I love doing artist interviews.  It’s not just sitting down and picking the brains of our endorsers that I find engaging.  In a way, it’s a bit like doing live sound.  We Artist Relations guys often function as interviewer, camera operator, and audio engineer when we go out and shoot interviews.  There is a rush in getting everything set up quickly and making sure it all looks and sounds decent for those ten to fifteen minutes you’re hosting artists. It has been a learning process for me – much of what I’ve come to know has been through trial and error.  Like live sound we have our good and bad days.  Fortunately we’ve gotten some new production tools that have made things easy.

Shure has added quite a few broadcast production tools in the last two years and it’s been fun for me to get to know them in this capacity.  They’ve sure made my job easier.   Here’s a rundown on the gear we take to the gigs.

Mics:

VP89M medium shotgun

RPM89S short shotgun cartridge

WL51B or MX150 lavalier mic

A dynamic mic – SM57, SM58, or Beta57A

My first go-to for a mic is the VP89M.  I just love it.  I’ll engage the low-frequency roll-off because we’re working with human voices.  The mic sits in the A89M-PG pistol grip mount, made by Rycote.  In the event we find ourselves in a small space where I’m very near multiple subjects I will swap out the medium shotgun tube for the short one.  This gives a wider pickup pattern.  Lavalier mics come in handy for very noisy environments.  Some on our team prefer them over the shotgun mic.  I’ll use them if I have to, but I’ve had interviews where some unpredictable element has caused me headaches.  People move lapels, scratch necks, shake their heads vigorously, wear noisy jewelry…trying to plan for those unknowns takes time I’d rather spend getting to know the interviewee, conversing, finding a good starting point for the interview.   Of course, the most dead-simple thing to do is put the UR3 plug-on transmitter right in to the back of a mic, and for that having a dynamic mic is handy.  However, it is really only for single subject interviews and, like the lavalier, I’m dependent on the subject’s behavior.

Wireless:

UR3 plug-on transmitter

UR5 portable diversity receiver

UR1 or UR1M bodypack transmitter

Most of the time I’m using the UR3 and the UR5 together.  The UR3 fits right at the bottom of the A89M-PG pistol grip holding the VP89M shotgun mic.  The UR5 has a shoe mount and fits our HD DV video camera and our photographer’s DSLR for when he’s shooting video.  The best practice is to turn on the UR3 with the RF off.   We do an on-site scan with the UR5 receiver to find an open frequency, then sync the transmitter and turn the transmitter’s RF on.  This is to avoid stepping on anything that the show might be using at the moment.  In the event we prefer to use lavalier mics, we’ll have a bodypack transmitter in the kit.

Monitoring:

SE earphones (interviewer’s preference)

SRH240A or SRH440

If I’m flying solo I’ll just do my monitoring from the camera with my SE425-CL earphones.  I use those most of the time.  We also have a set of SE315-K earphones in the kit in the event that we left our personal earphones at home.  Earphones are not for everybody, so if we’re going to have Paul Natkin shoot the interviews on his DSLR we know to bring some headphones.  Those are usually SRH240A or SRH440.  Those take up much more space in an audio kit than earphones though.

The goal is to be set up and ready to go inside of five minutes if need-be.  The options available in our audio kit have been honed over time, though I expect that new situations will cause further changes over time.  Right now the main concerns are finding some place with decent lighting, enough space to get a tripod set up, and an area where the artist will be comfortable.  That’s very important.  If you’re going to go for great lighting but there is no place to sit or elbow room to move it’s likely that information sought will be in shorter supply.  I try to remain empathetic and listen for a natural point to start and end the interview.  Having the tools to execute the technical side of the interview without too much effort allow for the human side to show itself.  Hopefully that’s reflected in the finished interview.

Richard

October 14, 2011

Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL

We recently welcomed Neon Indian to our Artist Endorser Family and although I have been a fan of Alan Palomo since his solo project known as Vega, and even more so after listening to Neon Indian’s Psychic Chasms released in 2009, I never had the pleasure of checking out his futuristic show live. As a child of the eighties and a fan of electro synth pop, I was excited to finally get a chance to check it out as well as hear songs off their recently released album Era Extraña, which was recorded in Helsinki, Finland. What?

