Damon Fibraio: Latest News

Well, folks? Sorry for the lack of updates, but not much has been happening. I remixed Carry on Wayward son and replaced the original mix with the new one. This is the last I will do with this project for now. Sometimes is on hold while I get a few more things straight, including new drums and redoing vocals. Last but not least, Queen of the Ryche is playing in Manhattan on May 5, 2007, however, whether or not I am with them is a question I can't answer at this time. Stay tuned for more dtails as they happen.

Well, I've taken a break from studio work for a bit, so there is nothing new to report on the home front, bu tQueen of the Ryche is returning to Cooks Cafe in Naugatuck, CT, assuming I spelled it right. If I don't kill them all first, we'll take the stage at 10:30 or so. It's a night of Queensryche, including the entire operation mindcrime album, plus the rest of the stuff we know. So, if you live in CT, come out and check us out.

Well, I remixed Carry on wayward son and will get it up soon. The new version has better mix of vocals and I think sounds better. Sometimes is taking longer than I had hoped, and in fact, I may have Rich and I redo all the vocals to get a better overall volume. Also, it may help mixing down the road. So, wait a little bit longer for me, please. And last but not least, Queen of the Ryche, the band I play in, playing this Saturday at Tiki Joe's in Long Island. Check the concert calendar or go to the official Queen of the Ryche web page for the full story, assuming they updated it. If not, try checking out the Queen of the Ryche myspace page or the Vision home page where QOTR dates are posted.

It's been a while and I apologize for any lack of updates, but what a couple of weeks I have had. I have been spending time upgrading and troubleshooting the recording computer and getting used to a new system that runs Windows Vista. I have had visions of kicking bill Gates in the balls for what he's done to Windows with this new version, but maybe it'll grow on me. Anyway, folks, I am about to reward you for your patience, as if you all come here everyday. In testing out the new Sonar 6 and the new control surface and other new gear, I recorded a cover version of Carry on Wayward son that I am making available in the music section. I can't believe how well this turned out. As always, feedback is welcome. Also, work has progressed on the new version of Sometimes. all vocals were recorded last night. I am going to do a rough mix of it with my guitar tracks tonight, and then we're going to bring in our man Johnny to record real guitars to it. Once done, we'll probabl7y make both versions available on this site for your entertainment. And lastly, check the concert calendar section, as Queen of the Ryche is playing a few gigs this month. Still waiting on that DVD, too. I hope to get it son and then I can put more tracks up of that.

Sorry for the lack of updates. I have had the week from hell here in the studio. I upgraded some of the production computer's components and have run into serious issues. I put in new hard drives and a new dvd burner which went well enough, but the new tascam fw1884 control surface and audio interface is defective and the firewire card won't recognize it. IN addition, I am hooking up a new personal computer and it is running Windows Vista. I am near to the point of tearing my hair out with all the things going wrong, like the inability to install the new version of recording software, etc. etc. I need to go buy some different components and have limited transportation, so things have grinded to a halt here for the time being. I did start on a new idea last night, but don't know if it will get finished anytime soon, since I have to prep for the next nhb show. Speaking of nhb, I was interviewed for a podcast called Ouch Radio Episode 13 has me on a panel with 2 other blind guys. I'll probably play the segment on the nhb show tomorrow night. So, at least some good news is going down. Oh well, back to work and then onto more troubleshooting. Will let you all know what happens when I don't feel like taking a hammer to the gear.

OK, the song I mentioned in my last news posting is now finished. Under the work in progress 12 title, you can find it in the demos section. Be warned: It is over 8 minutes long. I apparently am incapable of writing short pieces of music. But I really like this one and can't wait to finish it with real lyrics, vocals and the ability to use the sounds from different keyboards. The keyboard solo towards the end was recorded live as I recorded into sound forge, so there is a slip or two and some of the section transitions are a bit off, but this is a writing demo, so it is not perfect, but I wanted to get it done so I could have it. I am sure the final versions of all these songs will undergo some arrangement modifications. And now, I am going to bed. Again, comment on any of the music in the forums or in the guestbook. Your feedback is welcome, tell me if I am on the right track or if my head is up my own ass. Curious to know what others think, since someday this will be released on a CD that you may want to buy.

