Ep. 61 - James Beesley III from Downbeat Studio

Can you hear that? It’s the sound of another Monday with another rad episode, this time featuring our buddy James Beesley III from Downbeat Studio.

We spend a bunch of time sorting his musical history, getting an early start in high school rap metal, moving to Chicago and living in an art loft called FUCK MOUNTAIN while playing keys in his band Them, Roaring 20s, and transitioning from being a road dog into launching the multiple iterations of Downbeat Studio. Tune in if you want to learn about analog recording philosophies, Wurlitzer 200A and Fender Rhodes pianos, rebuilding and refurbishing vintage gear, and expert advice on adding a tape machine into your recording workflow - spoiler alert: it’s all about Otari.

Other topics include the reopening of Chicago Music Exchange, INXS and their “bangers,” protest music with Machine Head and Hank’s personal diety Neil Young’s new old record Homegrown, noisemakers for protests, stellar Craiglist posts, Prince’s Yamaha DX7, and Fender’s masterbuilt guitars for the Crew Nation charity.

Shake that tambourine, folks.