Chris Mara -- Indie Rock Producer/Engineer -- Artists

1/28/08- WOW! A new site!

You dig it? Gina Turner's doing a great job, and there are many more changes to come, so keep checking back, ok? 2007 was an
awesome year! I spent the last several months working on projects for great artists such as Anna Shepherd (Bardstown, KY) at Darkhorse Recording (Nashville, TN) Freddie Way (Altanta, GA) at Omni Studios (Nashville, TN) Lisa Williams (Atlanta, GA) at Tombstone Recording (Nashville, TN) Matt Hoggatt (Pascagoula, MS) at his house for a "house call", and a live recording for Drift Effect at the Cabooze in Minneapolis; which I'm currently mixing. It's looking like a busy spring already- a lot of artists are booking recording time so they can have their albums/Eps ready for the summer tours and festivals. If you're gearing up for some festivals and tours, remember you'll need to be shopping and selling some new material!

9/6/07-Summer has flown by!

I was lucky enough to work on several great projects across the summer and am wrapping them up this month. Once they get back from mastering I'll post them on the sounds page. I spent most of July recording a few acoustic albums in a cabin in Northern Wisconsin. I've been doing more and more of this type of out-of-studio recording, so if you're an acoustic artist looking for an affordable and vibey way to do a recording- let me know. Check out all the news on mymyspace page

2/15/07- WOW- February already.

I've been way busy, which is good. I've been having a blast helping make some pretty damn good music lately, from Mobile, AL to Minneapolis, MN!! I finished up theConsumption full length before heading to Minneapolis to trackDrift Effect's sophomore release "Be Something" atPachyderm Studio. Then I tracked an acoustic EP forEliza Blue in a remote cabin setting. Very nice! Check out the new Consumption and Eliza Blue clips on their profiles. I also added a bunch of new pictures of these sessions- really cool stuff; so be sure to check it out. I'm off to Mobile, AL this weekend for Mardi Gras, and some recording sessions- then I start mixing the Drift Effect album. Check back for clips from them too!

12/08/06-ALRIGHT!

The much anticipated Red Veda EP has just gotten back from mastering and has been approved for duplication, and the clips are here!!! Check them out. I also added some new tracking pictures to theirpictures page. Enjoy!

11/25/06- OK

Now check out the new photos taken during the last bit of tracking atDarkhorse Studios forRochelle Bucher (Indianapolis,IN). Her full length record is slated to be mixed in December, and out soon after that. I'll have some sound clips up once they are available.

11/15/06-Yo!

I'll be atDarkhorse Studios for most of November working on a couple of projects - I just added somepics of last weeks' tracking sessions forConsumption (Ocean Springs, MS). We had an absolute blast!!!

10/12/06- Well, I just got back from a couple of weeks in Minneapolis

I had an absolute blast trackingQ Public atThe Terrarium, and tracking some new stuff forRed Veda atWinterland Studios, AND tracking an EP forHalfway Back, also at Winterland. Check out pictures from these sessions on their profile! The rest of October is slated for mixing these projects, and November/December are chock full of tracking new stuff for Consumption, Rochelle Bartram and Lisa Williams. If you're thinking about recording in January, February or March- now is the time to start looking at dates! Keep checking back for some new sound clips from all of these artists.

8/1/06- How's your summer going so far?

Mine has been great. I was in Cleveland mixing Tommy Wiggins' new release. How'd it go? Check out the resultshere. I just wrapped up tracking and overdubs on some new songs for Lisa Williams (Atlanta, GA). I also posted some newtestimonials, there are some really funny ones! I'm currently booking projects through the end of the year, so if you're planning on recording in '06, now is the time to put it all in motion. Rock out.

6/13/06-Well, another 2 months have gone by without an update....I suck.

So what's new? Tons. Check out the newclips andpics from Burnt Floore (Mobile, AL). I'm working on several other projects this month- including The Breezeway (Nashville, TN) and Rochelle Bucher (Indianapolis, IN) as well as some pre-production in Minneapolis for some September projects. I have a recording article featured in Rift Magazine (Minneapolis, MN) - check it outhere. There's lot's of new stuff coming down the pike- so check back often!

