>> from the editor...

This is it -- the beginning of the end of the year. The days are shorter. Phones ring less. Wondering where the year went? Check out RPM's Newsletter Archive for some highlights over the last 10 months. RPM Direct has some exciting news for 2004 - but we'll wait to share it. Meanwhile, if you have industry related press, news, studio sessions news, announcements, client updates, music reviews or something else to contribute, send your materials here. -- J.G.

>> The Industry's Top Musical Talent Choose The Village

What do Los Lobos, Guster, Dido, Jack Johnson, Josh Rouse, Usher, Café Tacuba, Damien Rice, REM, and Ricki Lee Jones have in common? They've all been spotted recently working at The Village, Los Angeles' premiere Westside recording facility. Maybe it’s something in the air: After more than 30 years in business, The Village continues to be a top recording hot spot for cutting edge artists, both established and new-on-the-scene. The recent buzz at The Village is due, in part, to almost daily live recordings in the facility's Neve 88R-equipped Studio D, where the nation's hottest radio program, KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic, broadcasts some of the most exciting music to be found on the radio. Helmed by influential tastemaker Nic Harcourt, the morning sessions at The Village are not only broadcast in real time but are also simulcast and archived on KCRW.com. In one recent week alone, Village staff engineer Jason Wormer recorded Morning Becomes Eclectic sets by The Eels, Seal, red hot up-and-comers East Mountain South, The 88s, The Frames and Butterfly Boucher. Other engineers and producers hard at work at The Village on recent projects have been producer Steve Berlin with engineer Robert Carranza recording Los Lobos, R&B giants Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis producing Usher with Ian Cross engineering, Ry Cooder producing an as of yet untitled project with Rail Rogut engineering and scoring for one of the most-talked-about upcoming new films, Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe. Established in 1968 in a 30,000 sq ft former Masonic Temple, The Village is a multi-story, multi-studio complex featuring the best of both modern and vintage gear. Past projects by artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan and Sly and the Family Stone have contributed to its glory, but The Village remains vibrant today largely because of its original artist-friendly philosophy. Evidence of this consistent philosophy are loyal clients including No Doubt, Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters and Bon Jovi, as well as soundtracks for White Oleander, Gods and Generals, Road to Perdition, The Mighty Wind and HBO’s Six Feet Under. For more information contact Jeff Greenberg at The Village Recording Studios on 310-478-8227.

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>> Chicago Recording Company Session Updates

Coldplay were in recently at Chicago Recording Co's Studio 4 for three weeks working on songs for an upcoming album with producer/engineer team Ken Nelson and Mark Pythian, supported by Mike Pierce and Mat Lejeune. The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Anthony Kiedis and John Frusciante, made a stop on their tour to record vocals with CRC engineer Ron Lowe and pro tools engineer Azuolas Sinkevicius. Christina Milian was in tracking vocals with engineer Jeff Lane for an upcoming Island/Def Jam release. Chris Steinmetz is in the studio currently producing an album with Metal Blade Records artist Rival with Todd Brodie is assisting. Dashboard Confessional tapped CRC's Studio 5 for a Q101 in studio live performance. For more information contact Matthew Lejeune or visit www.chgo-rec.com

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>> New York Collaboration Brings R-Place Studios to Nashville

Industry veterans David Schumaker and Crystal Taliefero have taken their combined 30 years of experience and established a unique approach to the studio business forming R-Place Studios, an all inclusive production studio located just 10 minutes from downtown Nashville. The studio, formerly known as The Salt Mine, reopens this month with a new name, new gear, a new design and a new attitude. "Our philosophy is simple: the right vibe, the right gear, the right price," said Schumaker. "R-Place has the right balance of those three elements." In addition to serving as a home base for Schumaker and Taliefero's production company, R-Place is available commercially for recording and mixing projects. The facility boasts three isolation rooms for tracking and a full blown Pro Tools HD3 and Pro Control 24 combo at its core in the control room. This interfaced with a great mic chain, solid cue system, and accurate mix monitoring delivers an uncompromised production environment. Although the studio's primary service will be providing recording/mix time for projects of varying budgets, it will also support artists seeking a total production package. For more information on R-Place studios visit them on the web at www.RPlaceStudios.com or call 615-377-0677.

