Stuart Bogie: What's New

The last few months I have been busy recording with some of my favorite artists out there.

TV on the Radio is set to release their new record this September, and will feature myself on saxes as well as some arranging. It was very exciting to work on this record and i think it is one of the hotest things ive ever had the pleasure to work on.

I was in the studio a couple times last month with Yeah yeah yeahs, who are creating some infectiously melodic/rhythmic constructions that should be out sometime next year. damn that was!

Antibalas just returned from a week in France which included 5 shows in public gardens accross Paris. The shows were free and the audience was made up of all ages - which is always inspiring to me. At every show kids jumped on stage and even played and danced with us. Music needs to be evacuated from the night club once in a while! We got to bring it to the people. We wrapped up the week with a festival in St Nazaire and a concert beside a 16th century monastary in the south of France. Talk about lucky!
To top it off the audiences were full of joy and celebration. Love, love, love.

Superhuman Happiness had our first show last month at Empire State Park by the Brooklyn Bridge. It was everything I could have imagined, with Sharon Van Etten, Colin Stetson, and Charles Gayle. The folks at Zebulon curated the night and my loving parents drove up from chicago to hear the music. We performed music from our new EP, Fall Down Seven Times Stand UP Eight, which is a collection of tunes i wrote for each member of the Bogie family. Love abounds.

Last June The Sway Machinery went up to Quebec to record our new album in the Arcade Fire's amazing studio in the countryside. It is built inside an old Masonic Hall where we lived, cooked, and recorded for a week. We are finishing it up this week and I am confident it will be something to rattle your bones!

Lastly i have taken up a lot of arranging work - writing string arrangements for an artist out west named Spencer Day, horns for Jack Dolgen (Sam Champion), and our dear friends Gomez.

Hope you are well in life! Please drop me a line and say hello!

Stuart

Its getting moving this month!
We have 2 Superhuman Happiness shows: this Tuesday at Zebulon then the following Tuesday at the Empty Bottle in Chicago. Wooo Hooo! I am very fortunate to play with the folks in the two groups and plan on having a big bite of fun. I am currently working with the gifted Hernan Santiago on the mix of my upcoming LP. I'm meeting with Dan Huron, next years engineering superhero, to do some editing on it first. I don't have a title yet and i sure could use some suggestions.

This last week i traveled to Colorado to perform with the "Easy Star All-Stars." It was nice out there and i did get to see many stars, probably not all of them, but more than in New York. I played beside Buford O'Sullivan, one of my favorite Trombone players. What a sound! We played originals by the group, as well as songs from their records of Pink Floyd and Radiohead tunes. It felt good to climb inside the music of those great bands on top the ladder of reggae.

Then I flew to New Mexico to record with friend Bright Black Morning Light. It is their second record on the Matador Label and it promises to be a beautiful one worthy of you ears. Nabob and Rabob showed us around the mountains some and we recorded with gazing at hundreds of miles of mountain ranges. I gotta get back there!

I rushed back home to jam with my friends Sunny Oaks, who play some deep roots rock. I also got a bari this week thanks to some brotherly love. So i guess its time to get honking.

i hope you are well and thinking freely.

love,
stuart

Its been a fun filled couple weeks!
I finished tracking the record i've been working on for the past couple months. Right near the end i started piling up clarinet and bass clarinet tracks, getting more chamber music style with it. I've made little interludes to off set the "bang bang" of the songs. I can't wait to mix it! I'll be wokring with Hernon Santiago, whose worked for tons of fortunate artists - most recently spank rock among others. If you've heard the spank rock record you know - serious thump!

I've also had the pleasure of recording some basic tracks with the yeah yeah yeahs, through producer Dave Sitek (whom i owe a solid half of my most fun recording experiences to!). The music was exciting to work on and we did a whole dog pile of cha-cha saxes over a tough drum pattern. Too much fun! How many saxes til your off your axis? 9? 10? just say when...

