released May 17, 2025

Recorded at Local Legend Recording, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Mixed and mastered by Josh Kaufman

All songs written by Tyler Vander Maas

Album art by Ryan Hoger

Performed by The Butterscotch Boys:
Tyler Vander Maas – Lead vocals
Adam Marth – Guitar
Dutcher Snedeker – Keys
Kevin Pritchard – Bass
Richard Hale – Drums
Ryan Hoger – Guitar

Additional performers:
Kait Rose – Backing vocals
Aaron Stinson – Flute, Tenor sax
Sean VanHaren – Trombone, Sousaphone

I recorded on every track aside from number 5, 6, and 10 at Goon Lagoon in Grand Rapids, MI with Tommy Schichtel

I recorded on track 2 in Hannah’s basement studio where she records, teaches, and where we rehearse for Earth Radio shows. The track was then engineered by Morgan Brown and Maggie Heeren and mastered by Ian Gorman at La Luna Recording & Sound

Personnel on Track 2:
Hannah Laine - Vocals, Songwriter, Producer
David Ward- Drums, Engineer, Producer, String Arrangements
Ben Wood - Bass
Chris Bota- Guitar
Dutcher Snedeker - Keys
Olivia Taylor - Violin
Kisa Uradomo - Violin
Madeline Warner - Viola
Heewon Lee - Cello
Morgan Brown - Engineer
Maggie Heeren - Engineer, Mixing at La Luna
Ian Gorman - Mastering at La Luna

As with most of the music we release at Normal Mode Enterprise, our inspiration comes from space and the cosmos.

The James Webb Telescope (JWTS) connects us to the origins of the Universe. It studies every phase in the history of our Universe, ranging from the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, to the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, to the evolution of our own Solar System.

The images it has captured so far are nothing less than breathtaking.
We hope you listen to this song while viewing some of those amazing JWTS images.

This track was recorded at Grace Bible College with Zachary Rumley and Michael Dause of TreeTone Studios mixed and mastered the final product. This is also the first release with guitarist Adam Marth included!

This is the first single from a session I did back in Summer 2024 with Cameron Blake that features a stellar crew of musicians sourced from Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Kalamazoo.

Everything you hear on this track was mainly organized in the studio by Cameron Blake and the session crew, capturing those moments of inspiration among the curated experience that he was trying to realize.

Cameron Blake - music, vocals, additional audio programming
Avalon Cutts-Jones - vocals
Jarad Saxsquatch Selner - tenor saxophone
Brad Fritcher - trumpet
Dutcher Snedeker - Hammond B3 & Keys
Jill Collier - cello
Ian Thompson - bass
David Ward - drums
Andy Szumowski - percussion

Produced by Cameron Blake and Josh Kaufman
Recording/Mix - Josh Kaufman at Local Legend Recording
Mastering - George Paulin at Great Lakes Record

In October 2022, Earth Radio planned a writing retreat to a small farm in Vermont, nestled in the Lake Champlain Valley. We sardined ourselves into a Dodge Journey with very limited musical equipment and set off to write and record an album in less than a week around the prompt, “If The Earth Could Speak, What Would It Say?”

We hope that this record inspires you to think more about living in reciprocity with nature and that it offers a respite from our hectic modern living, even inviting you to breath from the moment the record plays. As you listen, know that tracks are listed in the order we wrote them and also the order we always rehearsed them as the tracks took shape.

This record would not be possible if it weren't for the wonderful hosts/friends we stayed with in Vermont (thank you Roel and Tiny!), Jeremy Mendecino at Lane Gibson Recording Studio, Michigan's own Glenn Brown, and staff at Lane Gibson Recording Studio and Glenn Brown Productions, the wonderful artwork crafted by our longtime friend/collaborator Sky Black, producers like Ryan Birtles and the dozens of supporters through our Kickstarter campaign, and the cooperative efforts of the Earth Radio crew, including Hannah Jurcich's steadfast support and enthusiasm behind this venture AND connecting us to the land we visited.

