As if making the best music that you can weren’t complicated enough, releasing that music so that people who would enjoy it can find it, buy it or stream it (legally, you would hope), and listen to it is another life of complication. You need help to do this at all, and you need even more help to do it right. We get a lot of that help from our distributor, the Independent Online Distribution Alliance, IODA.

There’s a whole series of stories to do about IODA, but here’s just a small look into who they are and what they do for artists like ‘ohana Dreamdance and labels like All Over The Place.

On Sunday, March 7, at 5 p.m.,Wheeling Orchesis will team with the Arlington Dance Ensemble for the 16th annual Dance for Life's Next Generation. This year's benefit, held in Wheeling High School's Sang Theater, will be emceed by Scott Corchin (WHS Orchesis alumni and on air personality at Kiss 103.5) and Lizzie MacKenzie (River North Dance Chicago).  All proceeds will be donated to the Dance for Life Fund and The Children's Place Association, organizations dedicated to the support of those living with HIV/AIDS. 

Diane Rawlinson is the founder and co-artistic director of its Dance For Life’s affiliated youth benefit concert (Dance For Life’s Next Generation) since 1995. This year’s benefit features alot of friends of All Over The Place Records -- aotpr artist D. Jeremy is an alumnus of Wheeling Orchesis, of which Diane is the director. Lizzie MacKenzie is co-hosting the event with Scott Corchin, who is featured in the D. Jeremy video for “Loser”, and plays on D. Jeremy’s track “Feel The Love”. Finally, the event features a performance by Extensions Dance Company, performing Lizzie MacKenzie’s new work “Time Now”, to an original ‘ohana Dreamdance score written by Dan Agosto and Johnny Nevin.

‘ohana is changing its name, starting with the release of the “Time Now Choreography Mixes”, which features the new tracks “Time Now” and “Some Time”, composed for Lizzie MacKenzie’s new work “Time Now” for Extensions Dance Company.

‘ohana is the Hawaiian word for “family”, and when we started making music under this name about ten years ago, the internet was much less developed -- no iTunes, no Myspace, no Facebook, none of the thousands of places where everything that goes on anywhere can be grouped together. Because the idea of family is such an important feature of Hawaiian culture, the internet is now crowded with references to ‘ohana.

This is the final part of our first AOTPR podcast. Here Dan and Johnny discuss the final changes that went into their collaborative track 'Some Time.' To end the discussion we listen to the finished track that will premier as a part of Extensions Dance Company's new season.

For part 1 click here.
For part 2 click here.

Welcome to part 2 of the first AOTPR podcast. In the second of three sections composers Johnny Nevin and Dan Agosto go further into the story of writing music for choreographer Lizzie Mackenzie.

For part 1 click here.

Welcome to the first episode of the AOTPR podcast. In this section, the first of three, 'ohana Dreamdance producers Dan Agosto and Johnny Nevin talk about composing the original score for Lizzie Mackenzie's new choreography Time Now. The work will be performed by Extensions Dance Company throughout their new season.

Thodos Dance Chicago’s 2009 Fall Concert is being presented at two venues, and the first performance, at The North Shore Center For The Performing Arts was a don’t-miss performance. The Centre East main theatre was packed for an exceptionally well-presented show, and the second installment, at the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, is Saturday, November 28 at 8:00 PM. For tickets, phone the Harris Theater at 312 334-777 or go to www.harristheaterchicago.org.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what you can expect:

Once in a while a piece of technology comes along that I feel was specifically made for me. It makes everything it's supposed to do easier and faster, and that usually means better and cheaper as well. But I don't think I've ever had that happen to me twice by the same product until now. A few years ago I purchased Logic Pro 7 which completely changed the way I wrote music. It allowed me to focus on the sounds and rhythms not the knobs and buttons. It was such a revolutionary change that I can't remember the last time I wrote something down on staff paper.

In my last article I covered some of the techniques I used to get a decent live recording of the Chicago based band Bomba Deer. The lush soundscape they executed so well was in sharp contrast with the second group performing that night. The Dust Bunnies employ a much simpler orchestration with guitar, Farfisa organ, lightly played drums, and male and female dual vocals. Click their name to get to their myspace where you can hear some of the tracks. Continue after the break for further details on the recording.

One of the most "fly by the seat of your pants" gigs a recording engineer can pick up is that of recording a live show. Even if you know the band, the venue, and the folks running the production there are always unexpected circumstances that can pop up. This can be both supremely frustrating and supremely satisfying to deal with. Either way it is always interesting. Whether you are looking to do live multitrack recording, or just trying to record your set at the open mic, if you stick to a few simple rules (check after the break) you'll end up with a decent product.