Watch #BrandsConf LIVE

by | Nov 9, 2011 | Free, Press, Video

Interesting day, today. I’ll be speaking at a conference, and you can watch it live. My topic: “The Humanization of the Hit Song,” in which I’ll try to explain the relationship between mythology in music and the open-source environment of the Web. It’s a short speech, but I’m always a little edgy when the guitar isn’t in my hand. Here’s the info: Starting today at 9:00 AM EST / 1500 CET the second BrandsConf will be broadcast LIVE from the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Today we will be spending the day exploring “The Humanization of Brands” This event can be seen on UStream over at: http://www.ustream.tv/nyc140conf (subscribe to get notified when we are broadcasting) Hours: BrandsConf will be broadcast from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM EST today. This year we have 60+ speakers joining us in New York City at the conference. The hashtag for this conference is: #BrandsConf. I hope you can join in the online discussion about the event. You can track the BrandsConf schedule over at:...
Gear Porn: The Best (and Worst) Guitar Pedals Ever

Gear Porn: The Best (and Worst) Guitar Pedals Ever

by | Nov 3, 2011 | Press, Wander Away

Multi-instrumentalist/songwriter Matt Beck is the man I have to thank for some amazing moments on “Wander Away.” [Check out my conversation with him on Episode Three of The Mike Errico Podcast]. Beck’s signature guitar tones are culled from years of audio experimentation. “I have somewhere in the realm of 500 guitar pedals. I took over one of my wife’s bookcases with them,” he explains with an unapologetic smile. “Some are very esoteric.” But which pedals are must-haves? And which ones suck? Beck broke down his library of stomp boxes into easy-to-swallow categories: the ones you need, the ones to avoid, the ones that need a lo-o-o-ong break — and the ones to watch. PEDALS YOU NEED 1) Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer: #1, top of the line. I have a bunch, some of which are modified by Robert Keeley, who takes out the insides and replaces the capacitors and resistors and … I don’t really understand it, but it sounds fuller. I also use an original TS-808, which is the original Tube Screamer with the much heralded Germanium chip. The original 808 was green, and has the small square button in the middle, but the originals have a hyphen between the “TS” and the “808,” so that’s how you know what you’re looking at. Just a little tidbit. Even if you don’t use it a lot, this pedal is one that you can’t really live without. Classic Recorded Example: Stevie Ray Vaughan — who I think used the TS-9’s — something like “Couldn’t Stand the Weather.” They work great with single coils, and of course, Stevie Ray was a single...

9/23 Rubin Show in the New Yorker

by | Sep 19, 2011 | live shows, Press, Wander Away

If it’s in the New Yorker, it’s been fact-checked, double-checked, taste-tested and totally true. I will not argue. See the New Yorker illustration of the show on p. 20 of the magazine, or right here RUBIN MUSEUM OF ART 150 W. 17th St. (212-620-5000)—Sept. 23: The local singer-songwriter Mike Errico recently released his sixth studio album, “Wander Away,” a wide-ranging, collaborative display of his pop-rock skills. But for this show, part of the museum’s “Naked Soul” series, he’ll be backed by a string trio, putting the focus on his expressive voice and finely balanced compositions. His guests include the singer-songwriter Jonatha Brooke. Source: The New...