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A.D.A.L. Records ALL DAY ALL LONG RECORDS: Bringing you the best (and worst) of living-room recordings.

20/06/2025

We’ve been quiet since the release of Sweet ‘N’ Gross’ Machine Elf (check ‘er out, if you haven’t already). But with summer coming tout de suite, we’re firing up the internet again and continuing ‘A.D.A.L.’s 20 Years of Nonsense’ celebration by sporadically shining the spotlight on other bands, artists, albums, songs from the past, and maybe we have more new material up our sleeves, as well.

Today we’re sharing four tunes by Ken Potter (DEADLORD KNOCKING, HAVE YOU EVER DRAWN THE TECHNODROME?, ANTIQUE SOUL, and DINOSAUR ON THE FLOOR), who creates digital music under the name QUEEN SLOWSTEP. Ken has been collaborating with the gang at A.D.A.L. since 2006. He’s the composer of dozens upon dozens of songs, he’s drawn the cover art for many Sweet ‘N’ Gross albums and other A.D.A.L. related projects, and, his most triumphant accomplishment, Ken is the creator of THE SUPER NINJAS: an old-school style video game (think Super Nintendo era Final Fantasy games) starring ADAL characters and music, plus just about everybody who lived in Springhill, Nova Scotia during the 2000s, and a plethora of original characters plucked from Ken’s imagination.

It’s fun. It’s funny. It took Ken, like, over a decade to finish. It’s THE SUPER NINJAS!

Here are links to Queen Slowstep’s SoundCloud page, where you can find more of Ken’s tunes, and also his Super Ninjas site, where the game can be downloaded for freebies!

https://soundcloud.com/slowstep

https://gamejolt.com/games/the-super-ninjas/131855

A Nova Scotian chronicle. A coming-of-age tale. A haunted house story. A mystery. A tribute to '80s & '90s music. A coll...
13/05/2025

A Nova Scotian chronicle. A coming-of-age tale. A haunted house story. A mystery. A tribute to '80s & '90s music. A collection of hallucinogenic experiences involving beings from other dimensions.

The MACHINE ELF novel is all of these things!

A triple album. A three-plus hour soundscape of genre-shifting music. A symphonic tale. A reunion from a band who sat stagnant for fifteen years.

The MACHINE ELF music is a Sweet 'N' Gross triumph!

Check 'em out! Bildungsroman!

Cover art by Ken Potter.

The Novel:

Kindle or Kobo: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cg33j8drtoewwuwnxdyma/ANopEGSpKzspVs9hOfcYLIA?rlkey=p64mhgegkgkt30x3od4u2xwgx&st=opo5zy5t&dl=0

PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4elfwb4y9yhysqzbj2o4y/ANTbRJsFz00zu4oXPGcwdzg?rlkey=6x4qlnuryvzhbgx3i7tufkl3m&st=o8oagk10&dl=0

Word Files: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bqpmjhciuojbu1vodb1hv/AE96y1x-S80nmtXwLFoRF7k?rlkey=5y29f4l4ghqutyw2nx7qv733m&st=ik1xvu8o&dl=0

The Music:

ACT I: https://www.bandlab.com/user8728201613315415/albums/f85fbdc8-781f-f011-8b3d-000d3a930a0a

ACT II: https://www.bandlab.com/user8728201613315415/albums/6d0d7bf7-751f-f011-8b3d-000d3a930a0a

ACT III: https://www.bandlab.com/user8728201613315415/albums/9ac42864-af1e-f011-8b3d-000d3a930a0a

The Videos: https://www.youtube.com/-g4g

04/05/2025

Enhance your May 4th with a couple ditties by Joe King! Here are: 'CREDITORS OF THE UNIVERSE' and 'THE MANDALORIAN THEME (with Kody Smith)'!

Happy Star Wars Day!

