Zac, Jesse, and I returned to Chris Rival's Middleville Studio (our home away from home) in June to record four new tunes for what will be my next CD. The sessions went well and set a good vibe and direction for the project. I'm returning to the studio in August to do some overdubs, including my recorded debut on acoustic guitar. The plan is to do another session with Zac and Jesse and also to feature guest star rhythm section players on a few tracks to be recorded in NYC this fall. I'm aiming for an early Spring '09 release.
I've been pondering... Do a significant enough number of people purchase actual CDs for me to release this in hard copy form? As always we will labor and obsess over sound quality from recording to mastering, track order, and thematic continuity no matter what medium(s) people prefer. However, it is disheartening to have your CDs cherry picked for favorite tunes, purchased, and/or listened to as mp3s after working so hard on such things. Of course I'm grateful when people enjoy my music in any form but having listeners hear the music presented with the best sound in my intended context is certainly more rewarding. If you have a moment let me know what you think either through the contact link on this site or my myspace page.
See photos of the June sessions in the Band Gallery.
05/17/2008 - posted by Julien Kasper
Bryan Hopkins
Bryan Hopkins left this earth on March 30th, 2008. He was called away on my birthday. He was my closest friend. I loved him and I miss him terribly.
The following is an excerpt from the obituary that appeared in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Tallahassee Democrat.
Bryan Clifton Hopkins, 47, Sarasota, formerly of Tallahassee, died March 30, 2008. Bryan died peacefully in his sleep at his home after a brief illness. His beloved cat, Curtis, was in his lap. Bryan grew up in Tallahassee, and lived in Sarasota for the past 20 years. Bryan radiated humor and joy to friends, family and strangers. He had a zest for life and a kind heart, and was a loyal, lifelong friend to the many who were fortunate to know him. Bryan's 16-year-old son, Mason, was his pride and joy and was always in his thoughts. Bryan also deeply loved his father, Grady Clifton "Cliff" Hopkins, and the two of them were exceptionally close. Bryan was a passionate musician who played the bass guitar in Sarasota with The Hurricanes and Uncle Skinny. He was proud to have played bass guitar with the famous group, The Coasters, on New Year's Eve in 1992. Bryan also was an accomplished marksman who enjoyed shooting skeet with his father and his son. Survivors include his son, Mason Hopkins of Sarasota; and his father, Grady Clifton "Cliff" Hopkins of Tallahassee.
04/09/2008 - posted by Julien Kasper
Starting in May please join us for our monthly residency at the Lily Pad in Inman Square, Cambridge MA. This is a small but good sounding art space and we are looking forward to debuting new music every month and playing exactly what we want to play when we want to play it. There are numerous nice bars and restaurants in Inman Square so go out for a bite and/or a drink then come check out our set. Creative music is moving to places like this. Please show your support for live music in alternative venues!
On May 16th we will play the opening set for guitarist Jim Weider at The Center for the Arts in Natick. We shared the bill with Jim in January '07 at the same venue and it turned out to be a great gig. "TCAN" is my favorite venue in the Boston region - great sound and lighting, nice stage, nice people, comfortable seats. Jim sounds great and so does his band.
We are returning to the studio in June to start the sessions for our next CD. I hope to have the music completely recorded by fall.
01/23/2008 - posted by Julien Kasper
Audio Samples at other Sites
When I was in Texas recently I spent an afternoon recording with my old friends and great players drummer Rob Avsharian and bassist James Driscoll. We played live at Erik Herbst's beautiful Panhandle House studio in Denton. It went well and least two tracks will certainly be on my next CD. A couple of brief clips from an outtake of that session can be found here: http://www.jampedals.com/fuzzphrace1.htm
One afternoon in December I took my old Vox AC-30 up to D'Pergo Custom Guitars world headquarters in New Hampshire. Stefan was excited about his new Sony digital field recorded so we put the amp in a bathroom with the Sony, cranked it up, and I spent the afternoon improvising and free associating on some beautiful D'Pergo guitars. Stefan liked the music so he put some of it up on his site. It is low tech and was never meant to be a high end critical demo recording of the guitars though, to my ears, the unique sonority and depth of the instruments still comes through. My intent was, as it is every time I pick up a guitar, to simply make some music. Find it here and go to the recordings link http://www.dpergoguitars.com
06/17/2007 - posted by Julien Kasper
Great New Guitar Effects
I have to share these great new pedals I've recently discovered - JAM effects are extraordinarily musical sounding old school guitar pedals. I tried several models, they instantly went on my board, and I'm looking forward to trying more. The pedals are built meticulously by hand in Greece and, even with shipping, are significantly less expensive than most boutique brands. The owner, Giannis, is very nice and accessable. Guitar players, you've got to check them out! www.jampedals.com
Another pedal recently added to my set-up is the Occtone modded DS-1. Believe me when I tell you that you never imagined a DS-1 could sound like this! Huge, dynamic tones and, most remarkable to me, it sounds great through a clean amp. The man behind the mod is a wonderful person and a great guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He should be famous. www.occtone.com his music is here: www.huskymusic.com
06/01/2007 - posted by Julien Kasper
Jesse Williams on Bass
I am happy to announce that Jesse Williams has signed on as the new “official” JK Band bass player. Jesse is a fantastic electric and acoustic bassist, the consummate professional musician, and he fits perfectly in our musical vision. Zac, Jesse, and I feel a rare musical connection when we play together and as that grows and the band tightens up I am confident we will reach new heights and write some great music.
