Recording Studio for Young Pals Music Productions

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

2009 WITH YOUNG PALS


Young Pals Music, helmed by Ayhan Sahin, was blessed with a full slate in 2009, keeping the studio and record label happily humming. Among the highlights of the year:

Ayhan joined forces with Dennis DelGaudio to form DNA, a music production house and new indie label. First projects include house favorite Karine Hannah, “Rockstar Supernova’s” Jill Gioia, “American Idol” contestant Normund Gentle (aka Nick Mitchell) and various other ongoing production projects.



Karine Hannah’s second full-length project “Karine,” produced by and co-written with Ayhan, was released in January in the U.S. and Turkey. In the latter nation, the national press was particularly attentive—thanks to Karine’s earlier connection with Turkish singing sensation Sezen Aksu—including pieces for CNN, Hurriyet and Sabah. Single “Gone” was given a dance rerub by nationally renowned remixer Craig C., while Karine made her live New York debut at The Metropolitan Room in September 2009, with DNA serving as musical director. Her new album, produced by DNA, is due in early 2010.


Young Pals launched Emre Yilmaz’s debut single “Only Yesterday” in March, which garnered a spotlight review in Billboard magazine, heralding the song as “the ultimate showcase [for Emre to] become one of the year’s most auspicious breakouts.” He followed through, opening this summer’s Istanbul Live festival in Central Park. His solo live debut followed in the fall with a sold-out performance at New York’s Joe’s Pub. Emre also launched his (adult) acting career with a leading role in the Turkish TV series, “Yeni Bastan.”


Chilean L.A.-based artist Jose Promis’ fourth album “Life is Grand!” was co-written and produced by Young Pals and released in January. Jose supported the album with live showcases in L.A. and France. He and Ayhan also appeared on Larry Flick’s Out-Q morning show on Sirius Satellite Radio. Flick wrote "Promis brings a fresh and intriguing vision to the mainstream. In collaborating with composer/producer Ayhan Sahin, he has created a cross-cultural sound that demands deep investigation. This is a remarkable debut that hints at a long, very special career ahead."



Ayhan Sahin’s dance remix of Matt Zarley’s “Here I Am” was included on the physical single release, alongside mixes from Grammy-nominated Love to Infinity, Solar City and Rafael M. It reached No. 1 in digital sales on dance portals perfectbeat.com and masterbeat.com.



MTV’s “Making the Band” finalist Adam Shenk recorded his full-length pop, R&B and jazz-scented “Suitcases,” with Ayhan producing, which will be released by Young Pals Music in March 2010. The set includes Emre Yilmaz on classical guitars. Adam is already performing songs from the CD at live venues across the Northeast region.


Puerto Rican artist Mitch Zorba’s album was launched in June, under the Young Pals Music banner. The album was recorded both in New York and San Juan, and includes Spanish- and English-language compositions.



And other notables:

- Ayhan spent a good deal of the year not only getting to know Turkey’s premier singer Sertab Erener and her partner Demir Demirkan; there were also a number of songwriting sessions with the intent of placing music on Sertab's upcoming 2010 Turkish language release.


- Upcoming: “American Idol” 2009 contestant Normund Gentle (aka Nick Mitchell)’s debut single “Bitch Slap” written and produced by DNA.


- French artist Lybert Ramade’s new album, produced by DNA, will be issued in early 2010 in France.


- Ayhan and Emre Yilmaz wrote with dance diva/No. 1 recording artist Sylvia Tosun for her upcoming international release.


- Ayhan’s works were featured on MTV’s “Made” and “American Idol Rewind,” as well as Style network.

- U.K. artist Damien Carmello’s “Sick and Tired,” recorded with Young Pals, was featured on DJ Gary Bushell’s Rancid Sounds podcast.


- Young Pals Music ally Tinatin co-wrote “Is It True,” which represented Iceland at the legendary Eurovision Song Contest this year. The song not only finished as the overall runner-up, but, at year-end, was acclaimed as the year’s “best lyric” by a global vote.


- Young Pals produced cover tune “Close Every Door” from Andrew Lloyd Webber for David Pascucci’s new album, out in early 2010.


- Ayhan’s earlier full-length musical “Gods” is being rewritten with Wallace Willholt Jr., for potential production early in the new decade. Other musical theatre ventures include arranging Michael Tester’s new musical show “Most Likely To,” showcased in New York’s Players Theatre. “Infidelity,” a musical by Dara Barlin and Heather Osterman was co-composed and orchestrated by Ayhan. He also music directed a workshop in New York for the show.




