Teminal Union Album Photo Shoot

Had a great time this weekend with Matt Jenkins in Dayton, OH shooting pics for Terminal Union's upcoming album, Making Arrangements. Matt is really talented and highly recommended for a down to earth photo shoot that yields professional results. Here is just a few of the photos we are starting to see from yesterday's shoot. Looking forward to the rest and getting them incorporated into the album design. Our album is still set for release on May, 4th, 2012 - at the grand-opening of the Plain-Folk Cafe with Rumpke Mountain Boys.

Tomorrow Is A Long Time

Another hallway recording using my Zoom H2 set at 196khz. This is natural reverb in a long, hardwood hallway with the mic about 5 feet away. I also added one of the cheesy, stock ProTools compressors called Maxim. I used the Radio Limiter preset. It definitely boosts things compared to my other tracks but I can't tell if it's just smashing it and destroying the dynamics. Either way, the sound is not too bad for a cheap home system.


Tomorrow Is A Long Time has always been one of my favorite Dylan tunes.

Terminal Union Album Recording: Louisville KY

Here's a video showing our recent trip to Liquid Sound Studios in Louisville KY. Owner and friend, Tyler Morrison, treated us well and even let us track on his 2" tape. Tyler is great and the best engineer I've ever worked with. He is experienced beyond his years and he's not even 30 yet.

Our project is turning into 12 original songs. 5 by Ian, 5 by me and two co-writes. We're hoping to have it out by this spring. Next session is scheduled for next week. Our focus is on the songs and really just getting an album out and into peoples hands. We are not interested in micro-managing an album and turning it into a major production. For Ian and I this album is all about the songs and when it comes down to it the songs can all be said with a guitar and vocal. Whatever we add on is going to be how we play live with minimal overdubs. For example, they'll be bass on most tunes and special features on others. Tyler laid down cello on Ian's Devil In the Details and it adds an amazing touch. But we are not going to get bogged down with that on every track. We want the album finished in two more sessions and it looks like we are on track.

The accompanying song is a brand new song I began writing during our Nashville trip. It's called Things I've Left To Do. This is a demo recording I made when I got home. I used my ZoomH2 recorder and recorded in my upstairs hallway. The natural reverb was great. This may be another song we sneak on the album. Hope you enjoy it.

New Demo Recording: Things I've Left To Do

Terminal Union has wrapped up our first studio session down at Liquid Sound Studios in Louisville, Kentucky. We've started tracking 8 of 12 original songs slated for our first release in spring 2012. So far the album consists of five originals from each of us and two songs we co-wrote together.

Ian and I both are working on some brand new originals that we hope we can maybe make it time for the album. One song is below - I wrote this just last night and laid down a demo recording of it today.

Souled Out - Live acoustic performance with Sonny Moorman on Bass

I had the honor of playing one of Sonny Moorman's acoustic songs for him at a recent blues jam in Cincinnati. Sonny and his drummer popped in on the second verse and it made for a really special performance. Thanks, Sonny!

For those who don't know about Sonny Moorman - Sonny has been on the Cincinnati music scene longer than almost anyone around. He gained national recognition as one of the finest and most tasteful blues players. When you get a chance to hear Sonny play you are being to treated to some of the best blues guitar you may ever here. So, catch him out around town when you're ready to put down the Dubstep and have your mind really blown.

New Live Terminal Union Performances

Ian and I are currently in the middle of our January residency at Stanley's Pub. We're playing every Wednesday this month in one of the east sides more well known music venues. Ian was playing here back when he was 16 years old. Our friend, Noah Hunt, got his whole start there before he joined the Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band.

We've had decent crowds each night so far. I'm most excited about the number of my skating homies who have steadily been building up their attendance. It means a lot to me because this Americana style of music is not typical skater fare. So when they are there diggin' the tunes and having a good time I'm happy. Hanging with them outside of the skate realm is great as well.

Here's a live version of Terminal Union playing John Prine's Souvenirs.

Generational Shredding

A quick clip of nearly four generations of skaters goin' at it. 1 tween, 1 teen, 1 adult and 1 geriatric. This is nothing hardcore here. Just the essence of skating, that's all. Having fun on your board.