All songs written and recorded by Earth Radio
Justin Avdek - bass, vocals
Hannah Laine - vocals
Dutcher Snedeker - keyboards, vocals, whistle
David Ward, drums, percussion, vocals

Recorded/Engineer by Jeremy Mendecino, Lane Gibson Recording Studio
Mastered by Glenn Brown
Producers - Earth Radio, Jeremy Mendicino, Ryan Birtles
Artwork - Sky Black

Special thanks to Roel & Tiny!

While this album was released in 2023, the initial recordings got back over those previous 3 years. I overdubbed piano and organ on this record on “One for the Road,” “Weak Kneez,” and “Medicine” at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, MI, but some of it was also tracked at Local Legend in Grand Rapids, MI.

I recorded on track 5, “Cattitude,” at Third Coast Recording Company! (Or remotely, this statement may change once I get the exact details)

This record started out as demos during a writing retreat and evolved into this colorfully expressive EP of original singles! This also includes a revamped version of a Hannah Laine classic, “In or Out,” two songs that are always in demand at our festival shows called “Space” and “Back Up” that were crafted by Justin Avdek, and our music video for “Stop Calling Me!" that was shot in Muskegon, MI by Brett Kurr and his team at Michigami Collective.

Check out the full record on Spotify! Recorded on tracks 2, 4, 5, 7, and 9 during various sessions sprinkled throughout a multiple year span. The final result showcases many songs that were sculpted in the moment and refined over that time in the mixing/mastering process!

I recorded on track 4, a tune called “I Think I’ll Think On You (One More Day).” I tracked my parts at home using Keyscape.

I also got to perform this songs with Alex Teller alongside a host of West Michigan musicians for the Earthworks Harvest Gathering music festival!

I recorded on all of these tracks on a late night session with a full band at Third Coast Recording Company! I also helped make charts for people to expedite the process, and many of these songs were performed with Sarena at the 2022 Christmas at Critter’s fundraiser event at Elevation in Grand Rapids, MI

Recorded on tracks 1-3, 5, 6, 8, 9 in Kalamazoo with Collin Pompey at Black Ops Audio.

I have also performed these songs live with Cole at places like Founders Brewing Company and Frederick Meijer Gardens & Amphitheatre!

I recorded on tracks 1-3 at a garage studio in Grand Rapids, MI!

Kyle Brown also plays solo and with the supergroup King Possum!

Recorded on Track 6, a tune called “Bossa Me,” at Third Coast Recording Company!

I got to record on Track 6, a tune called “I Would.”

I have also had the pleasure of playing of these songs live with a large ensemble at the WYCE Jammies Awards and at Frederick Meijer Gardens & Amphitheatre! Elijah is a great person to collaborate with in the West MIchigan music scene!

I recorded on Track 8, a tune called “Facilitator of Indulgence.”

All compositions by Evan Follmar
Art by Sky Black

I regret having missed a recording session at River City Studios to record more parts, as I had such a busy day my brain was preoccupied with what was going on later in the day and completely forgot.

Check out Evan Follmar's newer project, THV, if you dig these sounds and want to dive further into what he does! He also is in a trio with Grand Rapids bassist Ben Steer supporting Joey Gaydos Jr., who many know as the child actor who played guitar in the School of Rock movie!

Recording Chris’ music was such a fun experience! I have enjoyed playing with him in BlueWater Kings in the past and even subbing in his band, Overdrive Orchestra. I even had the privilege of joining some mutual friends to perform at his wedding!

If you notice in the liner notes, other than my work on various keyboard instruments and Scott Pellegrom’s drumming, Chris recorded all of the other instruments and vocals himself!