3/31/06- Holy crap- I haven't updated in over 2 months.

Well, January and February were spent wrapping up several projects that I started in late '05. One of them wasMelissa Anderson. I spent most of March out of town- in Minneapolis, MN for the first half recording an EP forRed Veda atTwo Fish Studios and tracking and EP for No Bad Days atThe Hideaway. Then I was off to Cleveland, OH for a 10 day tracking stint for a bunch of seasoned musicians doing a reunion album. Their first album was recorded in 1972….we had a blast. We tracked and overdubbed on 10 songs- they are letting the dust settle to decide on some tweaks and look into mix options. April is looking good too, I'll keep you posted.

1/06/06- Happy New Year!

I had a great 2 weeks in Minneapolis across the holidays. I did pre-production withRed Veda (Minneapolis, MN). We're planning on recording an EP atTwo Fish Studios in March. I also did some vocals/remixes withXerus (Minneapolis, MN) atA 440 Studios . Then I did a location recording at a cabin on a lake in WI. It was a great time had by all. I'm currently booking late spring and summer projects...now is the time to get your new material recorded so you can sell them on your summer tours!

12/07/05- I had a great weeks' work withBebek (Philly, PA) atOmni Studio

We tracked, overdubbed and mixed 3 songs over 4 days in the A room, to 2" analog... It was a lot of work, but the results were more than worth it- check it outhere. (for more details, read myblog.) I have a good bit of work for the rest of the month, mainly in Minneapolis over the holidays- check back and rock out.

11/29/05- Well, another busy month.

I worked on a couple of projects in Cleveland, Philly, Cleveland (again) and of course, here in Nashville. I tracked an EP forCelerity (Savannah, GA) at House of David studios, and tracked an EP for Melissa Anderson (Clarksville, TN) and the start ofRochelle Bucher's (Indianapolis, IN) album atDarkhorse Studio. Check it outhere .Later this week I'm doing an EP forBebek (Philly, PA) atOmni Studio. Check back to hear what we came up with. I also have a blog on myspace to check out!

10/19/05- I just got back from a very busy trip to Minneapolis. I worked on several projects while I was up there-Xerus,Jess Nelson,Stereoscope andShimmy . We recorded atA440 Studios andTwo Fish Studios. When I got back to Nashville I jumped right into another project -Cordova's Wake (Albany, GA). Take alook and listen to what we were doing, and check out my newblog on myspace to get the whole story. Please subscribe to my blog if you dig what you see. I have a ton of projects lined up for the rest of the year- keep checking back!

9/26/05-Man, lot's of cool stuff lately-

I've been tracking for several bands-Madrid (Pensacola, FL)Tommy Wiggins (Cleveland, OH) andComplex Mold (Cleveland, OH). Not much to add to my sounds page as of yet; once we finish up these projects I'll be sure to let you know. I've got a busy Oct/Nov coming up- working with bands from Nashville, Atlanta, Philly and Minneapolis. I'll keep you posted. I also have picked up some new (old) cool gear- check it out on mygear list page

8/24/05-Busy,busy,busy.

I've been toggling between projects in Cleveland, Nashville and Mobile. Check out the new stuff on my sounds page- a band out of Fort Walton Beach, FL calledOnus. Very cool stuff. I've also been working on a project in Cleveland for Tommy Wiggins, mixing a few projects in Nashville, then I head back down to Mobile to start a couple of EP's. I'll keep you posted on the upcoming projects.

7-5-05- Happy 4th of July!

Lots of new stuff to check out here at chrismara.com - First of all, check out thenew artist profiles, you'll see new stuff there from Consumption (Ocean Springs, MS) andVintage Stone (Dutton, AL). Both bands are very cool, and I'm sure you'll dig both of them. I've also been to Minneapolis twice in the last 6 weeks, once doing a live recording for a band call Freeland, and just last week went back up there to do pre-production withXerus, we plan to track an EP in early October in Minneapolis. A lot of things are brewing, including some projects in Mobile and Minneapolis in the next month or so, as well as a couple here in Nashville- I'll keep you posted if you keep checking back!