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>> Jez Colin and Matt Cooper, aka The Latin Project, Score #1 Dance Hit with "Lei Lo Lai"

Electric Monkey Records is proud to announce that "Lei Lo Lai," the lead single off the debut album, Nueva Musica, from The Latin Project, is now the #1 Billboard Dance track in America. "Lei Lo Lai" marks the first single from the first full-length release for Electric Monkey Records. Just a few days after The Latin Project completed their first-ever tour, they land a #1 record. It is also a first for their label, Electric Monkey Records. During a very rough time in music business history, this is a remarkable distinction for a new label, a new band and a new release. The Latin Project is multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producers Jez Colin (founding member of the early '90s acid jazz group The Solsonics) and Matt Cooper (Dorado UK recording artist Outside). The duo incorporate the best of cutting-edge dance production with vocalists and instrumentalists who have a history of performing in more traditional Latin styles, creating a progressive 'Balearic House' sound. Three years of international travel between Los Angeles, London and Rio resulted in a deeply personal expression of The Latin Project's attempt to explore the limits of Latin-based dance music. Jez Colin is a Tsunami Entertainment Producer client is also known for his remix of Maxwell's "Lifetime" which spent 16 weeks at Number 1 on the Billboard Dance chart in 2001. Jez is currently working on albums for Sheila Nichols (Hollywood) and Jeremy Gregory (Warner Brothers). For more information contact, Adam Katz at Tsunami Entertainment, (323) 210-2525 or visit www.electricmonkey.com

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>> 365 Artists Producer Management Roster Update

We recently caught up with the UK's 365 Artists producer manager Adam Clough for the latest on their hot roster. Jeremy Wheatley, 365's producer/mixer in the enviable position of recently being Number 1 AND Number 2 in the UK Charts. Number 1 was the Sugababes "Hole in the Head" which Jeremy co-produced and mixed. Number 2 was Kevin Lyttle's "Turn me On" on which Jeremy handled additional production and mix duties. Wheatley is also working on the soundtrack for the final Lord of the Rings III movie and is due to start mixing Bebel Gilberto's album later this month. Yoad Nevo is currently putting the finishing production and mixing touches on Bruce Flohr's new signing Jem (ATO). In addition he's been working with Bryan Adams on his new album handling programming, co-production mixing on various tracks. Andy Bradfield is very busy at the moment having recently mixed Rufus Wainright's album with Marius De Vries and also co-producing and mixing the next Sugababes single "Too Lost in You". Bradfield is now mixing Bebel Gilberto's new record for East West. Magnus Fiennes is currently producing tracks for Liberty X as well as writing and producing rising star Katrina Williams and Shaun Escoffrey. Matthew Olliveir has just finished co-producing and mixing the new album for Rough Trade signing The Veils. He is currently in the studio recording and mixing with Colour Of Fire and the hotly tipped Australian band Jaed. Giulio Pierucci has been remixing the Dandy Warhols, MURK, Kojak and V2 signing Anotherside and is due to start mixing Mendoza as well as producing the second Anotherside single. For more information on these or other 365 Artists producer and mixer clients, contact Adam Clough or Rebecca Duncan at 365 Artists on telephone +(44) 208 762 9590

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>> Song & Film: Artist Controlled Music with Quick and Easy Clearance

Song and Film is a website designated for music supervisors/assistants, music consultants and A&R reps who are seeking the best in musical and songwriting talent. The site is viewed daily by companies such as Walt Disney Pictures, Fox/TV Music, Hammer Filmworks, CBS, ABC, WB, Grammy's (Recording Academy), BMI-Film/TV, Touchstone as well as A&R reps from major labels such as Universal, Warner, BMG and other major/independent record labels. Song and Film allows artists the opportunity to showcase their talent without having to relinquish any publishing or sacrifice large commissions and is entirely non-exclusive. All songs featured on the main page are artist controlled with quick and easy clearance. Josh Zandman, Song and Film's owner and publisher, is a former member of the band Burlap to Cashmere on Interscope Records. He has experience touring with acts such as Hootie and the Blowfish, Jars of Clay, Creed, P.O.D, Richie Havens and Elvis Costello. For more information visit www.songandfilm.com

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>> LA's Scream Studios Announces Reduced Rates

During these times of budget cuts, Scream is offering one of the best studis in Los Angeles for one of the lowest rates around. Their $1,200.00 per 12-hour lockout rate includes the SSL 9000J console, Pro Tools HD with 64 outputs and a mountain of outboard gear - all of which can be found listed on the studio's website: www.screamstudios.com. Mix your record at the same studio where Nirvana mixed "Nevermind", U2 mixed "Stuck In A Moment", Hanson recorded "MmmBop", Madonna mixed "Ray of Light", Faith No More mixed "Angel Dust", Sugar Ray mixed "Every Morning", and on and on. For more information contact studio manager Lacey Wood at 818-505-0755