Liner notes:

Chris Cranick's sophomore effort 'A Light Within The Dark' is an honest bearing of the soul, accented by the sounds and vibe of summertime in Michigan.

released May 15, 2021

Chris Cranick: Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Vocals, Bass, Mandolin, E-Bow, Percussion

Additional Musicians

Dutcher Snedeker: Piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Melodica
Scott Pellegrom: Drums

All songs written by Chris Cranick
Published by Phunky Phetus Music (ASCAP)
Produced by Chris Cranick
Engineered by Kevin Kozel
Recorded at Third Coast Recording Company in Grand Haven, MI
Mixed by Kevin Kozel
Mastered by Ian Gorman at La Luna Recording & Sound in Kalamazoo, MI
Photography by Paige Stevens and Chris Cranick
Album Design by Chris Cranick

Thank You: Paige, John + Therese, Taylor + Adam, Adam + Jackie, Cameron, Shaun, James, Chris + Carlie, Matt + Debbie, Brian, Jordan, Pat, Tay, Mike, Nikki, Jesse + Danielle, Bobby + Denys, Darline + Mike, Jeremiah + Alicia, Zach, Kevin, Scott, Dutcher, Bill, Ian, John, all my friends and family as well as the beautiful state of Michigan

This single was recorded and released as part of a means of processing the 2020 shutdown, where many groups like ours saw a shuttering of their industry alongside a lot of open space to fill with different creative pursuits. In the middle of learning livestreaming tech setups and performing various outdoor yard parties that adhered to guidelines, this song emerged from Justin Avdek’s at-home writing sessions and allowed us a footing to springboard into a new reality. This was also the first recording our current drummer, David Ward, got to record on alongside our drummer at the time, Madison George!

released May 7, 2021
Composer: Justin Avdek
Lyricist: Justin Avdek
Producer: Justin Avdek

Justin Avdek: Bass, Vocals, Guitar
Madison George: Drums
Hannah Laine: Vocals, Sounds
Dutcher Snedeker: Keyboards, Synth
David Ward: Percussion

Recorded at Third Coast Recording Company
Engineered, Mixed by Kevin Kozel
Mastered by Ian Gorman, La Luna Recording & Sound

Artwork by Justin Avdek

I recorded on “Chameleon Skin”, “Follow Me Down,” and “Lucid Dreams,” and due to the shut down my parts were recorded remotely using Keyscape. These singles also came out in waves throughout the fall before the full album dropped on December 31st, 2020 to cap off a very draining year.

Mixed and mastered by Collin Pompey at Black Ops Audio
Album art by Haley Hoard McFall at Haley Rose Design Studio

Nicole Olweean - lyrics, vocals, rhythm guitar, tambourine

Collin Pompey - bass, lead guitar, synth

Alex Brady - drums, percussion

Jason Walker - banjo (Bones, Bullet Blanket Sieve), accordion (The Waltz)

Mark Lavengood - dobro (Desert Song)

Dutcher Snedeker - keys (Chameleon Skin, Follow Me Down, Lucid Dreams)

Nauman Mangla - bass (The Waltz)

Alec Olweean - vocals (Lineage)

James Joseph - storytelling (Lucid Dreams)

Lyra Fraaza - readings (King Woman, Blue Skies)


Group Vocals (Drones):

Simonne Crumley
Lyra Fraaza
Grete Grubelich
Chelsea Bird Hoard
Sierra LaPoint
Hannah McEvers
Haley Rose Hoard McFall
Alicia Mosley
Lexi Olweean
Sarah Parr
Victoria Scarborough
Kay VanAntwerpen


Those we make music with don't always get to join us in the recording studio. Follow Me Down and Chameleon Skin would not be the same if not for the collaborative energies of bands past, and particularly of Thom Stansell and Daniel Mueller.

Dogtown Studio reached out to a handful of local musicians to record music for a holiday fundraiser, and I was happy to contribute a solo piano version of the classic Vince Guaraldi number “Christmas Time is Here.” I even recorded a simple video on my iPhone of the process at Third Coast Recording Company.

