Summer Channel
Rocktronica
1
songs
828
plays
A Thousand Miles A Thousand Miles
First rate, driving guitar and drums coupled with soaring vocals give this electronic song the perfect fusion of rock and EDM
Not much has changed in electronic music over the last 5 years. Dance music goes in and out of style like J.C. Penny clearance fashions as the club scene continues to regurgitate its usual vacant fodder. People are begging for something new, something they can connect to. Songs they can sing along with on the way home or attach to moments in their lives bringing back memories and feelings of yesterday. It's time to change the channel...
Enter Stage Left: Summer Channel
Summer Channel is J. Scott G. (of Deepsky noteriety) in a collaborative effort with artists like Kathy Fisher (Fisher), Rebecca Coseboom (Halou), Chrysta Bell (M.A.S.S. Ensemble), Patrick Scott, Cameron Morgan (M.A.S.S Ensemble), Curtis Fallis (Burufunk), Marc Mitchell (Sunday Club)and many many more. Summer Channel is music for just about any moment from seductive down-tempo fuck songs to bone breaking dance beats, to intense Rocktonica to breezy yet emotive sound-scapes. Summer Channel incorporates vocals & guitar on almost every track and presents itself with a darker, sexier vibe with more hooks than a tackle box.
With over 15 years experience in electronic music production, J. Scott G. reserves some serious bragging rights. He's worked with Madonna, Seal, David Bowie, Frank Sinatra, America, Paul Oakenfold, The Crystal Method and has traveled the world DJing and performing live for over a decade. Get ready for something you won't soon forget.Have you performed in front of an audience?I've played live all over the world as part of my other band Deepsky. Summer Channel is a new solo project that I hope to take on the road very soon. I LOVE playing live! I actually prefer it to DJing.
Your musical influences
The Art of Noise, William Orbit, U.N.K.L.E, DJ Shadow, The Crystal Method... so many more but so little space to type.What equipment do you use?
Pro Tools HD 3 Accell, Logic, Avalon 737, Lexicon PCM 91, and almost every plugin out there (I have an affinity for Native Instruments)Anything else?
Interview by Jennifer Warner
Long lazy days and fun-filled starry nights - school's out, backyards and beaches becon, and you've nothing better to do than listen to music soaking up the sun or dancing around a bonfire. Want that feeling all year long? Tune in to Summer Channel the new project from J. Scott G (of Deepsky fame). We did, and popped in a virtual cassette for a little conversation that we'll play back for you right here...
How did you come up with the name?
I had already started on this project a year ago, but hadn't found a name for it yet. One night I was sleeping, and actually dreamt about being in a band called "Summer Channel." When I woke up in the morning, I remembered it and went straight to the internet to see if anyone had already used it. Luckily no one had. I can't think of a more profound reason to name a band something.
What inspired you to start the project?
Mostly because I've become tired of strictly making club tunes. I've been doing that for the last 13 or so years and just don't feel as creatively fulfilled anymore. I've always been inspired by artists like William Orbit, DJ Shadow, U.N.K.L.E., The Art Of Noise and their uncanny ability to make electronic music more than just beats for the dance floor. I've also rediscovered music from the 60's and 70's by bands like Pink Floyd and The Who, and realized *that* generation was probably the greatest collection of songwriters that modern music has ever seen. No one seems to write *songs* anymore. Now it's the "How many stutter edits can I cram into a track to get into the Guinness Book of World Records?" mentality. It seems like people have forgotten that music is supposed to be about something instead of about the technology itself. A wise man once told me (about over-using the 303 during it's heyday) "Use it as your salt and pepper, but don't make your dish out of it." I think the same can be said about music technology in general. Some people use it as a substitute for good songwriting.
Is Deepsky over with?
It's not over, but my main focus has been to finish this album first. We (Deepsky) wrote an album called "Future Perfect" a few years ago that will probably never see the light of day. Nothing was more frustrating to me than to see a record I spent 2 years pouring myself into, get shelved. We've had a couple of singles come out over the last 3 years like "Talk Like A Stranger" (Yoshitoshi), "Lost In The Moment" (Proton Music) and most recently "Ghost" (Release Records) but all those songs are over 3 years old now and it's hard to be excited about songs you've been living with for that long.
How many years were you and Jason partners?
Jason and I have been partners for almost 15 years, and I think we both understand that people change and want to have other life experiences. He's been nothing but happy and supportive about this project.
What has it been like working alone after being part of production team for so long?
The funny thing is that I'm not actually working alone. Yes, Summer Channel is a solo project, but the thing that's made this record amazing so far, are all of the people I've chosen to work with. My guitarist, Cameron Morgan (www.cameronmorgan.com) is a fucking prodigy. He's literally a one stop shop for guitars. I go to him and say "Cam I need a flamenco vibe" and WHAM there it is, or "Cam I need a 70's rock sound" and he knows how to do it. This guy has like, 20 guitars and a collection of pedals, cabinets and mics that would make your head spin. He knows how to put them all together and find the sound and vibe that fits perfectly, and on top of it all his playing ability is beyond most people I've EVER seen. I couldn't have done it without him. He's been the piece of the puzzle in every song that's made it go from just an electronic track to a "live" sounding masterpiece. I've also had the amazing luck of finding astounding vocalists like Kathy Fisher (www.fishertheband.com) who sang on "A Thousand Miles", Rebecca Coseboom who sang on "I Am Persuaded" (www.halou.com), Patrick Scott Aurelio (www.patrickscott.com) who sang on couple of forthcoming Summer Channel tracks youll hear soon called "Soulmate in Every City" and "Undertow." Youll even hear me singing on a couple of tracks. (Yes I *can* sing, I just never found a place for it in Deepsky tunes).
You said "It's tough making a record with 20 or so vocalists and session players with no money." What made you decide to go that route, rather than say a less costly one vocalist and no session players production?
Synthesizers will only ever sound like synthesizers. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE electronic sounds. I just think the marriage between live and electronic sounds is the future. Sure I could make another album on nothing but a computer but in the end, that's all it will ever be. That's not what I want to do anymore. So I'm working with guitarists, drummers, string quartets, vocalists and even a gospel choir for on
North Hollywood, CA
USA
ID
523899
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