News archive
February 2010
february Newsletter
2/10/10
Table of Contents
1. A Musician's Take on Making a Record: Part 3
2. Tour Dates
3. Speaking Of The Callen Sisters...
4. Currently Listening to ... and Reading
1. A Musician's Take on Making a Record: Part 3
Last month we discussed step 1 of the recording process - pre-production and the role of the producer. In our case, our producer is also our arranger, which is another important role in the pre-production phase. This month we'll discuss step 2: tracking and the role of the audio engineer.
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PART 3: Tracking and the Audio Engineer
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As previously mentioned, our producer, Dan Castellani, is also our audio engineer. He is a musical superman and in addition to working as the above, he is also our arranger, band member (he plays keyboards, accordion, and percussion), and music director, and in the past was our mix and mastering engineer. As if that wasn't enough, he also loves to cook for us (yes, we know how lucky we are to have him)!
Once an artist's songs have been selected for a record and have been arranged and rehearsed, they are ready to be recorded. Tracking refers to recording all the parts of the song. Sometimes all the instruments are recorded all at once, which is known as live tracking, but most of the time each instrument is recorded separately, which is called multi-tracking.
The audio engineer is in charge of tracking the record. It's his or her job to capture a performance using the right microphones, pre-amps, and other various audio processors. Everything is usually recorded to a computer using software such as Protools or Digital Performer (Dan uses the latter). The audio engineer also has to provide headphone mixes so the artist can hear themselves while they are recording.
Most records are split up into 2 stages of tracking - rhythm tracking and overdubs. A rhythm tracking session usually involves the bass, drums, and basic rhythm guitar and/or keyboards. During overdub sessions, solos, auxiliary instruments, vocals, and background vocals are recorded (each instrument will be recorded at a different session). Our record was multi-tracked. We recorded bass and drums live in one session, then the guitar, harp, and finally vocals and background vocals all on different dates.
After everything is recorded, some tracks may be edited. During the editing process, various takes may be spliced together to create a more cohesive and powerful performance.
Once all the instruments have been recorded and edited, they are ready for mixing (stay tuned... mixing is next month's topic).
2. Tour Dates
Please mark your calendar for our first NYC show of the new year!
3/14/10, 4:00PM
Rockwood Music Hall
196 Allen Street
NYC 10002
(212) 477-4155
www.rockwoodmusichall.com
www.thecallensisters.com/tour.html
3. Speaking Of The Callen Sisters...
The All Music Guide is a book that provides guidance on the best music from virtually all popular (i.e., nonclassical) genres. Over 20,000 albums and 4000 artists are represented from the worlds of rock, blues, country, jazz, rap, folk, gospel, reggae, avant-garde, and more. This authoritative reference highlights "essential collection" albums as well as "first purchase" recordings to help listeners buy CDs. The Callen Sisters have been included in the All Music Guide's 4th edition.
All Music Guide, The Definitive Guide to Popular Music, 4th edition
edited by Vladimir Bogdanov, Chris Woodstra and Stephen Thomas Erlewine
produced by All Media Guide, LLC and published by Backbeat Books
http://www.amazon.com/All-Music-Guide-Definitive-Popular/dp/0879306270
"Makes you delirious with knowledge." - Entertainment Weekly
"The most useful single volume your money can buy." - Mojo
4. Currently Listening To ... and Reading
Beth: KT Tunstall
Jessa: Melody Gardot
Beth: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill (yes, still reading it)
Jessa: The Manifestation Wheel by Alan Seale
January 2010
January Newsletter
1/15/10 Happy New Year from Beth and Jessa! For the past few years we've made a few New Year's resolutions, but this year we think we came up with some really good ones.
* Be present in each moment (whether this means petting my kitties, washing dishes, or playing "Here Comes the Sun")
If you'd like to share your resolutions for the new year, send them to info@thecallensisters.com and we will include a few in our February Newsletter.
Table of Contents
1. A Musician's Take on Making a Record: Part 2
2. Voting Results - Lilith Fair Competition
3. Speaking Of The Callen Sisters...
4. Currently Listening to ... and Reading
1. A Musician's Take on Making a Record
In our last newsletter, we started a new series called "A Musician's Take on Making A Record". We listed the different steps and roles involved in making a record. This month we'll discuss the first step: Pre-production and the role of the producer (the head honcho of a recording project).