I recorded on “Solo Quiero” and “Just Whistlin’” at Brandino’s home at the time, which was a wonderful time to see even one person outside of my home during the shutdown!

Leaps and Bounds is the second studio release from The Brandino Extravaganza, following 2018's "A Work in Progress"

released November 30, 2020

- All vocals, songwriting, guitars, bass, drums, saxophone, EWI, sampling, arranging, editing, tracking (aside from drums) and piano on "86" by Brandino Proch
- Produced by Eliot Howerton and Brandino Proch, with additional help from Conrad Shock
- Drums were tracked by Ben Zito at Centennial Sounds
- All tracks mixed by Morgan Haner
- All tracks mastered at La Luna Recordings by Ian Gorman
- Keys on track 2 by Adam Parada
- Keys on tracks 3 and 4 by Dutcher Snedeker
- Clarinet on track 4 by Ryan Proch
- Violin on track 6 by Josh Holcomb

I recorded on “Fight For your Life” on the iPad version of Garage Band (because ProTools was being difficult on my laptop that day). The sounds eventually were transformed during the mixing process from the MIDI data I provided, but to export that from my iPad I had to convert the audio into MIDI data using a free version of the software Melodyne. It was a fun experience recording and in spite of the frustrating hiccups I still was able to learn a new trick to problem solve!

This record was written over the latter half of 2019 and recorded in Third Coast, mixed in-studio and remotely due to Covid-19 shutting down the studio with Kevin Koezel, and mastered by Ian Gorman at La Luna Recording & Sound.

This is Earth Radio's third record, a culmination of months of effort and hours of fine-tuning every sound. Each member of the group contributed material to this record, with soaring highs and a variety of sounds and textures.

released August 21, 2020

Hannah Laine - Vocals/Wurlitzer/Producers
Dutcher Snedeker - Piano/Rhodes/Synths/Farfisa/Organ
Travis Swanson - Guitar
Justin Avdek - Bass/Vocals/Producers
Madison George - Drums

Guests:
Jordan Hamilton - Cello on M.L.M.B.
Jeffrey Niemeier - Violin on M.L.M.B.
Scott Pellegrom - Drums/Percussion on Wrong Tree and Analytical Loops

All Songs Written and Recorded by Earth Radio

Tracking/Mixing - Kevin Koezel at Third Coast Recording Company

Mastering - Ian Gorman at La Luna Recording & Sound

I recorded on track 1, which was a cover of a Middle Brother tune called “Daydreaming.” This session took place remotely due to the shutdown.

I recorded this track during a weekend hang/session at Evan’s spot in Ludington at the time, which was right before he was looking to move for school. We had played together on different jazz gigs and with the Benjaman James band!

This record was recorded at Third Coast recording company, but some of the details are a little fuzzy with the timeline of the album coinciding with the earlier days of the Covid-19 quarantine. I believe the session was an evening one and the mood of “Know The Difference” was a cozy environment to sink into!

released May 22, 2020

drums - thom vander velden

bass - nick schultz (tracks 2,3,4,5,7,8)

bass - micah stilwell (tracks 1,6,9)

guitar/vox/lyrics - christian nikkel

cello - jordan hamilton (track 9)

viola - josh holcomb (track 9)

rhodes piano - dutcher snedeker (track 4)

album art - jonny kleyn

tracked + mixed - christian nikkel

mastered - adam schreiber

special thanks

xtra sets of mixing ears - ben oegema, jonny kleyn, A.J.brann, kevin kozel

to anyone we’ve ever enjoyed music together with, played a house show with, friends bands and projects we’ve been able to perform alongside, venues we’ve been able to play so far, and all around support to mom for love and support, to theo cat for big snugs, to austin kane for the computer this was mixed on plus additional data rescue, karl v for cymbals, and to park theatre for support and community throughout the years

Debut single from .shi and the start of Grand Rapids Cassette/Production Label, [Cult]ure.m4a...