I drove up to Lincoln Hall early to meet with Dana Wachs, Neon Indian’s sound engineer, and deliver some gear during their sound check. She was super busy getting ready to record a video for blog site For No One which records bands playing an intimate show without a crowd. It’s a pretty neat concept and the band really rocked out as if it was a packed room.  Can’t wait to see the finished result…

After they were finished, I was invited backstage to meet everyone in the band. As expected, they were super cool and down to earth. Then Dana and I had a great conversation about music and audio while the band got their ear impressions made for custom molds for their SE425 earphones that they use with their PSM 900′s. While backstage I was also introduced to opening acts Com Truise and Purity Ring, which went on to have really great sets later in the night. Keep them on your radar if they aren’t already.

It was about midnight when Neon Indian finally hit the stage and their contagious energy spread amongst the sardinesque crowd very quickly. “Polish Girl” set the crowd off and drove the band to pulsate on stage as if the synth driven melodies vibrated through their bodies. Palomo’s airy vocals came through a Beta 57A and flew through the hall like a cool fall wind. The crowd danced and sang all morning until the music stopped and Palomo thanked them and stated how much they “really love Chicago”.

For more info on Neon Indian including videos, photos and tour dates visit http://neonindian.com/

Nelson

October 14, 2011

Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL

We recently welcomed Neon Indian to our Artist Endorser Family and although I have been a fan of Alan Palomo since his solo project known as Vega, and even more so after listening to Neon Indian’s Psychic Chasms released in 2009, I never had the pleasure of checking out his futuristic show live. As a child of the eighties and a fan of electro synth pop, I was excited to finally get a chance to check it out as well as hear songs off their recently released album Era Extraña, which was recorded in Helsinki, Finland. What?

I drove up to Lincoln Hall early to meet with Dana Wachs, Neon Indian’s sound engineer, and deliver some gear during their sound check. She was super busy getting ready to record a video for blog site For No One which records bands playing an intimate show without a crowd. It’s a pretty neat concept and the band really rocked out as if it was a packed room.  Can’t wait to see the finished result…

After they were finished, I was invited backstage to meet everyone in the band. As expected, they were super cool and down to earth. Then Dana and I had a great conversation about music and audio while the band got their ear impressions made for custom molds for their SE425 earphones that they use with their PSM 900′s. While backstage I was also introduced to opening acts Com Truise and Purity Ring, which went on to have really great sets later in the night. Keep them on your radar if they aren’t already.

It was about midnight when Neon Indian finally hit the stage and their contagious energy spread amongst the sardinesque crowd very quickly. “Polish Girl” set the crowd off and drove the band to pulsate on stage as if the synth driven melodies vibrated through their bodies. Palomo’s airy vocals came through a Beta 57A and flew through the hall like a cool fall wind. The crowd danced and sang all morning until the music stopped and Palomo thanked them and stated how much they “really love Chicago”.

For more info on Neon Indian including videos, photos and tour dates visit http://neonindian.com/

Nelson

Nashville, TN

Soundland Nashville has taken over the town with great new upcoming bands.  I hope you got a chance to go out and hear some new music.

I started out my day on Thursday by visiting a panel discussion at the Belcourt Theatre on the success of the band The Civil Wars.  If you are not familiar with the group yet, please click on the link.  They are on tour in Europe with Adele, who was quoted saying this is her favorite group live. The speakers included people from their record label, distribution, marketing, and their producer.  It was very interesting to listen to the details of how this group came together, by chance, at a writing seminar and immediately hit it off.  So many great opportunities have come their way and their team has done a great job of handling them.  Their success at iTunes was amazing and now they are opening for one of the best selling artists. Go pick up their record, Barton Hallow, …. immediately after you finish reading this blog of course.

Following this panel was another regarding Grooveshark, the music streaming service. So many people are starting to enjoy having access to thousands of songs at their fingertips.

After that, I went over to Soundland’s temporary headquarters to catch an interview and performance with new Endorser Justin Townes Earle.  American Songwriter did the interview and Shure captured it all.  We supplied a couple of KSM42′s, a KSM353 ribbon mic, some Beta 27′s, and a few SM57′s to capture these moments, which will later be put up online.  The engineer’s were enjoying it all through a couple sets of SRH940 headphones.  The mixes sounded great!  (see pics below).  There will be many other artists interview up as well so visit Soundland’s website often to see them up there soon.

I then walked over to the 12th avenue concert are and waited for the evening’s show to begin.  Tonight featured a group that’s starting to take off – Cults.  Closing the show were endorsers Foster The People.  I watched Cults perform for a little bit and noticed that they were using a non-Shure vocal mic up front.  However, halfway through the set, I saw the monitor engineer change out to an SM58. Sounded like it may have helped a bit.  Festival situations are always difficult to walk in to as you may not get the soundcheck you are used to.

