Circuline is excited and proud to announce that bassist Matt Dorsey (Sound of Contact) will be performing on the Debut Album, slated for release in December 2014.
Self-taught, Matt Dorsey explores the creative depths of Progressive-Pop-Rock. Growing up in a musical family and surrounded by instruments, Matt learned to play guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and sing. He now writes and produces his own music, often playing all the instruments. “I can’t find anyone to play with me”, he jokes. “No, honestly, it’s the most enjoyable, most rewarding thing I’ve found in this life to do. And when I can work with guys like Andrew and the guys in Circuline, I’m in heaven.”
Influenced by the likes of Rush, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Steely Dan, The Police, XTC, Matt brings an intricate sensibility to his projects, striving to add something special without getting in the way. “Melody is my muse”, he says. “But not just a lead instrument. I like when all the instruments do their part to support a main melody, but still add melodic color of their own. Guys like Geddy Lee or Chris Squire on bass, Tony Banks or Donald Fagen on keys, Andy Partridge or David Gilmour on guitar”.
Matt has an endorsement with Spector Basses and has toured with Beth Hart, Simon Collins, and Sound of Contact. He remains a founding member of Sound of Contact.
Now, if we could just find a way to get him to the east coast to be a Guest Artist for those live gigs in November…
Circuline’s Debut Album release date has been set for December! This past weekend was spent with Andrew Colyer re-recording the rest of the keyboard tracks for “Geode” and mix prepping at Inner Nova Records on Saturday, September 28th. On Sunday, mixing began with the legendary engineer Julie Last over at Coldbrook Productions in Woodstock, New York. We’re very grateful to be working with Julie – she spent ten years at the Record Plant in New York City, and ten years in Los Angeles at major label studios. Her credits include YES, John Lennon, Brian Eno, Joni Mitchell, Aerosmith, Talking Heads, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Peter Frampton, etc. We started with the drum tracks, then imported some of the keyboard and guitar tracks. There is a lot more to be done, but we’re making great progress!
Engineer Julie Last begins mixing Darin Brannon’s drums at Coldbrook Productions – September 2014
Saturday, September 20th – Vinnie’s Garage – Circuline went to Emmy-award-winning jazz master Vinnie Martucci’s studio to record the final drum/guitar/keyboard tracks for the debut album! Seven songs in one day!! Awesome, and ridiculous!!
Sunday, September 21st – Circuline spent all day at Inner Nova Records doing guitar overdubs for the debut album. Not quite finished yet, but good progress is being made.
Engineer Vinnie Martucci sets up the mics on Darin’s drums.
Does Bill’s guitar pedal get its own isolation booth?
Bill Shannon warming up before the recording starts.
Keys setup next to the drums – man, it’s loud!
Vinnie Martucci’s vintage Minimoog and Rhodes piano – from his touring days.
Darin Brannon poses for the camera. Looks like a magazine cover.
In preparation for the fall debut album release of original melodic cinematic progressive rock music, Circuline continued the epic two-day weekend rehearsal schedule, from 11 am to 10 pm on Saturdays, and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays. Rehearsals continue in the new remote location – “The Cave” in upstate New York, as well as at Inner Nova Records.
Sunday, August 31st / Monday, September 1st
Saturday, September 6th / Sunday, September 7th
Darin Brannon listens to the playback of the rough mix in The Cave.
Bill Shannon laying down rough guitar tracks in The Cave.
Andrew Colyer lays down rough keyboard tracks in The Cave.
Darin Brannon’s previously famous band.
Darin loves the studio so much, he sleeps next to the gear rack.
Saturday, July 26th – In preparation for the fall album release of original melodic cinematic progressive rock music, Circuline continued the epic two-day weekend rehearsal schedule, from 11 am to 10 pm on Saturday. Rehearsal continued in the new remote location – “The Toolshed” in upstate New York.
Sunday, July 27th – Vinnie’s Garage – Day #1 – Circuline went to Emmy-award-winning jazz master Vinnie Martucci’s studio to record pre-production tracks. Photos below:
Circuline picking up food on the way to the studio
Setting up the drum mics for Darin’s kit
Keyboard rig at Vinnie’s Garage – July 2014
Circuline in the studio – July 2014 – Darin Brannon (drums), Dan Aggers (bass), and Bill Shannon (guitar)
Andrew Colyer at Vinnie’s Garage – July 2014
Darin Brannon loves having an engineer to work with!
Vinnie Martucci’s vintage Minimoog!
Vinnie Martucci behind the control room glass – July 2014
Bill Shannon is so happy to be in the studio!
Saturday, August 9th / Sunday, August 10th
Pre-Production Recording / Arranging / Mixing at Inner Nova Records
Darin takes a picture of Andrew taking a picture of him.
Andrew is brain dead after engineering all weekend.
Saturday, August 16th / Sunday, August 17th
Circuline moves into new writing space – “The Cave”
Circuline’s new writing space – “The Cave” – August 2014 – “Before” photo
Circuline in new writing space – “The Cave” – August 2014 – “After” photo
Saturday, August 23rd / Sunday, August 24th
Saturday – writing / arranging / recording / mixing at Inner Nova records – “I Wish”
Sunday – Darin setup and recorded his drum parts over at The Cave for “I Wish”, while Bill and Andrew Colyer worked on the structure for “Geode”
Bill Shannon works out his guitar parts in The Cave.
Darin Brannon works out his drum parts in The Cave.
Andrew Colyer works out his keyboard parts in The Cave.
