Todya’s StudioB/RVA features new music from Benjamin Shepherd, Ohbliv and Brother Rutherford.  Also music from Tennishu, Greg Garner at BlueGoo Studios, Appalling and Inter Arma.

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The guitar solo on “Peg” from Steely Dan’s 1977 album “Aja” was played by Jay Graydon. A bunch of other guitarists, all virtuosos and all studio vets, gave it a shot before Fagen and Becker gave the nod to Graydon’s take. It’s a classic and elusive to get just right. In this video Jay Graydon walks us through it. More about the process of recording “Peg” is here. I should add that the drum part by Rick Marotta is almost equally as classic and revered. But then, that could be said for so many Steely songs and parts.

I recently voiced a spot for K&N Filters. It’s neat seeing these in their finished form because you usually just have to interpret what the client is after and navigate your delivery based on direction and context. They did a great job with this and their direction was spot on. This spot and more are also on my voiceover website at jaysmackvo.com.

Today’s episode features conversation and music with guitarist Bill Leverty.  Bill is a native Richmonder who grew up playing in local RVA bands, working at music stores and went on the be the lead guitarist of the band Firehouse as well as a solo artist and producer.  Bill talks about past experiences, traveling the world playing music and the music industry today.

Conversation with Bill Leverty

Music:
BILL LEVERTY – “Memorable”
-single
-Michael Foster, drums

BILL LEVERTY – Ace Bandage
-single
-Bill Leverty, guitar and vocals
-Keith Horne, bass
-Andre LaBelle, drums

Bill Leverty’s website

RIFF – The Richmond International Music and Film Festival recently approached my associates at Red Amp Audio and me about helping them develop and produce a podcast that would provide an up close and personal look inside the festival. They wanted to feature conversations with staff, volunteers, fans, filmmakers, musicians – anyone who could be involved with the festival. We loved the idea. Podcasts are a great way to engage with your audience and go beyond the surface level impression you usually get from traditional marketing or even social media. Founder and Producer of RIFF, Heather Waters is the host. You really get a sense of the passion and camaraderie shared between the RIFF staff and a few of the filmmakers who have films screening during the festival. Take a listen. The first couple episodes are below.

Episode 1 – Staff

Episode 2 – Filmmakers

Now THIS, is cool. Richmond has its very own film and music festival and it’s happening now. The Richmond International Film and Music Festival is in town April 23 through the 28th, and man does it offer a lot to see, do and experience. Screenings, premieres (including the premiere of the much-anticipated Donnie “Dirtwoman” Corker documentary “Spider Mites of Jesus – The Dirtwoman Documentary”) speakers, panels and music events. For a full lineup and schedule check out the full downloadable guide here.

I have a new website. Wait, THIS one? As in, the one you’re looking at? No, a different one. Another one, in addition to this one. It’s at jaysmackvo.com and focuses on my work as a voiceover artist. Kinda helps eliminate some clutter and confusion. Unless you clicked to THIS post on THIS website FROM the other website – the jaysmackvo.com one, I mean. So, why do I need another website? Well, when I work with VO clients or send auditions, it’s easier to just point them to a website dedicated to voiceover rather than make them click around and try to navigate all this other stuff. On THIS website – like podcasts, and blog entries, and music and stuff. So if you clicked here from that site and are even more confused you can probably see my point about wanting to clear up the confusion. If you clicked here from there and just want to go back there and are wishing you hadn’t come here, click here to go back there. Anyway glad that’s all cleared up.