Revolution Recording

02/09/2024

Revolution Recording is smiling ear to ear after this week’s announcement of the 2024 JUNO Award nominees. A big shout out to the following jazz and classical nominees whose albums were recorded in Studio A at Revolution:

Noam Lemish - Jazz album of the year (solo)
Jocelyn Gould - Jazz album of the year (solo)
Nick Maclean - Jazz album of the year (group)
Allison Au - Jazz album of the year (group)
Bekah Simms - Classical Album of the year (large ensemble)

And we would be remiss in not mentioning nominations for former Rev alumnus Riley Bell whose superb band New West is up for a JUNO as is Leslie Feist. Both projects were worked on at Revolution. Good luck to everyone in Halifax on March 24!

11/05/2021

06/11/2021

The Canadian Songwriters' Hall of Fame just inducted Alannah Myles' monster 1990 global # 1 hit "Black Velvet," written by Christopher Ward and
Dave Tyson and Revolution was chosen to handle the record/film session for the induction video. Hats off to Christopher for his decision NOT to recreate the original but rather to unlock the song's steamy southern soul in this great acoustic arrangement. And the musicians! In addition to Chris there's Justin Abedin on guitar and Davide Direnzo on percussion with the sublime Damnhait Doyle and Serena Ryder reprising Alannah's role. A fitting tribute to an all-time great composition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG3oIdA3xtYhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG3oIdA3xtY

"Black Velvet" was written and composed by Christopher Ward and David Tyson and originally recorded and popularized by Alannah Myles. Released in July 1989, ...

06/05/2021

“And then one day you find ten years have got behind you”
 
Pink Floyd – “Time,”  Dark Side of the Moon 1973

 
That line has been resonating around Revolution the last few days.  Why?  It’s hard to comprehend but Revolution is ten years old today.  On June 5, 2011, Sarah Slean and 23 string players gathered with producer Jon Goldsmith and engineer Jeff Wolpert in Studio A to rehearse for the recording session for Sarah’s Land & Sea album the next day.  It was our first official gig.  The session on June 6 went off without a hitch and Land & Sea would become one of Sarah’s most acclaimed recordings.  Right after that Geddy, Alex and Neil  checked in for the recording of what would become Rush’s final album, Clockwork Angels.
 
Revolution was off and running and still is today.  It’s time to throw out  bouquets of thanks: 
 
- To the artists that chose to record with us and the myriad musicians, producers and engineers who accompanied them.

- To the managers, record companies, TV and Film houses and music industry organizations that chose Revolution.

- To the many interns and employees who spent time at Revolution and helped deliver the client service we’re known for.

- To engineers Stephen Koszler and Luke Schindler, the backbone of the studio, who do amazing work day in and day out, and alumni engineers Phil Hotz, Jason Dufour, Riley Bell and Guillermo Subauste who are shooting out the lights as independents.

- And last but not least a special shout out to Amanda Pearl and our friend and first manager Tanya Coghlan who were the long-time face of the studio.  Gone to the west coast but never forgotten Tanya!
 
On to decade two!

02/15/2021

THE WORLD HAS LOST AN AUDIO IMMORTAL

The legend Rupert Neve has passed away at age 94. Every day that we come to work at Revolution we feel his presence in the form of the 8038 that graces our Studio A control and the Genesys in Studio C. A true giant, his creations and their influence will never be forgotten.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/19/technology/rupert-neve-dead.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Obituaries

12/11/2020

DALLAS IN CHAINS?

City and Colour’s Dallas Green recently contributed to the Museum of Pop Culture’s multi-artist tribute to Seattle rock legends Alice In Chains. Dallas dropped by Revolution’s Studio A with senior engineer Luke Schindler behind the board and delivered this killer version of AiC’s “Rain When I Die.” Great song + stunning vocal. Check it here:

https://youtu.be/1x6IULst9r4

11/26/2020

We’re not going to lie – Revolution was holding its breath during the provincial government’s new lockdown announcements on Friday November 20. We were very pleased that recording studios were excepted which allows us to continue what we’ve been doing since re-opening on June 1 – record VERY carefully with a high level of safety protocols in place.

You might have read that the latest COVID-19 research puts the emphasis on particulate exposure in the air versus contamination via surfaces. We are continuing with an aggressive surface cleaning regimen but we also have made two changes to our air filtration process:

- We have tweaked our HVAC system with new filters and settings to fully maximize its air exchange capabilities.

- We invested in the beauty that you see below.

That’s a made-in-Belleville, Ontario Can Armour portable HEPA Filter, the AP 1000. In tandem with the HVAC system it can filter the air in Studios B and C in six minutes flat and Studio A (a whopping 2200 sq ft) in twelve minutes, between sessions or during breaks.

We know that creators need to keep creating even during COVID-19, and Revolution is committed to going the extra mile for everyone who comes to make a little magic.

