October 8th...

Back in 2002 I was in full Nobody Records/13thTrack.com Halloween Radio/Pumpkinland Studios swing. So much so that a local newspaper writer came over to interview me.

I don't think I've ever posted this so I figured I would...

Daily Review - San Leandro man hums an eerie tune

By Tasha Bartholomew STAFF WRITER

Thursday, October 31, 2002 -

FOR MOST FOLKS, Halloween is the one time of year for tricks and treats, ghosts and goblins, and witches and warlocks. But for Mark Harvey, it's his life's work year-round.
Harvey, owner of San Leandro's independent label Nobody Records and Pumpkinland Studios, wants to make sure that future generations will grow up knowing the same Halloween music he heard as a kid during his favorite holiday.

Harvey, 33, has archived any and all Halloween-related music, sound effects and ghost stories since he was 3 years old, when he received his first copy of Disney's Haunted Mansion album. He then made them available to the world for free from his online radio station at http://www.13thtrack.com/

"This is the only site that offers free Halloween music 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year," Harvey said. "It's a fun way to share my Halloween collection with the world."
Harvey said Internet radio is different from the sites violating copyright laws because the music is streaming. No one can download the music. Harvey keeps the site up and running through a sponsorship from TheHalloweenNetwork.com.

The Web site features Halloween music from different eras and categories including Classics Halloween Radio, a broadcast of fun ghoulish songs from 1930 to 1969; Modern Halloween Radio, a broadcast of creepy songs from 1970 to present day; Instrumental Halloween Radio, a broadcast of eerie soundtracks taken from movies; and a children's broadcast featuring "Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin" and "Fat Albert's Halloween."

Formative experiences

Harvey's fascination with the holiday began with his own great Halloween experiences as a child, and a visit to Disneyland's Haunted Mansion every year when he was a kid.
"Halloween is a great time of fantasy and frivolity," he said. "How many other times a year can you dress up and be whatever you want to be without anyone looking at you crazy?"
A collector of old vinyl, he is also a musician who decided to record his own Halloween CD three years ago when he moved to San Leandro.
Every year since then -- excluding this Halloween -- Harvey has had a child friendly haunt at his home.

Opportunity discovered

While he was putting things together for the first season, Harvey found that he didn't have any good CDs he could use for the haunt, and was disappointed by the various CDs on the market.
"I wanted creepy music and certain sound effects, but somehow I kept getting screaming and torture and other things that just wouldn't work for a children's event," he said.
That's when he decided to record his own soundtrack. Harvey has recorded a series of CDs called "Pumpkinland" that have been used nationally at theme parks and haunted attractions, including Fremont's own "Pirates of Emerson" haunt. His Halloween music has also been used on Radio Disney during the holiday season.

Leading authority

Harvey has been called the No. 1 authority on Halloween music. He has written for several Halloween magazines, and recently gave a lecture on it at the Global Halloween Convergence in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. That's where he met David Rogers, a prop master for ScreamWorks, a theatrical production company in Cupertino. ScreamWorks uses Harvey's Pumpkinland CDs in its "swamp scene" and "scarecrow alley" at the Conover Mystery Ranch in Hollister.
"His knowledge of the music is incredible," Rogers said. "He's very well respected in the Halloween industry."

For more information on Mark Harvey's online radio station, check out the Web site at http://www.13thtrack.com/ or contact Harvey via email at NobodyRecords@gmail.com.

Tasha Bartholomew covers the city of San Leandro and Ashland.

It is interesting reading this again and thinking back eight years ago. Where I was and where I've been since.

Back then there weren't any Halloween internet radio options and now there are many. I no longer broadcast mostly due to not having the financial resources to. There was a time when 13thTrack.com Halloween Radio had about 24 or so broadcasts. When Live365 started charging a per broadcast fee I reduced it down to 13 broadcasts and then eventually I had to let it all go.

I hope to someday get the broadcasts up and running. I have so much music to share.

Speaking of....I'll end this post with some music...

Mark Harvey

Mark Harvey - Master of Music Macabre

Greetings,

This is Mark Harvey from Nobody Records (Pumpkinland Studios and 13thTrack.com Halloween Radio). There's a story behind why I like Halloween as much as I do. There's a story behind the recording of the Pumpkinland CD series. Many who know me know both stories, but some do not. I'll take these stories in chunks so as to keep this an easy read.

Today I'm going to post an interview I gave seven years ago with Ghoul Skool (website here). This is a primer for what I'll blog about in the coming weeks.

"If you haven't heard 13th Track Halloween Radio or listened to the music of Nobody Records then your missing the best part of Halloween. Read along and check out the links as we interview the Master of Music Macabre!

GS: The 13th Track is the Premiere Halloween Radio Station. Why Halloween?

