Dave Tate: Journal

Hi all,

A word about Auto-Tune systems

I have used auto tuning systems twice in my career. Once on backup vocals on "Things were much better" on my first Jimmy's First Kiss Cd, and once on a backing vocal track on my duo CD the same heart. Other than that I have never used auto tuning systems and don't plan to. What an auto-tune system is is basically a device that 'fixes' your notes that are off as they happen. You can hear the difference on most systems, even the most professional, if you listen closely. ( example: John Mayer's "Where the Light Is" Live DVD and his latest record "Continum." I use a BR1600 self-contained recording unit to record and master my cds.

There are primarily two reasons why I don't use these systems which are sweeping across recording studios and live concerts.

1. I want you to hear MY voice, not some computer approximation of my voice. I love the feeling you get when you know that an artist pulled off something amazing and how inspiring it is to know what it must have taken to get to that place. If I can give someone that feeling I want them to know it's genuine. Think of Jeff Buckley Live. He was quite pitchy on a number of his live songs but he was real, raw and - beautifully - about the furthest thing away from a machine. When I record sometimes I'll do twenty takes on one line to get the most heartfelt and best expression of it I can, and sometimes I'll blow right through it in one take. Either way, I have never used pitch fixers or auto tuners on any of my solo cds.

2. The second reason is .... I am poor. I don't have the $$ to buy the technology to do it in a way that could "fool you". In this case having a light wallet has maybe helped my to keep true to my ideals over the years of my developing.

Recording

The Process ~

My last three cds have been recorded basically anywhere I could find a quiet space. The Solitude of Here (2006) was recorded in my apartment in Logan. Home is in the stars at a home studio as well as the final hour - in several homes. 

My latest CD The Houses of Healing is being recorded here in Zion in our new home. At long last I have a room set aside where I can leave all my gear set up, and thus, hop into it much quicker. It's good to have this set up. In 2005 I wrote and recorded "Surely" from The Solitude of Here one morning before 10 AM. There's no way I could have pulled it off if my gear wasn't in place. So what you hear on that track is the initial inspiriation and about the third time I've ever sung the song. 

This new setup is a dream come true. I also get to look out the window at the West Temple - a 3,800 ft. tall sandstone monolith right outside my window. It's a pretty sweet place for an artist to live. After recording in basements and dingy old rooms for years- I'm glad to be in this place. 

Equipment

As I said I use a BR1600 Self contained mixer. It's a good piece of equipment. It lacks in the mastering toolbox and it's extremely time consuming to edit compared to a computer system. But I've managed to get, what I feel are, some pretty good sounds out of it. I use a tube pre-amp for my vocals and anything else I use a large diaphragm condenser mic on. I have two of these at the moment - the others I had to sell - a Studio Projects C1000 which I record my vocals on and an AKG C3000 which I use in combo with a Sure SM57 to record electric guitar and in combo with the SP C1000 to record acoustic guitar. I also use these mics for strings. That's basically it.  

For electric guitar I use a Fender Blues Jr. Amp - not because it's the best out there, but because it's what I have. I run my guitar through an ernie ball Volume pedal Jr. a Boss Delay and Tremelo pedal ( which I'll get tweaked hopefully soon) and a Ibanez tube screamer - my favorite little overdrive pedal.

 

You can find "Evensong" from the 2006 release The Solitude of Here on The Korean World Music compilation "Songs of the Wayfarer" Pictured above. I am honored to be featured with such great artists. The Cd includes a variety of styles including Opera, Flamenco, Indian, and other singer/songwriters.

Hi,

Victoria and I have been working super hard over the past months to
get some things rolling and make our music more accessible to you.
Check out the latest news ~

Final Hour Released!:

I wanted to let you know that my newest CD The Final Hour is now
available. It's an intimate blend very similar to The Solitude of
Here. If you liked that one I can say I'm sure you'll like this one.
Make sure you check out the music samples (listen) on my page not on
the CDbaby page. There has been some error in their uploading of the
files and they are a bit distorted on the CDBaby page, it'll be fixed
soon.


New Website:

We've spent quite some time re-designing our websites and making them
user friendly for promoters and fans. Stop by and have a look!

Music Compilations:

I have been featured on a music compilation in Korea called Songs of
the Wayfarer vol. 3
check it out here
www.polyphone.co.kr - Sorry english speakers - this website's in Korean -
it's a beautifully packaged compilation of music from all over the
world.

Victoria and I will also be featured on the Southern Utah Songwriters
Association compilation cd this spring. We'll have those for sale at
shows.

