23 December 2009 So that was 2009 then!
 Hi All
Well, here we are at the end of another year and I must say I'm looking forward to a better one next year! Much as I enjoyed the touring with Peter Doherty, the current state of the music business has been a little depressing this year.
I've worked with some fine bands this year who, I'm sure in previous years would have been signed to a label that could put some effort and muscle into promoting them. However, in this current climate, the record companies are running scared and they just don't want to spend money on recording bands. Despite this, I still feel there are some great acts out there and I believe things WILL improve next year if the trend of illegal downloading starts to reduce. Keep a look out for Lyrebirds, Funeral Suits, Ex Lovers and Kurran and the Wolf Notes!
Have a great Christmas and here's to a happy new year!
Cheers
Stephen
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19 December 2008 End of Olympic
 Just been told the very sad news that Olympic Studios is to close at the end of the month. I have been using the studios as the base of my operations for over 5 years now and share a studio with Cenzo Townsend in the basement of Olympic which we affectionately name "The Bunker". Everything has to be moved out by mid-January and a new location will have to be found.
However, what is more distressing is that some wonderful people have lost their jobs at a very emotional time of year. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Siobhan and all at Olympic for making the time I spent there, a very happy and productive period of my life. I doubt very much I will ever find something as good again.
This is what happens when music is devalued as it is now. The point where music is made (the studio) is also devalued; companies won't pay the going rate, the studio doesn't reach targets set by accountants and bang! it's closed. Very sad indeed.
If something as strong as Olympic call fall then I despair for the industry as a whole. God help us!
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06 December 2008 Smiths Revisited
 I have just spent a few fantastic and memorable days reunited in the studio with the great Johnny Marr remastering the Smiths albums!
It was great to catch up with Johnny after such a long break. I've bumped into him at a couple of Award ceremonies over the years but the last time we actually spent any proper time in each other's company was back in '87 when we were recording "Strangeways Here We Come".
It was fantastic to hear the original mixes played off the half inch tape and honestly, it did not seem like over 20 years since I worked with Johnny on these wonderful recordings. He and I reminisced over various overdubs and details as we listened through the tapes and it seemed like only yesterday that we were in the studio together. The other good thing was that the tapes sounded great and did not need major EQ-ing at all. It was just as well that the remastering was happening now as the tapes had to be baked to stop them shedding and perhaps if it had been much later the tapes could have deteriorated beyond repair.
So, a great experience; not only are The Smiths LPS going to be available again in a much needed re-mastered form, but I have rekindled a friendship with one of the best musicians I have ever worked with and that is priceless!
Before Johnny headed back to Manchester we promised to try and make sure we work together on something in the future and I for one would love that to happen.
Cheers
S
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