Studio sounds

ASTAR 0% LOAN SCHEME EXTENDED FOR 2013

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:08:00 +0000

An Audio Pro Award finalist in the ‘Best Initiative by a Studio’ category and described by Soundblab as ‘An Offer Too Good To Refuse’, Astar’s Zero Percent Recording Loans of up to £5000 (subject to status) can be repaid over 24 months. This exclusive and innovative scheme introduced by Astar Studios in 2010 has proven instrumental in helping many artists and bands afford and spread the cost of their recordings. The loans can be taken out directly or by either the artist or a third party on their behalf. The total cost of a project is calculated, a minimum of 10% deposit paid and the balance taken over 2 years at zero percent. The application process is simple and decisions instant. Andy Ross states, “As the current economic climate bites and arts funding is cut, we are delighted to continue to support the growth of the independent music sector by offering a viable and affordable alternative to fund and spread the cost of artist projects. This keeps the door open for artists, bands and independent operators to access high-end recording and make the best possible record.”

SKYPE CHOOSES ARBITORS SINGLE FOR NEW AD

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:03:00 +0000

Exposure Music Awards Indie winners The Arbitors’ single ‘Handlebar Hipsters’ has been chosen for the new Skype Blue Card Referee Web Video for 2013. The track is taken from the bands debut album, produced by ANDY ROSS and recorded at ASTAR STUDIOS. A preview of the video can be found on the artist page of the Astar website.

5TH YEAR FOR ASTAR CD ON XMAS COVER OF JAZZWISE

Fri, 10 Aug 2012 13:25:00 +0100

The latest ‘Yamaha New Jazz Sessions’ CD produced by Andy Ross and recorded at Astar Studios has made it onto the Xmas cover of Europe’s leading jazz magazine for the 5th successive year, taking the number of copies circulated to over 80,000. The 2012 CD will be out end November as a covermount on Jazzwise and receive its live launch at 606 Club, London on Wednesday 5th December.

To date established jazz artists to have appeared on the CD include Arun Ghosh, Gwilym Simcock, Anders Astrand, Mica Paris, YolanDa Brown, Georgina Jackson, Kit Downes, Jason Rebello, Julian Joseph, Ryan Quigley, Nigel Hitchcock & Liane Carroll. The CD, considered to be one of the most significant jazz releases of the year features tracks by the cream of new UK contemporary jazz talent alongside renowned jazz artists who this year comprise LED BIB, GARETH WILLIAMS POWER TRIO and EMMA SMITH. Six Yamaha Jazz Scholars are selected to appear each year by the Heads of Jazz at the UK’s leading conservatoires as part of an awards scheme supported by Yamaha, the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, Jazzwise, PPL and 606 Club. The 2012 CD is the 5th in the annual series that has showcased new British jazz talent such as Kit Downes and Calum Gourlay, Zem Audu and Josh Arcoleo. This year’s jazz scholars are Alec Harper (TS), Ben Mallinder (TS), Jonathan Davis (D), Chris Maddock (AS), Huw Williams (DB) and Matt Robinson (P). Andy Ross who produces the series was responsible for producing the Mercury nominated album ‘Golden’ by the Kit Downes Trio who he encouraged to form after Downes and drummer James Maddren guested on Calum Gourlay’s track ‘Roots’ in 2008. The album will receive its live launch at London’s famous 606 Jazz Club on Wednesday 5th December. last year’s launch to a sellout audience including Rolling Stones drummer and jazz fan, Charlie Watts was compered by award winning jazz broadcaster Helen Mayhew, a longterm supporter and fan of the CD series. The CD and Xmas double issue of Jazzwise is out end November.

CD DESIGN BY CREATIVE HERO

Legendary Peter Hook Records Spotify Ad @ Astar

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:57:41 +0100

Iconic Joy Division and New Order Bassist Peter Hook has recorded a new Spotify audio ad at Astar Studios for a month long campaign to promote Yamaha’s groundbreaking new THR desktop guitar amplifiers. Currently touring Europe with ‘Peter Hook and The Light’, Hooky has been playing Yamaha for around 40 years with his legendary Yamaha BB1200 Bass accompanying him on every tour and featuring on every Joy Division and New Order recording. Peter even brought his BB1200 to the studio to plug into Yamaha’s latest THR technology, along with his new Yamaha BB2024X bass.

