Home of Tone Blog
Home of Tone Record of the Week - Godspeed you! Black Emperor, Slow riot for new zero Kanada
Inspired by last weeks trip down memory lane for me, I continued onward to some albums which really meant a lot to me in my late teens, early twenties and continue to today too. One that always will stop me in my tracks is the iconic post rock EP from Godspeed you! Black Emperor, with 'Slow riot for new zero Kanada' so it had to be this weeks choice! I was introduced to Godspeed by the same friend who got me into Minus the bear whom I mentioned last week, for which I'm forever grateful. So my next record shop trip I bought their album 'Yanqui U.X.O', which at the time I didn't really get attached to sadly but I spotted this simplistic sleeve and decided to give Godspeed another try, I'm so glad I did.
Home of Tone Record of the week - Minus The Bear, Highly Refined Pirates
There are certainly albums that seem to freeze moments in your life and preserve the memories perfectly everytime you play it. This is one of those albums for me, Minus the bear's 2002 album, Highly Refined Pirates. I was 17 and I'd just learnt to drive, that stage in life where all you seem to want to do is go on road trips and spend copious amounts of time in this newly found freedom. I was at a friends house talking music and going through his record collection when he said 'you really should check these out'. One of the albums he passed to me was this amazing thing! We listened to it then and there, but it remained on repeat in my car for so long afterwards. I was absolutely captivated by it, and remain to be to this day. Catchy melodies, amazing guitar parts and interesting time structures and rhythms. It sat so well with me, and remains one of my all time favourite albums.
An insight into the McNelly Custom Pickups process
Tim McNelly recently shared a series of posts over on his social media pages featuring a brilliant insight into his methods behind a custom pickup idea/build. A huge percentage of the work McNelly carries out is custom based, be it for guitar makers or players alike who are looking for something unique for their instrument. Tim has a natural eye for making a design work, but luckily for us, an incredible attention to detail and knowledge of his craft. So these few posts I found incredibly interesting, and felt the need to share it on here! I'll quote the captions to each image exactly as he posted them, as no one can say it better than Tim when it comes to his work!
Home of Tone Record of the week - Todd Albright, Detroit twelve string blues & rags
Todd Albright first came to my attention courtesy of the great Charlie Parr, as they have played a lot of shows together in the USA so kept seeing Todd's name pop up alongside Charlie's. Knowing that Charlie only surrounds himself with great people I had to delve further. Todd is a thunderous 12 string guitar player, is downtuned sound with rhythmic, thumping bass and speeding up train like sounds are truly captivating. Obtaining an album of his proved quite hard over here, but I noticed a while back that Jack White (of White Stripes fame) had signed Todd Albright to his record label and they were putting together an EP. I pre-ordered it and eagerly awaited it's arrival, excited to hear what sounds were within.
Ground Control Audio teasing new pedal release!
Just after Summer NAMM, Ground Control Audio teased us via social media with a post simply saying 'TSUKUYOMI'.
A couple of weeks later the above artwork was released, showing what may be coming to the new pedal's enclosure. I have been give a brief run down of what the new pedal is, and I do also have some inbound on our pending stock order! So all will be revealed very soon upon it's release in August!
Sit tight, if the rest of the Ground Control Audio range is anything to go by, this is going to be another must have, and their following is already realising that!
A couple of weeks later the above artwork was released, showing what may be coming to the new pedal's enclosure. I have been give a brief run down of what the new pedal is, and I do also have some inbound on our pending stock order! So all will be revealed very soon upon it's release in August!
Sit tight, if the rest of the Ground Control Audio range is anything to go by, this is going to be another must have, and their following is already realising that!
Home of Tone Record of the week - Covet, effloresce
This week's record choice was a simple one indeed, Covet's Effloresce. With the CD dropping through my letterbox after eagerly placing my pre-order a few weeks ago, I was really looking forward to diving into this new release from creative three-piece and it didn't disappoint. A somewhat short album featuring 6 tracks and kicking off with a personal obsession, Shibuya. The whole band is a joy to listen to, but you can't help as a guitar player but be in awe of guitarist Yvette Young's somewhat piano like playing, blending fingerstyle, tapping, chord and lead work beautifully together from the start to finish of this record.
Home of Tone Record of the week - Gareth Hardwick, 'Sunday Afternoon'
Ambient music is something I really enjoy listening to. The soundscapes giving your brain chance to clear, yet also chance to think, but I also find it quite inspiring and always intriguing how something so seemingly simple can be so hard to get 'right'. One record that most definitely has been beautifully done is Gareth Hardwick's Sunday Afternoon. I first came across this record by chance, as a record store website I used to frequently visit happened to show it on the front page and I was drawn in by the photography on the front sleeve. After reading a little more into it, new to Gareth Hardwick, I was sold upon reading it was two parts recorded live as a sole take only with his lapsteel. Absolutely un-rushed, with beautiful overtones which despite it's simplicity which may be too simple for some, create a sound of a record I come back to time and time again. Great for giving the brain some space to breathe a bit!
New Squier Bronco bass upgrade kit!
My wife recently expressed an interest in learning bass, and like many of us, I certainly couldn't turn down an opportunity to hunt for new gear! There has been a bass in our home before, in the form of a beautiful Shoreline Gold Squier PJ bass which was a lovely thing but was sadly sold during a cull. We did recall that she realy didn't like picking that one up though due to the size, being a 'full' scale P bass at 34", so perhaps a short scale would be the way to go...
Home of Tone record of the week - Khruangbin, 'Con Todo El Mundo'
Firstly I'd like to welcome you the first of a new little blog feature I'll be doing weekly, sharing my favourite office sounds from the week. I've decided to do this for a number of reasons, the main one being that sometimes it's just really nice to truly take in what we're listening to, how it inspires, relaxes or guides the mood we're in.
Meet the maker - Nicolai of Schorr Guitars
In recent years, I've really craved the unique. The guitar is a wonderful tool and outlet for musical creativity, but as the years go by and I see more and more of the same iconic guitars hanging in shops and at guitar shows, my desire to seek out 'different' is really becoming an obsession. The guitar has become more than just a tool for musical creativity to me. I was introduced to Nicolai's guitars by Florian of Millimetric Instruments, and I was captivated by the design and unique approach to every detail. It was clear there was more than just a guitar based background in Nicolai's designs and after being lucky enough to attend the Holy Grail Guitar Show this year and seeing his guitars in person, I knew I had to get him involved in my 'Meet the maker' series to learn more. So I welcome Nicolai Schorr of Schorr Guitars!
Jennings luthier stories...
Jennings Guitars have a really interesting couple of new videos out, of both Chad and Devin talking through their love of building guitars. These guys show real passion for what they do, and ultimately that comes through in their instruments. For those in the UK keen to try a Jennings Guitar out for themselves, then you're in luck. As two guitars from the guys will be arriving soon and you can come and try them out! If you're in the London area too, we'll be at the London International Guitar Show after the summer, and if they haven't sold already I'll have them with me at the show!
The Fretboard Journal - Interview with Florian of Millimetric
I always enjoy reading interviews with luthiers, and it's always great to delve into their world especially when their work is offered here in my store. I've just read through this great interview with Florian of Millimetric, one of our latest brands to join the Home of Tone, with the brilliant Fretboard Journal!
Well worth a read. Check out the interview HERE
Well worth a read. Check out the interview HERE