The Other Side - Producer Jim Diamond

Producer Jim Diamond's name has become synonymous with Detroit "garage rock." His Motor City-based studio Ghetto Recorders has recorded some of Detroit's most popular bands among handfuls of heavy hitters from all over the U.S. and beyond. The White Stripes, The Von Bondies, Andre Williams, GLG's own The White Ravens, Electric Six.....and so, so, so many more Detroit acts. People from all over flock to the his studio to get the "Jim Diamond" sound that can only be described as a bit gritty, like the state of downtown and just very, well, "Detroit." People just know his style. Growing up in Trenton, Michigan, Diamond began playing in bands in 1978. Not just a few bands, this man is well versed. He has played bass, guitar and occasionally organ and sax in about a dozen bands including The Dirtbombs, Doop and the Inside Outlaws, and Bantam Rooster. His studio career began at Harvest Music and Sound Design in Lansing, MI in 1989 as an engineer. He opened Ghetto Recorders in 1996 and has become an iconic producer to any fan of Detroit music. (p.s. That's Jim being cheeky in the middle with the check)

1. How would you describe your role as a producer?
I would say that varies from band to band depending on what they want to do. Some people want a lot of input on everything, other people just want to bang it out and have you tell them when it sucks or not. My job is always changing.

2. How long have been producing?
I guess since I started engineering professionally in 1989. One of the guys I worked for way back, he always told me that bands want your input, that was a good lesson to learn. I am much more involved now than when I was beginning. Back then I was still trying to figure out the board!


3. Who/what albums are the some of the most noteworthy artists you've produced in the past?
The White Stripes, Electric Six, Dirtbombs, The Romantics...in Argentina, Andrea Alvarez. In Australia, Rocket Science. Andre Williams, Kim Fowley, The Von Bondies. I have a record coming out with power-pop legend Paul Collins later this month. Lots of underground people over the years and in different countries.

4. What bands are you currently working with?
Just worked on a record over the weekend with local singer/songwriter Jeni Lee Richey and the Great Tribulation. Recording in progress with Jason Stollsteimer ... he has a new group called The Hounds Below. Have records coming up this fall with Left Lane Cruiser and Hacienda, both on Alive Records out of L.A. Then looking like I'll head to Australia in November to do a couple bands down there in Brisbane.

5. Do you mainly work out of one studio or do you go where a band needs you?
I work out of my studio mainly, Ghetto Recorders, but when I travel, I'll go anywhere, as long as they have a tape machine to record to.

6.How do you know if you, as a producer, are a good match for a band?
Well, I have to like the music,that is first and foremost. They'll send me demos and I'll see which songs I like, stuff like that,we'll take it from there. Generally, people who don't like my work won't want me and I wouldn't like them anyways! I usually get a good fit.

7. What's the best piece of advice you'd give a band that thinks they are ready to record?
Practice and get your stuff down tight. Nothing worse than the band trying to learn the songs in the studio, it's an expensive rehearsal space! Get it down before you come in, then we can get creative.

8. What kind of inside experience does being a musician yourself help with producing?
That is huge, my experience as a musician helps every facet of producing. I know what will work musically, how to approach songs. I can't imagine producing records and not being a musician.

9. What's your favorite thing about producing?
It's like putting together a puzzle, hearing something take form, creating something from nothing, I love that.

10. What's your least favorite thing about producing?
Waiting around for bands to learn the song. People not being prepared.

11. In addition to the music you are working on, what albums have you been listening to lately? Does it ever effect your producing?
Very much... I have been listening to Jefferson Airplane, ....'60s San Francisco stuff. It changes all the time, I love music and am a fan first and foremost.

The Other Side highlights those talented and very important folks behind the scenes of the music that we listen to. The Other Side will feature producers, engineers, booking agents, band photographers, online radio DJs, etc. It's pretty awesome.
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Rosario Dawson co-stars in Neil Nathan's Video "California Run"

After NYC's Neil Nathan recorded his album, The Distance Calls, in Detroit, it hit him that the entire process had a road-trip style feel to it, which lent to his music and more importantly hit home in the single "California Run."



"I left town to make this record," says Nathan, "and I hope that the record somehow embodies that emotional journey as well." "California Run" is a love song for both a fantasy girl, the state itself and its possibilities. The memorable chorus for such a song that teeters on power-pop, folk rock and stomp, created for a video that lent itself to the pure optimistic charm of the song. Hip Video (a company that has created videos for Goldfrapp, Liars, Born Ruffians and so many more) directors Ric Serena and Vaj Potenza teamed up with Nathan for the "California Run" video, starring Neil's former roommate, actress Rosario Dawson (Harmony Korine's Kids, Men in Black II, Sin City, Grindhouse, etc.). In the video, Neil plays a hitchhiker traveling the dusty roads of California with guitar in hand, in search of his long lost dream girl. Wish we were all so lucky. The video couldn't be more perfect for the story behind the song.

