January 2013

Happy to have Billy Straus here with a bevy of talent: Zach Allen, Harrison Marcello, Tag Gross, Mike Hickey, Sterling Campbell and Jack Daley.

Billy Strauss

December 2012

Merry Christmas to us!
Santa came early this year. Sitting on the coffee table this morning were two Lucas CS-4 microphones. I will admit that I am unsavvy when it comes to the equipment, and the cases looked like something from a James Bond movie that might soon be detonated. So I walked right past them and made coffee.

But when Matt came in he knew what they were immediately and got quite excited. He carefuly opened one of the cases and lifted the microphone out like he was in a middle school game of OPERATION with stakes. I could see the wheels turning in his head–how soon could he get all of his other stuff done so he could set those girls up and give them a whirl?
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa and Happy Festivus to all!

–Cindy
winter-kitchen-lemon-tree

November 2012

Youth Services of Windham County hosted a Battle of the Bands on Friday, Novemebr 2nd at the River Garden in Brattleboro, VT. Competition was fierce and showcased the talented youth in this area. The grand prize, a day in the studio here at Guilford Sound, was snatched by The Snaz, a young group of teens (and one pre-teen!) from Brattleboro. Second place was another Brattleboro band, Brain Saw, and coming in third was the death metal band from Keene, Cherry Hill. I’d like to also give a shout out to Suffolk Punch. SHOUT OUT! Those 11-year-olds are super talented and I’m sure you’ll hear more from them in the future. What a fun night and a great way to celebrate Youth Service’s 40th anniversary.
Snaz logo

October 2012 – Part II

It was time for a road trip. Last week Dave, Matt and I piled in the minivan and headed down to NYC for this year’s CMJ conference. We were on the lookout for some new talent and also wanted to attend the industry panels to see what’s new.

In case you didn’t hear, the industry is at a crossroad. I sort of felt like the chickens are so busy trying to cross the road, they forget they are all just food. Know what I mean? But there were some great panels that focused on the future instead of kvetching about the past, and over all we learned a lot and are excited about how we at Guilford Sound can best help new artists.

Matt got to late-night skateboard around central park and delivered one of the best one-liners I’ve ever heard. Seriously, he never needs to speak again. Dave loved the band Opossum so much he actually made a few movements that could have been construed as dancing in some countries. And he took us to Katz’s. Best boss ever! I enjoyed $20 martini’s and making up band names (email me if you want to hear the winner).
octroadtrip

October 2012

Fall in Vermont! The glorious smell of decay. When is the last time you raked leaves? That simple act brings back so many childhood memories. We used to rake the leaves into a pile, and I mean REALLY rake the leaves, till we were sweating and there was a small mountain at our disposal. Then, when we all mentally agreed it was time, we’d dive in and roll around like dogs. That feeling of lying there in the bed you’d made, looking up at the sky, the world so full of possibilities.

I suggested to my daughters that we rake the lawn and jump in the leaf piles. They looked at me like I’d just birthed a jack-o-lantern. Maybe if I let them bring their laptops? But they don’t know how determined I am that they enjoy their childhoods. Even if have to pull out all the stops and threaten to take away trick-or-treating. I’m going home right now, I’m raking a big pile of leaves, and I will FORCE THEM INTO IT.

As soon I have one more cup of coffee and finish up here on the computer.

—Cindy
oct2012