04/21/2007 - posted by
"Flipping Time" is Back on the Radio
Following up on the radio success of "The New Imperial," "Flipping Time" has been re-released to the stations that have given "Imperial " the most support. Playlists are coming in and "Flipping Time" is all over them! Reports to follow.
World Of Guitar Australia www.live365.com/stations/djnewguitar www.myspace.com/worldofguitar
SkyJazz Internet Radio Ontario,Canada www.skyjazz.com
03/19/2007 - posted by
Featured Artist on Greg Martin's Radio Show
On March 19, 2007 Julien will be the featured artist on the "Lowdown Hoedown" radio show on WDNS D93 Bowling Green, Kentucky. The show is hosted by Greg Martin, the great guitarist of Kentucky Headhunters and Mighty Jeremiahs fame. He will interview Julien and play 8 to 10 tracks from "The New Imperial" and "Flipping Time."
12/13/2006 - posted by
Meet Julien at NAMM
Julien will be playing and hanging out at the D'Pergo Custom Guitars booth at the January '07 NAMM show in Anaheim, CA January 18 - 21. If you are at NAMM be certain to stop by to meet him and see the amazing D'Pergo guitars.
11/29/2006 - posted by
Friday 12/1 Interview on WCSB Cleveland
Julien will be interviewed and his music featured at 2:00 PM EST on WCSB Cleveland. "The Fusion Show" host Randy Allar has featured a who's who of distinguished guests including John McLaughlin, Scott Henderson, and countless others in the twenty year plus history of his show so Julien is joining elete company. You don't have to be in Cleveland the show will be streaming at http://www.wcsb.org.
12/03/2006 - posted by Julien Kasper
Airplay and Internet Radio in the USA and Beyond
If you live in range of these stations and/or listen to internet radio please request our music. This is how it happens! Keep checking this page for your local radio stations, We'll be updating it regularly. I'm getting reports of airplay in the E.U. as well but that apparently organized playlists are less commom in Europe so radio is more difficult to track. If you hear us anywhere please let me know.
Update: We are getting so much airplay we can no longer keep track of the individual tunes or get live links up. This is good!
WATD 95.9, Marshfield, MA, Paul Wanner - Zulie, JB Groove, I Am a Centaur
WQNR 99.9, Auburn, AL, Wildman Steve - The JB Groove
WRFG 89.3, Atlanta, Good Morning Blues - The New Imperial
WRCN, Medford ,New York (Long Island) Graveyard Blues
KUMD - Duluth, Minn WIZN - Burlington, Vermont WBSD - Burlington, Wi WXPR - Rhinelander, Wi WVIA - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre/Hazleton, PA WVYA - Williamsport, PA KABC - Sante Fe, New Mexico
Jazz Variations (Syndicated) -------------------------------------
WRNX 100.9 FM - Springfield, MA WUVA 92.7 - Charlottesville, VA KECH 95.3 - Sun Valley, ID WEBK-FM - The Peak 105.3 - Rutland, VT WPAL 100.9 FM North Charleston, South Carolina
Under Currents (Syndicated) www.undercurrentsradio.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------
KIDE - Hoopa, California KEOS - College Station, Texas KBRW - Barrow, Alaska KCIE - Dulce, New Mexico KGHR - Tuba City, Arizona KGVA - Harlem, Montana KIAL - Unalaska, Alaska KILI - Porcupine, South Dakota KLND - McLaughlin, South Dakota KNBA - Anchorage, Alaska KSHI - Zuni, New Mexico KSUT - Ignacio, CO KUYI - Keams Canyon, Arizona KYNR - Yakama, Washington KWRR - Ethete, Wyoming WOJB - Hayward, Wisconsin AVRN - Toronto, Canada KMHA - New Town, North Dakota KISU - Pocatello, Idaho KCUW - Pendleton, Oregon
KMXT Kodiak,Alaska KUSP Santa Cruz, Ca KSDS San Diego, Ca WCNI New London,Ct WUCF Orlando, Fl WMPG Portland, Maine Ocean 98 Ocean City, Maryland KUMD-FM Duluth MN KMSU-FM Mankato,Minn KUNV-FM Las Vegas, Neveda KUNR-FM Reno, Neveda WKNH Keane, NH WDVR-FM Sergeantsville,NJ WBFO-FM Buffalo, NY KWRP Sante Fe, New Mexico WVXU Cincinnati, Ohio WCSB Cleveland, Ohio WPSU-FM University Park, Pa Sunday Night Soul Mississauga, Can
If you live in the United States and would like an autographed CD direct from us we are offering a release special of $15 including postage and handling for the new disc. For international customers the price will be $20. Please send a check or money order and a note with your shipping and autograph information to:
Julien Kasper PO Box 104 Wollaston, MA 02170
For those of you in the US, Canada who prefer to order with a credit card CDs will be available through CD Baby and Guitar 9 by the end of April.
