Charleston Sound’s ‘Sundown Sessions’ Series Kicks Off with Crowfield
Mt. Pleasant-based recording studio Charleston Sound enjoyed a busy summer working with local bands and visiting artists, including Hootie and the Blowfish lead singer and country superstar Darius Rucker. As the fall season begins, studio owner/chief engineer Jeff Hodges and his team are looking forward to presenting a new multimedia series called the Sundown Sessions.
The series will feature streaming audio (via ustream.tv), interviews, and documentary video footage. It’s designed to spotlight local bands and touring acts by having them perform live in the main room with a small audience of friends and fans. It follows in the vein of Charleston Sound’s previous Lounge Sessions series, co-sponsored by the Bridge at 105.5.
“The idea was born out of the success we’ve had with the afternoon Lounge Sessions we’ve been doing for the last several years,” Hodges says. “The Sundown Sessions are meant to be a music and community-building experience both for the participating bands, fans, other local musicians that will come and hang out, as well as media folks, sponsors, and the world via streaming.”
At each Sundown Session, two musical acts will perform sets in the main studio and then hang out with their audiences afterward. Videographers will document the events in high studio quality, from start to finish. The footage will be multi-cast over the radio and web. Recordings will be made available to the bands and media, and they’ll be archived at Charleston Sound’s website as well.
“The events will sometimes be scheduled around a national touring band that is coming through town, along with a similar-genre local band that will open,” Hodges says. “A jam session will close out the night where musicians from both bands as well as guest musicians rock out together. Everything’s recorded.”
Charleston Sound can accommodate between 75-100 invited guests for each event. Participating artists and attendees will have the opportunity to snag local media coverage. Food and drinks will be provided by sponsors.
Crowfield at Charleston Sound (provided)
Two Charleston-based bands — Crowfield and Stoplight Observations — will partner to kickoff the first of the Sundown Sessions on Wednesday, Nov. 7. Led by singer/songwriter Tyler Mechem, pop-rock quintet Crowfield recently released an album titled The Diamond Sessions. The five piece Stoplight Observations are an up-and-coming alt-rock band out of Mt. Pleasant.
“We think the Sundown Sessions will provide a rare look into a format that most fans don’t get to see,” Crowfield manager David Regan stated in recent press release. “The production and staff at Charleston Sound are above and beyond excellent. We’re all about breaking down the walls between band and fan, and the Sundown Sessions gives us a chance to connect in a more personal way. We’re excited to try this new format.”
Hodges and his assistant engineers are eager to produce the first session. “We’re pumped to have Crowfield here to kick-off the series,” Hodges says. “We’ve also received an incredible initial response from the local music community. Charleston has such a vibrant and diverse array of musicians and artists, and we feel like this is a great way to really showcase them in a more personal and behind the scenes setting, letting fans both here and around the world see and hear them like never before.”
Charleston Sound plans to host the Sundown Sessions on a monthly basis. Visit charlestonsound.com for more info and updates.
Top photo of Jeff Hodges by Ed Freeman.
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About the Author
Ballard Lesemann is a musician and writer. Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., he spent years playing in bands and working for Flagpole Magazine in the bustling music town of Athens, Ga. He returned to his hometown and served more than seven years as the Charleston City Paper's music editor. He's better at drumming than he is at playing guitar.
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