5/23/05-Man, spring has sprung!

Tons and tons of stuff going on P. Jones' tracking went great at Tracks in the Sand studio (Mobile, AL) and we are doing some overdubs/mixing this week at Dirty (Nashville, TN). Later this week I'm masteringThe Relief Effort's new release; and then I'm off to Minneapolis for 10 days, starting with masteringMoxie Bliss' new release at A440, then doing a live recording of a reunion concert for a band that released it's first record in 1973, Freeland. I've got a couple other projects in the works for when I'm in Minneapolis, I'll let you know how it turns out. After my work in Minneapolis, I'm headed back down to Mobile. I spent last week doing pre-production withConsumption (Ocean Springs, MS) and it is going quite well. We are slated to record an EP in mid-June at Tracks in the Sand. Then I'm back in Nashville to do an EP for a north Alabama-based band,Vintage Stone at Dirty. Keep checking back, I'll have sound clips of the new projects next month!

4/7/05-Well, I've been working out of town a bit the last few weeks-

I went up to Cleveland,OH to do a couple different projects. I worked on some pre-production with Tommy Wiggins; and John Terranova came over from New York to do some tracking as well. It was really cool. I also stopped byMarshman Studios and was fortunate enough to be a guest on a local radio show. It was awesome. Then it was back to Nashville to mix Reason's (Athens, GA) new release- "Face The Fiction" at Dirty. The next few months are shaping up rather nicely as well…more out of town stuff too. Later this month I start work withP. Jones' (Nashville, TN) on their upcoming Eclectik Records release at Tracks In The Sand studio- just outside of Mobile, AL. Most of June will be spent in Minneapolis working on a variety of projects…I'll keep you posted on that as those dates get closer. Check out some new pics on theHits Like A Girl (Florence, AL) page, as well as onLisa William's (Baltimore, MD) page. Keep checkin' back.

3/10/05- Wow- it's March already and with Mardi Gras already passed it feels like summer should start tomorrow!

What's new at chrismara.com? Check out the new stuff fromRichard Kitchens, (Hamilton, AL). I just got done mixing his album at Dirty. Also- I've been acquiring more equipment- for all you gear heads out there- check out the new stuff on mygear list page. I also updated myclient list and added aclient tesimonials page - check it out for some funny quotes. I have a few other mix projects slated for this month- check back soon!

1/05/05- First update of '05!

Happy New Year! I just got done mixingThe Relief Effort's full length album- the last project of '04. Check it out. Earlier last month I was featured on102.9 The Buzz's local show. The DJ,Aljon and I had a really great time talking about indie bands' needs and obstacles. Check out thisclip from the show. I've got a lot of bands gearing up for some winter recording, I'll keep you posted on their progress. Also,Triple 40 's album was released this week, and it sounds great- check it out on thesounds page as well. Have a great '05 and keep checking back for more updates.

11-18-04- I've been lucky enough to be involved with several cool projects this past month; let me tell you about them! The Chris James (Nashville, TN) project turned out awesome, thanks in big part to Wes Newborn and his production savvy.Hits Like A Girl (Florence, AL) had a blast and came away with three great songs,Two Turntables and a Saxophone (WV) andDowntrodn (Columbus, OH) were both mastered atOmni Studios this month, and turned out great. You can check out the Chris James and Hits Like a Girl stuff on their profiles, and there are pictures of them in action on there too. I've got a lot of cool stuff firming up in Dec and into the new year, so check back soon for some more updates.

10-18-04-Well, the Chris James EP project is underway-

with 4 kick butt tracks on tape thanks to Co-Producer Wes Newborn. This week we do the vox,then mix it up. Last week was fun too, I worked on a Merle Haggard recording from the mid '70's for Capitol Records atOmni Studios. I also mastered a couple songs at Omni Studios forLucid Grey out of Lexington, KY. They are being sent to ESPN to be considered for a commercial spot on the network. Also new this week;Project Jones was #6 in the "Top 9 at 9" on 102.9 The Buzz, Nashville's largest rock station. Not too bad for a self-released record!