MH: Halloween is my favorite holiday. For years I would put together mixes of Halloween (and Christmas) music and give it to friends. A sort of music to live your holiday by. As the years went on I started collecting anything and everything Halloween audio related. As my collection grew I decided I wanted to share my collection with a broader audience so I started 13thTrack.com Halloween Radio.

GS: Your collection of Halloween related songs is staggering, how long have you been collecting them? Do you have a favorite find? Is there a favorite song associated with Halloween?

MH: I've been collecting Halloween related audio for around 22 years (I'm 34 now). My favorite find is a recent one. I finally located The Munsters LP in excellent condition. This LP features the Munsters theme with lyrics. Of course now that I found one, they've been showing up left and right on eBay. It'd be tough to pick just one favorite song since I've got so many. I'm into the more fun, party side of Halloween music. Music that is good to dance to. Something to get the girls dancing!

GS: You split your record selections for the 13th Track between classics (pre-70s) and modern (post 70s), in your opinion was there a shift in the music at that time? Where do you see Halloween music headed in the future, will it be darker, more Culdee or could there be another "Monster Mash" looming on the horizon?

MH: There seems to be a shift from the pre-70s to the post 70s. Music from the 70s fits better with newer music. Music from the 60s and earlier tends to fit together. I've been DJing for many years and figured that 70s and before and 70s and beyond would be the logical place to split the broadcasts. Earlier Halloween music tends to be more whimsical, while newer Halloween music a bit darker (not in all cases). As far as the future of Halloween music? I think musicians will continue to record whatever inspires them. I know there are lots of new whimsical Halloween tunes, but with society getting a bit darker I also feel that Halloween music will emulate what's going on, so it should also get darker.

Really, people record for whoever they think their audience is, even if it is just for themselves. When I record my music I record the music for myself and hope that there is someone out there that can relate to what I'm doing. So far so good. As far as another "Monster Mash" on the horizon, I doubt it. Songs like that one come around once in a lifetime. Of all the emails I get, "Monster Mash" is still the most requested song. I'm still trying to write a song that rivals it. Hopefully someday I'll succeed!

GS: Nobody Records is a unique name, oft times there is a special meaning linking the name to the owner is it so in your case? How long has Nobody Records been in business? Where are you located?

MH: Back in the late 80's my band, The Screaming Paisleys, needed a record label name to release our debut LP "EXIT" on. I had a band mascot (if you will) that I called Nobody - a no eyes, nose or mouth doll. I liked the name and it seemed to fit and it has stuck now for 16+ years. The label is located in Northern California near Oakland.

GS: The artists on your label are truly talented, how do you find them or do they find you? Do you solicit material from new acts or do you create them?

MH: I've found most of the artists on my label. I do accept unsolicited material and I've signed acts who've submitted demos. Much of what is on my label has some connection to me - either I am the band or part of the band or good friends with the band. My goal is to be able to someday add many more artists to the label and get affiliated with a major label.

GS: Have you been associated with providing music for the dark ride industry. If so, in what fashion.

MH: I've created many custom tracks for the dark amusement industry. People from all over the world contact me for specialized tracks. It helps that I am a haunter and dark rider. I understand what it takes to put on a good show. Music, in my opinion, is the least considered, but the most effective aspect of any dark attraction. I like to see floor plans, understand the themes or gag in each space. Then I create a track that immerses the visitor in the desired location. Right now I am working with a dark ride company in the Middle East. Another goal of mine is to work for an amusement company putting together tracks for rides, theme parks and events.

GS: Do you do anything special for Halloween such as parties, haunts or charitable functions?

MH: Yes. Each year I put on a haunt for children called "Pumpkinland" (named after my CD series). Children enter free and I collect canned goods or small donations for an entrance fee from the adults. All proceeds benefit the Davis Street Community Center in San Leandro, CA. Last year I wasn't able to put "Pumpkinland" together, but plan on getting it back up and running this October. I've got many new pneumatic props (built by Brent Ross, Devious Concoctions) and look forward to putting on a professional show for the kids this year.

GS: Is there a special Halloween memory that remains with you?

MH: Yes. Trick or Treating as a kid. I have many fond memories of combing the hillsides in San Carlos, CA with my friends in search of candy and good scares. It was safe back then to wander around until all hours of the night with your friends. We'd come home with pillow cases full of candy. I also loved carving Jack-O-Lanterns, visiting Half Moon Bay, CA and decorating the house for Halloween. The new fond memories of Halloween include meeting Rob Zombie, Karen Black, Bill Moseley and Alyson Hannigan at Universal Studios. They all did radio spots for 13thTrack.com Halloween Radio and received copies of my Pumpkinland CD and my band, Rain Station's CD, DARK RIDE. I also enjoy visiting local haunts and hearing the tracks I've created for them in action."

To download Pumpkinland click here

To download Pumpkinland II click here

To download Pumpkinland III click here

Until next time...