Fans in the the UK and Europe can purchase the CD direct from our label; Nugene Records We invite all of you to go to the Nugene Records site or CDBaby to listen to the audio clips.
04/01/2005 - posted by Julien Kasper
Signed to Nugene Records
I am excited to announce that we have signed with the independent British label Nugene Records. Nugene's entrepreneurial president Richard Pavitt has done very well by their other artists in garnering excellent press and top shelf gigs in Europe and the UK. Our official UK CD release will be at the International Guitar Festival in London on May 2nd so we are off to a good start. The new CD entitled “The New Imperial” is now available in the EU via www.nugenerecords.com. The CD should be available stateside by mid April.
03/13/2006 - posted by Julien Kasper
Vocals? Well, maybe a little...
Lots of news to report. First of all our new CD is due for release on April 10th.
For certain upcoming gigs don’t be surprised by possible vocal emanations from the stage area. Some people just have to have the occasional vowel or consonant in order to digest live music (particularly of the esoteric instrumental variety) so, in the interest of bringing our own music to a wider audience Zac, Blendi, and I are each singing a couple of our favorite blues/rock chestnuts from Hendrix, Beck, Trower, etc. Not being Ray Charles never stopped many a popular singer and it won’t stop us!
02/17/2006 - posted by Julien Kasper
Lower Prices on Flipping Time
In anticipation of our upcoming release I have lowered prices on "Flipping Time" at CD Baby and Guitar 9. If you don't own this CD you should and here's your chance to get caught up before you have to buy the next CD too!
02/03/2006 - posted by Julien Kasper
Southern Tour in March
We are looking forward to seeing friends and fans on a little Southeastern tour in March to some of our favorite honkytonks in Florida and Georgia. These are the gigs that take me back to my roots and remind me that southerners truly know how to have a good time.
01/22/2006 - posted by Julien Kasper
CD is Mastered
Chris Rival and I spent last Friday in Brooklyn NY with Dave McNair of Unity Mastering NYC. Dave did a phenomenal job of retaining the warmth and impact of my guitar tones while clarifying and adding dimension to Chris' great sounds and mix. I went to Dave on the recommedation of John Paterno an old school buddy from University of Miami who has become a very successful engineer in LA. I had no idea when I arrived that Dave had worked with so many great guitar players including Stevie Ray Vaughn (he mixed In Step), Eric Johnson, Sonny Landreth, David Grissom, etc... No wonder he understands! Anyway, the upcoming CD sounds amazing - Dave described it as "audiophile stuff." For guitar players serious about tone, the combination of Chris Rival recording and Dave McNair mastering is world class. See the links page.
09/19/2005 - posted by Julien Kasper
New CD Update 2
A couple weeks ago I returned to Chris Rival's studio to record three improvised solo guitar pieces. Each piece is based on thematic material from other tracks on the CD and I think the improvisations turned out to be honest, raw, and beautiful. These pieces tie the CD together nicely and complete all tracking so we now have only to mix and master. Art and graphic design are under consideration. I am exploring some label options which, if one pans out, will delay release until 2006. If I put the CD out myself the release may be sooner. Watch for updates and, in the meantime, you can see photos from the sessions in the band gallery and hear mp3s of rough mix excerpts on the downloads page.
01/06/2005 - posted by Julien Kasper
Join the "Street Team"
I hate to use industry jargon but, if you are involved in radio, print, work at a music store (instruments or CDs), or you are a music fan that wants to be more proactive, consider being part of our "street team." We are looking for people to help us get press in local dailies or weeklies, airplay on independent stations, put up posters, etc. In return, when we come to your town, we will put you on the guest list with VIP seating and you will receive a copy of our latest CD. E-mail me if this sounds like something you would enjoy doing.