"I'll see you along the road." - Cassian Andor

We can’t find the exact quote, so we’ll paraphrase something composer Carl King (no relation to Mike and Joe) said about...
26/04/2025

We can’t find the exact quote, so we’ll paraphrase something composer Carl King (no relation to Mike and Joe) said about an album he created.

“I wrote some great songs and recorded them with my closest friends. I even paid a couple of my favourite musicians - heroes of mine - to play on the album. Everyone that worked on it was in love with the music. Elated, we couldn’t wait for release day. When it came, no one listened. No one said a word. It was like shooting a fireball in the opposite direction of where everyone was looking.”

And so we, Sweet ‘N’ Gross, invite you to join us as our own fireball of creativity is shot in the wrong direction. We give to you ‘MACHINE ELF: A Sweet ‘N’ Gross Opera’.

*Lightning Strikes the Ghost Ship art by Ken Potter

The Novel (Kindle or Kobo version): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cg33j8drtoewwuwnxdyma/ANopEGSpKzspVs9hOfcYLIA?rlkey=p64mhgegkgkt30x3od4u2xwgx&st=opo5zy5t&dl=0

or

The Novel (PDF version): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4elfwb4y9yhysqzbj2o4y/ANTbRJsFz00zu4oXPGcwdzg?rlkey=6x4qlnuryvzhbgx3i7tufkl3m&st=o8oagk10&dl=0

or

The Novel (Word version): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bqpmjhciuojbu1vodb1hv/AE96y1x-S80nmtXwLFoRF7k?rlkey=5y29f4l4ghqutyw2nx7qv733m&st=ik1xvu8o&dl=0

The Music:

ACT I: https://www.bandlab.com/user8728201613315415/albums/f85fbdc8-781f-f011-8b3d-000d3a930a0a

ACT II: https://www.bandlab.com/user8728201613315415/albums/6d0d7bf7-751f-f011-8b3d-000d3a930a0a

ACT III: https://www.bandlab.com/user8728201613315415/albums/9ac42864-af1e-f011-8b3d-000d3a930a0a

The Videos: https://www.youtube.com/-g4g

Five-and-a-half years ago Kody Smith had an idea for a short story. As he began writing, the tale grew into a novel - MA...
25/04/2025

Five-and-a-half years ago Kody Smith had an idea for a short story. As he began writing, the tale grew into a novel - MACHINE ELF - with cover art by Ken Potter. One of the novel’s themes was ‘Music: its healing power and its influence on people’, which gave Kody another idea. ‘What if the novel had a soundtrack?’

Kody, Joe King, and Mike King reunited as the band Sweet ‘N’ Gross and started recording music to accompany Kody’s novel. The initial plan was to create a ten-track instrumental album and a three or four song EP, where they’d play as a full band with vocals. But like with Kody’s original short story, the music grew. It expanded into a sixty-six-track triple album.

‘Why stop there?’ Joe, Mike, and Kody thought when they asked Chris Gooding if he’d make videos for their new music. Chris had been tinkering with AI generated photos, and he created videos for all twenty-two songs from ACT I of the Machine Elf soundtrack.

Frequently Asked Question: ‘If AI was used for the videos, I’ll bet it was used to write the novel and create the music, right?’

Answer: ‘No. The novel was patiently plucked from Kody’s brain with no help from robots. The music is Sweet ‘N’ Gross: about 80% Joe, 20% Kody and Mike. Half was digitally composed, and half was recorded as a band, the same way Sweet ‘N’ Gross has always done it.’

Five-and-a-half-years… and it’ll all be available TOMORROW! (wipes sweat from brow)

Until then, barbeque! Play fetch with a dog! Level up your characters in The Super Ninjas! Mow your lawn! Do whatever it is you do this time of year but be sure to check back tomorrow for a full serving of MACHINE ELF!

* ‘Lightning Strikes the Ghost Ship’ by Ken Potter
* ‘ADAL Nova Scotia’ by Ken Potter and Julian Merlin

We're plugging the Machine Elf teasers one last time before the entire package is released. When will it be released? No...
09/04/2025

We're plugging the Machine Elf teasers one last time before the entire package is released.