Hooky received a warm welcome and shared some laughs with Astar’s producer owner Andy Ross, pictured below. The ad goes live around 16th April.

For any guitarists reading this, you should seriously check out this amazing THR amp that opens up new opportunities for practice and is supported by a brilliant new free app from Yamaha.

ASTAR STUDIOS THE CHOICE OF REAL STRINGS & BRASS

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:55:58 +0000

Astar Studios live room is regarded as one of the best acoustic live rooms in the country and is the choice of top string and brass arrangers. Projects include the soundtrack for the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ & James Bond video games, Ronan Keating Tour and X-Factor artists.

Viva Espagna! - 3 songs RELEASED on GPUNTO album

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:55:00 +0000

Andy Ross has written three songs on the hit debut album ‘Da La Cara’ of Spanish ‘Popstars’ finalist Guillermo Martin’s band ‘G Punto’ (Vale/Universal Music Group). Guillermo (the Spanish Robbie Williams) is one of the country’s biggest popstars and in-demand personalities with 3 national TV shows.

LOOKING EAST FOR 2012 WITH ASTAR

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:53:17 +0000

Since recording their debut album ‘Nothing to Lose’, Humberside rockers ‘Route East’ likened to a young Bon Jovi have enjoyed much airplay and media coverage, earning supports with The Saturdays, Olly Murs, Gabriella Cilmi and Scouting for Girls. The band are set to return to Astar to record a new single and be filmed as the first artists to feature on Astar’s new Artist Video channel, ‘Astar TV’

ASTAR ANNOUNCES 5TH ANNIVERSARY ALBUM

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:51:00 +0000

Astar Studios to celebrate 5th birthday with anniversary album PLUS magnificent 7 new releases already in the works for 2013 . Route East support The Saturdays, Olly Murs and Scouting For Girls . ‘Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow’ - Rock legend Doogie White records @ Astar . 3 Tracks on GPunto album (Universal, Spain). Astar is looking forward to an exciting host of new projects and upcoming releases including the winners of the Exposure Music Awards ‘Indie’ category, Northampton 5 pce ‘The Arbitors’ who recorded their debut album with producer Andy Ross, NIKKI GARNETT (EP). The Manchester songstress signed to US management giant Azoff Music and now Rescue Records US opened the ‘December Sessions’ at London’s O2 Arena. STEPH WOODS (ALBUM – ‘Share My World’) - 20 year old Steph made judges houses on X-Factor at 14 and comes of age with this album co-written and produced by Andy Ross. JACK TRAINER (ALBUM - ‘Knitting Club Every Monday Night’) a solo artist in the truest sense, Jack plays every instrument on his debut studio album, produced by Andy Ross. MIKKI REDHEAD (ALBUM – ‘14’) - 14 year old singer song-writing prodigy Mikki is a huge talent whose beautiful voice and songwriting belies her years and petite frame. Produced by Andy Ross. RAGING JUPITER (ALBUM – ‘Champagne Lifestyle, Lemonade Money’) fronted by rising actress Madeleine Clark, Raging Jupiter fuse rock with acoustic folk. Produced by Andy Ross. CITIES TO SATELLITES (EP – ‘When In Rome’) – 5* reviews for the outstanding debut by this Liverpool Indie Outfit.

A charity album for ‘Help the Heroes’ is receiving extensive regional airplay with an hour long feature on BBC Radio Merseyside. ‘Thank Heaven for Peter’ is dedicated to Lance Corporal Peter Eustace, 2nd. Battalion, TheRifles who was born 13th August 1986 and killed in action while serving in Afghanistan on 16th November 2011. The album features cover versions of 10 songs by young Liverpool artists involved in a fundraising extravaganza at Liverpool Arena’s Convention Centre to support the servicemen and women of our country.

ARTUR PIZARRO RECORDS @ ASTAR STUDIOS

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:49:00 +0000

One of the world’s most famous concert pianists, Artur Pizarro has recorded two tracks for Yamaha and ‘Pianist’ magazine at Astar Studios. Artur performed using the studio’s new Yamaha N1 AvantGrand hybrid piano. Classical recordings @ Astar include Classic FM ‘s ‘Summer Piano’ CD. He was also interviewed on film while at the studio for the first of a series of recording sessions with Yamaha and other distinguished pianists including Murray McLachlan, Head of Chetham’s Music School & Chair of The European Piano Teachers Association (EPTA). See video here.