feat. the bad assery of: .The Brandino Extravaganza, Dante Cope, Bailey Budnik, Dutcher Snedeker, & Ben Steer

I recorded on “Before I Left,” “Bored Easily,” and “Hummingbird (You Are My Shelter)” at Collin Pompey’s studio. It was my first time meeting Cole Hansen and we have played some wonderful shows and recorded more music since this release alongside some great Michigan musicians!

released March 28, 2020

Engineered/Mixed/Mastered by: Collin Pompey @Black Ops Audio

All songs written/arranged/performed by: Cole Hansen

Featuring:
Madison George (drums)
Collin Pompey (bass, lead guitar)
Dutcher Snedeker (keys, tracks 2, 4, 5)
Nolan Opper (bass, track 4)

Photography: Jill Szyszko
Album cover/logo design: C.R. Warner

Serendipity: the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way. This album catalogs the development of Blushing Monk's sound and story through a myriad of unexpected moments in the two years since its inception.

Within the group, each player came from opposite ends of Michigan, all meeting through mutual musicians in the scene. There are two sets of musicians on the record that are both linked by the same circumstances: having limited time to record during the summer before making a move out of the state. It speaks to the dynamic nature of hard-working session musicians and great collaborators, since rehearsals were minimal and expectations were set high for the folks involved. It's hard enough to get an album made these days, let alone to book sessions around busy players, but each contribution makes up a different stage in the journey. Though players may move on to new territories, there is a shared spirit with the new artists taking their places.

released February 9, 2020

Musicians:
Brad Fritcher - Trumpet (Tracks 2 & 4-7)
Caleb Elzinga - Tenor Sax
Dutcher Snedeker - Piano/Rhodes/Synth
Olin Clark - Guitar (Tracks 2 & 4-7)
Stanley Ruvinov - Bass (Tracks 1, 3, 8)
Joe Vasquez - Bass (Tracks 2 & 4-7)
Jordan Otto - Drums (Tracks 2 & 4-7)
Madison George - Drums (Tracks 1, 3, 8)

Studios:
Tracking/Mixing from Barrett Eminhizer at Western Sound Studios
(Tracks 2 & 4-7)

Tracking/Mixing/Mastering from Ian Gorman at La Luna Recording & Sound

Tracking/Mixing (Tracks 1, 3, & 8) & Mastering (Full Album)

Artwork:
Ermsauce Art
(Emilee Petersmark - The Crane Wives)

Research in Development is a stage in a long process of exploration. A journey that has no specific end or defined cadence. It is a mirror for self-reflection, being held up without judgment or expectation.

released January 2, 2020

Electric Bass - Ian Thompson
Fender Rhodes/Keyboard - Dutcher Snedeker
Drums - Nathan Coles
Percussion - Joshua Dreyer

Recording Credits
Recorded at Second Story Sound
Mixed by Kevin Kozel (Third Coast Recording Company)
Mastered at La Luna Recording & Sound

(YouTube description):

We are pleased to present a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" in the style of The Highwomen featuring the voices of some of Michigan's insanely talented women. Ladies, you killed this. Tune into WYCE to hear it on John Sinkevics's show.

Thank you for being part of this project: Emilee Petersmark (of The Crane Wives) // Lady Ace Boogie // Hannah Rose Graves (of Hannah Rose and the GravesTones) // Loren Johnson // Aubrey Ann Nusbaum (of SoulSyndicate) // Lauren Onica (of A Brighter Bloom) // Hannah Schroeder (of Earth Radio) // Patty Pierzchala (Patty PerShayla) // Sandra Effert // Jenna Olson (of Political Lizard) // Jennifer Bartlett (of LOKELLA) // Zuzu Nyson // Sarena Chandler // Danielle Cosby // Alicia Marie Scott (of The Fast Hands Band)

A HUGE Thank You to the studio band: Joe Sturgill on guitar, Kevin Kozel on guitar, Justin Avdek on bass, Dutcher Wright Snedeker (of Earth Radio) on keys, and Scott Pellegrom on drums. We were thrilled to have two very special guests- Ruth Vanden Bos on violin and Connor Meston on viola. All hail the wiz queen of video, Sarah Ford of Surfford Productions. Hats off to musical directors Geoff Hansen (of Melophobix and Hark Up Music) & Elle Lively (of Crooked Tree Creative).