Mark Harvey

August 12th!!!

Greetings and sal-mutations everyone!

I am VERY much looking forward to Fall. Last weekend we purchased the first Halloween costume of the season for the baby girl...she's going to be Tinkerbell and my son, Peter Pan. Should be pretty cute. My wife sent me photos via text message last Friday night with Halloween clothes they already had on the racks at Babies R Us. The pumpkin sweatsuit was also picked up along with a Halloween pajama set. As I've blogged about before I enjoy buying the kids clothes to wear during the month of October and I'm hoping this year's offerings are as good as they've been in years past.

...and now...I'm am getting ready to go into full blown Halloween mode. I feel the need to shop and buy all sorts of Halloween things...I'm going to start trolling the stores lurking for Halloween goodies. I did order the Rising Reaper I was looking for last year as it was on sale. I'm hoping it arrives in the next month or so.

So with that...I'll be starting my annual blitz on eBay with some of the Halloween discs I have available for sale. If you don't already own one, pick one up there, at HauntCDs or email me and I can arrange a sale to you that way.

Buy the Pumpkinland CD here

Epitaph Magazine.com
"Within the Haunt Industry there is a large number of companies and individuals producing soundscapes, sound effects and theme music in cd format. The advent of which is one of recent history's most valuable contributions to the industry. Hassle-free sound without the bother of rewinds, broken tapes and distortion caused by wear. Reviewing these products presents a challenge. It is as much a matter of taste as expertise, not dissimilar to trying to compare a heavy metal music track to rap or classical music. What makes a haunt cd good or bad is more the application it is intended for than the product itself. Many well-produced cd's simply will not work in every type of haunt. First a haunter must ask, "What do I want the sound to do?" Is the haunt to be built around a theme that requires a tightly woven sound track to help enhance the storyline? Or, as is often the case, does the haunt need a background soundscape to merely set the tone a haunter desires? If your desire is in the latter category, take a listen to Pumpkinland and Pumpkinland II. The creator of the Pumpkinland cd's does soundscapes and does them well. Built primarily of skillfully layered sound effects, these soundscapes provide a series of background tracks that are eerie, effective and, in some cases very long allowing almost gap-free use. While not as music based as some others, the tracks definitely have a place in the industry. Used in sets such as cemeteries and other outdoor scenes the final tracks of both I and II are superb. Pumpkinland shows it's true strength in mixes that are tailored for the night with wind, weather and animal noises perfectly balanced whether the application is subtle or at full volume. The variety of tracks on each cd does cover multiple types of scenes however, and haunters will find them useful in many other scenarios. Perhaps the only shortcoming of Pumpkinland is the packaging. It tends to portray a more simple and "Halloweenie" product than is hidden within and may unfortunately "put off" some serious haunters. Don't let it fool you, underneath the somewhat mainstream cover is a product sufficiently dark for most applications and far removed from the "scary sounds" cd's found in retail stores that it unfortunately may bring to mind. While the soundscapes of Pumpkinland may not have the recognizability of music-based haunt tracks, nor are they presented in slick packaging, they are well produced and provide yet another valuable tool to the industry. Take the time to visit their web site (Pumpkinland) and listen to the product. It could well be just the thing you've been looking for."

Buy the Fleshrot: Songs from the Dead CD here

The soundtrack to Fleshrot: Tales from the Dead is a companion to the graphic novel. This CD features 13 tracks of music inspired by the book. The music is a combination of edgy and gritty songs and ambient/soundtrack 'HauntScapes' capturing the feel of the art and stories from the pages of the book. Mark Harvey of Nobody Records has written/recorded/produced the album in association with Frightworld Studios. The CD titled Fleshrot: Songs of the Dead is available NOW! Mark Harvey has been writing and recording music for 17 years. He founded Nobody Records in 1987 at age 18 to promote and release his first LP. He opened Pumpkinland Studios to record various solo and band efforts. In 1999 he released his first Halloween 'HauntScape', Pumpkinland, for use in theme parks, haunted attractions and by home haunters. His work includes commercials, custom haunt tracks, soundscapes and sound effects. His work has been heard on radio, television and film.

Buy Rain Station's DARK RIDE CD here

Underground DJ from Haunted Attraction Magazine
Now it is time to run away and join the carnival. "Step right up and see the amazing, the unbelievable, the available for your attraction CD, Dark Ride by Rain Station." A journey through a veritable midway of new music written for old pretzel rides. The use of sound effects is limited only to those that help create the feel of the piece. The styles of music range widely from Heavy Metal beats through old time Rock and Roll to the almost cutesy Trick Or Treatin. This nostalgically fun selection, took me back to my early days as a young zombie, heading out on Halloween with the lust for candy in my heart. The CD would be great for line entertainment or a party, with a little bit for every taste and some of the beats are infectious.

Tomorrow is a BIG day...Friday the 13th. Ya'll be safe now...