ASTAR FEATURES ON TOP PRODUCER SITE

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:48:50 +0000

RecordProduction.com has visited Astar Studios to film an interview with the studio’s producer owner Andy Ross in which he gives a fascinating insight into the unique studio design and his personal techniques and approach to recording. The top producer site described Astar Studios as one of a new wave of UK studios where the emphasis is on what matters, the recording environment, rather than a flashy venue to hang out. Click to see video

MERCURIAL RISE FOR ASTAR PRODUCER

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:47:00 +0000

Just 3 years after opening Astar Studios its producer owner scooped a Mercury Prize ‘Album of the Year’, an achievement that has advanced the status of Andy Ross towards the producer premier league, sparking the interest of artists, managers and record companies. ‘Golden’ by the Kit Downes Trio (Basho) was released to critical acclaim receiving 4 stars from the Guardian and Observer jazz critics. The album that was the surprise contender for the prestigious Mercury musical crown alongside artists such as Dizzee Rascal, Paul Weller and Corinne Bailey Rae resulted in widespread recognition for the unique approach producer Andy Ross has taken since opening Astar Studios, where the emphasis is on what matters most – superbly designed acoustics, an outstanding technical spec and engineering and production of the highest possible standard. Andy Ross told us, “When I heard the news I felt totally elated and delighted for Kit and the band who are such talented musicians. Personally I feel so proud that the quality of my recordings and sound from Astar Studios has been judged at the highest level as worthy to sit alongside those of the other more established and big budget album nominees including the legendary Paul Weller.” Andy first met Kit Downes in 2008 when he came to Astar Studios to accompany double bassist Calum Gourlay on a recording for ‘The Yamaha New Jazz Sessions’ with fellow Royal Academy of Music student James Maddren on drums. From that recording The Kit Downes Trio was born, they signed to Basho Records and Kit called Andy to invite him to record the trio’s debut album ‘Golden’. Kit returned to Astar to record a solo piano composition, ‘William Cooper’ for the Yamaha New Jazz Sessions CD series.

SALES OF YAMAHA NEW JAZZ SESSIONS TOP 50,000.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:43:40 +0000

Featured on the cover of the Xmas/New Year double issue of Jazzwise Magazine (Europe’s largest selling Jazz publication), the 2011 CD of the highly acclaimed series produced by Andy Ross and recorded @ Astar Studios was the subject of a 2 hour Jazz FM Special and features the two hottest UK jazz artists of the moment - Gwilym Simcock and Arun Ghosh plus internationally renowned percussionist Anders Åstrand alongside ‘The Yamaha Jazz Scholars’ - the cream of new UK contemporary jazz talent, selected by the Heads of Jazz at the UK’s leading conservatoires as part of an awards scheme supported by Yamaha, the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group, Jazzwise, Jazz FM, PPL and 606 Club. The 2011 CD is the 4th in the annual series that has showcased new British jazz talent such as Kit Downes and Calum Gourlay, Zem Audu and Josh Arcoleo (recipient of this year’s Kenny Wheeler Prize). Andy Ross who has produced all four CDs was responsible for producing the Mercury nominated album ‘Golden’ by the Kit Downes Trio who he encouraged to form after Downes and drummer James Maddren guested on Calum Gourlay’s track ‘Roots’ in 2008. The album received its live launch at London’s famous 606 Jazz Club to a sellout audience including Rolling Stones drummer and jazz fan, Charlie Watts. The evening was compered by award winning jazz broadcaster Helen Mayhew, a longterm supporter and fan of the CD series. To date established jazz artists to have appeared on the CD include Mica Paris, YolanDa Brown, Georgina Jackson, Kit Downes, Jason Rebello, Julian Joseph, Ryan Quigley, Nigel Hitchcock & Liane Carroll. The decision to invite Arun Ghosh came after Andy Ross saw Arun’s blistering set at the 2010 Manchester Jazz Festival. Preparatons are already underway for the 2012 recordings that will take place following the presentation of this year’s awards on 3rd July at Westminster Palace.