Coming Soon
MUSIC MENTORS
Patrick Leonard -
http://patrickleonardmusician.com/index.cgi?page=producer
Outside of the professional music circle, many do not know Patrick by name. Yet he’s been a major force shaping popular music since 1986. As a writer, producer and player Patrick has worked with the following on both albums and soundtracks: Leonard Cohen, Van Halen, Madonna, Pink Floyd, Frank Zappa, Roger Waters, David Gilmore, Bon Jovi, Peter Cetera, Kenny Loggins, Julian Lennon, Rod Stewart, The Black Crowes, Enrique Iglasias, Elton John, Natasha Bedingfield, Duncan Sheik, Amos Lee, Ted Nugent, Jody Watley, Shawn Colvin, Boz Scaggs, Bryan Ferry, Rufus Wainwright, The Wonder Years, and Moulin Rouge. He was the music manager of Michael Jackson’s Victory Tour. In recent years, he has been pushing the envelope of multi-media collaborative work including writing for the Martha Graham dance company and his new partnership in White Light with Gerald Molen. As an artist, Patrick formed the band Toy Matinee with singer/lyricist Kevin Gilbert who released one selftitled album in 1990. In 1996, Patrick and former Mr. Mister frontman Richard Page released the album Meanwhile as Third Matinee. In 1997 Patrick released his album Rivers, which was inspired by Wyoming and Montana. His most recent release in 2006 was Udistam, a collaboration with violinist/vocalist Shenkar. “I’ve most recently been focusing on more playing and improvising in concert. Mostly, because it’s a great challenge and I’ve always dreamed of making it part of my everyday musical life. So now it is. The world has changed a lot for musicians in the last 15 years or so, and it’s become somewhat confusing for those of us that have been lucky enough to make
a living in music since (in my case) the 70′s. That I currently have some things to work on that I’m excited about is very satisfying. We should all be so lucky, and honestly it’s taken me far too long to figure out that that’s the only decent reason to do it at all.”
Zee Avi, http://www.zeeavi.com/ghostbird/
For 25-year-old Malaysian singer/songwriter Zee Avi, “Swell Window” is the gorgeous track that started the journey and also the opening track of her second album, ghostbird. “It’s a song about seizing the moment,” she says, “and for me, a new direction and a new voice came and stayed.” In the two years since her self-titled debut was joint-released on Jack Johnson’s Brushfire Records and Ian Montone’s Monotone Label, Avi’s very free spirit has wandered from major music festivals (SXSW, Outside Lands, Bonnaroo) to huge tours (Lilith Fair) back to her homeland of Sarawak, Borneo Island, where she recently picked up an International Youth Icon Award. Zee has had nearly 7 million upload views on Youtube, and Youtube has featured her on the front page.
Sean O’Connell Founder, Creative Allies & Music Allies
Sean OʼConnell is the founder and CEO of MUSIC Allies. He consults independent music companies on strategy, marketing, design, promotion and partnerships. His roster includes some of the most prestigious names in independent music including Jack Johnsonʼs Brushfire Records, Aimee Mann, Justin Timberlakeʼs Tennman Records, Joan Osborne, Martin Sexton, Velour Music, and Ani DiFrancoʼs Righteous Babe Records. Music Allies also consults a number of leading festivals including the Bonnaroo Music Festival, the Outside Lands Festival, and Langerado. OʼConnell has a keen understanding of the evolving music business. Companies that partner with Music Allies utilize a collective marketing staff, allowing them to keep their costs down. His company levels the playing field for independents by providing them access to opportunities usually reserved for major labels. Sean has been working in the music business for over 18 years. OʼConnell jumped into the music world when he launched a public radio station in 1991 and he hasnʼt looked back since. OʼConnellʼs experience includes work in concert promotion, operating music venues, online music distribution, independent radio promotion and artist management. Before launching Music Allies, OʼConnell was an executive at the Rykodisc record label. Sean resides in Asheville North Carolina with his wife and two kids. He is the co-chairperson of Hatch Asheville, a non-profit mentorship festival aimed at developing economic opportunities for creative professionals.
