CATBEACH MUSIC ON SPOTIFY
Check out all of the CatBeach Artists on Spotify.
This playlist would be a great place to start. Just sayen’…
HOW A CHANCE ENCOUNTER LED THIS SONGWRITING DUO TO AN EMMY NOM
Ranking close to the top of things that a successful music producer may not want to hear from his new wife:
“Sooo…..A friend of mine invited us over tonight so we can hear his daughter sing and give them some advice. I told him we’d be there…!”
That’s exactly the situation that producer/songwriter Bobby Hartry found himself in 5 years ago, as he sat down to listen to a shy and reluctant artist play a couple of songs she’d written. With her back to Bobby, Daena Jay sat at her keyboard, facing the wall, and began to play. By the time she hit the first chorus, Bobby glanced over to his wife with an affirming twinkle in his eye…a twinkle that said “ok…wow…this girl is really freaking talented…!”
That night began what would turn into a solid friendship and songwriting partnership. Immediately they started writing songs together that would fit into one of three categories –
1. Songs to be sold for commercial assignment,
2. Songs that would go into a co-owned catalog to be used for licensing opportunities, and
3. Songs written for the sheer act of creative expression (many which have been released through CatBeach Music, a boutique indie label).
Featuring Daena’s power vocals, these songs quickly started to see action as they became the backdrop for commercials, brand sponsorships, and multiple shows across various TV networks, while also serving to fuel Daena’s growing fanbase.
One day in early 2015, RC Cates – the music supervisor for CBS’s Young & The Restless, called Bobby looking for a special song that would convey both passion and tension…and that would become a sort of theme song for a beloved couple affectionately called “Chadam.’
Bobby and Daena had just finished a song called ‘The Gray,’ a dark scenic ballad, that conveys a passionate longing and is layered with undertones of angst and tension. The song, perfect for the spot. premiered on Y&R on April 16, 2015, was subsequently released globally to an enthusiastic audience, and in turn, was nominated for an Emmy – Outstanding Original Song in Daytime Drama. This is the first nomination for this songwriting pair, who will be attending the Daytime Emmys – Creative Arts Gala on April 29, 2016 at the Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.
Congratulations to Bobby and Daena on their Emmy Nom, and best of luck! We can’t wait to hear from these two in the future!
Listen to ‘The Gray’:
Spotify
Apple Music
www.bobbyhartry.com
www.daenajaymusic.com
DAENA JAY – SONGS FOR KISSING
Daena Jay’s latest singles, ‘This Is How We Love’ and ‘The Gray’ were released with much anticipation. We’re so excited about the response, which has been incredibly kind and encouraging! These newly released singles will be featured on Daena’s next project. ‘Songs For Kissing’ a 6-song EP is a collection of chill moody love songs – a human soundtrack capturing flirty transgressions, intimate moments and the angst in longing, available June 2015.
The singles were written by Daena Jay and Bobby Hartry. The recordings captured a haunting beauty because of these lovely people:
Daena Jay: all things Amazing Vocals
Bobby Hartry: Guitars, Programming,
Aaron Sterling: Drums
Jonathan Ahrens: Bass, Keys, Programming (This Is How We Love)Tyler Chester: Bass, Keys (The Gray)
Dan Strain: Mix Engineer
Hans DeKline: Mastering Engineer
Bobby Hartry: Producer
www.daenajaymusic.com
www.facebook.com/daenajaymusic
NEWS // Moxi – THROUGH THE DARK – Producer Notes
Moxi‘s second EP, “Through The Dark”, “offers an intoxicating mix of wobbling synths and danceable beats.” -Kevin Bronson at Buzzbands LA.
We asked Through The Dark’s two producers, Andy Toy and Bobby Hartry to tell us about their experience co-producing this project.
These guys love dressing up to work in the studio…
Andy: To me, co-producing is all about trust, and there’s probably nobody I trust more than Bobby Hartry to make my song better than I could on my own. This comes from years of working together but also from a personal relationship I have with Bobby that makes it OK for one of us to say, “hey, that could be better” or “that sound’s not really working for me”. One of my favorite moments of making “Through The Dark” was at Bobby’s studio when we decided to re-amp a few of my keyboard tracks through Bobby’s pedalboard into his vintage AC30. The floor was covered in a mess of pedals, patch cables and batteries, but the sounds we got are some of my favorites on the record.
Bobby: Echoing what Andy said, co-producing is definitely about trust. Building that trust and personal relationship creates an environment that can really foster risk taking, stepping out and trying stuff that maybe you haven’t done before. For me, that’s what keeps things interesting, and that’s where your best work usually happens.
Another result of that personal relationship is a camaraderie that develops. I definitely have this with Andy. Not only is the record making process more fun because of our friendship and mutual trust, but there’s also an intangible quality that I think people can hear or feel in the music as a result. I think it’s a freshness, or energy that’s evident in the crafting of the tracks as a result of working together. Andy’s story of reamping the keyboards is and example of that I think. Another moment like that for me was on the vocal session for “Save Me.” We had this idea of layering several of Anna’s vocals in the second verse to create some tension and energy. Some of the the layers were sung, some yelled, she’s starts on one note and bends up to another. We tried different mic placements to create a variety of roomy textures. I think at one point she stood in the door way of the studio bathroom with the mic several feet away. The end result is a brief moment in the song, but it’s exactly what we needed for the second verse.
I love tracking guitars with Andy. He’s up for trying anything. I may have a passing thought of a sound or part that is unorthodox, and without any hesitation Andy is on board helping me make it happen. And because I can trust his ear I’m freed up to really get lost in the guitar in those moments. This is a huge thing for me.
