somewhere in greenpoint . . .

Ladies and gentlemen,

Things have been so positive at Rough Magic that it truly pains me to have to write this post but alas we have exhausted all of our resources to work it out and I have found no other alternative at this point but to tell you this story (comes with pictures).

His name is Marco Matute and he claims to own a production company called m27 www.m27world.com  He talks a big game says he works with a lot of clients and wanted to use our studio to try out some vocalist for a track he’s working on.  He booked four hours.  He promised to bring in a lot of clients caused he liked our vibe.  He finished up in three hours so I only charged him for the time he recorded not booked, a nice gesture I thought on my part.

He booked time for the next week, canceled the session two days before and the very next day after that, his check bounced.  Now for the last 3 months when we get him on the phone he promises to meet us to make a payment and never does.  We have since e-mailed every possible studio we know of in the NYC area with his picture and this info to guarantee this guy never does this again.  Do you see what happens Marco?  This is what happens Marco when you try to fight a small business in the alps?  Ladies and Gentlemen I present the first and hopefully the last inductee (if you don’t count Greg) to the Rough Magic Hall of Shame.  In the five years we have operated, no one has ever stiffed us.  Our customers have appreciated our mellow laid back style and our desire to help budget conscious bands reach their goals in the studio.  We will continue to work with you guys the way we always have.  Hopefully this element will no longer affect our business. 

Rough Magic friend and super talented singer/songwriter Clara Lofaro has officially released her music video for her newest album “Perfekt World.” The album has already received some great reivews and she having a heart of gold has decided to donate 20% of her album earnings to Action Against Hunger. This video was directed in conjunction with the charitable organization, Action Against Hunger to help build awareness and raise money in the fight against World Hunger. So, please click the link below to see the official video on youtube. And, if you would like to do your part in the fight against world hunger, forward it to everyone on your list and ask that they favorite it as well.

Clara’s Video on Youtube

Two years ago when MGMT first came to Rough Magic to prepare for what has become a grueling International touring schedule, they had just signed to Columbia. I remember being on the other side of the wall of our studio mixing one song or another while they would play Weekend Wars like 15 times in a row. Yesterday Doug, Louie and I had the privilege of seeing MGMT fill McCarren Pool to what is believed to be the biggest crowd ever assembled there in the two years they have been putting on shows. You guys have come a long way and we look forward to having you back when the tour is done.

Last night I happened to stumble upon Sullivan hall to catch a buddy in a band called Buzz Universe. I didn’t even realize Marco Benevento (one of our Clients who make up one half of the Benevento/Russo Duo) was playing with a group of phenomenal musicians called the Lee boys. Into their second set another familiar Rough Magic face appeared, Eric Krasno. The night was topped off by a guest appearance by the legendary Warren Haynes. I won’t lie, I shed a tear thinking about how far our studio has come in the last 5 years working with such great musicians as these guys below.

Check out the revamped website and music selection…we are pleased to announce that website afficionado Will Swofford is back in the fold and helping to make your time here at roughmagicstudios.com even more pleasant.  We have some new music posted featuring some of Rough Magic’s favorites…many of these acts have rehearsed or recorded right here - if you like what you hear, click on the song itself to travel to the artists’ website and support them yourselves!  Dreams…and a few hopes…

We also have a redesigned hourly calender and coming soon to Rough Magic, pre-paying by credit card - cash is past

The past couple of months have seen some big moves from some of the partners at Rough Magic. Doug was with his band The Sunday Flies at the studio yesterday cutting 5 tracks for a planned EP of some raw indie rock. Stay tuned for leaks as they become available. Alby Cohen fresh off his first gig as a front man has leaked the first video from his show. Take a look and as always take the magic rough

Rough Magic Client Sonya Kitchell who came into Rough Magic a couple of months ago to record with Brad Barr of The Slip - was given props by the funkmaster and jazz legend Herbie Hancock during his grammy win speech for his amazing album The River. We’d like to congratulate her for the work she has done with Herbie and on all of her solo albums as well.  Not even sure if she is of legal American Drinking age but surely this lady has a very bright future ahead of her.  Keep up the good work Sonya.

Look we don’t hate you if you don’t vote for Obama even though The delagates of Rough Magic Studios strongly endorse the guy, but we do think you all sorts of suck if you don’t go out and vote today. SO GO OUT AND VOTE and later on celebrate the fact that you are an upstanding American Citizen by seeing Danny Ross at the Bowery Poetry Club with the ever so hot Obama Girl (15 minutes last a little longer in an election year).

Ben Jurist is a friend of Rough Magic and a contributing Lap Steel guitarist on Alby Cohen’s upcoming solo release due at the end of 2008. He is going to rip it up on Guitar tonight. So in closing, Vote for Obama, but if you don’t do that at least vote, and then go see some eye candy and hot guitar tonight at Bowery Poetry Club.

Rough Magic Clients, The Fleshtones, the only remaining punk era band that has not taken a hiatus of any sort has received a 3 star review for their new album “Take a Good Look” We wanted to wish Keith, Pete, Bill and Ken a congrats on yet another great album.  If you all haven;t heard these guys there are truly Rock N Roll wisemen and worthy of your ears.

Rough Magic client Ingrid Michaelson has been getting a lot of great reviews from the music critics for her newest release Boy’s and Girls.

Be sure to check out her tunes and keep your ears listening for another Rough Magic friend and client (prominently features in many of our website photos) Clara Lofaro who is finishing up her album with Ingrid’s producer Mark Turrigiano

Congrats to Deitch for another great performance in front of a national audience.

Good job boys we are very proud to have you here. Keep up the good work and be sure to catch them on Feb13 and 14th at the Bowery and Music Hall Of Williamsburg with Yeasayer.

Adam Deitch, one of the best session drummers on Earth and a Rough Magic Client will be on Letterman Jan 16th performing with Wyclef Jean. Be sure to check it out and a friendly reminder to check out MGMT tonight on the Late Show.

We would like to congratulate Beirut for making Pitchfork’s top 50 albums list in 2007. We are very proud of you guys and are honored you chose our studio to prepare for you national tour last fall.

This Week David Letterman invites MGMT performing Tuesday night Jan 8 at the infamous Ed Sullivan theater. For those that haven’t yet caught on to the MGMT vibe, although their album has been available on iTunes for a couple of months, the official release of Oracular Spectacular is due out very very soon. I am calling it now, this album will be a pitchfork top 40 for 2008.

Check these guys out as well when they come to the Music Hall Of Williamsburg on Feb 14th with another awesome band Yeasayer.

As we were recording Strangers on the Footpath on Saturday, another group of improvisational Jazz musicians came in to look at our space and listen to samples. Needless to say they love our little studio that could. Check it out (5th paragraph down)

Props to Rough Magic

We are pleased to announce that HiddenTrack a blog run by Glide Magazine has written up an article about a recent session we had with Brad Barr of The Slip and Sonya Kitchell (currently touring with Herbie Hancock) enjoy the article Here

We have slots opening up in Live Room 2 and Live Room 3 for monthly music rehearsal, starting September 1st. We will be doing 3-12 month leases. The monthly rates will be approximately $600-800 per band. See photos below. Call 718-383-3813 for details or to come see the rooms!

Live Room 2 :

Live Room 3:

This past Tuesday, the Pencil Factory was considered for landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Here is a NY Times article on the proposal…

This is the beautiful building that houses Rough Magic and many other artists and small businesses. Please do you part in helping save the Pencil Factory and other historic buildings in Brooklyn by becoming involved with your community and attending these meetings. One community organization is the Waterfront Alliance