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SALT LAKE CITY -- Sound engineers listen to a variety of music on a weekly and sometimes daily basis in the course of their job. All would admit to recording their share of mediocre music as well as some pretty good music. Most will admit that no matter how good the music is or the artist is to work with, the recording process, and all its multiple takes, mixing sessions and final product reviews, renders little interest in listening to the music beyond the studio experience. In other words, after hearing the same songs repeatedly with intense scrutiny, the engineer and the band find themselves loving the music they never want to listen to again.
As a sound engineer and producer, I can name two such projects that have passed into the realm of projects that I love to listen to and love the more I hear them, even years after the projects were completed: Blake William's album ambiguously titled "..." and now Stars of Leo's EP "Digging Holes."
Total production time on the six-song EP was almost two years. That averages out to one song every four months. While not the quickest production schedule, each song represents a fun balance between pop, folk, rock and, at times, blues that is an addictive and creative masterpiece. Stars of Leo is headed by Provo resident Brian Andelin, who does lead vocals and plays guitar, bass, ukulele, drums and percussion. Emily Fox adds both her vocal talents to the music as well as her unique artistic talent with original artwork for the cover. While Stars of Leo can claim a wide variety of influences, the group's music is distinctively unique.
Some albums are considered great for their impeccable musical skill and execution. Other albums are hailed for their raw energy or honesty. "Digging Holes" is somewhere in between. The music has some unique chord changes, and the fact that Andelin plays the overwhelming majority of the instruments makes this EP a joy to listen to. The music does not fall into a mechanical or "formula" song style that keeps the music organic and honest. Both refreshing and upbeat without being cheesy, "Digging Holes" has found a permanent spot at the top of my all-time-favorite music list.
Nick Galieti is a writer, documentarian, freelance record producer and sound engineer with www.independentmusicstudios.com. Nick authored the LDS devotional book "Tree of Sacrament" and has produced a number of documentaries and albums.