So tomorrow our new experiment in sound and emotion "Superhuman Happiness" will be pursuing just that as we embark at around 9pm. I am playing with some amazing musicians: Luke O'Malley, Ryan Sawyer, Ryan Ferreira, Eric Biondo, Aaron Johnson, Oren Bloedow, and Torbbit Swartz. I wish i could spell names, but their powerful music blinds me from the sequential knowledge nesasari 2 noh howe to spel!

Not to mention, Zebulon is a wonderful place to experience music and food and drink.

Have a good week!

bogie

Well its been a busy couple of weeks here at the office! I played with Celebration at the Bowery Ballroom and this group just gets stronger and stronger. They have the most beautiful original sound. Their music doesn't sound like any "attempt" but like a very personal and natural language. Go see this band!!!

...played a fun show with State Radio (also with Biondo and AJ from antibalas) and what a time! These guys are real cool and everything went off without a hitch. fun songs and nice and loud! here's to the pros! It sure was strange playing for a couple thousand screaming teenagers. Did i scream that much when i was a kid running around a beastie boys concert?

This week the Sway Machinery performed a set at Joe's Pub and it felt wonderful. So many friends came out and shared the powerful experience of this music with us. We also released the Sway Machinery live DVD that Tatiana McCabe so gorgeously put together. Thanks, Tatiana!

The next night I had the frist performance of my own new group. I am creating a group to reflect all the different situations i've been in over the years. Combining the sounds of antibalas, transmission, and groups i've backed up like TV on the Radio, Celebration, El Michels Affair - i want to lead a group into new frontiers of expression. Our first concert was pretty hot, with "Thunderdome" being the highlight. I am experimenting with different titles and chants and audience participation. The repertoire is being mixed currently and i should have our first recordings out soon. I have recorded all the music in our basement space on my Tascam 388 1/4" 8 track. If anyone has heard the El Michels Affair record called Sounding out the City they know this machine's potential. On the record i have guests from Antibalas, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs drummer Brian Chase, Oren Blowedow, Ryan sawyer, and many more. All with the production help of Caural, my old friend and collaborator. So stay tuned for that.

Lastly it looks like the Angelique Kidjo record called Djin Djin has been nominated for Grammy! Yea! I played a few notes on this record with my boys from antibalas so therefore: I TOO AM UP FOR A GRAMMY. I have prepared my acceptance speech. juuuust kiding. It was a lot of fun recording with Tony Visconti, though! And you should hear my father trying to pronounce "Djin Djin" on my voice mail. I love you dad! I love you mom! (i guess i AM giving an acceptance speech).

lastly - i have been playing the music of Paul McCartney this week with the Kustard Kings at the Loser's Lounge at Joe's Pub (thats a lot of names, right?). We do 5 shows in 3 nights playing all post Beatles Paul stuff. Holy crap its fun! The musicians are top notch and know how to have fun, and there is a cast of over 30 singers that each do a song. Man, this McCartney guy can write! Someone should give him a Grrammy.

Did you know antibalas was up for a "Jammy"? ha ha! and back stage at the "Jammys" Biondo wedged himself into a cubby hole in the hall and while Phil Lesh and Less Claypole wandered by he yelled "I got a cranny, LOOK! I got a cranny."

til next time!

bogie

Well, i'm back in New York working here there and everywherewith a bunch of different artists. Antibalas just tracked and ep of 4 exciting new songs, the sway machinery is puting together their album - now with Brian chase on drums, and the FunkeyMonkeys have been performing every sunday at the Daryll Roth theater in Union Square. I am chiping away at a "Stuart Bogie" record with the help of my friend Zak Mastoon, AKA Caural. The music is more dense and straight mathrobeat than anything i've done before. I'm revisting some older ideas and fleshing them out in a new way. It should be out by Christmas, I hope!!

Antibalas has been working hard all month rehearsing and now touring all over the US, then on to Europe and Canada in May and June. I am 2 years older than the last time i went out on a big tour like this - driving in big vans across the country, hitting all the little spots. This time i have laptop, though, and lots of comics. It is a different feeling, traveling like this for music. NIght after night, there's highs and lows. But with 3 months ahead, i should wait to reflect more on this.