When will it be released? Not sure yet, but before the end of the month. Kody is doing one final revision of the novel before he's comfortable setting his story free. Until then, enjoy the teasers!

Did you know: if you listen to MACHINE ELF (condensed) and watch Disney's Fantasia at the same time, it doesn't synchronize at all!

Cover art by Ken Potter!

Disneyland by Julian Merlin!

MACHINE ELF novel preview: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b6lgwuabm27v2mwklg86u/Machine-Elf-novel-preview.pdf?rlkey=sf3t1usah2mvy8sszo49kkud3&st=ns3lmirr&dl=0

MACHINE ELF (condensed):

This first link will bring you to Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, etc. - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetngross/machine-elf-condensed

The second link will bring you to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kzj28RBPPDBTyzTr09Y-58IaJFjqqcZZg

Hey! YOU! Yeah, you!Once you've cleared the beans 'n' weenies and Matt Tabors from your eyes, be sure to check out the n...
02/04/2025

Hey! YOU! Yeah, you!

Once you've cleared the beans 'n' weenies and Matt Tabors from your eyes, be sure to check out the new 'Machine Elf: A Sweet 'N' Gross Opera' teasers!

Cover art by Ken Potter!

Sunglasses by Julian Merlin!

MACHINE ELF novel preview: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b6lgwuabm27v2mwklg86u/Machine-Elf-novel-preview.pdf?rlkey=sf3t1usah2mvy8sszo49kkud3&st=ns3lmirr&dl=0

MACHINE ELF (condensed):

This first link will bring you to Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, etc. - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetngross/machine-elf-condensed

The second link will bring you to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kzj28RBPPDBTyzTr09Y-58IaJFjqqcZZg

It's Friday! The weekend is nigh! There's no better time to fill your v**e and listen to 'MACHINE ELF (condensed)', feat...
28/03/2025

It's Friday! The weekend is nigh! There's no better time to fill your v**e and listen to 'MACHINE ELF (condensed)', featuring new tunes by Sweet 'N' Gross (Joe King, Kody Smith, and Mike King). Or maybe you'd rather relax and read a few chapters from an upcoming novel. Either way, follow the links below!

Cover art by Ken Potter!

MACHINE ELF novel preview: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b6lgwuabm27v2mwklg86u/Machine-Elf-novel-preview.pdf?rlkey=sf3t1usah2mvy8sszo49kkud3&st=ns3lmirr&dl=0

MACHINE ELF (condensed):

This first link will bring you to Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, etc. - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetngross/machine-elf-condensed

The second link will bring you to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kzj28RBPPDBTyzTr09Y-58IaJFjqqcZZg

The previews are ready for: MACHINE ELF: A Sweet 'N' Gross Opera! Follow the links below for a PDF of the prologue and f...
25/03/2025

The previews are ready for: MACHINE ELF: A Sweet 'N' Gross Opera!

Follow the links below for a PDF of the prologue and first four chapters of the Machine Elf novel, or the 'Machine Elf (condensed)' teaser album on your preferred streaming service, or BOTH! Do some reading, listen to some tunes. It's good for you.

Cover art by Ken Potter!

MACHINE ELF novel preview: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/b6lgwuabm27v2mwklg86u/Machine-Elf-novel-preview.pdf?rlkey=sf3t1usah2mvy8sszo49kkud3&st=ns3lmirr&dl=0

MACHINE ELF (condensed):

This first link will bring you to Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, etc. - https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/sweetngross/machine-elf-condensed

The second link will bring you to YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kzj28RBPPDBTyzTr09Y-58IaJFjqqcZZg

MACHINE ELF: A SWEET ‘N’ GROSS OPERAAfter months of rambling, today’s topic will finally be the current Sweet ‘N’ Gross ...
24/03/2025

MACHINE ELF: A SWEET ‘N’ GROSS OPERA

After months of rambling, today’s topic will finally be the current Sweet ‘N’ Gross project: MACHINE ELF.

