What have you been up to Dan?

Hey there,

In case you were unaware, I am now starting to form an emailing list. If you would like to sign up to receive notifications about shows, recording, releases, etc. please feel free to fill out this quick google form. It will also help me get to play gigs more often. :-)

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cjBKVWx2TkhLRGcwNjc5RFVTVW1DOFE6MA
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SUMMER 09

Have you noticed how many great concerts are coming around this summer? Billy Joel/Elton John, The Fray/Jack's Mannequin, No Doubt/Paramore, Coldplay/Killers...I mean I wish I had infinite dollars to see all of these because they're SO GOOD, but hey the money's gotta go elsewhere right? So here's what I'm doing (besides getting a job).

This summer, I will be all over the open mics in the Boston area. If you know of one that you want to see me at just shoot me an email [masterson.music@gmail.com].
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FALL 09

There's been a lot of work going on behind the scenes lately. I am currently formulating a plan for writing, recording and releasing an album and talking with various studios and session players, so stay tuned for details on that. I plan to have something for you all in time for the fall, and of course if I hit the studio this summer as I hope to, you will be seeing pictures and videos throughout the process.

Perhaps you might even find those pictures and videos on danmasterson.net! I am in the process of choosing a website designer for my new and official website, and that, too, should be an early fall delivery.

Thank you all for being supportive throughout the past few months. You've really given me the push to get onwards and make some music.

More to come as things are confirmed!

As always, thank you,
Dan Masterson

Post-Arts First Update

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to check in before we all dive into the summer. I would like to introduce you to my first fan video of me performing live at the Arts First Bandfest! Hope this is a nice treat for people who weren't able to make it.




I'm currently tossing around plans for the future. The most important thing to know right now is that I will be writing new material over the summer in preparation for something.

Talk to you all soon!
Dan

ARTS FIRST & SURVEY

Hey friends,

I am writing after a long break to invite you all to my performances at Harvard during ARTS FIRST this May! They'll be featuring new music and I'd be thrilled you see you there. Bring friends! I'd love to meet them! Here's the facebook event link:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=58526627519&ref=share

Additionally, I will likely be recording over the next few days and will be crafting a small demo recording that will be available shortly before the ARTS FIRST performance for free, so get pumped for that.

Finally, I would like to ask you all if you could take a minute and fill out this quick survey to help me stay in touch with you better:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=D3wvDTYFQp5Q0Xt_2b6vQFTQ_3d_3d

It would be a huge help.

I can't wait to be performing again!
-Dan

Hubbardston, MA

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the complete lack of updates over the past couple of months. Preparing for school just kind of jumped out and slew me. Here's a funny story, as promised, from our last gig of the summer:

This one goes down in Dan Masterson and the Silver Lining history.

Recently, Rich Murphy, Rob McCarthy, Sebastian Courtney and I played a show in Hubbardston, MA...yeah, we still don't know where it actually is. We had a Garmin to guide our way.

Little did we know what we had agreed to. Upon our arrival, we traveled a good distance up a road that according to the Garmin did not exist, passing by bizarre Greek style architecture until we beheld a Radio Disney van (exhibit a).

(exhibit a)

So then we enter the building (exhibit b)...

(exhibit b)

...only to discover it filled with madness. Nay, it was not Sparta, but a frivolous land of amusing things: balloon men, airbrush artists, caricature makers, two-story inflatable bungee runs, obstacle courses, bouncy houses, and those absolutely insane, brainwashed Radio Disney DJs (exhibit c).

(exhibit c)

After assimilating all this and realizing that there would be no stage or PA system (we were to play on cardboard and a tarp laid across the floor), we began to set up until we beheld a familiar face (exhibit d).

(exhibit d)

Yes, that's right. No fabrication or Photoshop. The man from Jordan's furniture is the guy who pays the bill for this shindig...of which we certainly received no portion. Soon thereafter, Elliot was caught stealing a drum lesson from the honorable Rob McCarthy. (exhibit e,f,)

(exhibit e)
(exhibit f)

At around 3pm we began our 30 minute set (originally scheduled to begin at 1pm) in which we played:

-The Distance
-Father Time
-The New Year (by DCFC)
-For The Dreamers
-Building your Castles
-(the still untitled song referred to as the closer)
-Crowd

When we finished, we realized that we were trapped in this place due to absurd rain and hail. Thankfully, Rob had packed an emergency poncho among his gear which I donned as we loaded everything back into the van (exhibit g).

(exhibit g)
Our ride home was uneventful and slow (approx. 2.5 hours).

So yeah, what an adventure. I will update whenever something notable occurs (recording/performance/etc).

Thanks for bearing with me!
Dan Masterson

Show and Guitar Tracks

Hey there,

Monday afternoon, the great Sung-Eun Park stopped by to record cello tracks for two songs and also provided back up vocals for another. Now it is time for the dreaded guitar tracks. Why dreaded, you ask? 1. It is difficult to get a good recording of an overdriven electric guitar. 2. Timing is always an issue. But we shall prevail!

Tomorrow, I will be playing a very low key show with three members of the Silver Lining (Rich, Rob, Sebastian) in MiddleOfNowhere, MA (also known as Hubbardston). We're basically just going out west and playing a like 40 minute set to practice the new songs and refresh some others.

I will update as soon as something else is accomplished!
Dan

Cello Recording, Finished Songs.

Hey there,

I'm just briefly writing to let you know that on Monday, I will be recording some Cello and Vocals courtesy of Sung-Eun Park, a friend from CM who hails from South Korea. I'll most likely be putting some cello here and there on 2 or 3 songs, and he'll be doing some back up vocals. He's a very talented kid.

On another note, I have completed a new song named "Jack and Jill," and will be recording the Piano later today. Soon after that, Rob will add his percussive touches, I'll do a vocal track, and I'll decide if it needs anything else.

I am going to be scheduling a day for my back-up vocal party...aka when those friends and fans who would like to lend their voice to a song or two in chorus with several others. That's right. You, too, can be part of the magic of recording.

Until the next time,
Dan

Welcome to the Blog

Hello everyone!

I thought I'd create this blog to keep in touch during the recording and in the future. I will be adding materials and possibly YouTube videos soon, so keep an eye out. I have yet to find anyone to help design my website, so I may just throw some links and info up. So here's where I'm at with recording:

I am aiming for a 10-11 song CD.

Piano has been recorded for 7/9 songs.
Drums have been recorded for 6/8 songs, courtesy of Rob McCarthy who has done an excellent job.
Electric Bass has been recorded for 6/8 songs.

This leaves guitars and vocals, plus a little extra percussion and strings. I have started doing editing and effects and mixing for some of the songs, and moving as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality.

I'll see if Rob has any pictures of recording from the other day to put up.

Feel free to comment! Or just shout out that you've found the blog!