9-9-04- I've been having a great month so far; in the last couple of weeks I've worked on all kinds of different, cool music.

I went from Brit-Hip Hop to Latin Funk to Gospel/R&B. What a blast. Later this month I start on an ep for Chris James, with co-producer Wes Newborn. I'm really looking forward to this gig. Keep checking back!

7/27/04- Wow, where to begin...

Earlier this monthPaper St. came down from Erie, PA for 5 days of pre-production for their upcoming album "Make Music." After that I cut a couple songs for Maryland-based artist Lisa Williams. Both projects were done at Dirty (it's a private studio here in Nashville). This week I'm doing overdubs and mixing on Tony Martino's next release, he's down from Chicago and we're working atOmni Studios. Then I head up to MN for some meetings, then to St. Louis for a few days of work for Rounder records, and then I'm off to Indianapolis for the Midwest Music Summit. Hopefully after that I'll have some time in Nashville- but I may be headed to Gulf Shores to work at a studio called "tracks in the sand." In other news:P. Jones' record "For Better or Worse" came out today, as well as Tommy Wiggins' new release "Adult Themes".

6-4-04-Great news this month, I'm featured in Mix magazine working with Alabama-based bandTriple 40.

Check out the article atMix online.Project Jones' record is done, we spent some time last week atOmni Studio putting on the finishing touches. It should hit duplication in the next week or so. I've added some of the new songs to theirprofile; as well as some long awaitedpictures. Next week I head down to Gulf Shores, AL to give a new studio, tracks in the sand, it's inaugural test run. I'm looking forward to having this studio in my arsenal, it's always nice to go to the beach and cut rock-n-roll. Next month is jam-packed too- so keep checking back.

5/1/04- Things have been busy lately...

engrossed in a few projects, and taking time to do some pre-production on next month's projects as well. This week it's another round ofProject Jones recording to finish up their album at Dirty studio here in Nashville. They won the Miller Lite/102.9 The Buzz battle of the bands last week, just thought you should know. A few weeks ago I went up to Chicago to do some pre-production with Chicago basedSouls For Rent. We are slated to do an EP in early June. I'll keep you posted on that. Check out the newpictures ofPaper Street. recording atOmni Studios- they're pretty funny. Keep checking back.

3/31/04- Another month without an update- I'll try to do this more often. Tons of new stuff- check out the Project Jones' sound clips! We've got a couple of more songs to cut; then the album is done.Triple 40 and I hit Dark Horse Studios one last time to finish up all the tracking and overdubs for their next release "From Where I Stand." Mix magazine showed up one day to do a photo shoot for an article in an upcoming issue. I spent last weekend in Cleveland, OH tracking a new release for Columbus, OH based punk bandDowntrodn atMarshman Studios. Check out the pictures on thepics page. We had a great time and got a lot done. I took off early one night and headed over to Paper St.'s CD release party in Erie, PA. They rocked all night long! Keep checking back for more news.

2/23/04- Well, almost two months have slipped by since my last update- my apologies.

The Project Jones' album is mixed; we have one more song to record and mix before we hit the mastering stage- it should be wrapped up by mid-March.Holly Drive and I hitOmni Studios again for some vocal overdubs, and will mix there towards the end of March. I've had the pleasure of cutting a bunch of new stuff withTriple 40 out atDarkhorse Studio this month as well; we have one more three day stint of tracking this week, and should be ready to mix by mid-March. One of the songs we tracked last month is slated to be on the Billboard compilation CD that will be handed out at SXSW along with a half page ad in Billboard magazine. I've got a bunch of stuff planned for March; I'll keep you posted.

1/7/04- Happy New Year!

I hope all is well. I've been working almost non-stop on Project Jones' upcoming release "Right Back At'cha". We are in the process of finishing up the little things, background vox, some edits, etc. We are slated to mix the last week of Jan., I'll have sound clips up once mastering is completed. Keep checking back for other updates!