PART 2: Pre-Production & the Role of the Producer
After finishing a bunch of songs, we take our batch to our producer, Dan Castellani, and record rough tracks of vocals with harp or guitar (depending on whose song it is). We also make a lead sheet of each song, detailing the notes of the vocal melody, lyrics, and chord changes (sometimes when we're really lucky, Dan does this for us). Dan is also our recording engineer and arranger (and sometimes mix engineer - he's multi-talented), so his process is a little different than someone who works strictly as a producer. He takes our songs and crafts an idea of how the song will sound when it is finished. He works out tempos and then starts to arrange each one, deciding which additional instruments will flesh out the song, then he writes parts for each instrument. Once he's arranged the songs he contacts the studio musicians needed to execute his ideas. He'll set up a rehearsal with the key players (usually the drummer and bassist), then set recording dates. He will be there during the recording, making sure that everyone is playing their part the way he envisions it. He also keeps track of the budget and makes sure that all the musicians are paid. A producer is somewhat like the grand orchestrator of a record.
2. Voting Results - Lilith Fair Competition
The votes are in, and the winner is..... (drum roll) ..... "Like You!" Thank you so much for casting your votes! The song has been entered into the Lilith Fair Local Talent Competition. Voting for the nation-wide Lilith Fair Local Talent Search will begin on OurStage.com in April. Head over then and give us your support!
For more information about the contest and about the Lilith Fair, visit http://www.ourstage.com/go/lilith
3. Speaking Of The Callen Sisters...
Here is a semi-random mention of The Callen Sisters on the interwebs! When you search the word "Harp" on Wikipedia, a very interesting article details the instruments origins, types of harps, and its use in music, both old and new. Jessa is mentioned in section about the Concert Harp (Under the heading "Use in music"). The following is an excerpt from the article:
There is a prominent harp part in "She's Leaving Home" by The Beatles in their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. In the 1970s, a harp was common in popular music, and can be heard in such hits as Cher's Dark Lady and the intro of Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves. Most often this was played by Los Angeles studio harpist Gayle Levant, who has played on hundreds of recordings. In current pop music, the harp appears relatively rarely. Joanna Newsom, Dee Carstensen, Darian Scatton, Habiba Doorenbos, Jessa Callen of The Callen Sisters and Oona McOuat have separately established images as harp-playing singer-songwriters with signature harp and vocal sounds. Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan plays the harp in her 2006 holiday album, Wintersong. In Hong Kong, a notable example of harp in pop music is the song Tin Shui Walled City (天水圍城) performed by Hacken Lee with harp played by Korean harpist Jung Kwak (Harpist K).
Read the entire article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harp
4. Currently Listening To ... and Reading
Beth: The Beatles - Abbey Road & A Fine Frenzy
Jessa: Joni Mitchell, Dan Castellani
Beth: Think and Grow Rich
Jessa: Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom
November 2009
November Newsletter
11/17/09 Oi newsletter people! I just have to say that I absolutely love this time of year! With the beautiful weather, leaves changing color and holidays approaching, I feel very cozy. We have a few exciting new happenings to report - - - read on, read on!
Table of Contents
1. A Musician's Take on Making a Record: Part 12. Cast your Vote - Lilith Fair Contest
3. The Callen Sisters Holdiay Sale!
4. Currently Listening to ... and Reading
1. A Musician's Take on Making a Record
Now that mixing is complete, we are rounding the proverbial bend towards finishing The Callen Sisters' record #2 (I promise this isn't the real title), to be released on Cordless Recordings in 2010. In our final stretch, we thought it would be interesting and fun to offer an insight into what we've been up to these many months. Jessa has begun writing a series of articles to share each month, which will detail the glorious endeavor of making a record.
PART 1: The People and the Process
THE PROCESS
The steps involved in making a record are generally the same with some variations. Here they are in order: Pre-production Tracking Overdubs Editing Mixing Mastering * Pre-recording: Songwriting (The first real step of making a record is writing the songs, however songwriting is a topic all on its own, which we'll tackle it in a different article. For now, let's assume that the songs are finished and ready to be recorded).