Doc Wiley, Grammy-winning Music Engineer
Doc is a Grammy award winning audio engineer, studio designer, and studio manager. He has worked with such artists as Howard Shore, “Lord Of The Rings, Twin Towers” New Line Cinema, Miami Ink, Discovery Channel, and nominated for a Latin Grammy as mix engineer “Willie Chirino” PBS Special. Wiley has also worked with artists U2, Prince, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston, and countless others. Doc has enjoyed a long successful career in music as a producer and recording engineer and was one of the first studio owners in the world to use Pro Tools to track major label releases. His passion is to provide an innovative approach to modern music production by merging cutting edge techniques with the legacy of 20th-century recording procedures and technology conforming to the artistʼs vision. Doc is a Partner in Peach Street Studios and teaches various courses in conjunction with Montana State University
Andy Frasco, www.andyfrasco.com
It seems like Andy Frasco has already lived a lifetime — booking bands in LA at a young age; working for Capitol Records; falling in love and flying all the way to Italy to propose; doing 250 + shows a year. And did I mean he’s only twenty three? Yes. Twenty three. In 2011 he’s already been named the Artist of the Year at the Sundance Festival, toured in the US and Europe, and been booked for the Conan O’Brien show in the fall. This guy is on the move and he’s getting bigger and better as he goes. Andy has been covered in SPIN Magazine, played at Sundance, and jammed with artists such as Jakob Dylan, Katie Herzig, Butch Walker, The Flobots, Spill Canvas, Steel Train, Suburban Legends, The Ben Miller Band, Ryan Montbleau, Tyler Hilton, Berlin and Many more. Frasco posses an energy that draws people into him and his live shows exemplify that magnetism as well. Walk into a show of his and you will see no shortage of people getting down to business and dancing their hearts out. “Party blues”, as Andy describes it, is definitely fitting. Audience members will feel like they are all at a neighborhood party and their best friend’s band is playing for them. And with his improvisational style, no two shows are alike and he will leave you wanting more. Frasco leads the band in a semi-conductor manner at times and at each twist and turn of the evening, you don’t know what will happen next. He could be standing on his chair, hopping around on stage, or leading the band members in solo battles against each other. And at the end of the night, you will want it to keep going. Andy is currently living in Fayetteville while writing his next album, which he plans to release as a double disc set and on vinyl.
Frank Bell,
http://www.frankbell.com
Originally a classically-trained cellist, Frank later expanded his instrumental arsenal as a way to further express himself as an artist. As an outlet, Frank began posting videos of his songs on YouTube, which brought him international attention and 800,000 video views (in four days) after being featured on their homepage. Shortly after, he flew to Canada to record his debut EP ‘On Passion and Reason’, a folky, neo-soul acoustic rock album which would later be released independently worldwide with famed Producer Bill Bell (Tom Cochrane, Jason Mraz, and more). In 2010 Frank was named the HATCH GROUNDBREAKING Musician, where he recorded a song with Matt Morris (Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera) on a original track aboard the John Lennon Tour Bus. Recent appearances on MTV, at the Sundance Film Festival, a Times Square NYE Concert, Sold-out shows in The Netherlands, and a collaboration with Ashton Kutcher, continue to grow Frank’s awareness and fan base. Frank is also in tune with global needs. March of 2010, Frank could be seen on CNN, ABC World News with Dianne Sawyer, and other international news outlets, for a “We are the World” collaboration he participated in to aid Haiti relief efforts. In March of 2011 Frank led a venture for Japan Tsunami Relief. He continues to work closely with non-profits and other charitable organizations as his career progresses, believing fully in social responsibilities and helping toraise awareness of what’s going on in the world. Frank is currently in the studio, completing his highly anticipated forthcoming full length LP, ‘Everything Falls Into Place’ set to release Summer of 2011.
Amber Tisue
http://www.ambertisue.com
Amber began in the recording industry as an assistant engineer to artists such as, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana and Green Day, and moved on to post production. As a musician Amber weaves together a potent dose of emotion and poignancy. She’s evolved into a sound editor, engineer, mixer, composer, and music supervisor currently residing in Los Angeles, and specializing in sound design and music composition for film, TV, radio, and interactive web. Amber was Head of Audio Production at Goodby Silverstein and Partners in San Francisco for four years, and Lead Sound Designer / Engineer / Mixer. Amber was then recruited by Asche and Spencer Music LA to run their newly formed sound design company, Soma Sound. Amber is currently freelancing for Soma and the famous 740 Sound Design as a sound designer, composer and music supervisor. Amber is a member of ASCAP, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Womens Audio Mission, and a voting member for the Grammys, and she is in the process of launching a new entertainment company with Jerome Williams, former talent agent at WMA and ICM, due for launch in Fall 2011. Amber holds a B.A. in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts with an emphasis in Audio Production from San Francisco State University, where she studied under Dr. John Barsotti.
Arron Howard
http://www.arronhowardmusic.com
Arron’s songs ring deep and true about life, passion, love, heartbreak, and the places where they all come together. His lyrics are heartfelt soulful rock – the kind of music that makes sense of a long drives and rainy days. New listeners often ask for comparisons, so for those requests, think John Mayer meets Matchbox Twenty. In Arron’s words,”When I discovered music, everything changed. I used to listen to records in every available waking moment, and the best of the artists could say with music and words what I could only feel. Now, creation is my life.” Most of Howard’s audience not only own his CD, but also know the words to the songs, and sing along at his shows with passion. Howard’s talent for songwriting, make it clear that he is an old soul; as if he’s lived many lives.