A dear friend:

My good friend Elijah McCausland passed away in a traffic accident
this week. He was one of the most good hearted people I have known.
He was also one of my biggest fans. Thank you Elijah for being who you are, and thank you for your encouragement.


Blessings to you,
Dave

Hi friends!

It's been a long time coming. Since the release of my album The Solitude of Here. The overwhelming majority of my record sales have come from the Netherlands. When the Solitude of Here was released in early 2006 it was featured on the front webpage of CDBaby for three days. During that time two Music Journalists Eric Van Domurg Scipio ( Heaven Magazine ) and Paul Van de Weil ( Folk Forum ) wrote two incredible reviews on the CD. The word spread like wildfire in the Netherlands.

Now I finally have the opportunity to perform in the place that has truly received my music, thanks to another good friend from the Netherlands, Tony Sanner. Tony manages De Slotplaats where Victoria and I will be performing this Saturday night.

I am especially honored to be doing this concert with her by my side. Our music has grown together in a beautiful way since our first meeting ten months ago. We will be performing our solo work and our duo work at the show and several songs from my new solo album The Final Hour as well as several new duo songs that will be on our second duo CD. We hope to see many of you there!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

8:30 pm

In Concert: DAVE TATE & VICTORIA LAGERSTROM
De Slotplaats, Bakkeveen,
The Netherlands"

Victoria and I have finally finished our Duo CD. Songs are now available to listen to here or on our duo page www.daveandvictoria.net

A big thanks to all those involved with the album. Steve Lemmon at Spiral Studios was a lifesaver with the mixing and mastering and did an excellent job. My brother Dan wrote the incredible string parts as well as played the piano on Forgiven. Thanks to the talented string players Alexis Hoggard, Kelly Astle and Kristi Geddes. Also we were pleased to have UK sax player David Wilson contribute to three tracks. Thanks to Pete Jensen and Jordan Davis on Bass and Precussion. Pete and Jordan were my former band mates in Salt Lake and did a stand out job.
Many friends came out of the woodwork as well to contribute to this project.
Photographers Paul Duane and Natalie Cass, both on our page, did incredible work for us. Thanks guys!

Three years ago my brother introduced me to Coach Ilg's incredible High Performance Yoga. From the first time I did one of his charismatic routines I was hooked. I am inspired by his peaceful warrior spirit and the peace and balance that his approach to yoga, fitness and lifestyle brings. I count Coach Ilg as one of my greatest influences and supporters.So it is with great honor that I tell you that my music is featured on his "Flight Without Wings" Snowshoeing DVD.

Available at
www.wholisticfitness.com

P.S. - while you are there pick up a copy of the High Performance Yoga Basic Strength DVD. It's incredible.



So thanks to you coach! I'm so grateful to be able to give back!

"I've been playing Dave's music in my yoga classes and at home for
several years. Astonishingly exquisite, his voice seems as if it is continually tuned by the endlessness of eons. His musicality too,
seems as sharply soothing and soaring as the patina plated sandstone spires of his southern Utah homeland. A 'Tate' album is is a precious gem in a jewel case. i bow to the beauty and poetic verve of Dave Tate!"

- Coach Steve Ilg, ryt/uscf/cpt
creator/Wholistic Fitness and High Performance Yoga
author/TOTAL BODY TRANSFORMATION

Home is in the Stars is a purely acoustic guitar and vocal collection of some of my most upbeat, energetic songs. This album strongly shows the folk/rock element of my music.

Most of the songs on Home is in the Stars were written for a full band. I always like hearing simplified acoustic versions of songs from artists and this is my voicing of the raw elements of these passionate songs.

On Aug 26 Dave Tate's "The Solitude of Here" was given an incredible review by Folk Forum www.folkforum.nl - for those of you who read dutch here it is. The english version is posted in the press section.

Dave Tate - The Solitude of Here - Mukuna Publishing

Er zijn van die zeldzame momenten dat woorden niet toereikend zijn om de pracht van een CD te beschrijven. Dan krijgt, om Zappa te parafraseren, schrijven over muziek zoiets onbeholpens als dansen op architectuur. Niettemin waag ik toch maar een poging.

Ze verschijnen hoogst zelden, CD's die zo goed zijn dat je er volledig van in de ban raakt. Die altijd in de buurt van de CD speler blijven liggen om ze dagelijks te draaien. Die je uit je slaap houden omdat je sommige passages niet uit je hoofd krijgt. Die, als je hem in gezelschap draait het gesprek onmiddellijk doet verstommen en mensen doet vragen naar uitvoerende en titel. Kortom, zo'n CD waarvan het hart sneller gaat kloppen en die het muzikale leven voor langere tijd beheerst. Dave Tate is de naam van deze briljante singer/songwriter. Via een recensie in het maandblad Heaven kwam ik op het spoor van zijn CD The Solitude of Here. De lovende woorden die daar aan hem gewijd werden blijken na beluistering bij wijze van spreken nog een understatement.

