New England native Tanya Donelly’s most recent release, Swan Song Series, contains more than five volumes of new music recorded and mixed at Q Division in addition to other locations. Tooraloo (Bonus Tracks), tracked and mixed by Rafi Sofer (additional tracking by Scott Janovitz at Moontower) captures Tanya’s sentimental lyrics in an intimate, exposed setting. Snow Goose and Me (Swan Song Series 5), recorded by Pat ‘Denzel’ DiCenso and mixed by Matt Beaudoin at Q include rich strings and churning guitar, played by former Throwing Muses & Belly member, Fred Abong, which lay a foundation for layers of Tanya’s voice to portray her blissful story. ABC News recently included Swan Song Series on its 50 Best Albums of 2016 list, citing the above songs as ‘Favorite Tracks’ from the collection. You can listen to Swan Song Series on Bandcamp.
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Airport – Everything Old Is New
Released on December 13th, Airport’s latest release continues their exploration of 70’s inspired rock n roll. Tinged with Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker inspired instrumentals underneath an ethereal stack of vocals, these tunes would feel right at home alongside early 2000s alt rock ala Fountains of Wayne and the Old 97s. Recorded and mixed at Q Division Studios by Rafi Sofer, Pat DiCenso, and Matt Tahaney. Listen below.
Philosophical Zombie – Cotard’s
Cotard’s, Philosophical Zombie’s newest album transports the listener to a dark, beautiful, dreamy world. The flow of the album has a hypnotic effect, transitioning from spacious ambient sections filled with long delays, rich reverbs and whirling synths to more driving sections, which feature crunchy guitars married to electronic drum sounds. Songs like Tom Says God and The Clock Runs Backwards highlight contagious hooks that contrast the more open sections of the album. Tracked and mixed by James Bridges in the last days of the old Studio D, Cotard’s is a new offering for those seeking experimental sounds in the context of strong songwriting.
Nate Leavitt & The Elevation – Someone Send A Signal
Nate Leavitt & The Elevation’s April release, Someone Send A Signal captures intimate songwriting matched with tasteful playing from his seasoned band. Nate’s storytelling delivery evokes stylings heard from Neil Young and Ryan Adams, but with his own personal spin added, creating a blend of familiar and fresh sounds. This album was produced by ‘Old Jack’, Dan Nicklin, who is also featured as a part of the band.
Q Division’s Studio A adorns the album artwork of Someone Send A Signal, which should send a signal that it was tracked and mixed here by Pat ‘Denzel’ DiCenso. You can listen to Nate Leavitt & The Elevations newest release on Bandcamp.
Abbie Barrett – That Shame
That Shame, Abbie Barrett’s most recent album, was produced by Ed Valauskas and recorded and mixed by Pat DiCenso at Q’s Studio A. Layers of distorted guitars paired with punchy drums provide high-octane backdrops for Abbie’s attitude-driven voice and rebellious, light-hearted lyrics. Q’s Mellotron and Farfisa color That Shame with otherworldly textures and sounds, played by Ed, who also played bass for the album. Listen to That Shame on Bandcamp.