Jesse Barney
Jesse started playing guitar at 17, inspired by jam bands such as Phish, the Grateful Dead, and Widespread Panic. After concentrating on the blues and classic rock he moved into jazz and funk, becoming a proficient self-taught jazz guitarist. From here, Jesse attended MSU as a music major in 2004 with a major in classical guitar performance, but with a strong drive to focus on jazz, he moved on.
In 2005, Jesse started a band called the Halo Project, which still continues to be his main avenue of expression. Within this band, he picked up the bass. This hard rock band explores the boundaries of music through odd meter and rhythmic complexity, while remaining harmonically simple and very melody focused. Jesse soon became interested in record production, and with a small Pro Tools system he recorded the bands demos. He quickly realized this was his new path and attended Berklee School of Music online, completing a two-year program to receive a Master Certificate in Music Production with Pro Tools.
Towards the end of completing his certificate, Jesse produced his bands debut album, “The Halo Project,” which was completed and manufactured in January of 2010. During this time, Jesse met Grammy award winning Doc Wiley, who was soon to become his friend and mentor as an engineer, producer, and well-rounded human being. Serendipity was at its finest in leading Jesse to find the Peach Street Studios, and the unmatched camaraderie found within.
Kostas Lazarides
Kostas Lazarides is a Greek-born American country music songwriter, known professionally as Kostas. He has written for several country music artists, includingDwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, and Travis Tritt, and has won eleven awards fromBroadcast Music Incorporated (BMI). In addition, he recorded one album, entitled XS in Moderation, on Liberty Records in 1994.
Michelle Wolfe
Michelle Wolfe has been in the media business for well over half her life. She is the Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Bozeman and is responsible for the top 5 rated radio stations in the area. Most notably, Michelle is the host of The MOOSE Morning Show on 95-1 FM “The MOOSE”,mooseradio.com and has been voted “Bozeman’s Best DJ” many times. Townsquare Media Bozeman is a media company that not only encompasses radio, but digital properties and branded events such as the Spruce Moose Festival, Hush Hush, Avalaunch and the Montana Beer Festival. In 2008, Michelle was inducted into the FMQB Music Director’s Hall of Fame in Philadelphia by music industry peers and executives. She is often tapped to be a guest speaker, moderator or contributor to music panels and forums. Radio has evolved over the years into multi-platform Brand Management and few people have evolved ahead of the curve making all the pieces fit together with such success.
Jake Fleming
composer, songwriter, arranger
Jake Fleming has been dedicated to the art of music and music education for 26 years. As a composer, songwriter and arranger Jake’s expression and influence can be heard in the music of the Jeni Fleming as well as the many students he has collaborated with over the years. Two local Bozeman, MT song commissions include “Soaring With Spirit” for Eagle Mount and “Three Cups of Tea” for Greg Mortenson. As a saxophonist Jake currently plays with wife Jeni Fleming, Poco Loco, Pinky and the Floyd, The Glen Johnston Swing Band and other various freelance gigs. Jake also plays bass in Lester Rocks, a band featuring the original music of Stefan Stern.
Jake owns and runs a studio in town dubbed “The Shed” which is suitable for rehearsal, group and private lessons and recording projects. Since starting the studio Jake has produced, co-produced and engineered a handful of projects in the studio including Hand Me Down Some Silver’s Footnotes Volume III (a compilation CD featuring young Montana songwriters), Jeni Fleming’s Come To Life, Kelly Roberti’s Slumber, new albums by Lang Termes, Jake Koelzer, Tyler Eide and Darah Fogarty and currently the new www.Twang album and others.
Jake maintains a full private teaching studio offering assistance with saxophone, guitar, bass guitar, beginning woodwinds, brass and percussion, composition, songwriting, arranging and recording arts in addition to coaching ensembles made up of young musicians playing jazz, rock, funk and original music. All specifics aside, Jake is dedicated to the path of art with the dual intention to continue to learn to make his art (music and teaching) and to help others to do the same.
Tom Kowalczyk
Tom Kowalczyk served a long post as the artist relations director at Kurzweil Music. Tom had begun his career in music retail in the 1980s and became an expert on electronic keyboards as a salesman and musician. Ray Kurzweil, the company founder and instrument innovator, hired Tom to assist with the product launches and soon discovered Tom’s invaluable abilities as company spokesman to professional performers. Tom witnessed first hand the early development and expansion of the successful Kurzweil technology as well as the growth of the product line. Tom also took part in the company’s noted merger with Young Chang. Tom has most recently joined Casio’s electronic musical instrument division as the district manager of the Western Region. Through his career Tom has worked with Billy Joel, Elton John,
Pink Floyd, Lynrd Skynrd, Ray Charles, and Boy’s II Men, to name a few.