Well, they say creativity ebbs and flows, and if that is so, there's a floodgate open here at the studio. I finished the music for Sometimes and have a rought mix of it sitting on my hard drive. Not going to post it until it is finished, though, just to tease you all. But, trust me when I say, it's going to rock. Go to the music section and in the band demos page, listen to the original Sometimes and when you hear this new version, you'll be amazed at how far this song has come.

IN other news, I am working on yet another new song. I don't know where these ideas are coming from, but when the mood strikes, you don't turn it away. This will probably be a more straight ahead song, but the music already is pretty powerful, in my mind, and this is before any words are written, in fact, I am only up to a verse and a half or so at this writing, but this is going to be a pretty powerful song if it comes out right. I wish I could use other instruments better than just the motif, but when you write in sections, the motif sequencer is so much easier to mess with than trying to record into the computer. But, trust me, this is going to be nice and I don't normally feel proud of my work to this level. Will probably post a rough mix of it when it is finished so you all can hear it. As always, commentary is welcome on any of the tracks in the music section. Until next time...

Last night, i began working on a redone version of Sometimes, the song that appears on my cousin Rich's band demo. The original song is posted in the music section of this site. Rich wanted to redo it because he didn't like the mix and he thinks we can do it better. So, I began work on a new arrangement last night. When it is finished, we'll have it up here to listen to and download, possibly. The new version has a reworked introduction and, in my opinion, a better arrangement. Rich will lay down vocals after I install the new hard drives and hook up a few new pieces of gear to the compuer, and then I'll go to work on backing vocals and try to mix this thing. It is already up to 10 tracks or so and is pretty dense. Some cleanup needs to be done on the drum and lead guitar track, and Rich hasn't heard it yet, but hopefully, we'll have it up here soon.

IN other news, work in progress demo 11 was aired on the Wednesday night No Holds Barred Radio show. to great reception by the listening audience. I hope to have some lyrics to it someday. For now, it is available to listen to in the music section.

IN still more news, I was interviewed yesterday by Ouch radio, a UK based podcast, talking about being in talk radio on the internet as a blind person. I was on a panel with two other people. The show lasted about a half hour at most. When I get a copy, I'll see if I can put it up here or we'll use it on the NHB show. It was great fun to do and I can't wait for it to be posted so I can hear how it turned out. This makes my second podcast interview, the first was last year on the Whole Note Podcast. In fact, just checking there now, the link to the podcast is still on the main page and it is apparently still the last podcast that was done. I encourage you all to check it out, it was an interesting interview, I think.

ON a sad note, Brad delp, lead singer of Boston, passed away yesterday at his home in New Hampshire. I was informed of this by a friend of mine, but haven't seen any official news on it. He was 55 years old. While Boston is not a band still in the mainstream, Bad had an incredible voice and he was an amazing talent. I am sad that I never got to meet him in person. He will be missed, as Boston is definitely one of my favorite bands. On the bright side, Genesis is coming to Giant's stadium, and I have wanted to see them since forever. Hopefully, I can score some tickets to that show.

Well, that's all the news for now. Check back often, as I will try to keep you all posted on things going on around here.

Last night, i began working on a redone version of Sometimes, the song that appears on my cousin Rich's band demo. The original song is posted in the music section of this site. Rich wanted to redo it because he didn't like the mix and he thinks we can do it better. So, I began work on a new arrangement last night. When it is finished, we'll have it up here to listen to and download, possibly. The new version has a reworked introduction and, in my opinion, a better arrangement. Rich will lay down vocals after I install the new hard drives and hook up a few new pieces of gear to the compuer, and then I'll go to work on backing vocals and try to mix this thing. It is already up to 10 tracks or so and is pretty dense. Some cleanup needs to be done on the drum and lead guitar track, and Rich hasn't heard it yet, but hopefully, we'll have it up here soon.

IN other news, work in progress demo 11 was aired on the Wednesday night No Holds Barred Radio show. IN still more news, I was interviewed yesterday by Ouch radio, a UK based piodcast, talking about being in talk radio on the internet as a blind person. I was on a panel with two other people. The show lasted about a half hour at most. When I get a copy, I'll see if I can put it up here or we'll use it on the NHB show. It was great fun to do and I can't wait for it to be posted so I can hear how it turned out. This makes my second podcast interview, the first was last year on the Whole Note Podcast. In fact, just checking there now, the link to the podcast is still on the main page and it is apparently still the last podcast that was done. I encourage you all to check it out, it was an interesting interview, I think.

