The basic story
Over the years, Weathervane’s Brian McTear and Engineer Matt Poirier have worked together on many projects outside of Weathervane recordings. In the spirit of supporting this community through the Covid-19 Pandemic, several artists donated tracks for Weathervane remix subscribers. Make them as like or unlike the original as you so desire, then share your work in the comments at the bottom of the page. It’s the least we could do for everyone who is helping us stay afloat through this unprecedented time. While we may be hunkered down at home, we can still make music together.
MIGHTY JOE CASTRO
AND THE GRAVAMEN
Brian and Joe have known each other for years (back to when he mixed Joe's old band The Situation in... the early 2000's?) It was a wonderfully satisfying experience to dial in the best process for capturing this record as simply and "live" as possible. See links to the album, videos, and if you have time, check out Joe's incredible artwork.
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Mighty Joe Castro and the Gravamen
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
Mt. vengeance
Mt Vengeance is a Philadelphia rock trio first formed in 2016 out of the ashes of Philly blue collar rock royalty. Singer/guitarist Rich Fravel was in bands like Uptown Bones, Latimer, Ashtabula, and Blue. Brian Campbell (bass) was in Philly 80s punk legends The Electric Love Muffin and is currently also in Poppy. Nicky Santore played drums in Valsalva and Providence, RI noise rock band Glory Hole in the early 90s.
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Mt. Vengeance
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
poppy
Poppy were part of the tail end of a previous generation of bands, before Brian arrived in Philadelphia. At first glance they almost pass for normal folks, doing normal things and living normal lives. But don't be fooled: the "punk" at the core of Poppy is indelible, from Brian's time with Philly punk legends The Electric Love Muffin, to Kate's Patti Smith influenced vocal poetry, and blisteringly awesome Hi-Watt guitar sound.
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Poppy
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
Bedolina
Bedolina is a collaborative indie project based in Philadelphia. Brian McTear, Amy Morrissey and Matt Poirier have worked with Ken Gould on numerous recordings over the past year, and a full album is in the works. What started as fairly conventional studio recording has by necessity evolved into a remote setup, more electronic in approach. The results feature elements of both approaches with one constant, deference to the song itself.
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Bedolina
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
Hauntress
Hauntress is a metal inspired power trio from Philadelphia featuring the songs and guitar work of Kevin Cullen Hart. Brian and Miner Street engineer Matt Poirier began working with them back in 2018, and more recently, Matt's taken the helm as both producer and engineer, which was the arrangement for their contribution here.
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Hauntress
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
Robots In The Rain
New holiday songs are rare, and Halloween songs, even more so! This is the first Recorders Club release of a song produced by a Weathervane subscriber. Robots in the Rain is the work of Anthony Armenta, a long time Weathervane supporter. (Anthony was the Executive Producer for the Shaking Through Leah Thomas episode). He's been building a small but impressive home studio for his uniquely sparse recordings. This track is bizarre, and it comes with a video. Enjoy!
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Robots In The Rain
24 bit / 48 kHz
far pines
Kevin Manning of Far Pines met engineer Matt Poirier at a Weathervane fundraiser. He immediately asked if they could record together some day. Their sessions have evolved into something inspiring. No rules or preconceptions, just one idea thoughtfully added to the next. The results capture Kevin's personal story with honesty, beauty, and integrity.
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Far Pines
24 bit / 48 kHz
Brother Martin
Dan Espie and Maria Mirenzi introduced their eclectic project Brother Martin to Brian in early 2019. Their songwriting, combined with truly exceptional musicianship produced an impressive depth of style, meaningful songs, and, frankly, a whole set of recording sessions that were incredibly fun and satisfying. This music is challenging, but very worth it!
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Brother Martin
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
Wake up and
smell the sun
This recording was made 90% at home through the pandemic. John recorded vocals and guitar at home. Patrick Berkery (War on Drugs, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah) recorded drums in his basement in South Philly while Brian and Amy did most other things at their home and in the studio. Johns a real-life poet - the best lyrics I have heard in ages, despite otherwise leading a "normal life" in practically every other way. This was a life affirming experience, much needed in the darkest of times.
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Wake Up And Smell The Sun
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
BITTER BITTER WEEKS
This is a pair of songs Brian played in the Bitter Bitter Weeks studio concert. These studio recordings are from way back in 2005, spanning the end of one Miner Street location to the current one. Brian and Amy do most of the singing, but many favors were called in, so there's plenty of guest musicians and singers as well.
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Bitter Bitter Weeks
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
Scapeghosts
Recorded in May 2021. Brian and Scapeghosts frontperson, Sarah Zimmer, met some 8 or 9 years earlier at a Weathervane concert at Miner Street. She is a really creative singer, songwriter (and now bandleader), newly finding her way through the recording process. This was Brian's first in person studio project after the studio shut down due to Covid 19. They are two philosophical peas in a pod, and this strange recording beautifully captures that, and the uncertain times in which they made it.
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Scapeghosts
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
The Real Sea
The Real Sea came from Pittsburgh to record with Brian and Matt in the weeks just before the pandemic. Of course just like that, as the focus of the world trained elsewhere, all that atmospheric energy, and Sharon's entrancing vocal work became stuck in limbo. Well, we finally got it all together - and yes, they've even returned with new songs in recent months. And Sharon had a baby. There's lots on the horizon from The Real Sea. Their record is GREAT, GREAT, GREAT.
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The Real Sea
24 bit / 88.2 kHz
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