Foster took the stage and proceeded to rock the crowd. An energetic set and a great light show was just what the crowd needed.  While I was hanging out watching their set, I was back by one of the food trucks.  This was a BBQ food truck !  The owner called me over to take a look at what he had on the smoker.  Upon opening the lid, he revealed about 10 pulled pork roasts, completely caramelized over and smelling way too good.  He asks one of his assistants for a serving dish and proceeds to pull apart the meat to give me a sample.  Heavenly….is the word that comes to mind.  Then, if it couldn’t get any better, he offers me some of that caramelized bark!  DONE!  I’m falling deeper and deeper into BBQ bliss…”and I can’t get up.”

After a great set by Foster The People, I met with their sound engineer who proceeded to tell about how much they love the UR wireless mics and the PSM900′s.  Then I’m escorted to the buses where I’m introduced to both Mark Foster and Mark Pontius who thanked Shure for our support.  Foster is loving the freedom of his wireless UR2/KSM9 vocal mic, saying “it’s made me a new frontman.”

The next day (Friday, Sept 23), I went over to the Cannery Ballroom to grab a video interview with Justin Townes Earle. Justin has a rich, deep knowledge and appreciation of traditional country artists.  He loves to talk about them.  They have influenced the way he chooses to perform and connect with his audience.  Justin also loves his new Beta 57A vocal mic as well as his PSM900 ear system. I don’t want to spoil the surprise when you see the interview on our website so I will stop at saying that this was a great interview to be a part of and I have meet another wonderful, approachable artist in this exciting world that is our music industry.

Please take a gander at some of the photos and if you attended Soundland, please (pretty please) write back and let us know of your experiences.  We’d love to hear from you!

A special THANKS to the folks at American Songwriter magazine for inviting Shure to be a part of this event.

Ryan

Schuba’s Tavern – Chicago, IL

My parents were married about 3 blocks away from Schuba’s.  It’s always great to be able to drive down Belmont Avenue in Chicago and still see the church, and many other sights that I grew up seeing when I lived in Chicago.  My Grandmother lived about 2 blocks North of Belmont Avenue, walking distance from Cubs park.  My Grandfather played as a one-man band at the Cubby Bear several times, right across the street from Wrigley Field.

I always love going to see shows in Chicago as well.  When I found out that newly signed endorsers, The Civil Wars were in town for 2 nights, I just had to catch a show.  I had heard about them when I went to see Tony Rice and newly signed endorser Josh Williams play a show in Nashville at the Belcourt Theatre.  The engineers for the Theatre were raving about this group that had performed the night before and that Taylor Swift was tweeting them up.  With the help of today’s technology, I was able to look them up on my handy iPhone and find out more info. A few days later, I reached out via email met up with management.  Later, I met with the group, they tried out a few mics and ended up loving the KSM9 for their vocals.  John Paul White mentioned that he used the SM7B to record his vocals for their debut full length release.  The other half of the group is Joy Williams who I had known about from the Christian market.

So, back to Chicago.  I called up our Chicago based photographer, the infamous Paul Natkin and he was free for the evening to grab some live shots.  We arrived at Schuba’s at about 5:45 and grabbed some dinner (the French Onion soup at Schuba’s is the BEEEEST!).

Immediately following dinner, Joy and John Paul had arrived to do a quick line check.  We took the opportunity to grab some shots of them in the alley behind the club.  We returned to find an artist named Arum Rae Valkonen doing her line check. She is part of group called White Dress however, The Civil Wars asked her to come out solo and travel with them.  Arum Rae sang through a standard SM58 and played guitar. It was a great set of music and she has an interesting voice.

The 58 came off and a pair of KSM9′s took their place front and center.  Joy and John Paul took the stage and proceeded to quiet the room with every song.  Their voices blend together with the magic of Simon & Garfunkel.  Their songs, deep and rich with emotional content.  At every song’s end, wild applause.  The sold out crowd was mesmerized.  I was so glad I sent that email !!

Minimal production, 2 performers, 3 vocal mics, 2 instrument mics  (KSM313 on JP’s amp and 1 Beta 57A for Joy’s “Squeeze Box” and that was it. How could something so easy be soo goood?  Something magical happens when you break it to just the singers and their song.  How can that emit more emotion than a big massive production?  Somehow, it just does….and I don’t care why.  I just stand there and enjoy every second.  I was right there in front, behind my favorite photographer, both of us….speechless.

Ryan