It was autumn, the last day of September 2023. Joe King, Kody Smith, and Mike King gathered at Mike’s cottage on the Gulf Shore. They brought whatever recording gear they had (for the most part, the same ol’ stuff they used back in ‘07/’08). The guys had a general idea of what they wanted to accomplish, but, as usual, no one wrote or rehearsed anything in advance. Also, they only had 24-hours together, so whatever they did would have to be by-the-seat-of-their-pants.

The recording session went well, though they didn’t complete as much as they'd hoped. So, the trio agreed to meet again in the spring, this time for a 48-hour stretch. And in the winter between, Joe and Kody would file share and record at their respective houses to keep the project moving along.

Why so much work, you might ask?

“I convinced the guys that Sweet ‘N’ Gross should record a 66-track triple album called MACHINE ELF,” Kody says. He shrugs. “It sounds like a fool’s errand, I know. But… we did it.”

“I mentioned this new Sweet ‘N’ Gross project to some friends,” says Mike, “and they asked why we made a specific number of songs. Why 66? Why not 65? Why not just 10 or 12 songs, like a normal band?”

“It’s because Machine Elf is the soundtrack to a novel Kody wrote,” explains Joe. “The book has 64 chapters, plus a prologue and an epilogue. So, 66 parts altogether. Sweet ‘N’ Gross created a song for each part and split the whole thing into three albums, or three ACTS, like a play or an opera.”

“How do you create a soundtrack for a book?” Mike asks. “The same way you’d make one for a movie or a show. The only difference is the scenes are in your mind instead of on a screen. Everything else is the same basic concept.”

“We tried to create musical-mood depending on what was happening in each chapter,” Joe explains. “We used sound effects and leitmotifs to help achieve that. The story very much dictated how the albums ended up, that’s for sure.”

What is the story of MACHINE ELF, anyway?

“Machine Elf tells the tale of Leo Moore,” explains Kody. “Leo was eight years old in 1989, when he and his family moved from their townhouse in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia to a haunted house in the quiet, fishing village of Doldrums. The story follows Leo over the next seven years as he matures, navigates life in a small community, and unravels the otherworldly mystery residing in his home. Machine Elf was inspired by Brat Pack movies, Stephen King novels, David Lynch and Kurt Vonnegut Jr. and Charles Dickens, ‘90s music (from Kriss Kross to Kataklysm), and growing up in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. Leo’s village, Doldrums, is simply a fictional version of Pugwash.”

Although there is more to the Machine Elf project than a novel and triple album (for instance, there’s Ken Potter’s cover art and Chris Gooding’s 22 music videos), we’re going to stop babbling for now and announce that previews/teasers for this project will be available TOMORROW!

That’s right! A PDF with the prologue and first four chapters of the MACHINE ELF novel, plus a 15-track condensed version of the MACHINE ELF albums will be floating around the internet, for your enjoyment, in just a handful of hours from now.

The condensed MACHINE ELF album has five songs from each ACT. Some tracks have been edited to avoid being hassled by copyright robots, but the complete songs will be available when MACHINE ELF is released in full.

For now, here’s the tracklist for tomorrow’s teaser album. See ya’ll then!