* Post-recording: Album artwork, artist bio, website redesign, record pressing, record distribution, getting the word out (PR, marketing & advertising), and much more!
THE PEOPLE
Here is a list of the roles involved in the recording process (for now we are only discussing people directly involved in the physical process of recording. Record label personnel will be discussed in a different article).
Artist
Producer
Arranger
Audio engineer
Studio musicians
Mix engineer
Mastering engineer
Assistant engineers (if any)
Next month we'll discuss Step 1, Pre-production and The Producer. Keep your dials tuned!
2. Cast your Vote - Lilith Fair Contest
We need your help! The Callen Sisters will be entering one song into the 2010 Lilith Fair contest on OurStage. The winner will be awarded a set at the 2010 Lilith Fair alongside artists like Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Dixie Chicks, and Erykah Badu among others. The decision is between two songs from our first album, "Like You" and "Lullaby." Please cast your vote by sending an email to info@thecallensisters.com with the subject Lilith Vote. In the body of the email, type the song title of your choosing. Please cast your vote by November 30. Votes will then be tallied and the chosen song will be announced next month. Then, in April, head over to OurStage to vote for The Callen Sisters in the Lilith competition!
3. Holiday Sale
Gear up for the Holidays early and save this season! Everything in The Callen Sisters Store is on sale for the month of November: http://www.thecallensisters.com/store.html
4. Currently Listening To ... and Reading
Beth: KT Tunstall, Mutemath, Neko Case
Jessa: Ella Fitzgerald
Beth: Harry Potter, book 7
Jessa: Vocal textbooks
October 2009
October Newsletter
10/21/09
I'd like to take a moment to wish a very Happy Birthday to Jessa! She turned 27 on October 18.
Table of Contents
1. Mix Engineer Selected
2. Currently Listening To...and Reading
1. Mix Engineer Selected
We'd like to announce that our second record is now in the mixing stages, and will be mixed by the talented Jon Jetter.
View his myspace page here: http://www.myspace.com/jonathanjetter
2. Currently Listening To ... and Reading
Beth: Tori Amos - Boys for Pele; Radiohead - In Rainbows; Peter Gabriel - So
Jessa: Robb Ware
Beth: (Unabashedly) the Harry Potter series, currently book 4
Jessa: The Vortex by Esther Hicks
August 2009
August Newsletter
8/20/09
Table of Contents
1. Last Show of the Summer
2. Record #2
1. Last Show of the Summer
Caffé Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY 8/28/09 Record #2 1) Last Show of the Summer: Caffé Lena in Saratoga Springs We hope you will join us for an evening of live music at Caffé Lena, where we will be performing our last show of the summer with our band on Friday, Aug. 28. The show begins at 8pm. 8/28/09 - 8pm /doors open at 7:30pm Caffé Lena 47 Phila Street Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 583-0022 Purchase Tickets at www.caffelena.org or order by phone (800) 838-3006. $14 $12 for members children under 13 are 1⁄2 price Tickets available at the door, subject to $2 fee 2)
Record #2
Summer has been whipping by, and it seems we've hardly had a chance to smell the roses because we've been in the studio putting finishing touches on our second record! Recording wrapped this past weekend (we are so excited!) Following the format of our first, we each contributed 6 tunes to the project. As yet untitled, the record will be released by Cordless Recordings in early 2010.
June 2009
Callen Sisters to Play Northside Festival
6/2/09 
The Callen Sisters will perform on June 12 at the Northside Festival, a project of NYC-based L Magazine.
Held in various venues throughout Williamsburg and Greenpoint, Brooklyn, the festival is a celebration of New York City’s arts & music culture.
See the Callen Sisters on Friday, June 12 at 8pm at Coco66, (66 Greenpoint Ave., Brooklyn). Also performing that night are Paul Brill, Pepi Ginsberg and AJ Roach. For more details, visit the tour page.
May 2009
May 21, 2009: Article in the Hudson Reporter
"Sisterly love - Guitar-harp duo at the Goldhawk," written about The Callen Sisters, appeared today in The Hudson Reporter, based in Hoboken, NJ.Read the article "Sisterly Love" in the Hudson Reporter
February 2009
February 16, 2009: Folk Alliance Schedule
The Callen Sisters will perform four showcases at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis next week. For full details and show information, please visit the tour page.