Mark Harvey

The FUN Begins!

Veterans Day

Today on Veterans Day I am thinking of my Father, Robert C. Harvey, Jr, LTJG US Navy, Veteran of WWII and Korea. Growing up my Father always taught me to be respectful, appreciative and generous towards Veterans. I appreciate what they've done for our country and what they've given of themselves to protect our freedom and way of life. One may not agree always with the politics of war, but one MUST respect those who have given so much. I applaud and thank our military veterans and those who currently serve this great nation.

So, to shift gears...I thought I'd throw out quite possibly the ONLY patriotic tune I've ever recorded (again...repost warning). Now time for a little history - not that you want to hear it, but humor me (and thank you). Years ago I worked at the good guys! Hayward Service Center as a manager and I had an employee that worked for me named Idia Huntley. Idia and I got along very well and since we're both into music we worked together a little. Idia has a great smokey vocal style and it can be heard on some Rain Station recordings. One day (long after the good guys!) she called me and asked if I would record a track for her. She had written a patriotic tune that she recorded at a studio in Oakland, but it didn't have the feel she was looking for. She explained that she told the folks at the studio what she was looking for, but it ended up sounding wrong to her. She paid them and was disappointed with the end result. I told her I'd be glad to record the track for her and I wasn't going to charge her since she'd been gracious enough to sing on my tracks without charging me.

She sat in Pumpkinland Studios with me humming the tune and telling me how she wanted the track to sound. She also played the other track for me. What she wanted and what I heard were completely different (I actually liked the other track). As we worked through the track she got more and more excited about how things were turning out and was saying her usual "Thank you, thank you" to me over and over again. The track complete we sent it out for copyright and then sent a copy to Bill Clinton (there's a family relationship there somewhere that I can't recall, but from what I vaguely remember Bill thought of her Mom as a surrogate Mother or Aunt type back in Little Rock). We actually got a response from Bill - pretty cool letter.

I'm not sure where Idia is today (somewhere in the Bay Area I imagine), but hope that someday she finds me again so we can work together. She's a brilliant songwriter, has a lovely voice and is one of those people that you just love to be around - in short she's a blessing.

Anyhow, here is a FREE MP3 download of "It's A Different America" (click here to download) by Idia Huntley and Mark Harvey. (link disabled)

Enjoy the FREE track and drop me a comment.
Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at NobodyRecords.com.
Be sure and support independent music by purchasing CDs from us!

Thanks,

Mark Harvey

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song.
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Fleshrot - The Bandcamp edition...

I've written about the Fleshrot disc before, but since it is up on Bandcamp I thought I would talk about it yet again (bear with me). I enjoy doing work for hire (or at least I did when my studio was operational). I like fusing ideas from other people together with my own. It is probably why I like recording with Jay so much - multiple minds on a project brings magic.



My buddy John Pearson (pictured on the left) and I had worked on a few soundtracks for video games he was making for Ra-Dev (a game development team) and he asked me to put together a CD for his graphic novel (Fleshrot:Tales from the Dead) so I accepted the challenge. I recorded a number of rockin' tracks, some ambient ones and used a couple of tracks that I had already composed. It was a very fun project.

My buddy Ed Cagnacci (All About Evil, Gary Floyd Band, Spokepoker, Charm School Dropouts - and many other bands - pictured on the left) helped me out with "Misty Graves" - and it was a little more than helping me out. He played guitar, bass and lent his vocals to the track - so the song is pretty much Ed with me on drums and backing vocals - THANKS ED, I love you, man...

Another buddy of mine, Erik Frykman (a multi-talented guitar player, a guitar "gun slinger" - pictured left) lent his guitar solo prowess to "Fleshrot Anthem", "Insatiable Hunger" and "Last Stand". His solos REALLY made the tracks POP and without them I don't know where I would have been. I love you too, Errrrrbang.

Then after the mixing was done I brought the whole project over to Lev Perrey at Title Studios to master the disc. Lev is AMAZING - ears of magic - plus he has an understanding of gear that would boggle your mind. I got a lot of luv for Lev.

The reviews came in, but here's the best (and most complete)...
Fleshrot review:
Any serious zombie fan or comic collector will now have a copy of the Fleshrot: Tales From The Dead graphic novel. The Fleshrot team don't just stop there, they like to take it up a notch by having a soundtrack as a companion piece to the comic.

The main man behind this is Mark Harvey. Mark Harvey has been writing and recording music for 17 years. He founded Nobody Records in 1987 at age 18 to promote and release his first LP. He opened Pumpkinland Studios to record various solo and band efforts. In 1999 he released his first Halloween 'HauntScape', Pumpkinland, for use in theme parks, haunted attractions and by home haunters. His work includes commercials, custom haunt tracks, soundscapes and sound effects. His work has been heard on radio, television and film. So now you know a bit more here are my notes on each track.

