NYS Music 20​14

Tag: The Chronicles

  • The Unveiling of Grandma’s Studio: A Multipurpose Venue and Studio

    Bryan Brundige is a man who wears many hats. He is a producer, musician, band manager, Grandma’s Studio owner and songwriter. He is most prominently known as a horn player in The Chronicles, but suffice to say, he is well versed in all things music. Brundige is not only cultivating his own dream of running a studio, but his efforts are inadvertently bringing a music scene to Albany. He is perhaps, the gatekeeper as well.

    20140502 - PJ Katz and The Fat Buckle Band 3

    Brundige has planned, developed and now executing his business of music. He has a multi-room studio with digital and analog recording options. He has a number of various instruments if needed from a baby grand piano to drums, providing accessibility for band-client options. Through the concept of the Albany Barn – a live and work-space dynamic – he is also able to give music fans a little something too.

    Tabitha Clancy: What is Grandma’s Studio?

    Bryan Brundige: It is a multi-faceted recording studio. I can multi-track record. I specialize in songwriting and arranging. I have a lot of connections with musicians so if somebody comes in and needed a horn section or a string section or a keyboard player or a guitar player, I can locate all those musicians. We’re not only a recording studio but also a production house in that we output music all the time. We have bands for hire, a rehearsal space, I can do voice-over work, I can mix audio to film, I can produce albums – I’ve done four at this point.

    DSC00353 (1) copy

    TC: Where did this idea come from?

    BB: My Grandma’s house. It’s the idea of the whole aesthetic of being comfortable while creating. You know, like when you go to your Grandmother’s house on a Sunday afternoon, and everything seems to be fine and dandy – chocolate chip cookies everywhere, that kind of thing.

    TC: As far as recording rooms, what do you have?

    BB: I have three rooms: I have an isolation booth, a live room and a control room as well as another closet in the control room for more isolation options. There is a venue out the front door in case I have to record an orchestra or something like that. I can do anything from a solo artist up to a 65 to 75-person orchestra.

    TC: The Albany area has been anxious for a new live venue. Is the bigger space available for booking shows?

    BB: Yes to a certain degree. The only hiccup is that it is attached to a residential suite, so it’s an interesting situation. Right now there is a curfew at 11pm; we’re trying to change that. This first show went really well and they are interested in having a concert series. I don’t think it will be a Thursday, Friday, Saturday night venue, but more of a concert space. For instance, once or twice a month. It is such a creative zone but the venue is also common space for every commercial tenant that’s there – all of our front doors go out to that space. It’s an interesting dynamic – a live-work-event space, and I’m excited to see what is going to happen.

    TC: Will alcohol be provided during live events?

    BB: There is not a bar attached and the Barn does not have a liquor license. The promoter is responsible for that kind of thing. It will have to be non-alcoholic events or it will have to be catered. Basically at all of our events will be local, probably Brown’s Brewery and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.DSC00281 (1) copy

    TC: What are the stage dimensions and venue capacity?

    BB: 30 feet wide by 20 feet deep. It holds 400 people. Shows will typically be from 6pm – 11pm.

    TC: What types of bands are you looking to get in Grandma’s performance space?

    BB: Some bands that have been discussed are Chris Thile, Dumpstafunk, Marco Benevento, Railroad Earth, Soulive – medium sized regional and national bands.

    TC: Is the live space recording area separate from the venue area?

    BB: Yes, yes. My suite is about 700 square feet. It is a little tight, but it does the job. I have about a 20 foot by 16-foot room for the live room.

    TC: How does this relate to the Albany Barn?

    BB: The entire building is The Albany Barn. Part of it is residential and part of it is commercial. There are 22 artist lofts and about 11 commercial tenants. They are all artists of some sort, and the idea is to all feed off and work with one another.

    Brundige is looking forward to a potential concert series in the works for the 2014 summer. The Chronicles have a few upcoming dates including a Sunday performance at the Albany Tulip Festival. Please follow links for more information.

  • The Chronicles End Their January Red Square Residency

    With three weeks under their belts, The Chronicles finished up their residency at Red Square on January 30th with a great set of music honoring the late J Dilla as well as some of their own music.  Starting the evening off was Ithaca’s Big Mean Sound Machine.