By overwhelming request, we're giving you one week to submit music for Unsigned: Volume 3. Put your submission in the mail and/or have it postmarked by Nov. 10. If your music is selected, it will appear on an exclusive RPM Direct CD that will be distributed directly to 2,000 top, hit making music industry professionals from around the world. For more details about the RPM Direct Presents: Unsigned compilation, please click here for more info or send email to Submissions@rpmdirect.com

US engineer Tom Durack recently finished mixing a new album for Virgin France artist Étienne Daho at Plus XXX in Paris, using the facility's new Solid State Logic 9088 XL K console. The album, entitled Re-evolution, was produced by Daho in conjunction with musician Bertrand "Mako" Blais and will be released in November. Durack found his experience working on the Daho album to be rewarding. "Studio 2 at Plus XXX is one of my favorite mix rooms in the world," he states. "The SSL sound has been an important part of my mixes for 15 years, and the XL K is the best sounding analog console I've ever used, bar none." Plus XXX's XL console, which replaced an SSL J Series console, has been in big demand since it was installed last year as part of a major re-fit of Studio 2. Since then, it has been used by Keziah Jones to mix the album Black Orpheus with Grammy Award-winning Russell "Dragon" Elevado, and by Susheela Raman, who worked on an album project with producer Stuart Bruce. For more information please contact Plus XXX on +33 (0)1 42 02 21 02 or send email to info@plus30.com.

>> "New" Orchard Launches With New Investors, Management Team

Orchard Global Media Group (GMG) recently announced that it has finalized a high seven-figure equity investment by a private fund investing exclusively in independent music. In addition, the company has selected Greg Scholl as its new president & CEO. Scholl joins The Orchard from McKinsey & Company, where he was an associate principal working with media and entertainment companies. The Orchard, founded in 1997 by legendary songwriter, producer, and Sire Records Co-founder Richard Gottehrer, and artist manager Scott Cohen, was the first company in the history of the music business to provide access to traditional retail distribution for independent artists and smaller independent labels. Today, The Orchard boasts the largest catalog of independent music in the world, with over 120,000 tracks from 2,500 labels representing music from 48 countries, and every sub-genre. "We are thrilled to have Greg join us to lead the company into the new digital music era," said Gottehrer, who will remain chairman of the company. "Our first order of business is getting right with the artists and labels that have patiently stuck it out with us despite the challenges The Orchard faced over the past several years," said Scholl. Other priority initiatives include cementing business relationships with all of the existing and planned Digital Music Service Providers (DMSPs), and working with exclusive referral partner Loudeye to ensure titles are encoded, loaded into the services, and made available for sale in a timely manner. For more information, visit www.theorchard.com.

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>> XM Satellite Radio Tops 1 Million Subscribers

XM Satellite Radio, America's #1 satellite radio service, announced that it recently surpassed 1 million subscribers, reaching this major milestone in less than two years since its national debut on November 12, 2001. "With more than one million subscribers, XM has firmly established a new mass-market entertainment medium for consumers nationwide," said Hugh Panero, XM's President and CEO. "XM's success is particularly evident when compared to other media, from the inception of radio to today's latest technology." Consumers have adopted XM Satellite Radio faster than local radio, television, satellite TV, CD players, MP3 players, or digital video recorders. As a mass medium, XM has reached one million subscribers in less time than cable television or online subscription services - two of the nation's most successful subscriber businesses. Studies have shown that XM's adoption is second only to the DVD as one of the fastest-growing entertainment media in history. www.XMSatelliteRadio.com.

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>> A Few Brief Recording Producer Updates...

Congratulations to mixer Andy Wallace on A Perfect Circle's single "Weak And Powerless" hitting #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. Wallace continues to dominate the Modern and Mainstream Rock Charts, having mixed 4 out of the top 5 tracks on both. For more information contact Andy Kipnes, Mark Beaven, Heather Hawkins, Mio Vukovic, Becky Scott, or Tara Kelly at Advanced Alternative Media (212) 924-2929

Nick Didia produced Powderfinger's album "Vulture Street" which won 3 ARIAs earlier this week including Album of the Year and Best Rock Album. John Fields produced the title track for Delta Goodrem's album "Innocent Eyes" which won 7 ARIAs. The album is currently #1 in Australia. For more information contact Frank McDonough at (805) 446-3370.

Producer Dan Workman and arranger/composer Kevin Ryan collaborated on a production for Houston singer/songwriter Craig Byrnes. Tracking and mixing were completed in SugarHill's Studio A, using ProTools. Byrnes' CD features the songs, "Fight This Time" and "Blue Day". The CD is his latest release on WTL Records. www.sugarhillstudios.com.

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