1) FLESHROT ANTHEM: The opening track starts of with dark instrumental and the sound of zombies, then explodes into a brilliant thrash metal experience clocking in at about just over 9 minutes!. Pure audio adrenaline.

2) THE FAMILY PLOT: The first of the ambient tracks on the album. (Originally titled "Caverns" from Mark's Pumpkinland 2 CD) Now sharing the same name as one of the darker tales in the book, this is the musical equivalent of that bad dream where you are trapped in a dark nasty place, trying to find a way out. Looking behind you the whole time.

3) THE DEAD HAVE RISEN: A short distorted guitar track with a drum n bass like feel to it. Playing over an eerie instrumental. Cool.

4) ETERNAL TORMENT: Inspired by the comic "Whatever" Written and Illustrated by Youngwoo Cho. With no actual lyrics, the tortured vocals are the zombie version of those chants wise men make when performing rituals. Set to a melancholy soundtrack.

5) DRINK TO THE DEAD: Plucking strings and rolling drums, makes for easier listening with this rock-lite celebration of the dead.

6) ZOMBIES: Exactly what it says on the tin. A dread filled musical score with an army of moaning flesh eaters. This is what the rise of the zombies would sound like.

7) INSATIABLE HUNGER: Inspired by the comic "The Collection" Written and Illustrated by John Pearson. A full on head banger with attitude and solid vocals from Nova Brown.

8) NIGHTMARE: Turn off your lights and listen to this at high volume, and enter goose bump city. (Song taken from Pumpkinland III)

9) DAY OF THE DEAD: A guitar fest with a deep bass line and gritty vocals.

10) RESTLESS SEASON: A twisted tune with spooky xylophone to boot!.

11) LAST STAND: Imagine you and a few friends are the last humans facing off an army of zombies, everything is in slow motion as you look around and it seems hopeless...Then BAM! you whip out the guns and start kicking ass big time. This song is the music version of that scenario. Awesome.

12) ZOMBIE YARD: This ambience is the sound you hear while hiding from Zombies, as they take over the earth.

13) MISTY GRAVES: If you have read the graphic novel you will know who Misty Graves is. For those who don't, she is Fleshrot's version of the Crypt keeper. The major difference being, she is a hot Goth chick and not some wise cracking bag of bones.This fast upbeat rock song is a tribute to her.

Mark Harvey and Co. have created a superb CD. Right up there with many horror sound tracks,and actually better than most of them.So if you are into rock and cool ambient tracks this will be right up your street.

Nice one.

KP

And without further rambling....here is that darn disc...

"So, do you like Zzzzzzommmmmmbaaaaayzzzz?"

Good.Rock on,

Mark Harvey

He Goes To Parties - FREE MP3 - Version 2

Want more of my music for FREE. Sure, right, whatever? Well, like it or not, here's another dose of the "heavy mellow" lo-fi music I spent years recording. Download it, enjoy it or ignore it.
Here is a FREE MP3 download of the "Brian Peet" version (pictured left) of "He Goes To Parties" (download here) (link disabled) which is currently unreleased. As I said in the previous "He Goes To Parties" post, Brian was listening to a bunch of my old tracks and wanted to re-record a few of them - the ones that he particularly liked. So we laid this one down. This track was recorded at the Oakland Pumpkinland Studios location on my Darwin Digital 8. Brian played drums and percussion and I played guitar, bass and keys. After we recorded the music Brian wanted to take a stab at recording the vocals and I was happy to oblige. I had planned on going back at some point to record my own "mopehead" vocal track, but never got around to doing it.
Enjoy!
Mark Harvey(mopehead)
Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song. (link disabled)

It's A Good Day - FREE MP3 - Version 2

Hey! I'm back again and I'm giving away more of my music for FREE. This is part 2 (or version 2) from the previous post. So get ready to scare the neighbors with this happiness!
Here is a FREE MP3 download of "It's A Good Day" (download here) (link disabled)taken from Rain Station's Fancy Fancy CD. It really is a mopehead track, but I recorded it with Brian Peet (drums and backing vocals - check his site here) and thought it made sense to put it on Fancy Fancy along with some of the other tracks that we recorded together - so...Rain Station. Brian had a gig working at a really nice recording studio and wanted to record a track there with me. We went through some of my old mopehead tunes and he was really psyched about recording this song (I also have a version of "He Goes To Parties" that Brian and I re-recorded). So we headed out to the studio and put this track down. Brian is a GREAT drummer (he also plays tons of other instruments - an incredible artist/talent) and we got this track done fairly quickly - with me playing the bass and guitar tracks, singing and adding hand claps - and Brian doin' his thing - drums, backing vocals and hand claps. I like this version much better than the original. Brian's production skills are top notch. I wish he was still living in the Bay Area.