This Elijah Russ tune was recorded live at Third Coast Recording company with a large ensemble. Watch the video below to see the session in action and to learn more about the musicians, videography crew and sound engineers involved!

I recorded keys at Kevin DePree’s home studio for “Detour,” “I Can’t Tell You,” “If I Knew.”

This album took the band to the next step as a unit. We brought on guitarist Travis Swanson for this record and guest cellist Jacob Halmich into the studio for additional sounds. This record also featured our new drummer, Madison George, who provided some added colors and styles in addition to some solid chops.

The record involved about a month of writing/performing and a month pre-production while performing some of these tunes live prior to tracking. After several tracking, overdubbing, and mixing sessions at Third Coast Recording Company in Grand Haven, the album was sent off to Capitol Records to get mastered.

Finally, the album was released May 10th after a successful Kickstarter campaign fund that raised money for new merchandise and physical versions of the album on CD and Vinyl.

released May 10, 2019

All music and lyrics by: Earth Radio
Justin Avdek - Bass, Vocals, Sounds
Madison George - Drums, Percussion
Hannah Laine - Vocals, Keys
Dutcher Snedeker - Keys, Synths
Travis Swanson - Guitar
Jacob Halmich - Cello

Recorded at Third Coast Recording Co.
Mastered by Capitol Records
Engineered by Joe Hettinga
Produced by Justin Avdek
Cover Artwork by Sky Black
Typography and Layout by Jason Bowler

This track was originally recorded on Mark Lavengood’s 2014 release No Part of Nothin’ with special guest Billy Strings. You can watch the Dogtown Studio video below and listen to the original single here to compare!

released February 25, 2019

This single was recorded at Joint Heir Studios, owned and operated by gospel multi-instrumentalist/singer and teacher Debra Perry in Grand Rapids, MI, and has seen wider syndication on radio stations, streaming playlists, and even the Music Choice music streaming channels.

This record was my last record with the band before departing in early 2018, but it received nominations at the WYCE Jammies Awards and featured a host of great artists! It was recorded by engineer/guitarist Collin Pompey at Black Ops Audio.

Personnel:
Hannah Rose Graves (Vocals)
Collin Pompey (Guitar/Bass)
Dutcher Snedeker (Keys/Organ)
Jordan Huggert (Drums)
Caleb Elzinga (Tenor Sax)
Brad Fritcher (Trumpet)

What initially started as a project born out of me needing a group for GRandJazzFest 2017 became a vehicle of expression for frequent collaborators to share their sounds and talents cultivated in/out of institutions and various parts of the Michigan music scene!

Trumpet: Brad Fritcher
Tenor Sax: Caleb Elzinga
Piano: Dutcher Snedeker
Guitar: Olin Clark
Bass: Joe Vasquez
Drums: Jordan Otto

released August 20, 2017

Recorded at Western Sound Studios
Mixed by Barrett Eminhizer
Mastered by Ian Gorman
Artwork by Esan Sommersell

All tracks composed by either Dutcher Snedeker or Olin Clark and recorded by Blushing Monk.

released March 27, 2017

This record was recorded at Amber Lit Audio, owned and operated by Matt Ten Clay in Grand Rapids, MI, and features Justin Avdek’s music, recorded by myself, Mario Copeland, and Justin Wierenga. (I need to look back at this record for more details/participants). This project was a precursor to what evolved into Earth Radio and was also nominated for various awards at The Jammies!