Andy: One of my favorite songs on this EP is “Save Me” because the vocals and music work so well together to create this dark, mysterious tension of raw emotion. The song opens with Bobby’s guitar hook that we doubled with my bit crushed wurlitzer and it sets the tone for the rest of the song: dark, aggressive and unique. It’s fun to hear this song as a recording because we wrote it right after we released our first EP, In My Dreams. After playing it live for a couple years, we had parts written and arrangement nailed down and we got to focus on the little things and be creative with things like guitar tone and vocal yells, like Bobby mentioned. I think my favorite sound on the EP is that opening guitar hook; we tracked that guitar using close mics and left a room mic in omni in the corner of the studio. The weird slapback effect you hear at the end of the phrase is the room mic being turned up just on the ends of the phrase, a Bobby Hartry signature move that totally ended up making the intro memorable.
We think the results are pretty awesome! Download Moxi’s latest EP, “Through The Dark”, here.
NEWS // Jayson Belt – ‘Poor Penmanship’ – Producer Notes
There’s something very special about making music with a good friend, someone you’ve clocked in a lot of time with. There’s a trust that’s established that frees you up to just do what you do, to create with no need to explain yourself, or worry if the other person gets it or not. There’s a camaraderie that’s established where it’s been proven you have each other’s back. You can push each other to do better work because of the history you have and the friendship you’ve built. These are my favorite records to make, and that’s what I have with Jayson Belt.
We’ve performed, written, and recorded music together for years now. The culmination of this time is an ease and freedom in working together. Rarely does anything need to be explained or talked through. We just start writing, or playing, or tracking. It’s easy.
“Poor Penmanship” – Jayson’s debut solo album, is a reflection of that relationship. It’s a record that’s been in the works for a long time. It’s been put on the back burner a few times as life has brought different twists and turns – career changes, kids, moves, etc. But, it’s finally done and I think it’s a better record because of the wait.
A couple of thoughts about Jayson Belt…
Jayson is a power house of a vocalist, which is demonstrated on this record at times. But, what also is displayed are the more subtle textures of his vocal which deliver some of my favorite moments, such as “Adriatic”.
He is one of the most gifted lyricists I know. He can bring so much sarcasm and bite in a turn of phrase that you can’t help but laugh. He can emote in a subtle way without hitting you over the head. I’ve always marveled at how quickly he can pen a lyric to evoke just the right feeling.
Because of the span of time that this record was written and recorded over, we were a little concerned about how it would all fit together. But, listening to it now, it makes perfect sense to me. It reflects that span of time in it’s diversity and various influences, which I think brings interest to the record as a whole. It’s certainly a record I’m proud of from the songs to the performances, to its production and mixes. Making music with friends is one of things that I value most in this life and this record is certainly an example and a tribute to that.
-Bobby Hartry
‘Poor Penmanship’ Release Date: February 10, 2015
iTunes Pre-Release Available now!
Album Release Show at The Mint
Sunday, Feb 8: 7pm
with fielding, Daena Jay & Ryan Webster
21+ | $5 pre-sale | $10 at the door
Buy Tickets Here
SHOWS // Week of 12/8/14 – 12/14/14
CatBeach Music artists are playen some great shows this week.
Hope you can check em out!
Monday, December 8th
8pm @ Mick Murphy’s (Ballymore, Ireland)
Click For More Info
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Tuesday, December 9th
7:30pm @ Genghis Cohen (Los Angeles, CA)
‘Leaving Your Cave Can Save You’
Click For More Info
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Thursday, December 11th
9pm @ The Echo (Los Angeles, CA)
‘Winter Dance Party’
Click For More Info
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Thursday, December 11th
8pm @ Center For The Arts (Eagle Rock, CA)
Dashing Through The Snow:
A Festive Evening of Holiday Music
Click For More Info
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Friday, December 12th
8pm @ House Party (Houston, TX)
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Friday, December 12th
7:30 @ The Hotel Cafe (Los Angeles, CA)
HoHotel Holiday Benefit Show
Click For More Info
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Sunday, December 14th
8pm @ Casa (Costa Mesa, CA)
Click For More Info
NEWS // Sara Watkins In The Studio
We welcomed Sara Watkins to CatBeach Studio to put the final touches on Jayson Belt’s upcoming album – Poor Penmanship. Her beautiful vocals and fierce fiddle were the perfect companion to Greg Liesz’s dreamy pedal steel. Can’t wait for y’all to hear! Release date: Fall 2014!!!
PHOTOS // Jayson Belt in the Studio
This week we’re back in the studio with Aaron Sterling and Jonathan Ahrens, laying down bass and drums for an upcoming album with singer-songwriter, Jayson Belt. The project, titled “Poor Penmanship” coming at you soon soon soon! But for now…a few shots from inside today’s session.
NEWS // Daena Jay – New Music, New Videos, New Shows
After taking a short break over the summer, Daena Jay is getting ready to launch back onto the scene.
This winter Daena is set to release a new EP as a CatBeach Music collaboration with Hype Music. Videos and interviews to accompany this new collection of songs. She is also in the studio writing a slew of new tunes…some specifically for ABC Television and some specifically for a new album.
To kick it all off, Daena is playing a show at Silverlake’s Lot 1 Cafe on Tuesday, November 19. Event details here. Hope to see you all there!
VIDEOS // Casey Black: I’ve Spent My Whole Life
Art. Songwriting. And life on the back porch.
We’re taking some time this week to share videos from Casey Black‘s latest album: “Lay You In The Loam.” In this video, Casey divulges some of his deeper thoughts and gives a live performance of his song “I’ve Spent My Whole Life.”
Welcome to LOAM TV!
To purchase Lay You In The Loam, visit iTunes or Casey’s Online Store.