ON a sad note, Brad delp, lead singer of Boston, passed away yesterday at his home in New Hampshire. I was informed of this by a friend of mine, but haven't seen any official news on it. He was 55 years old. While Boston is not a band still in the mainstream, Bad had an incredible voice and he was an amazing talent. I am sad that I never got to meet him in person. He will be missed, as Boston is definitely one of my favorite bands. On the bright side, Genesis is coming to Giant's stadium, and I have wanted to see them since forever. Hopefully, I can score some tickets to that show.

Well, that's all the news for now. Check back often, as I will try to keep you all posted on things going on around here.

OK, so I finished work in progress demo 11 and it is now on the site under the music section. Just go to the demos link and it is there along with 10 other demos. Love to hear feedback on the demos, so email them to me.

For those who care...

Just got home from Guitar Center with the new toy. The Tascam fw1884. Traded in my old Tascam control surface for this one. Have to do some studio mangling to get this to fit on the desk, but it's just an addition to the list of things to do to get this going. Smaller in size, but does a whole lot more, I can't wait to get the production box upgraded with all this new stuff. Next thing on the list...the Yamaha Motif XS7. April can't come fast enough...

In other news, a new demo is finished, I am not happy with the first rough mix, but when I remix it, I'll post it here for your commentary. It is admittedly a little sloppy, but I wanted to get the structure down. May play it tomorrow night on the NHB radio show. If you don't know what it is, go to the NHB Radio home page and check it out. Not for the weak of heart, though. This new song marks the first recording of the keyboard through the vox tonelab SE, a guitar processor and the guitars sound amazing. Using the drums from my Roland keyboard, which sound a lot better. Just have to work on the lead and remix it slightly and it should be up here soon, sloppy timing and all. Anyway, enough from the studio, keep checking back here for more news as it happens.

Today, aside from some cosmetic changes and adding some links on the front page, I sorted the music section and uploaded 10 demo recordings into the demos section. Called work in progress demos, these songs are just instrumental arrangements that will probably be rerecorded for a future release with lyrics, better mixing and less sloppy playing. I have a bunch of new things coming in including upgrades to the production computer, new instruments and a better control surface to hopefully make my recordings easier to manage and sound even better. So, check out the work in progress demos and let me know what you think. And more work is being done as we speak on a new song which I'll upload when it is finished. IN other news, I'm starting to work on the next batch of Queen of the Ryche songs and what a bitch that is becoming, but I am up for the challenge and hopefully, you'll hear these next two songs at our next gig. Check the calendar section for when Queen of the Ryche is playing next and don't forget to sign up for the mailing list and forums to get all the latest news.

OK, I now have some songs up in the music section of the site. They are only streaming for now. I can make them downloadable if there is enough outcry, but for now, I think I'll just leave them as streamable. There are a few original tunes, some covers, old band demos from 4 different bands, sound track stuff I did and some work I did with other artists. More will be coming including more queen of the Ryche recordings, once I get the DVD from the Florida gigs, and some demo tracks that will eventually be recorded with vocals and put out on a CD. So, keep checking back and if you want, post in the forums or email me if you have other things you want to see here and I'll try to get it working.

I just added forums to the site. Well, actually, host baby did, I didn't do shit. But, they are live and I hope they work. Don't know much about PHPBB. So, Visit our forums and chat away. If something is screwed up, just email me and I'll see what I can do. if you want to help out with the site, or forum management, I'll see if I can add you on, just let me know.

Hello, everybody. Thanks for stopping by. This is the official site to all things Damon Fibraio. Right now, I'll just be promoting my current band, Queen of the Ryche, but stay tuned for other projects in the works. The site is under construction, but I hope to have things up on a regular basis, so keep coming back to see how I fuck things up as I go. thanks to hostbaby.com for the hosting, and Kevin Reeves for turning me onto to such a cool company and an easy site setup. If you have any comments, email me, I am all ears, literally.