The music we're doing is different than before. We're playing with some new ideas and appoaches - maybe its less of a party and more of a complete concert experience. The music is more dramatic. The group is playing more together than ever. I feels pretty good. But sometimes, it seems like the audience are drunk, and hungry for raw excitement. So whatayado? I say we need to do what our hearts tell us, make music that bears truth to each other - otherwise we're just going through the motions.

well, i gotta go warm up. we're in Burlington tonight.

thanks.

Well, after about 4 years of waiting and slowly but steadily working away: I am now holding a mass produced Volney Litmus CD in my hand. It features the talents of many many folks you've heard before. The album features a brass band that bookends and augments a series of pop and rock songs recorded in an old fashioned style by Gabe Roth. There are 7 different singers and the music ranges from sloppy country ballads to blown out symphonic horn epics. We are starting to plan "For Fortuitous Tuesdays in February" at Williamsburg's Zebulon, one of the best music spots in the world! Stay tuned...

This week I also had the honor of performing with my brothers in antibalas at a benefit for UBUNTU, an organization that funds education, AIDS awareness and medical relief in Sub-Saharan Africa. These fine people have dedicated their lives to help this most afflicted and neglected region of the world and it was a pleasure to perform for them.

ON the horizon: still working away at the next Jeremiah Lockwood album and the Beyondo EP. Two very different sides of musical expression - both of them potent and essential.

and if you haven't heard: antibalas has a new album due out in march on the ANTI- label. love that name! the record is called "security" and has antibalas swimming into new textural and compositional territory. with this record i feel we are truly extending the afrobeat form and singing from our own stylistic stance. i can't wait for you to hear it!

here's to love in your heart,
stuart bogie

I just finished four days with the amazing Celebration playing in Philidelphia, Hackensack, and 2 nights at Irving Plaza in nyc. Each night grew stronger and my heart soars with elation when I play music with them. If you haven't seen Celebration, you must!

Hope you are safe and well,
Stuart Bogie

I just finished a week of concerts with Celebration and TV on the Radio. I had the pleasure of playing wih each band 2 times and seeing some amazing shows! Music hung close to my heart all week and there is no better way for me to eperience the present.

Next week im off to San Francisco to join up with Gomez for an iTunes recording and a show at the Warfield. I can't wait to see some old friends and walk up and down the hills. Then im going to come back and VOTE.

all the best,
bogie

Hey out there. Things are starting to cook in Brooklyn. Gearing up for 5 months of recording and producing. The V Ron records recording studio has just become a more robust environment to put emotion to tape. We have Gabe Roth to thank for that - thanks Gabe! So with the release of Volney Litmus' first album we will begin working on the next along with Jeremiah Lockwood's second solo record, a Sway Machinery EP, the Original Ultra Violets (with Caural) and many other projects.

I have to finish all of this before March - the anticipated release date for antibalas' new record! I guess i have to wait to discuss the details cause there will be a press release. Not that any significant number of people are reading this but whatever - thank goodness we are getting the record out! I has been over a year since we made it and i can't wait! Next year we plan to travel all over the globe so I'll be coming to a theatre near you.

This week is particularly exciting - i get to play with my friend TV on the Radio and Celebration! Their musics are some of my favorite around and I can't wait to make sounds with them.

Hope you are doing well,
Stuart

The last month has been quite a ride! Antibalas enjoyed a great tour of Europe, where we got to play in state of the art concert halls, old castles and chateaus, and an old bus factory! It was a solid 3 weeks of music and growth together. A week after our return we zipped up to Canada to play the Evolve, festival then over to Vermont to play another joyous festival with none other than Gogol Bordello. They blew my mind! I was left with limited mental resources to perform when they were done. I hope we get to play with them again - next time BEFORE them so I can freely join the mosh pit like i was 19 again! Ha!

Last weekend I had a rare and beatiful experience visiting my friends Celebration in Baltimore. Sean, David, Katrina, and Rob, are some of the most wonderful peeople I've ever had the pleasure of playing music with and I believe the future holds more oportunities to celebrate life with them! We played at the Ottobar down there in Baltimore and it was one of my best experiences playing music ever. Then we drove up to play a show at Joe's pub with the Dragons of Zynth. The Dragons are a force to be rekoned with! Look out world!