08/23/2020

Revolution recently had the privilege of hosting globally-renowned producer and keyboard maestro Greg Phillinganes in Studio A. The term “musical royalty” is a lofty one but it’s appropriate in this case. Greg’s accomplishments over four-plus decades in music are not less than jaw-dropping. A Detroit native, he kicked off his career with a long association with Stevie Wonder including playing on the seminal Songs In The Key of Life album. Then there is the small matter of Michael Jackson and the Jackson Family. He played on Off The Wall and Thriller, and had a three decade association with the Jacksons. That’s Greg’s timeless signature keyboard intro at the :37 mark of “Thriller” the song. And the list goes on and on: four Eric Clapton albums, Anita Baker’s massive 1986 breakthrough Rapture, Donald Fagen’s classic first solo album The Nightfly. Greg was a member of Toto, played with Aretha Franklin. There’s not enough room to list all his accomplishments!

So, it was a beautiful thing to see Greg in Studio A tracking on an array of keys including Revolution’s 9’ Yamaha Grand piano, Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes and Korg Kronos. Musical royalty indeed!

Here’s a shot of Greg, in Revolution COVID protocol mode, in front of Studio A’s Neve 8038.

06/02/2020

05/16/2020

As you probably know the Ontario provincial government has announced that recording studios can re-open as of May 19. Accordingly we're accepting bookings now.

Rest assured that Revolution is re-opening with safety in mind first and foremost. We will be carefully observing all provincial government protocols and we are happy to discuss any additional requirements our clients may have.

Joe, Joao, Kim, Luke, and Stephen are looking forward to working with you!

01/11/2020

Like music fans all over the world all of us at Revolution are shocked and saddened by Neil Peart’s passing. To this day we speak reverently about the several months in the fall of 2011 that Rush spent at Revolution tracking their last studio album Clockwork Angels. It was an extraordinary baptism by fire for our then brand new studio. Each day we had the privilege of observing the craft and quiet diligence of Neil, Geddy and Alex making it an experience that we will never forget. Rest in peace Neil and thank you for enriching our lives in so many ways.

08/10/2019

Revolution Recording was thrilled to take part in Artists for Sudan, a coming together of some of Canada’s best artists in reimagining U2’s classic “Sunday Bloody Sunday” to raise awareness of the current crisis in Sudan. The country rests on a precipice of democracy and dictatorship. Let’s use the power of music to help the people of Sudan towards freedom. Listen /download on your favorite digital platform: https://lnk.to/artistsforsudan
All proceeds raised through downloads and streams will be donated to Human Rights Watch (https://www.facebook.com/hrwcanadacommittee/).

Confirmed participants include:
Ian D’Sa (Billy Talent)
Ben Kowalewicz (Billy Talent)
Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo)
Cone McCaslin (Sum 41)
Neil Sanderson (Three Days Grace)
Matt Walst (Three Days Grace)
Damhnait Doyle
Emmanuel Jal
Serena Ryder
Corey Hart
Ron Hawkins (The Lowest of The Low)
Scott Anderson (Finger Eleven)
Simon Ward (The Strumbellas)
Amy Millan (Stars)
Colin MacDonald (The Trews)
John Angus (The Trews)
Ewan Currie (The Sheepdogs)

Artists for Sudan, a coming together of some of Canada’s best artists in reimagining U2’s classic “Sunday Bloody Sunday” to raise awareness of the current crisis in Sudan. The country rests on a precipice of democracy and dictatorship. Let’s use the power of music to help the people of Sud...

06/16/2019

“If ain’t broke, don’t fix it” goes the cliché, and it is an apt one for Laila Biali, whose self-titled 2018 album won the Vocal Jazz Album of the Year JUNO award this spring. That album was recorded at Revolution so we were delighted when Laila returned recently to record its follow-up. Ben Wittman and Larnell Lewis shared the drum chair on the sessions with Rich Brown and George Koller holding down the bottom end. Laila is pictured on the floor of Revolution’s Studio A with Larnell and Rich. Watch for Laila’s new music later this year.

05/20/2019

During Canadian Music Week Revolution Recording had the honour of hosting powerhouse artist/songwriter/producer/executive Linda Perry as part of the Canadian Music Publishers Association's Women In The Studio day. After mentoring five aspiring female writer/producers throughout the day Linda got the urge to make music. She jumped on Studio A's 9' Yamaha Grand piano, then added acoustic guitar and bass to a brand new composition. Big fun! Here she is pictured with Revolution's Chief Engineer Stephen Koszler and Intern Christine Stoesser in Studio A's control room at the end of a fantastic day.

05/12/2019

Revolution Recording was honoured to receive Canadian Music Week's Best Studio award on May 9th at the annual ceremonies in Toronto. Joe, Joao and Kim would first like to thank our clients, then the engineering super team of Stephen Koszler and Luke Schindler and our intern group who together work to deliver an elite recording experience 24/365. We'll be back at it again first thing tomorrow morning! Special long distance love to Rev's long time studio manager Tanya Coghlan who has just moved to Vancouver Island. Your spirit permeates the studio and always will!

05/03/2019

On April 28 Revolution Recording hosted one of the most spectacular sessions in the nearly 8 years of our existence (8 years? Really? How did that happen?) Six Shooter recording artist Ensign Broderick graced our studio A accompanied by 47 strings and 8 pieces of brass, with extraordinary lighting designed by Chris Pegg. Yes it was all filmed and captured for posterity. Not to mention the A-team of Jonathan Goldsmith producing, Jeff Wolpert engineering and Revolution's Senior Engineer Luke Schindler assisting. The music is audacious, ambitious and altogether stunning. Check these photos to get a sense of a magical day.

04/11/2019

to when were here working on their new record!