This album included a variety of West Michigan musicians, but the core group, led by Justin Avdek, featured Justin Wierenga, Mario Copeland, and myself. It was recorded at Amber Lit Audio in Grand Rapids, MI with Matt Ten Clay.

Released October 31, 2016

This record was recorded at Joint Heir Studios with Debra Perry, and I recorded on “Movin On!” The album has had plays on radio stations, streaming playlists, and even the “Music Choice” streaming channels!

These two pieces are both composed by Chicago bassist Matt Ulery, and they were performed on Nicholas Photinos' (Eighth Blackbird) recital at the Bang on a Can 2016 summer music festival.

The performers include:
Nicholas Photinos - cello
Todd Reynolds - violin
Ken Thompson - clarinet
Gina Izzo - flute
Dutcher Snedeker - piano
Gregg August - bass
David Cossin - drums

This is an improvised piece performed at a lunchtime concert during Bang on a Can 2016. It was a conversation with the moving, blue projection installation, titled "Flaslight on Wall (UFO)" by Tom Friedman. It involves Dutcher Snedeker on piano, Laura Nygren on upright bass, and Dylan Greene on drums. It was great getting to make music on the spot with them!

This track was a live improvisational piece performed next to Tom Friedman's 2016 art piece titled "The Wall," a large, tiled, white fixture with (what I interpreted as) a variety of items washed up on a shoreline. I believe it fits Mass MOCA's theme of "wonder" by it's size and the variety of items that could inspire a story or conversation.

This piece utilizes different musical tools to color in the white spaces, filling in the stories behind different objects I am observing during the performance. One audience member said I painted "as if Ravel were painting, with broad brush strokes," let me know what you think!

The holidays are all about spending time with others and sharing in the great joys of the world, and what better way to get you in the Christmas spirit than with music?

This puts you right in the heart of one of our holiday gigs, where we mess around with classic holiday tunes for a company party. It's relaxed, it's filled with Christmas cheer, and it's guaranteed to help you towards that holiday vibe. The holidays can be a messy time of year with baked goods, family plans, and wrapping paper flying off presents, so sit back and enjoy some tunes!

Released December 18, 2015

Dutcher Snedeker: Piano
Mario Copeland: Drums

Recorded live December 2015

CHAM 012
A Chambray Record
Gratis

Trumpet: a call to action! A shot in the d a r k -
and then the bass line hits you. Sunrider
is a recorded album of jazz
whether it be from the future, or
of a technicolor vision of the past.
Synthesizers and guitars
and trumpets
merging in a
melodic blend
in high-definition
Stereo
SOUND

On subway cars and trams, on road trips across the US, in cities in the early morning glow. Birds chirp, coffee is poured, children prepare for school, society begins another day forward. Sunrideris a concise, precise, 30 minute-long six-song album, stretching the limits of singular-descriptive styles: ranging in form from techno to (post-)modal jazz, future jazz, instrumental hip hop, smooth jazz, boogie, funk, house, hi-tech soul, and dusty adjectives in between. Sunrider is, simply put, jazz.

Sunrider is a trans-United States jazz album recorded in studios by partners hundreds of miles apart, by individuals acting in cohesion from bedrooms and recording studios scattered across the United States. Sunrider is the product of two years of ideas and thinking, by guitarist Brett Cimbalik and trumpeter Brad Fritcher.

Brett Cimbalik and Brad Fritcher met in 2010, both members of the (often overlooked) Flint, Michigan jazz scene. As Cimbalik moved to New York and Fritcher returned to Grand Rapids, they kept in touch over the following years. Sunrider emerged as a file-exhange project, with Fritcher sending Cimbalik the basis for “Descending In A Moment,” evolving from home studios hundreds of miles apart.