11/26/03- Check outThe Joshuas,Horizontal Orange andPaper Street on mysounds page-

All three bands rock! December looks pretty good, finishing up a full length album forP Jones, as well as working on more songs with Triple 40 at Darkhorse Studio. Check out the new gear pics on mygear list page!

10/20/03- The next couple of weeks I'll be tracking and mixing more songs for P Jones from Clarksville, TN.

Next month is Horizontal Orange from Kentucky followed byPaper Street from Erie, PA. Horizontal Orange and Paper Steet will be recorded/mixed atOmni Studios and P Jones will be at Crosscut Studios. For the gear heads out there- check out the new additions to my arsenal on myGear List page. Rock out.

10/7/03- Take a listen to the newTriple 40 clips. These are some very talented guys from south Alabama. This weekend I'm off to Erie, PA to do some pre-production with a band calledPaper Street. We are cutting an EP next month atOmni Studios and decided to take a day in a local Erie studio to work out any kinks before we hit Omni. I have a busy Oct/Nov planned, so check back for some more clips from other bands!

9/19/03- Check out the new stuff on the sounds page-

Tommy Wiggins' new record is finally finished...and some new songs from Holly Drive of Georgia that we recorded atOmni Studios. I've been doing guitar overdubs on a band called Trople 40 from Gulf Shores, AL. I plan to have their ep finished this month after some vox overdubs and mixing. I should have some Joshuas' songs up as well as some clips from a Clarksville, TN band, Project Jones That we recorded this month at Crosscut Studio. I was very impressed with these guys...keep your eyes on this band! The next month is busy as usual, I just got back in town from 8 days in Gulf Shores, half work, half pleasure...next week I'm off to Cleveland- The Joshuas are going to be on a TV show called Crooked River Groove. Should be cool. Keep checking back...

8/21/03- What a great month so far-

I took a break from some Infinity's End overdubs to track the Gin Blossom's atOmni Studios, we had a great time working on several versions of a couple of songs. I can't tell you how cool and hard working all the band members are. Tommorrow I'm doing vocals at Hilltop studios, then going straight to Gulf Shores, AL to cut some more songs with a band called Triple 40. Then it's back to Nashville for more work at Omni Studios with a band called Holly Drive. I'll get some sounds clips posted from this months' sessions once I get a break in the action...

7/29/03- Things have been kickin' pretty good lately.

Picked up a bunch of cool new gear this month- check out thegear list page. I'll be recording three bands over the next three months atOmni Sound Studios here in Nashville- I'll have more about the bands later. Keep checking back for some new sounds from The Joshua's ep!

6-18-03- Well, another couple of months have flown by-

I've been busy doing the Nashville session thing, the much-anticipated Joshua's EP is being mixed atBoss Studio in Gulf Shores by Marty McClantoc- I hope to have some sound clips up by the first week of July. I plan to co-produce a project later this summer with Justin (from The Joshuas). She's a really talented pop/rock artist named Ondee- you can check her out atwww.ondee.com. Check back soon for some sound clips and photos from the Joshua's new EP. Gearheads! I recently aquired a really cool stereo compressor aStudio Electronics C2s. This thing rocks- go getcha one!

4-10-03- OK, so I've been slacking a little on my web page updates…

it's just because I've been busy! I won't bore you with a day-to-day account of the last couple of months, but the highlights include continuing work on the Joshua's, a couple of Cleveland, OH trips, including last weekend for some live jazz recordings. This weekend I'll be in Gulf Shores, AL working for another round of tracking with the rock band Elusive. Then it's back in Nashville for a full week of mixing two projects. I'll keep updating when I get the time…keep checking back!

2-26-03- I have been really busy working on several projects simultaneously, as usual.

The one that has been taking up the most of my time is local Nashville band "The Joshua's". We are working very hard on a great 4 song ep, we should be approaching the mix stage sometime next month. Once I have something to put on the website I will let you know.

1-29-03- It's been a great month for rock!

