Design by Silvi Naci.

By Tommy Bohlen

HRR Director

 Heavy Rotation Records is bar none the coolest experience I’ve had at Berklee in regards to my Music Business major. One of the reasons Berklee is such an amazing place to be is that we may split our time between music and the trades that go along with it, giving us a strong potential to succeed in the music industry. For many of us music is our passion, our gift and our sanity in this world of immense possibility. When we enter the halls of Berklee we are making a strong commitment that this is going to be the road we set out on and follow through wherever it may lead. Taking our passion to the gates of reality is no easy feat in a world of survival, but from here on we shall be well equipped.

“Heavy Rotation Records is an established student run record label at Berklee.” But what is it really about? For over 10 years now, HRR has been giving students a two semester crash course on the fundamental aspects of a major recording company covering departments like A&R, Marketing, Touring/Promotion, and New Media. Members of the class get to take on roles in these departments and gain real experience for whatever field they may get into in the real world. The departments are overseen by two student co-directors and faculty advisor Jeffrey Dorenfeld to make sure things run smoothly and professionally.

 The main focus of the HRR staff is to release a compilation album of current Berklee artists entitled Dorm Sessions. 2010 marks the 7th installment of the album, which has previously featured notable artists such as Annie Clark (St. Vincent), the Click Five and Apollo Sunshine. The process starts every fall as the A&R teams brings in over 300 submissions from the Berklee community to be considered for the release. Usually only 6-9 spots are available on the album, which makes the selection process very difficult, but the listening is fun and hearing all the great music coming out of the school is a real treat. Once the finalists have been selected we create the album artwork, master the tracks and then prepare for the CD release concert at the BPC, which is held on February 10 this year. Running around town, yapping on the phone, attending countless meetings can run you dry, but the excitement around this project keeps us going strong with the mindset to do the best.

The BPC release show is an epic event. Every year it has been sold out and has recently showcased some incredible performances from groups like Nini+Ben, Re-Up, and Annie & the Beekeepers. The audience gets a solid and unique performance each time as the bands are put to the test in the 1,200 + seat venue. Every year gets a little more fun, and this year will be no exception.

The HRR staff’s job doesn’t end with the CD Release show. The marketing and new media groups help ensure the bands stay well known in the music community, and the touring group helps book shows for the bands. Often we get our artists to perform for industry giants, or as an act in a large festival. Each year HRR also sends their artists to perform at the renowned CMJ and SXSW music festivals. Keep an eye out for HRR in the musical world outside of Berklee, we get our name out there and this year will be no exception as great things are in store. 

See you at the BPC on Wednesday! 

Jeff Martineau 
Publicity Coordinator
Berklee Ice Cats

Due to losing some players to graduation and other reasons, the Ice Cats will be holding mid-season tryouts on Tuesday, January 26.

WHERE: SIMONI ICE RINK, 155 GORE ST. CAMBRIDGE, MA. (go to Lechemere stop on Green Line)

TIME: 10:30PM

CONTACT:
Jimmy Gately 781-710-1310:
Jeff Martineau 401-744-0553
icehockey@berklee.net

In order to tryout, you must contact someone above and give your name, semester level, position, and experience.

For more information, visit: http://www.berkleehockeyteam.com

Press Release Courtesy of Tommy Bohlen

The following artists will appear on Heavy Rotation Records’ Dorm Sessions: Volume 7. They will also perform at the BPC on February 10, 2010.

Ann Driscoll
Julia Easterlin
Liz Longely
KR
Black Kettle
Lip Tease
Tin Soldier
Jordan Tarrant
Tais Alvarenga

Press Release Courtesy of Liz Turner
SGA

This week, the Student Government Association will be at the Mez table of 150, from Tuesday 1-2, Thursday 1-2, Friday 1-2. Student Government wants to hear from you on what you like about Berklee, and what we can do to make Berklee a better place. This week will also launch the SGA Suggestion Boxes, which you will be able to find in 150, 1140, 921 Buildings, where students can leave suggestions about Berklee.

Please stop by the mez table this week to learn more about Student Government. If you are interested in being a part of the club, we meet every Monday night at 7 pm in the Loft!

