KJ Sawka's iPhone App

Here's a great iPhone app from KJ Sawka...

Videos of Studio Session

Here are a couple videos from our recent recording session. Not sure if these are the takes we are keeping, but they are the ones that made it to video tape.

Back to the studio...

My band Zoyres is going back into the studio for our 3rd cd on August 18th. We've got at least 5 original compositions and 2 or 3 traditional tunes we're hoping to record. Our clarinetist is leaving for DC, so we're going to document the current lineup for digital distribution.

Interestingly, on this recording we won't have any odd time playing. It's all in four. The challenge this time around has two components: creating a good time feel and navigating intricate forms, and still working against the residual pain from my broken elbow. I'm not able yet to put in my usual "tech time" practice schedule of a couple weeks of serious time with the drums and the tunes. As always, I'll run the tunes in my head and play as well as I can.
Here's a pic of the lineup at a radio station gig we did this last year.

Here is a clip of me recording a drum track with the V-Drums to a cello loop track by Zoe Keating. Her playing is amazing and very textural. This particular track was screaming for some driving drums to give it even more forward motion. Not an official recording, just something for fun. Here it is...

Hybrid Setup

Most of the time I talk about "Hybrid", I'm referring to the fuzing of multiple genres of music. My band Zoyres is a hybrid of Eastern European music, jazz, improv, and uptempo styles. My solo drum style is a hybrid of electronic and acoustic styles.
However, I'm using the term hybrid today to talk briefly about my current drum setup. In response to noise issues, until I get my studio fully set up, I brought in a few of my V-Drums into my acoustic setup. I'm keeping it simple right now: acoustic bass drum and snare, 3 hi hats, 2 cymbals, and a V-drum bass drum, snare and hi hat. It allows me to play with headphones when I need to be quiet, but also bring in many different sounds and effects for playing. For example, I like to play some with a gated snare effect, or be able to shift the pitch of the snare with my hi hat pedal. The V-drums are also connected to a Roland monitor system with a subwoofer so that I can hear everything together live in the room.
The V-Drums also make for quick and easy informal recording, as I don't have mics setup on my kit yet.
Here's a phone picture of my current setup:














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Fast and short...

Here's a short clip from a site I have up on Metacafe. This is just an excerpt that I had fun tweaking video effects on!
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Uptempo Drumming Excerpt - Amazing videos are here

Did someone say "Break a leg?"

A couple months ago I fractured my right elbow in a motorcycle accident. However, I continued to play and practice as much as I could. I played a couple gigs using my left arm and two feet, changing up my setup to a more left handed approach. As it healed up some, I transitioned to playing with brushes, and re-interpreted all of my band's music with brushes. I played my first gig last week with both arms and sticks, and it felt good. I'm back to practicing, rehearsing, and playing shows again, and things are improving quickly. 

Look for more updates this summer!