The Solitude of Here roept nostalgische gevoelens op. Het neemt je terug naar de tijd van de grote singer/songwriters. In sommige zangnummers laat Tate zich goed vergelijken met een jonge Paul Simon (No Mercy, Rose), als zijn stem de hoogte in gaat liggen vergelijkingen met David Gates of Don McLean voor de hand. The Solitude of Here heeft ook het introspectieve, intieme van een Nick Drake CD.

Het zijn voorbeelden van muzikanten die in het verleden belangrijk werk afleverden. Ik moet me sterk vergissen als Dave Tate met deze CD ter zijner tijd niet in datzelfde rijtje belandt. Zonder een epigoon te zijn van genoemde voorbeelden. Het knappe van Dave Tate is namelijk dat hij oude tijden doet herleven zonder ouderwets te (willen) klinken. De thema's zijn universeel, de aanpak van Dave Tate absoluut niet.
Dat begint al bij de opener Evensong. Net als je een beetje bijgekomen bent van die fantastische stem en superieur gitaarspel, valt er een fagot in, die het nummer nog een extra emotionele lading geeft. Vanaf dat moment weet je dat je iets bijzonders in handen hebt. Het vervolg, Left a Mark is een bloedstollend mooie compositie waarin een perfecte synthese tussen zang/gitaar- en kamermuziek te horen is.
Het trio klassieke muzikanten, Anne Marshall-viool, Ryan Kratsch-cello en Joe Jones-fagot, geeft een aantal nummers via, soms kleine, interventies extra diepgang en dynamiek. De toch al niet misselijke vocale climax in Harmony wordt versterkt door subliem strijkwerk van Marshall en Kratsch. In Light was Low zorgen meerstemmige cello en viool voor ontroering. Maar het is de stem en de gitaar van Dave Tate die deze CD tot een ware luisterbelevenis maakt. Zoals bijv. in breekbare songs als Let's be lovers, The Faucon of Rose. Alle nummers worden gezongen met een grote intensiteit. `Gezongen' schrijf ik, maar `beleefd' is misschien een betere uitdrukking. Dat maakt dat ze bij mij onder de huid kruipen om daar niet meer weg te gaan. Geen vals sentiment of pathetiek maar breekbare ontroering kenmerkt de nummers op deze CD.

De stembeheersing en bereik van de stem van Dave Tate is ongekend. Hij haalt met gemak de hoogste noten. Maar nergens wordt geforceerd, elk woord blijft duidelijk verstaanbaar. Wie zich na ettelijke draaibeurten kan losmaken van die fantastische stem en zich concentreert op de begeleiding zal ervaren dat Dave Tate ook een bovengemiddeld gitarist is.

De CD is in eigen beheer uitgegeven. Dave Tate heeft zelf gemixt en gemasterd. De opnames klinken kraakhelder, of ze in een bijzonder goede studio gemaakt zijn. Het is bijna niet te geloven, maar de CD wordt niet gedistribueerd en is alleen via internet verkrijgbaar, via www.cdbaby.com. Je kan daar ook fragmenten van de CD beluisteren. Het is een CD die een veel betere en grotere distributie verdient. Die gewoon in elke CD-zaak te koop zou moeten zijn. Dit meesterwerk verdient een ereplek in de galerij van de grote singer/songwriters.

The Solitude of Here blijkt geen ééndagsvlieg. Ik kreeg de opvolger (nog niet uitgebracht) True Sound in huis. Daarop bevestigt Dave Tate zijn grote klasse.

Paul, waardering: 9½

From feb 3 to Feb 6 "The Solitude of Here" will be on the front page of CD baby.com

Here's a copy of the review:


"This is by far the most grabbing male folk album to come through our doors in months. It's hard not to make comparisons to Paul Simon's more sensitive folk writing with a similar mix of warmth, open space, breathy vocals, innocence and a dewy, green clarity of intention. His songs have a way of stealing your breath away and removing you momentarily from the passing of time, suspending you in full-body harmonies. While he has a knack for open-hearted, reflective songs, there is the slightest echo of acoustic jam band writing, giving this album a well-balanced emotional scope from track one to eleven. Bravo."

- CD Baby