1. City Mouse – Country Mouse (Prologue 1989) (Avoiding Copyright Version)

2. The Gathering of the Clans (Chapter 4)

3. Shrieks and Fireworks, Into the Attic, Sepia Boy (Chapter 7)

4. Battle on the Beach (Chapter 10)

5. Investigation at the Doldrums Library (Chapter 12)

6. Gateway to Junior High (Chapter 22)

7. A Pair of Sisters (Chapter 27)

8. A Boots Bonfire Invitation, Brea Green (Chapter 30)

9. The Pennyhose House, A Commotion in the Schoolyard (Chapter 43)

10. Slow and Gray (Chapter 47) (Avoiding Copyright Version)

11. The End of a Moldy Tunnel, Cassette Demos (Chapter 48)

12. The Empty Farm (Chapter 53)

13. Another Griswold Christmas (Chapter 56)

14. Lightning Strikes the Ghost Ship (Chapter 59) (Short Version)

15. Curtains (Chapter 61)

SWEET ‘N’ GROSS: SLOW BURNER & SECOND WAVEMany Sweet ‘N’ Grossless years passed. In early 2017, Kody Smith dug his old C...
19/03/2025

SWEET ‘N’ GROSS: SLOW BURNER & SECOND WAVE

Many Sweet ‘N’ Grossless years passed.

In early 2017, Kody Smith dug his old CDs, laptops, and hard drives out of the basement. Over the next few months, he organized and properly archived all the A.D.A.L. material.

“I hadn’t heard a lot of those songs in ages,” Kody says. “Many of them I’d forgotten entirely. Music can be a time machine, and all that ADAL stuff brought me back to Springhill in the late 2000s. It made me want to record new foolishness, but I was limited in what I could do. I’ve said before that I’m not a musician; I just get a kick out of pretending to be one. Since Sweet ‘N’ Gross played our last show, I hadn’t done anything with music except listen to it. Any minor skills I had were lost with time and neglect. Plus, by 2017, almost everyone in Sweet ‘N’ Gross had young kids, and my home is a 2+ hour drive from Springhill. I couldn’t jam with any of the old Sweet ‘N’ Gross fellas on a whim, the way we used to.”

Luckily for Kody, there was a lot of unfinished A.D.A.L. music in his archives. In an attempt to clean the rust from his editing skills, Kody slowly began stitching some of this music together. The result, a 34-minute track called SLOW BURNER, released in 2019.

“All the members of Sweet ‘N’ Gross are on Slow Burner,” Kody explains. “Myself, Mike and Joe, Julian Merlin, Chris Gooding and Matt Tabor. Plus, Ken Potter, Chris Brown, and Justin Adams are on there, as well. Slow Burner was a celebration of past times, created with unused recordings from those times. A proper sound engineer would grit their teeth and cringe at my final mix, but hey!.... I don’t care. I was practicing; trying to remember how to do it.”

The release of Slow Burner got Kody, Joe, and Mike talking about getting together to record again. Maybe they would make new Sweet ‘N’ Gross tunes; maybe they would do something different. There was no plan set in stone, the fellas just knew they wanted to get together soon and make some noise.

Then 2020 happened. All plans to ‘get together soon’ were swept to the side.

In 2021, Mike and Joe and Jason James were breaking quarantine, hanging out in an undisclosed shed somewhere in Springhill. The trio recorded an improv rock tune called ‘Second Wave (Double Fu***ng Mask in the USA)’. The lyrics were plucked from a Facebook rant observed by Jason. At the end of the evening, Mike whipped out his phone and recorded a video while Second Wave played in the background.

“I emailed the video to Kody,” Mike explains. “Thought he’d get a kick out of it.”

“Kody remixed the song slightly,” adds Joe, “and he threw some extra vocals in there.”

“Due to the way it was sent to me, Second Wave sounds like it was recorded underwater in a paper bag,” says Kody with a smile. “It’s funny, though.”

And with that, we’ll end this week’s babbling. We’ve added Slow Burner and Second Wave to the ODDS ‘N’ ENDS album on BandLab (and we’ve broken up Slow Burner into smaller sections). Check ‘em out, if ya like! https://www.bandlab.com/user8728201613315415/albums/e6cd2427-c9d5-ef11-88cf-000d3a930a2c

Next week, we’ll be talking about the NEW Sweet ‘N’ Gross project: MACHINE ELF. And we’ll even have some teasers/previews to go with it. See ya then!

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