The new Telios EP is officially released! It has been a long journey since beginning the recording studio construction a few years (!) ago, but it feels great to release the first project! Thanks to everyone that came out to the release show, it was a great time! On a side note, the Telios release is on the same day as national day of prayer and the premier of a new Michael Jackson song from his album. I am going to add and check "release album on same day as Michael Jackson on national day of prayer" to my bucket list. Check.
Thanks Everyone. Talk to you soon. Greg
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The new Telios EP artwork has been completed! These new songs were inspired by exploring faith, creation, and the connections we have with others. Connections with family, friends, and new faces provided much of the backbone for these songs. There is also a sense of capturing both the vastness and immensity of nature as well as some of the depth and subtleties it has to offer. I wanted the artwork and songs to both reflect this natural feel that has one foot in wonderment, excitement, and exploration and the other in simple familiarity. I often find myself reflecting on how many of my experiences are enriched by both of those things. -Greg
Great time on Saturday at iron fist. Come on out again on Wednesday from 6 to 8 for a brew and tunes. Some of the most inspiring moments for me are watching my friends create, listening to their work, and enjoying the process with them. I have been blessed to have been able to make music with Katelyn Burcaw for many years. A dear friend and fantastic vocalist, Katelyn meandered out to California after we worked on some songs in Pennsylvania earlier in the year. I think these songs took on new life with the addition of her vocals. The evolution of the songs were really fun to work through, echoing nostalgia and also sharing the excitement of new experiences. Can't wait to share them with everyone!
like on facebook to get updates, photos and more follow @gregkester sign up for the newsletter Though most of the new EP has an acoustic, folk, and blues feel, a few of the songs have some fun drums going on. We got some great sounds out of the Pearl kit using a few interesting home-made percussion utensils in addition to the straight up brush and stick sounds. Enjoy the clip. For updates please check back to the site often and/or follow on social media!
like on facebook to get updates, photos and more follow @gregkester sign up for the newsletter Ladies and Gentlemen, I am excited to present a short film about the construction of our dear recording studio. The construction seems like it was so long ago and as I watch the footage, it is hard to remember the studio at the various stages of construction. However, since we have been making headway using the studio to actually record music (shocking, I know), we have frequently reflected back on the construction process, especially when introducing new guests, musicians, friends, and family. It still blows me away. It was quite a project and we put in quite an effort to make this a reality. Outside of the heavy construction work featured in this video, there was a ton of other preparation and finishing work that went into the project as well. For example, texturing the walls, painting, installing whisper mat, creating custom molding, moving gear, setting up the signal flow, and cabling was pretty gnarly, way more in-depth than I was imagining anyhow! Aaron put in a lot of work with the finishing touches, kudos to him on that.
We are going to be featuring video updates from the various projects I am working on and other studio happenings, so please stay tuned and enjoy! Also, I have this idea that many of the new videos are going to feature new song ideas that are at various stages of writing and recording, or old, unreleased ideas and songs from years past. I want to have some fun sharing some songs that long time fans might remember from many years ago and also share new ideas at their infancy. If you feel so inclined, please post your thoughts about potential new song ideas in the comments or send me a message! I like to think that we all can kind of write some songs together that way, or at the least experience part of the process of brining a concept to fruition. That would be fun. So be on the look out for studio vlogs from the new recording sessions! Can't wait to share with everyone! Talk to you soon. Hope all is well! Greg Mattson 2 played an awesome set at the Patagonia shop in Cardiff tonight. Cool event "slide your brains out" with photographer/videographer Thomas Campbell and Dan Malloy
This week was a packed session writing and recording with Katelyn Burcaw. Check back for studio updates as we work to get you some new material! We are very, very excited!
Sometimes music can give an extra special gift to people. As a musician I have the pleasure of getting to interact with the impact of music from both perspectives (the listener and the musician). I frequently experience the effect that listening to music can have on me and I feel like I often describe and communicate my interactions with music to everyone. However, it is pretty special for me as a musician to connect with someone from the other perspective. I got a really awesome moment at a show the other day. I want to share this story as something for me to look upon for inspiration in the future and hopefully an encouragement to others who may have similar experiences . . . especially those that may ever consider sharing their feelings about a song with an artist. At a recent Cafe Ipe gig, a woman was walking by the show, passed and then re-appeared around the corner of the neighboring building. I was playing the song "For A Moment". That song in particular has an intended message of love and hope in times of struggle. When the song was over, this woman spoke up above her applause and said "I was having a really rough day, I was walking with my head down...my husband is sick with cancer and that song is what I needed to hear, it made my day. Thank you, God bless you." For someone to verbalize that type of emotional response to my music was something really special. It was a heartfelt reminder of how music can impact others. Not that I ever doubt it, but sometimes you can get wrapped up in how fun it is or the entertainment element of it all, and it is so nice to feel that emotional connection of your intent for a song resonating with someone's life. As I go on and remind myself that I want to give back all that music gives to me, these types of experiences make it so joyful to be part of that journey. To whomever it was that stopped to listen and share that comment, thank you. Thank you for expressing and sharing something that personal and vulnerable in a public setting. If you ever come across this page and this post, I truly hope that your husband's condition improves. Thank you for helping to remind me one of the main reasons why I play music. Thanks for listening as always. Hi Everyone,
Just recently re-did the website!! As more and more content comes your way, I truly want this site to be the place you can go to hear new material, get linked into videos, updates, news, photos, etc. What do you think of the site? I've included some photography of mine in the header images as well...it has been fun to start using all those pictures around the design of the site/music. There are a lot of updates on the music front...have been in the studio quite a bit. I am working on a few different projects now. Some of it is working out new stuff, some of it is re-working older un-released acoustic sessions material. I will surely keep you all posted as things become completed and ready for you all to hear!! I also just picked up a Martin 00-15 that sounds dreamy. I have wanted one of these for a long time and the situation presented itself. I have a feeling that this beauty has so many songs inside just waiting to be heard. First moments playing around with it already provided a really enjoyable melody. I am very excited to have this new member of the acoustic family!! Stay tuned for new project updates and shows! Talk to you soon, Greg |
Greg Kester
Pursuing passions and appreciating the joys and blessings of life. I have been given so much, I'd like to use music as an avenue to give back. Archives
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