles’ new fight anthem, in the live room of Studio A.  Ready to Go is aired on WMMR 93.3’s Preston and Steve Show for which Casey “Boy” Fosbenner (pictured above) is the executive producer. The anthem was written and performed by Caseyboy and members of the band Jealousy Curve, and produced by audio engineer Steven LaFashia.

When Preston and Steve observed there had not been any great new rock anthems lately, Caseyboy set out to create one for the Philadelphia Eagles. He discussed it with his long time friend, Steve LaFashia, who is a member of the band Jealousy Curve. Since they are all Eagles fans, the band was eager to take part in the creation of a new rock anthem.

Jealousy Curve’s lead singer, Michael Leavy (pictured below with Steve LaFashia at the console) and Casey collaborated on the lyrics and vocal composition. In the recording stage, Casey performed the lead vocals and the rest of the band performed the gang vocals.


Steve LaFashia has been engineering at Forge Recording for more than 9 years and his band, Jealousy Curve, has been working together for the past 20 years. Forge feels like home for the band. As Steve put it they all love the studioIt was a lot of fun, we had a really nice time. It was a long day – we got all the tracking done in one day.

To learn more about Caseyboy’s rock anthem for the Philadelphia Eagles, watch the video above (filmed in Studio A).

 

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Recent Upgrades

Forge Recording continues to improve and expand, with major upgrades to Studio A, the Academy Studio, the Podcast Studio and the Lobby.

Studio A adds 4 ribbon microphones including a pair of rare RCA BK-11s (pictured above) and a matched pair of Royer R-10s (shown below).

Studio A maintains the latest version of Pro Tools HDX and a multitude of Waves and UA plugins (Click here for complete gear list).

The Academy Studio has been transformed into a powerful production studio.

The Academy Studio has the latest technology including

  • ProTools Ultimate
  • Logic Pro X
  • FL Studio 20 Signature Edition

  • Universal Audio Apollo x8 18×24 Thunderbolt 3 with 6-core processor
  • 2019 Mac Mini with 6-core 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor
  • M-Audio Keystation 49es midi controller (shown above)
  • Ableton Live 10 Suite with Push 2 controller
  • Native Instruments Maschine MK3 (shown below)

  • Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61 MK2
  • Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2.5
  • New UA plugins (Click here)
  • Waves Studio Classics Collection

 

Forge Recording launches the brand new Podcast Studio – an affordable and professional environment for recording your podcast. Record with a Forge engineer, or on your own.

There is no need for a computer because the mixer can record “multi-track” directly to a USB thumb drive or external hard drive. If you prefer to record to your computer, the mixer can also be used as a controller for your DAW.

Your call-in guest can “Skype in” with our 50″ 4k Monitor (shown above), or call in using our dedicated phone patch for high quality voice recording. The 50″ monitor can also be used to display your brand identity while filming your podcast.


Want a custom background for your video recording? The Podcast Studio has a 12 foot green screen.

Around the table, guests will enjoy the comfortable environment. Great sound quality is provided by high end Shure SM-7 and Electro-Voice RE-20 microphones and Cloud Lifters. Do your own editing or engage our professional staff to make you sound your best.

The lobby has been upgraded to accommodate events like album release parties & live performances.

The lobby is decked out with
  • 75” 4k streaming monitor for displaying your videos
  • Stunning 74″ linear fireplace
  • Beringer X Air XR16 mixer providing 8 mic inputs plus 8 instrument inputs
  • Turbosound iX12 1000W 12″ powered speaker & Peavey PVxP 800W 15″ powered subwoofer
  • Reclaimed wood patterned floor
  • Raised platform with a comfy seating area

 

Experience for yourself the new and improved Forge Recording. Call Jennifer at 215.885.7000 or email info@forgerecording.com to schedule a tour.

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OTP Drops Album “Grow Its Teeth”

OTP hits Forge to record guitar and drum tracks for its new album, Grow its Teethwith Engineer Brendan McGeehan in Studio A. Producers Jordan Miller, Brendan McGeehan and Jason Bachman team up for this collaboration of musicians from across the country.

What does OTP stand for? Romance may come to mind – One True Pairing – a term commonly used in fandoms. But for these artists with strong political convictions, OTP means One-Term President.

When it formed, the band members were all seniors at Lebanon Valley College, with the exception of Brendan (shown above and below at the console), who as a freshman was the youngest of the group. For the past 17 years Jordan Miller (guitarist and lead writer), Robert Dudley (guitarist), Jason Bachman (bassist), Brendan McGeehan (bassist), Scott Weber-Broody (drummer) and Sophia Darby (singer), have played together as the alternative-rock band “OTP.”

The band, with its distinctive 90s rock groove, has toured the tri-state area. Its inspiration is derived from bands like Muse, Oasis, and Copeland. Be sure to check out its new album, available on all streaming platforms and on Bandcamp.