As Brad Fritcher formed his quartet, Brad Fritcher + trois, Brett Cimbalik worked on various releases with Chambray Records. Recorded between 2012 and 2015, Fritcher and Cimbalik occupied their time in many ways; Brad Fritcher + trois gained acclaim in Chicago and Grand Rapids, winning ArtPrize in 2013, while Cimbalik composed a steady stream of 12” singles and EPs (Lottery Of Life with Super Public; “I Wish I Could Say The Same”). Sunrider's sound evolved with the help of + trois members Dutcher Snedeker and Ryan Snedeker, as well as Cimbalik’s Launchfield bandmate, Michael Stohrer.

Sunrider is an album for the summer time, from a bright future, saturated by a technicolor fantasy of the past.

Thank You for Your Support. Enjoy Summer. 

released June 21, 2015

Brett Cimbalik: guitar (tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6), bass guitar (track 6), drums (tracks 1, 3), field recordings (track 1, 4), programming (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6), scrub brush (track 3), synths (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 6)

Brad Fritcher: trumpet (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4), drums (track 3) , keys (track 6), field recordings (track 4), programming (track 1, 3, 6), synths (tracks 1, 6)

featuring:
Laura Cocks - flute (track 2)
Rob Murat - vocals (track 3)
Optiks - drums (track 3)
Ari Russo - modular synthesizer + synths (track 2)
Benjamin Schlatter - drums (track 2)
Dutcher Snedeker - piano (track 4), keys (tracks 4-5), synths (track 5)
Michael Stohrer - saxophone (track 5)
Dan Sutherland - drums (track 6)
Ryan Wallace - upright bass (track 2)
Patrick Whitehead - piano (track 3)

Sunrider is written by Brett Cimbalik and Brad Fritcher (ASCAP)

Mastered by Paul Gold at Salt Mastering
Photography by Brett Cimbalik and Vinnie Massimino
Design by Vinnie Massimino
Photographic Concept by Brett Cimbalik

Recorded by Brett and Brad between 2012-2015, in Flint, Grand Rapids, Long Island City, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Ridgewood

This album was the sophomore release from Brad Fritcher + Trois, and it was fully funded through the prize winnings of Art Prize 2013 after subbing a song I wrote for our first album, “Smooth Silk,” and winning the jazz category! This included money given to us by St. Cecelia/Art Prize and money that was tied into recording time at Mackinaw Harvest Studio in Grand Rapids, MI.

Recorded @ Mackinaw Harvest Studio with Michael Crittenden
December 11 & 12, 2013

Ryan Wallace (bass)
Christian VanDuinen (drums)
Dutcher Wright-Snedeker (piano)
Brad Fritcher (trumpet)

All Original Compositions that were written by Brad Fritcher, Ryan Wallace, or Dutcher Snedeker.

released August 3, 2014

This album was recorded at Amber Lit Audio in Grand Rapids, MI with studio operator Matt Ten Clay. The album ended up winning the “Best Blues/Soul Album” at the WYCE Jammies Awards that year!

Personnel:
Hannah Rose Graves (Vocals)
Justin Wierenga (Guitar)
Justin Avdek (Bass)
Dutcher Snedeker (Keys)
Mario Copeland (Drums)

These recordings feature a few performed, contemporary classical works during my time at GVSU.

Play (2014)
flute, clarinet, violin, cello, 1 or 2 percussion (1-glockenspiel, vibraphone, hi-hat, 2-glockenspiel, marimba, hi-hat), piano
Commissioned by Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers and performed live with them for a collaborative concert with the GVSU New Music Ensemble

We Sat Around In A Torpid State:
This is a piece written by Richie Arndorfer that I recorded for his graduate school audition portfolio. The piece focuses on a feeling of dead winter, where extreme cold freezes everything in place and leaves everything in a dormant, hibernation state.
Copyright Hydrogenated Publishing 2014

Spectrum (fragment) by Richie Arndorfer
A piece by Richie Arndorfer that I recorded for his graduate school application. It's a piece that is broken from a larger work focusing on light.

Copyright Hydrogenated Publishing 2014