- Friday, February 20
ASCAP Presents: Quiet on the Set 6:00PM - Friday, February 20
Ronda Barton presents: The SOS! 11:30PM - Saturday, February 21
Desert Highway Records Showcase 1:00AM - Saturday, February 21
Soona Songs Showcase 2:00AM
January 2009
January 12, 2009: New Video Posted
Check out the new video of The Callen Sisters performing "Wake Up" live in Saratoga Springs, NY on New Year's Eve, posted on the Video/Downloads page. Thanks to TR for the clip!
January 10, 2009: FOLK ALLIANCE - MEMPHIS, TN
The Callen Sisters will perform in the ASCAP Showcase at the International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis, TN, February 18-22, 2009. The ASCAP Showcase takes place on Friday, January 20. More details will be announced as they are confirmed.
January 1, 2009:Happy New Year
The Callen Sisters would like to wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!
December 2008
December 15, 2008:Rockstar Recipe on Rhapsody
Jessa and I absolutely love this time of year.
We were recently chatting about our favorite memories, and one was spending time with our family at home, cooking, baking and drinking seasonal drinks like eggnog and hot cocoa.
We recently shared one of our favorite holiday / winter recipes with Rhapsody.com.
It's entitled DIY Hot Cocoa. We hope this recipe becomes part of your tradition!
Love,
Beth
December 5, 2008: Radio Play
Tangled Up received some airplay recently on Radio Crystal Blue. The show aired on November 16th at 7pm.
October 2008
October 28, 2008: New Forum
Voice your opinions, ask your questions, and discuss all aspects Callen on the brand spanking new Callen Sisters Forum!
We see this like a notebook in which you can anonomously - or not - send notes, love letters, questions and ideas to each other or to Jessa, Beth and the band. We will update the forum with juicy goodies every now and then like set lists, gear, recording progress, etc. If you have any ideas about topics you'd like to see, please send an email within the forum to the Admin.
Anyone can read the forum, but you must be a member to post messages. It's free and easy, so do it right now by clicking here.
September 2008
September 30, 2008: signed to Cordless
Hello everyone! I wanted to personally let you know that Jessa and I just signed a record deal with Cordless Recordings!
We are so excited to begin recording our new album (pre-production has already begun, but not the actual recording process) and now we have the backing of a great team of people, too.
Things couldn't be better! And to boot, we are performing at CMJ Music Marathon in NYC on October 23.
Lots of Love,
Beth
Take a look at some photos we took at the signing on our Blog.
September 16, 2008: The Callen Sisters on 97.7 WEXT
If you live in the capital region in New York State, tune in to 97.7 WEXT to hear "Anomie," "Reincarnate," and "Irrelevant" from The Callen Sisters' self-titled debut record. Call the station at 518.880.3400 to request The Callen Sisters.
September 13, 2008: on Well-Rounded Radio
The Callen Sisters were mentioned in an interview with Ariel Hyatt of Ariel Publicity on Well-Rounded Radio! The interview focuses on the shifts taking place in the music business and how Ariel Publicity is evolving through those changes. The Callen Sisters have been working with Ariel Publicity since 2007.
September 12, 2008: Twitter and Blogger
While Jessa has been twittering away to her heart's content, Beth has been posting entries on
The Callen Sisters' Blog...check out her latest post about the recording process for The Callen Sisters' forthcoming
sophomore album.
You can now share The Callen Sisters' blog widget! Scroll down on this page to the widget on the right hand side and click "options."
August 2008
August 20, 2008: Slim Moon, Manager
Slim Moon, founder of the record label Kill Rock Stars, has signed on to manage The Callen Sisters! We're both very excited to work with Slim. He's a fantastic manager and is a great (and totally rad) person! :)
August 13, 2008: The Callen Sisters on Wikipedia
The Callen Sisters have been indexed in internet encyclopedia history recently, with the addition of an article charting the early stages of their musical career at Wikipedia.org. Originally written in Chinese, and then translated into English, the article gives a brief history of the band, a mini bio, and denotes their first self-released and self-titled album.Read The Callen Sisters' Wikipedia Article
June 2008
June 22, 2008: Make Music New York
The 2nd Annual Make Music New York Festival, a celebration of live music and the first day of Summer, was held city-wide yesterday.
