Gear Giveaways!

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Reaching Out

by Larry Crane

A couple of years ago I purchased a download package that a friend's band, Blue Skies for Black Hearts, was offering up. It was a generous offer, proceeds went towards a good cause, and the band is really fun (not to mention that the bandleader,...

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Excellent Stories about the late Don Smith

by Larry Crane

My pal David Lowery (Cracker/Camper Van Beethoven) has been doing a cool blog called 300 Songs, telling stories of how songs came about and other crazy stories. The most recent one is about the late Don Smith, who produced and engineered a bunch of...

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Michael Belfer 1959-2022

by Geoff Stanfield

Guitarist Michael Belfer passed away March 20, 2022 from a series of compounding health issues. He was a friend and my bandmate in Black Lab back in the late ’90s. His unique playing and sound was an influence on players such as Sonic...

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T Bone Burnett Releases New Album, The Other Side

by Geoff Stanfield

Super producer T Bone Burnett has released The Other Side, a new album featuring guest performances from Lucius, Roseanne Cash, and Steven Soles. The album was recorded over a three week period and, is the last of a trilogy of albums, following...

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Fievel Is Glauque New Album: Rong Weicknes

by Geoff Stanfield

Fievel Is Glauque New Album: Rong Weicknes  by Sam Retzer  Fievel Is Glauque is the trans-Atlantic duo of keyboardist Zach Phillips (Brooklyn) and vocalist Ma Clément (Brussels), who lead a “series of live bands” to...

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Larry Crane on Mixing Remotely

by Geoff Stanfield

Tape Op Magazine’s founder and editor, Larry Crane, has been mixing songs and albums for people from all over the United States and the world for over 20 years. Many of these sessions are unattended, and here’s a glimpse into his...

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Spring Studio Checklist

by Geoff Stanfield

Spring has sprung in the Northwest, which means it's still raining, and possibly snowing with a few stellar sunny days thrown in for good measure. The trees are leafing out and there is that lovely dusting of pollen and fallen cherry blossoms on...

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Matt Ross-Spang Discusses New Elvis Presley Box Set, Memphis

by Geoff Stanfield

Across more than 100 tracks, MEMPHIS captures Elvis from the earliest stages of his career at Sun Records/Memphis Recording Service to his final recordings in Graceland’s Jungle Room, with stops at other iconic studios such as American and...

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John Dwyer and Osees Release SORCS 80

by Geoff Stanfield

An Osees album with no guitars??? Yes, you heard that right, but fans of the band need not worry! SORCS 80 has all of the experimental punk rock attitude and delivery the band is known for, only on this album it's framed by heavy synths, bass,...