Now just last night Antibalas played at Marcus Garvey park up in Harlem (on Gavery's birthday no less!). We had the last minute cameo of the Extra-action maching band - they came up during our song "indicment" and put another 5 tons of brass, drums, and humanity behind our call for a federal house cleaning. Thank you, extra action! See you in Oakland!

So coming next week is the Sway Machinery's trip to London for a week. Wish us luck!

Stay healthy,
Stuart

Antibalas is off to Europe for a short tour of France, Germany, Austria and Portugal. We are all very excited to see these new places. I hope to try some Port in Port!

We've been working away at a new Jeremiah Lockwood record mixed to songs this weekend. They are something new and I hope you get to hear them when they are released.

Antibalas had a blast sitting in with TV on the Radio at Prospect Park and then playing a set of our new material the very next at Central Park Summer Stage! We shared a bill with Bulkan Beat Box and they rocked the park! Especialy with Jeremiah Lockwood on guitar! I've heard there's a video of the TVOTR concert uploaded to You Tube but better than that - they got an eight camera crew to film the whole shebang so maybe there'll be DVD out sometime.

check out the photos for some new shots!

Take Care,
Stuart

Well in a couple days, I begin my collaboration with ventrilaquist Carla Rhoades - co-hosting a monday comedy variety show. I've seen lots of these and always like them. I mean if you get bored of variety then you need some help.

Speaking of help - i need some help. I have ahorrible cheese addiction. i like cheese for every meal, and even when full can eat more cheese. Lemme know if you have a cure.

Also this June The FunkeyMonkeys have thier last show of the summer! So if got kids or are one come on out and see us! We play at Makor on the 18th! You also have a couple chances to see the Sway Machinery blaze through our cantorial hysteria so check the calender if you like!

good luck out there!
-stuart

Other than that I'll just be working with Matt Durant (the Rana), Eric Biando, and Jeremiah Lockwood producing some recorded moments of beauty and pain.

What a great weekend Antibalas ejoyed at Southpaw in Park Slope! The guys in charge there are first class and treated us great. Eveybody I know loves playing there. We played three days of shows (added one on sunday). I am BEAT. Before the weekend we did a horn session with this band the Grimace Federation. They have some cool music and I can't wait to hear how it comes together. Lots of vibraphone and extend guitar chords. and now lots of horns too!

I also had the pleasure of playing with the group Padre Pio, a group doing work sort of like Roxy Music, Psychedelic Furs, etc. Also sitting in was keyboardist/producer/composer Joe McGinty. I had a wonderful time, despite not really hearing myself and think their music is something to seek out and enjoy! They are currently finishing an EP with Joe (featuring a few sax lines in there, too).

Right now, Antibalas is gearing up for a session of Bob Marley covers for a Palm Pictures DVD. The boys have come up with some hot arrangments and looking forward to recording them this week.

I put up some new/old pics so have a look and sign the guestbook! God Bless us, everyone.

This week was a hot one! I've been writing some parts for a group called the Grimace Federation out of Phili, they've hired the antibalas horns to play on their record. The music is textured groove type stuff, like tortoise meets weather report. I love writing some parts! You never know know what's going to end up on the page and there's always a moment we're just say "what the hell! what if we just played "@#$%^&^!" and it usually works out. Like bold strokes on the canvas you know?

Thursday night was a busy one: I made my first Loser's Lounge appearance doing Johnny Cash's A Boy Named Sue. This song is all lyrics, and remembering them was hard enough! Like so many things in life you think of all this cool sutff you could of done on your way home from the gig, ha! Colin Stetson calls that "Getting slapped back to comeback school." But it was fun, fun, fun. I was a nervous wreck backstage but was entertained and calmed down by my friend and Ventrilaquist (sp?) Carla Rhoades, and the other performers. When we finaly did the song we did it so fast! Man, it was cooking! I shouln't done a little country scat to warm it up "down bowm bowm down down" (comeback school) but i went right into it and next thing i knew i was out on the street looking for a cab to get to Union Pool for the secret TV on the Radio show with DOZ and Celebration and Eye and Ear Control.

