Page 74 - Phonebox Magazine March 2012

elf-contained mobile studio environment ith state-of-the-art professional quality stic environment with separate control nature of the studio also makes it ideal
Further Links: Email: stephen.cl Steve on Faceboo Sue: http://faceb Save BBC Local
gs from live concerts. Both studios are
ent. Rockhopper Stud
I guess it’s true Further thoughts of Steve Clark
My article on ‘Delivering Quality First’, relating to the cuts faced by the BBC over the coming years, prompted a number of comments from readers sympathetic to my thoughts on the potential loss of some very much-loved programmes and presenters. Recent statements by Lord Patten, Chairman of the BBC Trust, suggest that the cuts will be somewhat less vicious than we first feared. However, we should not be lured into a false sense of security and there are many battles yet to be won.
pigeon-hole because of its wide variety of influences and styles. On Sue’s programme Alec was joined by Steve Redfearn, his producer at Rockhopper Studios, and Lillian Carter, who is responsible for the stunning vocals on the title track of the album.
Alec McIntosh regards himself as very much a child of the 1960’s. His earliest influences came from hearing musical soundtracks such as “Oklahoma”, “West Side Story” and “The King and I” before developing a taste for British bands like The Kinks, The Hollies, The
ever built’. It is a unique self-contained mobile studio environment which has been rebuilt internally and fitted out with state-of- the-art professional quality recording equipment and a custom designed acoustic environment with separate control room/seating area and recording room. The mobile nature of the studio also makes it ideal for bands and singers wishing to capture recordings from live concerts. Both studios are fitted with Pro Tools HD industry- standard equipment.
I hope that some readers of this illustrious missive will have had the opportunity to hear material from Alec’s new album on the Sue Marchant programme on December 15th. If not, there are a number of sites where you can listen to tracks from the album. Alec’s website can be found at http://alecmcintoshmusic.co.uk and this includes five tracks from the thirteen on the album. A selection of tracks can also be heard by visiting http://showmetalkradio.com/jukebox.php. Alternatively, if you would like to have a listen to all the tracks before deciding whether to
Pictured left to right: Alec McIntosh, Lillian Carter, Steve Redfearn
Pictured left to right: Alec McIntosh, Lillian Carter,
Alec McIntosh regards himself as very much a child of the 1960’s. His earliest influences
Beatles and The Rolling Stones. An even bigger influence came from American bands such as The Beach Boys and The Mamas and Papas. Alec states that his biggest single influence was Brian Wilson. Although music clearly played a major role in his life, it was only in recent years that Alec decided that he wanted to record an album of his own compositions. It
was thus that he began to look for a way of achieving
Steve Redfearn
came from hearing musical soundtracks such as “Oklahoma”, “West Side Story” and “The King and I” before developing a taste for British bands like The Kinks, The Hollies, The
One of the programmes I singled out for this goal, and Buckingham-based
Beatles and The Rolling Stones. An even bigger influence came from American bands such
attention was ‘Sue Marchant’s Big Night In’, Rockhopper Studios provided all that
as The Beach Boys and The Mamas and Papas. Alec states that his biggest single influence
was BwriahnicWhilsisont.rAalnthsomugihttemdusaiccrleoasrlsy pthlayeedeamstaejorrnrole in his lifeh, iet wnaes eondley din troecednot so.
Rockhopper’s 25 square metre
years that Alec decided that he wanted to record an album of his own compositions. It was
region every weekday evening from 7pm to
thus that he began to look for a way of achieving this goal, and Buckingham-based
10pm. The programme regularly showcases
Rockhopper Studios provided all that he needed to do so.