Crowds gathered to hear The Callen Sisters at four locations across Manhattan including Tavern on The Green, Soho Square, Theodore Roosevelt Park and LaGuardia Gardens.
View photos by clicking here and
here.
May 2008
May 30, 2008: June 7 Show Rescheduled
The Callen Sisters June 7 show at Bean & Leaf Cafe has been rescheduled to June 28 (same time and place!) This is our first Connecticut show, so we really hope you can make it.
April 2008
April 29, 2008: Join The Callen Sisters Street Team
Help promote The Callen Sisters by joining our brand new street team! In return, we will express our gratification by offering free merch, downloads, tickets and more.
April 8, 2008: The Daily News Feature
Pittsburgh, PA based newspaper The Daily News featured The Callen Sisters in their section entitled "In Tune."
Author Brian Krasman gives the record three stars and also draws comparisons to Tegan and Sara, a Canadian twin-sister duo signed to Neil Young's Vapor Records in Canada and Sire records in the US. Click here to read the review.
April 1, 2008:Overground Underground and Twang Town Reviews
The Callen Sisters record has just been reviewed by Overground Underground, a blog offering "News and reviews of the best mainstream and independent music" and Twang Town, a blog that reviews the latest in Americana, Country, Folk, Singer/Songwriter, Acoustic, Blues, and Bluegrass. To give the reviews a read, click here and here.
March 2008
March 7, 2008: Harp Magazine Review
Check out the sweet-tastic review of The Callen Sisters record in the April issue of Harp
Magazine! Writer Fred Mills gives his insights on the stylings of "lissom sisters Callen" and draws
comparisons to Joni Mitchell.
Flip to page 107 to see the review in print or read the review online.
January 2008
January 12, 2008: FREE DOWNLOAD! Visit Harp Magazine to download "Irrelevant" from The Callen Sisters' debut record for free! Yes, some things in life are still free.
January 8, 2008: Happy New Year! We hope the year is starting off for you as well as it is for us. Already in the first few days of the new year, The Callens have garnered several favorable reviews for their debut record in places online. Check them out! Muruch, Blogito Ergo Sum and Bring Me Up: The Sound.
December 2007
December 27, 2007: Join The Callen Sisters For a NEW YEAR'S EVE show in Saratoga Springs, NY. The Sisters will be playing three shows as a trio at 6pm, 7pm, and 8pm at Key Bank (21 Congress St.) Purchase First Night Buttons (required to see the show) here.
December 18, 2007: Enter to win a copy of The Callen Sisters CD and a Harpsicle Harp from Harp Magazine! Details, official rules & entry form.
December 14, 2007: Download "Irrelevant" for FREE from Harp Magazine.com.
December 12, 2007: Did you miss The Callen Sisters on The Fly Over Zone? Listen to the interview again by clicking here and scrolling to the bottom of the page to the Dec. 8 show.
December 11, 2007: "Like You" and "Wake Up" were featured on BBC Radio Wales! See the playlist. Listen to the show by clicking here and then click the "listen again" graphic half way down on the right side of the page.
December 9, 2007: The Callen Sisters record received a glowing review from Music-Reviewer.com. Read the review here.
December 7, 2007: "Like You" was recently played on the Indie Music Sampler podcast.
December 4, 2007: This Saturday, listen to BBC Radio Wales to hear host Frank Hennessy play tracks from The Callen Sisters debut record! Airs live Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 2:30PM (EST). Listen Online for up to 7 days after the show.
November 2007
November 26, 2007: SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER: Save 30% on The Callen Sisters record when you purchase more than one copy from CD Baby! Offer valid for a limited time only.
November 25, 2007: The Callen Sisters have received a glowing review from mish mash music reviews this past weekend for their self-titled debut album. Give it a read here: http://mishmashmusic.blogspot.com/
October 2007
October 30, 2007: The Callen Sisters self-titled debut album is now available! Purchase your copy in our STORE. Also available on iTunes, eMusic, Napster, Rhapsody, Amazon MP3, Groupie Tunes and more.
September 2007
September 18, 2007: New photos posted! Feast your eyes at the photo gallery.