Unfortunately i missed the Dragons of Zynth (sometimes i fortunate enough to sit in with them) and I also missed Eye and Ear Control (a beatiful free jazz trio with Rayn Sawyer, Matt Lavelle, and Matt Heyner) but I got there in the middle of Celebration's set - just in time to hit the stage for WAR and Animals. They have a combination that makes me shake like a holy ghost snake handler. Every element of the group seems so balanced yet hot and explosive. They are one of the greatest bands I've ever had the pleasure to perform with and I hope to play with them for years and years to come. Dave Sitek was Rocking the percussion and the music heats up so much when those drums get going! With no exaggeration - it is a pure experience.

TVOTR rocked it like i've never seen them. I think that newest joint was my favorite (Kyp also spoke about how much he loved this song). I think its the first song on the upcoming record and it is scorching. They for their last number they had celebration plus Ryan Sawyer (from Eye and Ear Control) on a floor tom that took a beautiful. The encore was the best!! Just in case it's a surprice i don't wanna say what it was but it was so sweet and perfect, all i could do was reach out to my girlfriend in boston to share the moment with her. Thank goodness for cell phones!

Hey Friends,
Ben Walker has an interesting interveiw with Jeremiah Lockwood where they discuss the music of the Sway Machinery. I was in the room at the time and was really moved my Jeremiah's words. Check it out: http://www.toeradio.org/archives/2006/04/toe_040806_sway.html

Hello folks,
This week was a week of funtime in the studio! I worked on a song with good friends Paul Cox and Hernon Santiago, had a session with Jody from the band Fountains of Wayne, and recorded for a cool new band called Padre Pio - they have a Roxy music kind of style that lets me charge up the rock sax. ha! it's been a fun week!

Several of friends just had an impromtu session with Lauren Hill, she sang and played guitar and had us try some different things. I think she's tyring to put a group together - we weren't totaly clear about. anyways it was fun, she's got some great new stuff in the works, it seems.

Hi Friends,
This week was exciting and hectic. Last weekend had antibalas in langarado, what a great festival it was this year! We missed the duo, meters, and flaming lips but got to see Wilco, yeah! The following night we had a Sway Machinery show for Porim and tore Makor up! I have to say: the audience and staff at that place can be less than ideal for the tranference of creative forces. The man who books it is cool, and I love the sound guy, but security is unprofessional and even offensive. But no silly business will thwart the rise of the say machinery!! I want to open up for the trio Celebration some day! I sat in with them (Celebration) at SXSW this week and had another beautiful experience. Everytime i see them play it gets deeper for me. To play with them is digging in fertile soil. i can't get enough. I also played with Martin Perna' Ocote Soul Sounds in austin and they have some good things on, too! Members of Groupo Fantasmo rocked it alongside members of the El Michaels Affair. Earlier in the day we backed up the Wu-Tang Clan - Raekwon said my beatup old clarks look like plantaines, ha! I told him i'd be applying for a raise next time to get some new ones. All in all, we had a fun time with the Wu, and I think it'll probably happen again sooner or later.

Today the FunkeyMonkeys rocked Long Island with a new Passover story that featured me as the Plague of Frogs, muhahahaha! We had a delicious dinner at Josh's mom's house and Mike Gold was in full form with the antics - he is one of the funniest men i have ever met. I hope to be a fraction of that when we do our comedy improv class show this tuesday - wish me luck! thanks and be well,
stuart

I had an exciting time playing with the inimitable group celebration last thursday. Katrina, Sean and Dave drive a mean emotional hotrod straight through my heart. I hope we get to rock it withe them at South by Southwest next!! I'm getting excited to see our friends Gomez, Caural, The Sharp Things, Todd Simon, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and so many others!
Not to mention i gotta learn some music to back up the one and only Wu-Tang. Time to brush up on my Chess Boxing. Have a good week, friends!