This track is definitely not heavy or mellow, but actually cheery, bubbly and fun. This track more so than the first would make for a good intro song for a morning show. Today Show...I'll continue to wait...or maybe a kid's show? Anyone out there?
I hope you enjoyed PART TWO of this series.
Enjoy!
Mark Harvey(mopehead)
Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song. (link disabled)

It's A Good Day - FREE MP3 - Version 1

Hello...Mark Harvey here. I'm giving away more of my music for FREE. Why not, right? I wanted to toss out another dose of the "heavy mellow" lo-fi music I spent years recording. As I've mentioned before I got around to ripping a bunch of my old CDs and have been putting them onto my iPod. I like to give away these tracks (particularly the music I have never released) and maybe some of these songs might end up on YOUR iPod.

HEY...why not! Amuse your friends! Scare the neighbors!

Here is a FREE MP3 download of It's A Good Day (download here) (link disabled) which is an unreleased track. This track was recorded on my Tascam 4-track, but I'm not sure where I was living at the time. Could have been San Francisco and could have been Oakland. Whatever. This track is not very heavy or mellow, but actually happy, peppy and cheeful. I always thought this track would make for a good intro song for a morning show. Today Show...I'm waiting...

I re-recorded this tune with my buddy Brian Peet which will be part two of this FREE MP3 extravaganza! Look out for PART TWO...coming soon.

Enjoy!

Mark Harvey(mopehead)

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song. (link disabled)

Rain Station (back at it again)

Yesterday I spent the day in Jay's Pacifica studio hanging out and recording guitar and bass tracks. He's got a number of drum beats recorded and even had a guitar track done on one of the tunes I worked on. You can follow the progress of the recording project at RainStation.com. I was surprised when Jay said that we hadn't recorded in about 8 years. As the first song I was working on started getting "fleshed out" he said, "gosh, that sounds like Rain Station". Yes, it did. It always feels very natural to work with Jay and he said on RainStation.com , "Mark just walked in and played bass and guitar like we had been doing this just yesterday."

It feels good to be back recording music with Jay and I believe together we can get this new project completed before long as well as finish the project we started years ago (DARK RIDE part 2). Jay and I have bass and drums recorded so I'm going to finish setting up Pumpkinland Studios and get to work. We'll have two project going at once and have them done before Summer.

Be sure and check out RainStation.com as Jay and I will both be blogging there and we will be posting songs as they progress (as well as videos of us in the studio - scary). Right now there are three MP3s you can download.

Thanks for reading,

Mark Harvey

a proud member of

Rain Station

You're Coast To Coast, baby...

Sorry for my silence lately. I've been super busy at work and at home. I've spent WAY too much time on Facebook at home (which is where I blog) so I've sort of let my blog lapse. I'm back and so here is a FREE MP3 download of Coast to Coast (here) (link disabled)taken from Rain Station's Stonedozer CD. Music on this track is by me and lyrics and vocals by Jay Moores (back ground vocals and lyrical input provided by me). This track was recorded at the second Pumpkinland Studios location in San Leandro, CA. The track name was something I was hoping would catch on as a slang saying, "That person is so cool, they're coast to coast". Never caught on...ah well...

Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at Nobody Records.Be sure and support independent music and purchasing CDs from us!

Thanks,

Mark Harvey

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song.

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Stonedozer

Here is a FREE MP3 download of Stonedozer (here) (link disabled)the title track from Rain Station's Stonedozer CD. Music on this track is by me and lyrics by Jay Moores. The vocals are by me and Jay Moores. This track was recorded at the second Pumpkinland Studios location in San Leandro, CA.

This title track is about the legalization of marijuana. Funny how this song has some relevance right now. Whether or not you fall into the pro or con category regarding legalization this track is pretty fun. I don't partake, but have always wondered about why some drugs are legal while others are not. I am one that believes in Proposition 215, also known as the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. (here)

Here is a review of Stonedozer. "I have always been a big fan of Rain Station and their lo-fi recording roots but the recording of Stonedozer has elevated them to near major label sound quality"......"This is the BEST Rain Station CD to date"...Charlie Harrelson, EvO:R.com review

Enjoy the FREE track and drop me a comment.

Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at Nobody Records.-

Be sure and support independent music and purchasing CDs from us!

Thanks,

Mark Harvey

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song

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Rise - a free MP3

Here is a FREE MP3 download of Rise (here) (link disabled)taken from Rain Station's Stonedozer CD. Music on this track is by me and lyrics and vocals by Jay Moores (back ground vocals provided by me). This track was recorded at the second Pumpkinland Studios location in San Leandro, CA.

Here is a review of Stonedozer. "I have always been a big fan of Rain Station and their lo-fi recording roots but the recording of Stonedozer has elevated them to near major label sound quality"......"This is the BEST Rain Station CD to date"...
Charlie Harrelson, EvO:R.com review
Enjoy the FREE track and drop me a comment.

Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at Nobody Records.
Be sure and support independent music and purchasing CDs from us!
Thanks,

Mark Harvey
Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song. (link disabled)

If I Were....another FREE MP3

Here is a FREE MP3 download of "If I Were" (click here to download) taken from the Instrumental mopehead CD. Pretty soon you'll have all of the tracks for this disc.

"If I Were"...think of the possibilities. "If I Were"....imagine what could be done. Think about "if you were" and realize it. What holds you back?

If you're liking the music please let me know.Enjoy the FREE track and please drop me a comment.

As you've all been told before, all of my CDs are available for purchase at NobodyRecords.com.

Be sure and support independent music by purchasing CDs from us!

Thanks,

Mark Harvey (a.k.a. mopehead)

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song.

Looking At Pictures I Never Should've Saved....yet another FREE MP3

Here is a FREE MP3 download of "Looking At Pictures I Never Should've Saved" (click here to download). This instrumental track is unreleased and didn't make the instrumental mopehead cut. This is another track that demonstrates why I went with the pseudonym mopehead. Sitting alone in a room...looking through old photo albums. Life is always full of regrets. Many regrets we cannot control. Things left unsaid. Things left undone. Questions.

I have a bunch of these instrumentals (unreleased) and I plan to give 'em away here over time. My unreleased music as well as my released tracks have made it onto soundtracks and I'm always happy to lend a track to a film, TV show or indie project.

Enjoy the FREE track and drop me a comment.

Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at NobodyRecords.com.

Be sure and support independent music by purchasing CDs from us!
Thanks,

Mark Harvey
(a.k.a. mopehead)

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song.

Writing Down The Things You Used To Say To Me...another FREE MP3

As I've written in previous posts, much of the reason I went with the pseudonym mopehead is due to tracks like this one. For many years I really got into recording sad songs (I guess I've never grown out of that come to think of it). Songs like this one are not intended to be perfect, but rather real and honest (or real honest). Here is a FREE MP3 download of "Writing Down The Things You Used To Say To Me" (click here to download). This track is unreleased. This track makes me sad.

Enjoy the FREE track and drop me a comment.

Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at NobodyRecords.com.

Be sure and support independent music by purchasing CDs from us!

Thanks,

Mark Harvey (a.k.a. mopehead)

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song.

No More....a FREE MP3

Here is a FREE MP3 download of "No More" (click here to download the song) a presently unreleased track. This song was written at the Pumpkinland Studios San Leandro location.
Years ago I did a lot of recording when I was sick - at home from work - and bored. This is one of those sick during the Winter tracks I recorded back then. Nowadays I don't ever call in sick unless I am too sick to move. Staying at home just isn't an option anymore.

I can picture the old San Leandro house and this song brings me back to those days. My studio was SUPER cold and the old windows would frost up, but I wanted the fresh air so it was a toss up - fresh air vs. fogged damp warmth. The lyrics talking about "and they live their lives in a fog. They're killin' trees and owning dogs. Pave away the Earth. You were here first. Angry villagers outside an open window" are about Jay's neighbors in Alameda who moved in, brought their loud dog, cut down a super ancient tree and wanted to just concrete their way into oblivion. They had moved from the City (SF) and I guess they weren't use to the trees or the joy of Alameda's lush vegetation. It started out friendly, but quickly turned. Jay would loudly exclaim his frustration with them - the angry villager outside the open window, or in the backyard or anywhere within earshot.

They didn't come by Jay's house no more.

These neighbors eventually moved.

So I'm just going to keep slapping all sorts of tracks up here on the blog so you can download 'em, hear 'em, delete 'em or add 'em to your playlist.
Enjoy the FREE track and please drop me a comment.

All of my CDs are available for purchase at NobodyRecords.com and if you like this track let me know...maybe I'll put it onto my next mopehead CD (or maybe it is just too darn old to do anything with).

Thanks,

Mark Harvey (a.k.a. mopehead)
Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song.

The Mark Harvey Show - FREE MP3

So here's the story of The Mark Harvey Show...the short lived, strange variety show I hosted on Viacom Cable Public Access in SF.

Jay's girlfriend (and now I quote from Jay's site here) "Louisa had been working at Viacom in their public access studio in exchange for some TV studio time. She had it all lined up to put on a gay-centric variety show hosted by Justin Bond. Just as her time slot came up, Justin landed a touring gig, and had to go. Now we had all this studio time, and no host or format. I phoned up my buddy Mark Harvey and he agrees to do a show. I end up producing, getting every talent, comic, and musician I can muster, and we tape three half-hour episodes of the Mark Harvey Show. It goes great, but Louisa and I had different opinions of where the project should go, so it never gains any momentum."

Click here to begin your video journey of The Mark Harvey Show (I will tease you with links as time goes on...)

