A multi-day workshop dedicated to bringing your music "From the Bedroom to the Stage."
You'll learn a variety of ways to turn new sounds into songs and then how to get your music from your computer and into ears worldwide, plus ways to incorporate video into your live show without breaking the bank, as well as cost-saving techniques to build your own home studio, January 18-19, 2019 in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Faculty
Michal Menert's youth was steeped in a broad swath of both Eastern and Western musical traditions that gives this California-based and Fort Collins-raised musician a deep palate from which to draw; his passion for original analog sounds coupled with a vast knowledge of music history has given him a unique ability to pull from the global creative canon with ease. He co-produced the chart topping Pretty Lights album Taking Up Your Precious Time, and was the first artist to join Pretty Lights Music. Additionally, Menert handled sound design for the Dead & Co tours, and co-produced Mickey Hart’s 2017 LP RAMU, as well as his 360 Surround Sound performance at the Hayden Planetarium in New York City. He brings his music to fans nationwide via both his band, Michal Menert & The Pretty Fantastics, and his 22-piece all-star ensemble the Michal Menert Big Band, and has shared the stage with musical luminaries including STS9, Griz, Bassnectar, and Umphrey’s McGee
Drummer Richard “Sleepy” Floyd, a founding member of the electronic trio Turbo Suit, is all about the groove. This creedence was instilled upon him by his long time instructor and mentor Johnny Lee Lane. A native of Kokomo, Indiana, this student of the groove pays homage to those who came before him as it resonates through his creativity and versatility. Often referred to as a “drummer’s drummer”, which speaks to the admiration from his peers, Sleepy has shared the stage or toured with the likes of Snarky Puppy, Ghost Note, Sy Smith, Lettuce, DJ Logic, and Break Science among many others, and also served as the Music Director for Super Bowl Village during Super Bowl XLVI, as well as for Elzhi, formerly of Slum Village.
Nick Gerlach is an in-demand saxophonist, writer, and arranger who recently moved to Denver after studying and honing his craft in Indianapolis over the last decade as part of the band Turbo Suit. In addition to his work with the Pretty Fantastics, Nick has also recently played with respected artists like Ryan Adams, Thievery Corporation, Sunsquabi, and Manic Focus at festivals and high-profile venues all over the country.
David Najarian is an audio visual artist who investigates the emotional experience related to polyrythmic collages of sound and light. Known best for his Iconic Pillar Stage designs and animations for Colorado's Derek Vincent Smith, David also directed and produced music videos and animations, engineered complex audio video playback networks, and designed interactive websites for Pretty Lights from 2009-2015. In addition to synesthetic stage design, David has been focused recently on the development of a new form of audio visual instrument which amalgamates the turntable and volumetric laser light beams and has been releasing music with his group 'Trophy Beats', often using samples lifted from records collected while traveling the the world with DJ Shadow as his video technician and systems network tech. He's also been an Ableton power user since the launch of the program. Other past collaborators include Bassnectar, DJ Shadow, Joey Badass, Krewella, Big Gigantic, Griz, The National, Odesza, & G-Easy.
Julianne Thoma is a singer-songwriter and keyboardist based in Seattle, WA. Classically trained in piano and voice, her limitless range of musical interests/influences include jazz, electro-pop, R&B and UK bass. Julianne earned her bachelor’s degree in piano performance at Western Washington University (Bellingham, WA) in 2013, and alongside her vocal/instrumental background, she aspires to become equally proficient in synthesis, sampling and production. Julianne began working with Michal Menert and the Pretty Fantastics in August 2017.
Matt Van Den Heuvel is a guitar player and producer from Seattle, WA. Having studied music from more than half his life, his interests vary greatly from blues and rock, to ambient music, to jazz, beats, synths, etc. With two solo album releases to date, Matt is ever active as a producer with current works exploring lush, acoustic driven ambience, space rock, and the blending of modern production tools with traditional instruments. Shortly after graduating with a music degree from Western Washington University he began collaborating with Michal Menert, and has been active in the band’s recordings and live performances since 2014.
Jason “Schollaship” MacLeod is Michal Menert’s longtime sound designer and audio engineer for the Pretty Fantastics. His signature “Schollaphonic” sound brings extra life to Menert recordings like “Space Jazz”, “1”, & “From the Sea”. He’s also toured extensively with producer JMSN and has recorded Al Green.
Contact
The Music District
639 S College Ave
Fort Collins, CO 80524