Jeff Martineau
Publicity Coordinator
Berklee Ice Cats

Photo by Matthew N. Gray-Smith

Once again, the Ice Cats have defeated the Emerson Lions in the annual Boylston Cup by a score of 8-1 this past weekend. That makes it four in a row for the Ice Cats. The Lions have yet to win the coveted trophy having been outscored 30-15 in the last four years.

Senior Mike Flynn got things rolling with a breakaway goal fed from Neal Warner. Carter Lee and captain Jimmy Gately added a goal a piece in the first with a pair of assists by Taylor Martin. The Ice Cats led 5-1 to at the end of the first period. Play began to get chippy as the both teams began to up the physical play. Carter Lee was given 5 minute major for fighting along with Breton Mcnamara and Justin Gray given multiple penalties. Taylor Martin finished with 1 goal, a tip-in deflection on a powerplay, and 2 assists. Neal Warner, Jimmy Gately, Markus Stratton tacked on 3 more goals in the third period. Goalies Zac Zinger and Jeremy Blas played outstanding keeping the Lions off the scoreboard since the first period.

The Ice Cats want to thank all the friends and fans who came out and anyone else that has supported us this season.

Press Release Courtesy of N. Adam Owens
SGA President

The MassArt Activities Council will be hosting a “Bands for Cans” benefit concert to support the Greater Boston Food Bank.

The event, which will feature Black Kettle, Tin Soldier and Julia Easterlin, will also showcase MassArt student animations and films. The concert will take place Friday, November 20 from 8:30-11PM in the Pozen Center (621 Huntington Avenue, entrance on Tetlow St.).

Admission is $2 or a canned good and the event is open to the public!

By Jonathan Williams
Music Synthesis Ambassador, Berklee SGA

Jonathan Williams

There are a lot of exciting changes happening that make Synthesis at Berklee the best electronic music program in the world.

The most important change happening this year is the department’s new name, “Electronic Production and Design (ELPD)” which will take effect on January 1, 2010. This new name is a result of years of discourse and planning among the faculty, students and alumni. According to an official statement from Stephen Croes, the Dean of Music Technology, “The new name more accurately represents the department’s mission, curriculum and learning outcomes for students and graduates, while also providing strong support for professional trends in the music industry.” The new name and prefix will be used in the Spring 2010 registration manual and all classes that are prefixed “MSYN” will be “ELPD” so be sure and look out for this as you register for spring classes.

Stephen Croes, Dean of Music Technology

This semester, Synthesis students have access to a brand new ensemble room (A59) next to the Synthesis studios. Not only is great to have our own group performance space, but it also comes loaded will all sorts of geeky goodies! The room has a full electronic drum set, a wall-mounted plasma TV for those working with video composition tools like Jitter and Quartz Composer, quad speakers and several modular systems including a pair of ARP 2600 synthesizers. All connections into the sound system feed into Studio T, allowing students to record multi-track audio straight into ProTools. The ensemble room is available to all Synthesis students and may be booked in 3-hour blocks from the Synth Studio office in the 150 building

The SGA and Synthesis Department will be holding a town hall meeting on Thursday, November 19 to talk about these and other happenings in the major. More information about this meeting will be post here and on Campus Cruiser next month.

If you have any questions about anything Synth, feel free to contact me directly at jwilliams6@berklee.net.

Jeff Martineau
Publicity Coordinator
Berklee Ice Cats

The annual Boylston Cup vs. Emerson is this Saturday November 14 @7:00pm at the Walter Brown Arena on 285 Babcock St. at Boston University! The Ice Cats have one the past three years in a row. Come support your hockey team!

Tickets: $5.00 at the Mezz Table in 150 from the team from 1-4pm / $7.00 at the door

Directions:

By the T:
Take Green B Line – towards Boston College from Hynes T stop
Arrive at Babcock Street-Outbound
Walter Brown Arena – 285 Babcock St. BU Case Athletic Center

By Car: (from 150 Mass. Ave)
Go through the intersection in the left lane so the Hynes T stop is on your right.
At the next light turn left on Newbury St. (don’t turn on the highway)
Newbury St. turns right and becomes Charlesgate E.
Turn left a Commonweatlh Ave.
In 0.3 mi turn slight right to stay on Commonwealth Ave.
Turn right at Brattle St. (Destination will be on the right)
Walter Brown Arena-285 Babcock St. BU Case Athletic Center