analogue recording studio and a
large rehearsal room are based on
live music, featuring well-established artists
Rockhopper’s 25 square metre analogue recording studio and a large rehearsal room are
and newcomers alike. The ability to play live
based on an industrial estate just off the A421 on the southern edge ofaBnuciknindguhsamtr,iabul tetshteate just off the A421
in the studio and chat with Sue gives a
company is probably better known for its iconic mobile recording studio based on a 1963
on the southern edge of Airstrfeamntacasrativcanotphpatowratus npuitrychtaosetdhionsOectaosbeprir2i0n0g6 anrdtisists26 feet long and just under 8
feet wide. Some “Phonebox” readers may well have spotted this prestigious vehicle whilst on
wanting their music to be heard by a wider
their travels – it is not easy to miss it! The company describe the vehiclperaosb‘saimbplyly bthetmteorstknown for its iconic
audience. One person who
exciting recording studio ever built’. It is a unique s which has been rebuilt internally and fitted out w
buy the album you can find them at
contacted me on this issue was
ark89@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://tinyurl.com/km9hdd k: http://facebook.com/Tiliacus
recording equipment and a custom designed acou
http://soundcloud.com and searching for
local songwriter and musician
Buckingham, but the company is
room/seating area and recording room. The mobile
forbaAnldescanMdcsIingteorshw,iswhihngothoacdapatuprepreacorreddin RAadleioc:htMtp:c//Ifnacteobsoohk.coTmh/egrotuiptlse/satvreabbclokcaflraodimo/the
fitted with Pro Tools HD industry-standard equipm
ook.com/pages/Sue-Marchants-BIG-NIGHT-IN/116989743335 ios: http://rockhopper-studios.co.uk
on Sue’s programme on
December 15th 2011. Alec felt
very strongly about the negative effect of the proposed cuts, and commented: “Presenters willing to give us newcomers a chance are very thin on the ground and are invaluable”. I know many of the artists who have performed on
Sue’s programme and I believe
that the sentiment expressed by Alec is widely shared, and Sue’s commitment to live entertainment is appreciated by all.
The Rockhopper – a 1963 Airstream caravan built in Ohio
The Rockhopper – a 1963 Airstream caravan built
I hope that some readers of this illustrious missive will have had the opportunity to hear
there are a number of sites where you can listen to tracks from the album. Alec’s website can
be found at http://alecmcintoshmusic.co.uk and this includes five tracks from the thirteen
on the album. A selection of tracks can also be heard by visiting
album, featuring vocals by Lillian Carter, can be seen as a video on You Tube at the following link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5s6XtqDSMdc. Once you have decided that you would like to purchase the album, it is available direct from Rockhopper for the modest sum of £9.95. You can email them at info@rockhopper-studios.co.uk.
Further Links:
Email: stephen.clark89@yahoo.co.uk Website: http://tinyurl.com/km9hdd
Steve on Facebook: http://facebook.com/Tiliacus
Sue: http://facebook.com/pages/Sue- Marchants-BIG-NIGHT-IN/116989743335
Save BBC Local Radio: http://facebook.com/groups/savebblocalradio/
Rockhopper Studios: http://rockhopper- studios.co.uk
in Ohio
th material from Alec’s new album on the Sue Marchant programme on December 15 . If not,
http://showmetalkradio.com/jukebox.php. Alternatively, if you would like to have a listen Alec has recently released a CD of his work mobile recording studio based on a 1963
to all the tracks before deciding whether to buy the album you can find them at
entitled “I Guess It’s True”. The albumhttp://soundcloudA.coirmstarned asemarchcinagrfaorvAalnec tMhcaInttowsha. Tsheptuitlrecthracaksferodm itnhe album,
featuring vocals by Lillian Carter, can be seen as a video on You Tube at the following link:
features local musicians and singers, the October 2006 and is 26 feet long and just
surrounding towns and villages, and was recorded and produced at Rockhopper Studios. The recording is well worth a listen, but is one that is almost impossible to
may well have spotted this prestigious vehicle whilst on their travels – it is not easy to miss it! The company describe the vehicle as ‘simply the most exciting recording studio
74 Phonebox Magazine
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5s6XtqDSMdc. Once you have decided that you would like to purchase the album, it is available direct from Rockhopper for the modest sum of £9.95.
majority of which hail from Buckingham and under 8 feet wide. Some “Phonebox” readers
You can email them at info@rockhopper-studios.co.uk.