Here is a FREE MP3 download of "The Mark Harvey Show Theme Song" (click here to download) recorded by me and my buddy Tony Iuppa (bass player from The Screaming Paisleys and my Ed McMahon on The Mark Harvey Show and pictured left). This instrumental track is unreleased. This track was recorded on my Tascam 4-track at my old place in Belmont. Drum programming and bass by Tony.

Enjoy this FREE track and drop me a comment.

Remember, all of my CDs are available for purchase at NobodyRecords.com.

Be sure and support independent music by purchasing CDs from us!

Thanks,

Mark Harvey
Host of The Mark Harvey Show (and still interested in hosting a show)

Click here if you can't figure out where you're supposed to click to download the song.

MacWorld 2009

Greetings and salutations! I'm back, fresh from MacWorld 2009. I always see a bunch of stuff when I'm there, snap a few pictures and talk to lot of folks about stuff I can't afford or in some cases just don't need. I'm not rockin' a Mac yet - plan to - so MacWorld is a bit useless for me - well, except for the iPod part (I own two) and the universal gear items (storage, laptop bags and other accessories that are universal). I'm hoping that in 2009 I will be a Mac user along with getting my ProTools studio set-up so I can maximize my recording potential. The price tag is hefty as the Mac I want to buy is VERY pricey.

This has been an annual trek I make with my father-in-law who is a BIG Apple fan. Strangely enough neither of us made purchases this year. Sure, there were things I wanted to buy, but most of it wasn't in the gotta buy catagory. I do plan on purchasing a few things (from the vendors listed below) at a later date. These vendors I found to be particularly useful and I will give them a little nod here so if you have a chance, check 'em out, give 'em business and you can tell 'em Mark Harvey sent you.

For the second year in a row I spoke to the folks at Advanced Media Solutions (AMS) about CD replication. They were nice last year and equally as nice this year. Their booth (which I have pictured to the left) has all sorts of examples of what they can make for folks. If you need media, such as CD’s, DVD’s, posters and other print materials, even T shirts and apparel, AMS can do it for you. Check them out here. Call (or email) Mike Roderick at AMS and tell him Mark Harvey sent you.

Another cool booth I wanted to mention was GelaSkins (website here). GelaSkins are removable covers for protecting and customizing your portable devices. They feature excellent photo-quality graphics ranging from fine art prints to contemporary urban images designed by their growing family of artists from around the globe. I'm not much a fan of putting this type of thing on my iPod, but I'll tell ya, these look VERY cool and they stick on and peel off very easily (I watched the guy do it - they use a patented 3M adhesive that makes GelaSkins easy to apply with no residue left behind. The adhesive allows you to reposition the skin so you can easily get a perfect fit, plus the advanced 3M adhesive contains patented micro-channels that prevent air bubbles from forming and allow for easy application so they stick well and look good). What caught my attention most of all was that they are going to add a feature that will allow their customers the ability to upload their own artwork. The idea of having a customized iPod (with a Nobody Records/Pumpkinland Studios logo on it) is amazing.

The next item that got me thinking was the Numark iDJ2 Mobile DJ Workstation. The booth I visited was repping Numark, Alesis and MixMeister. It has been a long time since I DJ'd, but the Numark iDJ2 Mobile DJ Workstation made me want to get back into it (or just buy one to play with). From their site..."The Numark iDJ2 is the only iPod mixing console that provides full control of your music with real–time scratching (via two jog wheels), a stunning color screen and Numark's exclusive crate management. Keylock insures that DJs can easily change tempo without affecting pitch. The iDJ2 features a fresh and innovative new iPod docking system that allows users to play and mix two songs simultaneously from a single iPod without the need of a computer. Users can also hook up multiple mass storage devices including additional iPods, thumb drives, and external USB hard drives through rear panel USB ports. In addition to USB connectivity, the iDJ2 comes complete with line inputs for audio sources including a microphone, CD players and turntables." I want one! Click here to check out more about this amazing tool (toy).

The final booth I'll talk about here was one that sells customized device holders and vehicle mounts made for nearly every make and model vehicle and nearly every device you can imagine. ProClips didn't have an amazing booth (it was a dashboard with a bunch of device holders and mounts on it), but the gentleman there had a crowd around him. The idea that you can have a custom clip for your car that actually is made FOR your vehicle is HUGE. Check them out here. I plan on ordering something (or somethings) from them once I decide on my next vehicle.

Well...that was my MacWorld 2009 experience. I saw a bunch of other things, but those were the standouts for me. I like wandering around and checking out the stuff they have. We didn't even eat lunch we were so busy walking from booth to booth. Even though this year seemed a lot more low key than years past, I am happy I attended since I found some great vendors that I plan on buying stuff from. It is always cool to come home with schwag and I came home with a TON of it.

Mark Harvey

(a man looking forward to owning a Mac someday)