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Atlantic Recording Artist “Zero” at Forge

Zero 9:36 is in Studio A with Lead Engineer Ron DiSilvestro recording the acoustic version of the 7-song EP You Will Not Be Saved.

Zero 9:36’s music is a mix of hard rock, electronica, alternative, and rap. Its unique sound caught the attention of Atlantic Record’s Prim8 Music which signed Zero 9:36 earlier this year.

Singer Matthew Cullen, better known as “Zero” teams up with producer Andrew Migliore who plays most of the acoustic instruments.

Zero shares: I was already well-known for rapping when I asked Andrew to play on one of my songs. That was 5 years ago and we’ve written 300 plus songs since.
I think it’s a very nice, well-put together studio says Matthew about Forge Recording. Ron is a great guy and he clearly knows what he’s talking about.

Zero 9:36 appears on Spotify’s Rock This play list which Spotify describes as “the 50 top new Rock songs you need to know.”

Here is the original version of Leave The Light On. The acoustic version is being worked on in Studio A.

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Judge John Hodgman Rules!

The weekly comedic court show podcast, Judge John Hodgman, sends its litigants to Forge Recording for a hearing. The program features host John Hodgman—perhaps best known as the PC guy in the famous Mac commercials—acting as judge, with Jesse Thorn—host of NPR’s Bullseye and founder of the maximumfun.org podcast network—as bailiff, adjudicating real-life disputes in a fictional courtroom setting.

Today’s dispute: when to put up Halloween decorations, and how many. The defendant, Bonnie, loves all the spooky ghosts, witches, and warlocks that creep around the house. The plaintiff, Kris, thinks Bonnie puts up too many decorations and begins way too early, and has submitted photo evidence as proof. Kris and Bonnie are a soon-to-be married couple and long-time fans of the show.

Today’s show uses Forge Recording’s new podcast studio. John Hodgman and Jesse Thorn are on the West Coast interviewing Bonnie and Kris at Forge Recording on the East Coast. The broadcast-quality recording, captured by audio engineer Jennifer Tambellini, will be sent to Maximum Fun for editing upon completion of the interview.

You can listen to the episode entitled “Skeleton Brief” by clicking here

For more information about Forge Recording’s new Podcast Studio, contact Jennifer at 215.885.7000.

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The Band That Never Was … Is Here

A group of highly-talented session musicians are recording a hip-hop music library in Studio A with engineer Eric McMahon. Benjamin Bullock is playing the Rhodes, Chris Peace is on bass, and Marc Dryburgh is on the drums. They are known as The Band That Never Was.

The group has been collaborating for more than 20 years, and play a wide variety of music including jazz, blues, funk, folk, and gospel.

The music library will contain a collection of royalty-free audio clips for use in film, television, radio, and other media platforms.

The Band That Never Was chose Forge Recording’s Studio A for its space, acoustics, and variety of gear including its coveted vintage microphone collection.

The session is being engineered by Eric McMahon (below), one of the many freelance engineers who frequent Forge Recording. (Click here to learn more about freelance engineering opportunities at Forge.)

When I walked in for the first time, I thought it was great. I was amazed by the pictures, seeing all of the artists that have played in here – it was pretty impressive. The control room is banging, it’s excellent architecturally. — Chris Peace

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Matt Santry’s Live Music Videos

Singer-songwriter Matt Santry frequents Forge Recording to shoot live music videos. He records original material and popular cover songs with Forge Recording Lead Engineer Ron DiSilvestro.

In this video Matt performs his original song Living in The Moment in the Live Room of Studio A.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_uydQiSdmk

Using a vintage Sony C37 tube microphone, Matt sings Into the Mystic by Van Morrison. Check out Forge Recording’s entire microphone collection here.

Matt shows a bit of his rock flare in his performance of Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House.

Matt also performs a James Bay cover of When We Were on Fire.

Matt is releasing a single every 6-weeks throughout 2019 and is currently on a bi-coastal tour.

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The Hills are Alive at the Morris Arboretum

The assignments are as varied as the clients for Forge Recording’s Live Sound Team. The current mission—to fill an empty meadow with the sound of music.

Off we go to the Morris Arboretum’s Azalea Meadow with sound gear in tow, to prepare for the University of Pennsylvania’s annual welcome event.

The incoming class of 2023 freshmen, along with their families, mingle at the Oak Allee before heading to the meadow for remarks from University dignitaries and fellow classmates.


The event not only builds friendships among the incoming students, it also helps parents be informed and connected to the life at the University.

The Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania was established in 1887 as the summer home of John and Lydia Morris (brother and sister), who are responsible for planting many of the specimens sourced from around the world. The 92-acre horticulture display garden features a spectacular collection of mature trees in a beautiful and colorful landscape. Not only is it the official Arboretum of Pennsylvania, the Morris Arboretum is one of only 19 world-wide to receive the prestigious ArbNet Level IV designation.

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