    The band stays true to their name, with everyone barely fitting on Red Square’s stage and blowing the audience away with music power that is seen so rarely.  The funky numbers they played showcased each member’s talents flawlessly.  The three person horn section was strong throughout the performance, leading most tunes along with the drums, bass, and congas.  Both the guitars and the keyboards are used more as filler than as leads like they are in most bands.  It gives the band a unique sound that should be enjoyable to everyone, and with a new album coming out in June, it is looking like a big year is coming for Big Mean Sound Machine.

    20140130 - The Chronicles 4

    The Chronicles came out after a short break and tore through a set that included guest JB for the J Dilla portion of the set.  J Dilla is of course best known for the producing he did on many amazing hip hop tunes throughout the 90s until his death in 2006.  JB flawlessly rapped over the music and clearly enjoyed helping The Chronicles out with this special show.  “E=MC2”, “Stakes is High”, and “Fall in Love” were great highlights of the set.  Jeff Nania, who mainly plays various saxophones, even took a turn at the mic during the evening.  The Chronicles closed the night, and ran out in style with a one two punch of “Village Livin’” and “Mr. Clean.” This run let the band stretch their musical chops out to all regions of the music landscape and it suited the band well.  Hopefully Albany will see another residency down the line.

    Setlist: Time, Gobstopper, E=MC2, Move, Won’t Do, Stakes is High, Fall in Love>Think Twice>Fall in Love, Interzone, Just Knew, Strasbourg/St. Denis, Village Livin, Mr. Clean

  • The Chronicles run a ‘Trane Through Red Square as their Residency Continues

    The softly-lit room that is Red Square was to be host to this evening’s gala – a performance by The Chronicles, paying tribute to John Coltrane’s musical catalog. The soundboard was filled with guys laughing and chatting witty banter before the show, only to find out these fellows were the opening act, Mr. Breakdown. The five piece band toyed with various jams before stunning the crowd with a cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”. Mike Kemmlein , the lead guitarist, played this song masterfully, from his extreme vocal range to his darting guitar, it was performed brilliantly and livened up the set.

    This stellar opening performance set the stage for The Chronicles to pay tribute to jazz legend John Coltrane. The room was illuminated with blue lights, giving the ambiance of a Harlem jazz club in the 40’s or 50’s. As the band took the stage, the room was quite open, but as the music progressed the floor filled up. The opening number was “Naima”, a beautiful song highlighting the keyboards of Paul Phillipone with a hum of Jeff Naina’s saxophone and Bryan Brundige’s trombone sending out a melodic spring-like vibe; this was great way to start the set. “A Love Supreme” featured Brundige on talkbox, odd to see at first but as the jam went,  it was a perfect selection. “I Love you to Death” was repeated as a back drop while the horns and the keys soared, accompanied with free form guitar by Justin Henricks that fit in superbly with intense passion. “India Locomotion” was a danceable track highlighting the speed Nania and Henricks making a bowlful of sound.

    “Annie”, a song by Erykah Badhu, was a fun number grabbing the crowds full attention with the lyrics “Annie don’t wear no panties.” “Interzone” began with a gripping sax solo with a low touch of Daniel Lawson’s bass and Andrae Surgick lightly tapping his high hat as he he sat behind the kit. With each measure the groove of the sax sped up and the rest of the band followed suit. Henricks played very familiar guitar riffs right back into the sax, showing off the all the band members talent of how well they can play individually and as a complete unit. “The Groove for Nala” was very heavy on the drum and bass, a groove that only a jive turkey wouldn’t be able to get down to.

    The Chronicles were able to put a spin on classic Coltrane making it relevant to the vibe of today, a very difficult task. They will continue there residency at Red Square this Thursday, highlighting the music of Earth, Wind and Fire, with opening act Cedric Burnside, a classic night and one that should not be missed.

    Mr. Breakdown Setlist: Funk Train, It’s Your Thing, Hot Pants Breakdown*, Do What You Can, Top, Hard at Work, Zoomin, Nothing Compares To You, Take Your Shirt Off, Shining Star, Sista
    *Greyboy Allstars version

    The Chronicles Setlist: Naima, A Love Supreme, Syeeda’s Song Flute, India, Locomotion, Annie, Interzone, Sly, Groove for Nola, Butterfly, Just Knew