Follow the daily updates on http://twocrecording.blogspot.com/ and ayhanonline.com

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

TOP 10 SONGS OF THE DECADE


1. Supreme (Robbie Williams)


2. Reason (Hoobastank)


3. If I Thought You’d Ever Change Your Mind (Agnetha Faltskog)


4. Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)


5. Wake Me Up When September Ends (Green Day)


6. Sunrise (Duran Duran)


7. That’s The Way It Is (Celine Dion)


8. Wake Up Call (Maroon 5)


9. Everything (Michael Buble)


10. Something Stupid (Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman)

Monday, December 28, 2009

Young Pals Artist Normund Gentle Named One of Pop Candy's Top 100 People of 2009





Finally, someone recognizes the real star of American Idol season 8. USA Today's Pop Candy gave Nick Mitchell's alter ego Normund Gentle the #97 spot on the Top 100 People of 2009 list. Fitting and well deserved. Congrats, Normund!









97. Normund Gentle. Adam Lamwho? David Archuwhata? The real story on this year's American Idol was of a performance artist who challenged every rule of the show. In my heart, he wears the crown (over his signature headband, of course).




MONDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2009



Recording session with Nick Mitchell (aka Norman Gentle) and Dennis DelGaudio

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Season's Greetings!

Wonderful din din tonight with Donna, Ayhan, Emre and meese.more pics to come...

COurtesy of THE SMOKING NUN blog by Chuck Taylor

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2009

Working on new songs with Dennis DelGaudio

Monday, December 21, 2009

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2009

Working with Dennis DelGaudio on new upcoming projects

Friday, December 18, 2009

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2009

Recording session with Dennis DelGaudio

Thursday, December 17, 2009

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2009

Mixing session with Mike Moon in the morning. Recording session with Dennis DelGaudio in the afternoon. Mixing session with Adam Shenk in the evening.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2009

In the morning mixing session with Adam Shenk
In the afternoon, writing session with Dennis DelGaudio
In the late afternoon, recording session with Kelly Marie Anderson

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

ABBA: Rock'n'Roll Hall of Famers

The next wave of acts to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was announced today. On the roster: ABBA, Genesis, The Stooges (Iggy Pop), Jimmy Cliff and The Hollies. The ceremony takes place March 15, 2010 in New York.

Last year's crop comprised: Madonna, the Dave Clark Five, John Mellencamp Leonard Cohen and the Ventures. The Hall of Fame began in 1986. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record. Criteria include influence and significance of contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll.

ABBA was originally nominated in 2003 and certainly merit inclusion, as the biggest-selling non-USA pop act in history. Well done! (The Stooges? Huh?)

Maybe one day we'll get to other deserving artists such as Hall and Oates, Dionne Warwick, Kate Bush, KISS, Three Dog Night, Donna Summer, Doobie Brothers, Journey, Heart, Chicago, Linda Ronstadt and of course, Sheena Easton... Well, I can dream, anyway.Above, meese and Ayhan with Bjorn (top) and Benny from ABBA... Still waiting to meet the ladies, sigh.

Courtesy of The Smoking Nun Blog by Chuck Taylor

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2009

Recording session with Karine Hannah and Dennis DelGaudio

Thursday, December 10, 2009

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009

Mixing Karine Hannah's new songs "I Still Want YOu" and "One Lie" with Dennis DelGaudio

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009


Mixing Rob Bailey's version of "Rollercoaster" with Dennis Delgaudio
In the evening, mixing Adam Shenk's album

Monday, December 7, 2009

OUR ANNUAL PARTY: Nightmare on Montague

“I’d have gone home with you tonight, but you were too drunk. Maybe coffee next week?”

Yes, the “Nightmare On Montague” ended on just that immaculate note Saturday. As assured, our “grown-up frat party,” where booze flowed by the gallon, delivered all that we hoped for: Bacchus was in the house, and damn proud. (Click on image to the left for a cute lil' collage.)

We packed some 80 warm bodies into our humble abode—with only one major casualty. Poor “M" [not her real initial] was our single fall-down drunk (actually, thanks to the kindness of strangers, she merely wobbled). At evening’s end, when we found a leftover purse on the bed and tried to figure out who it belonged to, we found the above text message on her cell phone. And yes, it did belong to “M,” bless her heart.

Otherwise, the dazzlingly eclectic crowd of all ages, persuasions and levels of acquaintance-ship... all of whom were wildly attractive... was shockingly well behaved, to our chagrin. For god’s sake, even I was a model citizen; over the course of Party No. 8—which started by 8 p.m. and wrapped at 5:15 a.m.—I indulged in a mere three gins and a single Goldschlager shot. I hardly knew me.

At the end of the event, we garnered one broken bracelet, two umbrellas, a nice booty of assorted gift wine and a crap-load of PBR. If you were present Saturday, thank you! We adored having you. If you weren’t, for shame. You missed one fine time.

Enjoy the picolas... all 90 of them! (Thank god for all of that leftover red wine while I spend two hours posting all this shit.)Writing caps for all of these photos would take the rest of my life (and this weary body only has so much time left, cool cats). But I must make mention of our wondrously able mixologist Patty, who delivered, as always....And this one... consummate. Ms. Molly (whose brilliant blog makes mine sound infantile) on the left, with an approving Lisa on the right.

courtesy of The Smoking Nun Blog by Chuck Taylor