I started off with Elusive from Gulf Shores, AL (which will be mixed sometime next month) and then Random Hero- (check it out on the sounds page) ; and this week I'm working on Nashville rock band The Joshua's. We will be spending the next 6 weeks working on a four song EP. This project will change the world. Then I'm heading to Cleveland, OH for a few days to work on a couple projects up there....keep checking back!

1/16/03-Wow- I can't believe it's been almost 3 months since I have updated the website!

I have been really busy doing several different projects; which will be appearing on the "sounds" page once they are completed. Last week I was in Gulf Shores, AL working with a rock band called "Elusive" and next week I will be working with Nashville band "Random Hero". I hope to be working at Oarfin Studio in Minneapolis next month with Minneapolis band "Slighted". I'll keep you posted....

10/10/02- I just got back from Cleveland (again!)

-right before I left I cut/mixed a song for rock artist "JJ" at Crosscut Studio. Check it outhere. In Cleveland I worked at Marshman Studios helping Marshall Green get his "new" vintage (1974) MCI console up and running- man that thing sounds sweet! Kudos toRandy Blevins !. Keep checking back for more to come!!

8/30/02-Busy!-

The new Gear Driven mixes are up...pictures will be added shortly. We are altering some images to protect the guilty(!). Check them outhere. I've got a few other things coming up- so keep checking back.

8/7/02-I had a great time cutting some tracks with local band Gear Driven.

We were working at Crosscut Studio on music row. They are doing some cool stuff, we plan to mix later this month...so you'll have to wait to hear the sound clips. I think there are some pics floating around- if I can track them down I'll add them to the site. Rock out.

7/29/02-Minneapolis and Cleveland were great.

I had a few really productive meetings in Minneapolis and may be doing an album there by summers end. Cleveland was just as cool- cut some really cool tracks for Tommy Wiggins' new release. Now it's back work on some projects here in Nashville.

7/11/02- Well, it seems that I'm the road again

I was in Cleveland, OH at the beginning of July, Muscle Shoals, AL this week, Minneapolis next week, and then Cleveland again to finish the month off. Check back for pics and clips. Rock out.

6/24/02-Been so busy I have forgotten to update the webpage!

Not much new to put up on the sounds page though, I have been doing overdubs on various projects everyday for about 2 months. Once some of this gets finished I'll post it. I do have a cool site to turn you onto though- check outThe Coalition. It's a bunch of bands getting together to support each other. What a concept! Later!

5/12/02- Check out an interview with yours truly atScore! Music. I think you'll find it interesting.

4/23/02- Man, what a month!

I spent 3 weeks in Cleveland, OH working on three different projects simultaneously, and then went straight to the Minneapolis, MN area to work on an album there for another week. Check out the new music byAdrenaline Rocket (Cleveland) andJon Sunde (Minneapolis area) on my sounds page, and there's pictures as well!! I just started mixing a project for a Nashville band called Gear Driven; I'll have clips up sometime next week. Keep checking back.

3/21/02- Things are starting to get crazy...I'm off to Cleveland tomorrow until the 10th.

I'm going to be working on a couple of different projects up there, then I'm headed to Minneapolis on the 12th to do a project up there as well. Then it's back to Nashville on the 22nd for some more work here. I'll have sounds/pics of everything once it becomes available.

3/1/02- A lot is new here at chrismara.com! No more Angelfire!!!!

That means MP3's are HERE, and NO more banners!! Check them out, all the sound pages now include MP3 clips. So please take a minute to revisit some of the band pages and hear them better than ever! Also, King Thursday studio pictures are up atwww.chrismara/pictureskingthursday.html . You'll want to see these. And, new gear photos! Check out Staci showing off my vibe kit atwww.chrismara/gearlist.html . Don't miss this one! I was working at Muscle Shoals Sound last month- check out a cool pichere. Also, a new great rock page has just been created- check it out atwww.nashvillerock.net . It's by far the coolest Nashville rock webpage. I've been keeping busy, and there are a few things on the horizon that I'm dying to tell you, but can't. Once I can, you'll be the first to know. (Think big.)