We’re putting the last finishing touches on Fielding’s upcoming EP, ‘Rags Of Light’. Here’s a little taster to tide you over until it drops this summer, 2018…
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
We’re starting summer off right. The CatBeach Music folks spent a few days in Palm Springs to set the stage. And now that we’re all rested up, we’re right back at it.
This week we released Casey Black’s new video for Fire Fire Fire Fire, through Magnet Magazine to raving reviews, while also finalizing details on the upcoming album release, Lay You In The Loam, dropping on June 18th, with shows in New York City, Los Angeles and Nashville.
Following that goodness comes fielding’s EP, Our Side Is An Ocean, releasing this summer. With songs already placed on this year’s American Idol and the upcoming show, The Winner Is, you will LOVE this EP.
We’ve got a sweet Moxi show coming up this month at Hotel Cafe – June 28! And for all you Daena Jay fans, we’re soon to release a collaboration EP with MTV’s Hype Music. 4 new songs for your delight!
And if that weren’t enough, we started tracking Ryan Webster’s album, the newest of CatBeach artists! Today we’re stealing some time with Aaron Sterling before we lose him to John Mayer’s tour. This record will satisfy all of your 70’s meets Fleet Foxes needs. Coming this Fall!!
It’s hot in this production house!!!
I saw this picture on Instagram a few weeks ago:
It was posted by a friend and great winemaker, Keith Saarloos. These were his notes for a lecture he was giving to a business class at USC.
These ‘notes’ have been in the back of my mind for the last few weeks. We just finished our 4th project, an album for Casey Black and are about to release an EP for fielding. Oh…and we’ve been working our catalog for a new show coming out on NBC this summer. Oh…and we’ve made some marketing plans with NoiseTrade. Oh…and we’ve negotiated contracts, finalized artwork, scheduled video shoots, played some gigs, booked more gigs, outlined manufacturing and distribution details and tidied up the accounting reports. and…and…and…
We set out, over a year ago, to start a boutique record label – one that would allow us to make great music with people that we truly care about and believe in. It was a simple idea. One that involved writing songs, recording songs, distributing songs and starting all over again. We totally knew what we were getting into.
UM…no!
We did not know what we were getting into…
it is SO much more than we thought.
And for just one second, we were overwhelmed by all that we didn’t ‘know’. The music biz is way more complicated and strategic than we ever dreamed, but…after that second passed, we re-grouped, counted our fingers and toes, pulled up our bootstraps and all that…and we’ve got our game faces on now…
….and each day is truly an adventure!
Keith’s point seems pretty clear coming from an entrepreneur to a classroom of students…study, learn, take it all in, but at a certain point – LEAP! The real learning comes from the actual experience. Step out, take a risk. Try. You may think you have learned ‘enough’ to begin your life’s journey, but once you get started, you too will realize that no-one really knows what they are doing!
(The more you know…blah blah blah…)!
fielding, a critically acclaimed indie folk band, have carved their own unique niche in the amply talented Southern California music scene, since 2004. Featuring the songsmithing of frontman, Eric Fielding Balmer, pared with multi-instrumentalist, Beth Balmer, fielding is back at it with a new 6-song project to be released in Fall 2012.
CatBeach Music is excited to share a steady collection of quality music from our friend-roster of topline artists. Here’s a brief update on what we’re up to….
Our first release, Daena Jay’s EP “When The Bough Breaks” will be closely followed up with a second Daena Jay collection. Bobby is currently in the studio working on a new project with local Long Beach faves, fielding, and is in production on acclaimed songwriter, Casey Black’s fourth full-length album “Lay You In The Loam.” Next up, we are super happy to announce that we’ve been working with SoCal’s darling, Anna Nelson, on her first full length LP. Listen for these new releases beginning in Fall 2012.
We’ve also just officially inked plans to record with Jayson Belt. And by inked, we mean on a napkin, over drinks at our fave, The Manhattan Beach Post. Sounds official to us!!!
We’ve got a few more things up our sleeves…but that’s all we’re sayen for now.
Keep listening!!!!
It was a full house at CatBeach Studio last week. We had Eric and Beth Balmer from ‘fielding’, in for the initial tracking on their new ep. Aaron Sterling and Jonathan Ahrens came in to provide the foundation. Pocket anyone!? Lyle and Phoebe were on hand for cuteness and comic relief….although, we’re not sure Beth appreciates their talents!
Daena Jay was also in the studio for a writing session with Bobby. They gave the harmonium a little test drive too!
All in all it was a great week…so we thought we’d share a little. Thanks to our little FlipCam and iPhones, we’ve officially become very amateur lo-fi video editors. Some of our friends (who are very professional film and television editors) will be so proud…or…not…
Well, we’re having fun anyway!!
We’ve got two upcoming projects to announce…!
This month we head into the studio with Long Beach-locals, Fielding, to record a new EP. These new songs will follow up their full length (genius) record, The Voice Of Us. Trust us, you want this record! Check it out here…
And if that weren’t enough, we’ve got Casey Black coming out from Brooklyn to record with Bobby and Co. in June. This Casey is a seriously amazing songwriter…and we are thrilled to get him in the studio. Take a listen to some previous Casey action.
Stay tuned for updates!!