HarbourTone Productions

Hey there,

Here’s an interview that I had this morning on CBC Radio Information Morning about HarbourTone Productions and my new job as Artistic Director of the Osprey Arts Centre. Pretty exciting! Have a listen…

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-Alex

Hey there,

As HarbourTone enters its second year after a very positive (and busy!) first year, I’d just like to mention a few of the great projects that have been happening lately.

The summer was, as predicted in the last post, very busy! Although many clients took a break from recording throughout the summer months, my time was filled with live sound duties for festivals and concerts throughout Shelburne County. I also spent time in the studio with younger musicians including the recording of a 5-song EP with local youth metal band, “The Deceived”, as well as a one-song demo with 18-year-old pop singer/songwriter Anika Rahman.

September was full time back in the studio with nationally acclaimed ukulele bluesman Manitoba Hal recording his full-length album called “Flirting With Mermaids”. This project was incredible to be a part of. The production value is amazing and the songs are superb. Having the studio situated near the center of town also gave many local musicians the chance to step in and be a part of Hal’s album by singing or playing a part on his music. The album is scheduled to be released towards the end of January…I can’t wait for the reviews!

Local fingerstyle bluesman Bob Vacon also finished his long-awaited debut album last Fall. It was released at a well attended release concert at the Osprey Arts Centre theatre in Shelburne on Nov 12th. The album features Bob solo with his acoustic guitar, powerful voice and foot stomp creating a very detailed, bluesy album with a lot of soul.

Throughout October and November I recorded a full-length debut album for Clare, NS based singer/songwriter Carmenne Chiasson with backup instrumentation and vocals by Robbie Smith & Kathleen Glauser of folk duo, Naming The Twins. I also started recording a three song EP by Jessica Jurgenliemk – a young guitar singer/songwriter with amazing singing strength and pitch. Two long-standing album projects by Guy Tipton and Allan Crosby are also both nearing completion and sounding really great.

Can’t wait for the new year with many new clients lined up and the start of my new job as Artistic Director of the Osprey Arts Centre. Should be a very interesting year!

-Alex

Hey there,

Yep, I definitely know summer is on it’s way because things are getting REALLY busy around here! Summer is going to go by really fast!

So…before things really take off, I wanted to let you know a bit about the cool things that have been happening here lately.
The studio has been constantly busy which is great! I’ve recorded a variety of really amazing musicians including a two-song demo for Manitoba Hal – a nationally acclaimed ukulele bluesman who lives in Shelburne (check his website out at manitobahal.com). He is planning to come back to record a full length album in the fall. I’m also currently working on a full-length album by Allan Crosby. Allan is a local drummer, harmonica player, piano player, songwriter & an all-round great musician from Yarmouth, NS.
Last week I recorded Andra Bohnet, a flutist from Alabama, USA who was recording sample clips for local Shelburne flute maker, Forbes Christie of Windward Flutes, using a variety of their amazingly crafted wooden flutes (windwardflutes.com). I also recorded a full audiobook album of short stories written & read by local author, Kathleen Tudor, from Lockeport, NS with music interludes by Shelburne multi-instrumentalist, Robbie Smith.

The equipment list has also grown a bit in the last few months. HarbourTone now has a brand new MacPro computer for recording (with an 8-core processor for the techies out there), a 7-disc CD duplicator and a new CD label printer for manufacturing short CD runs, new microphones, an upright piano, AND a JBL sound system for live sound tech services. Which brings me to the next thing to mention…check out the Live Sound Setup & Operation page for information on hiring HarbourTone for your next live concert or event.

We still have spots available for music lessons as well. Lessons currently offered include Vocal Technique, Basic & Intermediate Guitar & Bass, Piano, Saxophone, & Music Theory.

Last but not least, just want to let you know to look out for the HarbourTone banner this summer. I’m currently planning a Music Busker Festival in and around Shelburne County with the plan of bringing the sound of local musicians to the streets weekly all summer long! More info on that coming soon. There will also be a HarbourTone booth at the Harmony Bazaar festival this summer, July 29-31, as well as at the Sable River and Shelburne farmers markets throughout the summer.

Thanks!
-Alex

Hey folks,

Just wanted to give an update to let people know how the studio is going and what’s been happening!

Since the grand opening in February, I’ve had a constant flow of people in the studio. Current clients include local musicians: blues player, Bob Vacon recording a full length debut album, rock/folk duo Becky Myers-Adams & Eddie Perry who are recording two fully-produced songs which will eventually develop into a full album, singer/songwriter Guy Tipton who is almost finished his solid debut album, and a slew of new clients lined up for the spring and summer! Keep an eye out for a bunch of great-sounding local albums coming to stores near you!

Over the past month I’ve continued to perfect HarbourTone’s control room by building sound-controlling devices including a wooden sound diffuser and countless bass traps to make music sound its best at the studio (for the audiophiles out there

Most recently I’ve started to organize music lessons, from a variety of teachers, which are being taught in a room at the studio dedicated to lessons, songwriter circles and jam sessions. Lessons currently offered include: Vocal Technique, Saxophone, Beginner Piano, and Music Theory with teacher Cheryl Graul, Blues & Rock piano with me, as well as drum, guitar, and bass lessons which are currently in the works. If you are interested, youth and adults alike, give me a shout! A monthly jam session at the studio is also currently in the works with the hopes of bringing more musicians together and showing them around the studio.

On a side note, you don’t have to be a musician to come to HarbourTone! I have a few authors lined up to record their works as audiobooks this spring and would like to encourage all types of spoken word recordings…stories, poetry, interviews etc…

I’m also offering website design services for any purpose. Last but not least, cassette & vinyl to CD transfers have been quite popular this month! If you have any cassette recordings or old vinyl records (including 78rpm!) that you’d like recorded to CD send me an email or give me a call!

Thanks,
-Alex

PS, if anyone would simply like to drop by and see the studio out of curiosity, just call or send an email and I’ll gladly book a time.

Hey there,

Just wanted to thank everyone who stopped by during the open house last week! There was a steady stream of people coming through the door, and everyone had positive reviews…which is great to hear!

I’m currently finishing up singer/songwriter Guy Tipton’s debut album as well as starting work on a full-length album for local blues guitarist Bob Vacon. Bob has a powerful voice and a unique finger-picking guitar style – the sessions are sounding great!

I’m also producing two songs for Becky Adams and Eddie Perry – two very entertaining local musicians who have recently started writing their own songs. This project will eventually develop into a full-length album.

Lots of new people coming in to the studio in the coming months.  Stay tuned!

Also, just wanted to mention that I offer Vinyl & Cassette to CD transfers for anyone who has old records or cassette recordings that need to be converted to a digital format.
I am also starting to offer website design services. Contact me if you would like a website designed for any purpose.

Thanks!
-Alex Buchanan

Just wanted to let folks know that a Grand Opening / Open House has been scheduled for Feb. 11th & 12th from 9am-9pm both days.
Whether you’re a musician or just curious, stop by and check out the studio.

Directions to the studio are posted on the Location page.

Thanks,
-Alex

Welcome to HarbourTone.com!

In the very near future, this page will begin to showcase the clients currently in the studio and projects on the go. Check back soon!
In the meantime, take a look around the rest of the site to learn more about the studio.

-Alex Buchanan