Happy to report that The Droge & Summers Blend Volume One mixes are complete and in the capable hands of grammy award winning mastering engineer, Gavin Lurssen. This week we turn our attention to finalizing art work and getting our online store ready for launch. I was thrilled to join Stone Gossard in the studio last month. Stone assembled a crack band (Branden Harper, Keith Lowe, Hans Tueber, Barb Ireland, Steve Moore & Bean One.) [...]
I recently composed original music for two Amica Insurance television spots directed by the multi-talented Sam Jones. I am not sure when the spots will begin airing. I will put one on my work page soon.With the Amica gig behind me, I am turning my attention back to THE DROGE & SUMMERS BLEND project. We took almost all of March off from the first EP. I had become way too close to everything and could [...]
The Puzzle Tree Online Store will be open soon. We want your feedback first. Responses to any or all of the following would be appreciated. You can email us at contact at puzzletreemusic dot com. 1 We are planning on making all of our music available in a variety of formats. How important is it to you to have the option of downloading a file that has better fidelity than an MP3? Would you be [...]
Elaine Summers and I have been steadily chipping away at the DROGE & SUMMERS BLEND project. In November, we were joined by Jay Bellerose (drums), Jennifer Condos (bass), Scott Weddle (guitar) and Rob Stroup (engineering). As always, Puzzle Tree Assistant Ninja, Vincent LaBelle was on hand. Before the sessions we were frantically working to complete the songs and get pre-produced. We got it all ready and once everyone was here, things went smoothly. We felt [...]
Elaine Summers and I have finally settled on exactly what we are going to call our project. Drum roll please... we are now "The Droge & Summers Blend." That is our name and we are sticking with it. We are working on the first in a series of EPs now. Basic tracking was a dream. Our heartfelt thanks to Dave Hull, Matt Chamberlain, Scott Weddle, Rob Stroup and Vincent LaBelle for their amazing contributions. We [...]
You know it is for real when you book non-refundable airline tickets and accommodations. The DROGE & SUMMERS Blend sessions are set to begin on September 15. For those of you just tuning in, I will bring you up to speed... The "DROGE" is me, Pete Droge. The "SUMMERS" is my long time partner in crime, Elaine Summers. We will be releasing a series of EPs that should each contain around 5 or 6 songs. [...]
I recently composed original music for two TV spots for London's Sunday Times. One stars the legendary Sir Peter O'Toole. Unfortunately, Sir Peter had it written into his contract that the spot cannot be uploaded to the web, so I posted the other spot that stars Paralympic athlete Helene Raysford to the SEE THE WORK page. If you are dying to see the O'Toole spot, you can find it on THE YOU TUBE.I have signed [...]
The Stephen Ashbrook record that I produced, engineered and mixed is coming out on June 17. I co-wrote five of it's eleven songs, including the title track "White Balloons". And, I played a bunch of instruments. Stephen is mounting a west coast cd release tour beginning June 5th in Los Angeles. Visit The Ashbrook Myspace page for more on Stephen and details on the tour.I hope to soon upload a clip from the short film [...]
Gary Yerkins' album Compass is out and available now. I produced, engineered and mixed the long-awaited solo effort from this journeyman songwriter and long time front man for Chicago bands The Insiders and the Juleps. Pick it up on the iTunes now. Or be old fashioned and buy the compact disc HERE.Elaine Summers and I have been writing songs for a new album. For those of you just tuning in, we have been threatening to [...]
The song "Letting Go" from Kim Virant's recent album, Songs From a Small House, made Elysa Gardner's Playlist in the USA Today today. This is one of two songs that I co-wrote and co-produced on the album. Run to your nearest newsstand and turn to page D9 to see for yourself. Or save a tree and click HERE for a bloggified version.