"California Run" instantly make you want to get in your your car, roll the windows down, feel the fresh air and crank up the tunes while you go for an afternoon drive. That's exactly what Nathan wants you to feel when you hear the song and listen to The Distance Calls as a whole.

The Distance Calls is set for release on August 24th. Click Here to Read More..

Neil Nathan Celebrates Detroit-Inspired Album and Video Starring Rosario Dawson

Living in New York has it's benefits. Soon enough, though, us non-New Yorkers will get to hear and see NYC's Neil Nathan. On July 20th, Nathan will be throwing a shindig at Highline Ballroom in NYC to celebrate the New York release of his Detroit-rock-inspired album (produced by The Go's Bobby Harlow) The Distance Calls. In addition to playing songs from the new album (national release date is August 24), fans will get to see the killer videos of the album's lead single "California Run," starring Nathan and his former roommate, actress Rosario Dawson and the video for "When the Rain Falls."

P.S. GLG's Golden Bloom will be playing as well. I might shed a tear that I'm missing this show, so if you live in NYC, you best attend!




“The ‘California Run’ and ‘When The Rain Falls’ videos are two sides of the same coin, that wondrous and sometimes very painful thing we call love," says Nathan of the videos. ‘California Run’ is about the joy of searching for and finding your fated true love and ‘When The Rain Falls’ is about the heartbreak of losing him or her. Co-Directors Ric Serena, Vaj Potenza and I were intrigued by the idea of parallel videos.”

Pirate Vinyl and Green Light Go Publicity Present:
Neil Nathan's Record and Video Release Show
Tuesday, July 20th
Highline Ballroom
431 W. 16th Street, New York, NY
(212) 414-5994
8:00 PM
Tickets: $12 in advance or $15 the day of the show
With special guests Alan Semerdjian, Golden Bloom and Featherweight Click Here to Read More..

Staff Infection: Family Ties Mixtape

What is a mixtape?

To some people, a mixtape is simply a collection of songs. For others, mixes are used to prepare for a significant event, like a first date or a road trip. Since I spend part of my day teaching Literature to community college students who often look older than I do and the other part of my day scouting out new clients for Green Light Go, I’m always on the move.

My iPod (which I endearingly refer to as “Pod Stewart”) is my saving grace, because my music listening habits are about as fluid as my lifestyle. One thing I love about my iPod is that I can use the “On-the-Go” feature to make a mini mixtape at the click of a button, to kick start my day or create a short list of favorite songs to listen to at a moment’s notice.

In the wake of Father’s Day, I’ve decided to make a little mixtape that relates to one of the most important themes in my life: my family.

When I was around five years old, my father (a former rock drummer), took our family on a trip to Graceland so that I could visit the home of my idol at the time, Elvis Presley. Growing up, I inherited my knowledge of rock history from my Uncle Dave, the man who presented me with my first Sony Walkman and The Beatles’ Help! cassette tape on my sixth birthday. Last summer, Dave and I had the pleasure of seeing Ian McLagan perform (one of our favorite Faces), which will always be one of my fondest memories. Ultimately, my family has been instrumental in shaping my love and appreciation for music, so I made this Monday Mixtape with them in mind.

Moving forward, my future Staff Infection columns will feature the Monday Mixtapes I create, so you can plug in a set of ear buds and race across town with me.

Monday Mixtape – Family Ties

Sam Roberts, “Detroit ’67” from Love at the End of the World

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, “Home” from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

The Beatles, “Help!” from Help!

Coconut Records, “Drummer” from Davy

Faces, “Ooh La La” from Ooh La La

Wilco, “Hummingbird” from A Ghost is Born

Pete Yorn, “Suspicious Minds” (Elvis Presley Cover) from Live From New Jersey

Photo (Left to Right) - Janelle Rogers, Ian McLagan, Lauren Roberts, David McIntyre, Uncle Dave Roberts.

Every week a different Green Light Go staff member will write about what bands have infected their ears for the week and give you an opportunity to hear it for yourself.

This week: Lauren Roberts, Green Light Go Talent Coordinator/Publicity Client Scout.

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Grindhouse Album Trailer Starring Neil Nathan and Bobby Harlow (The Go)

Vintage Grindhouse, Blaxploitation, gritty '70s, and B-movie styles all rolled into one.

Viewed like a new movie trailer you'd see at the theater, musician Neil Nathan found a really unique and enjoyable way to promote his forthcoming album The Distance Calls. Playing off the vintage Grindhouse, Blaxploitation, gritty '70s, B-movie styles, brought to life by contemporary directors such as Robert Rodriguez, the "film trailer" is like a teaser introduction to the "cast" of The Distance Calls. Nathan teamed up with illustrator Ryan Gaffney (who also did the amazing liner notes for his new album) to make the short film. With a deep soul voiceover, announcing the musicians who play on The Distance Calls, it is only perfectly fitting that the hard-hitting Shaft-narrator is actually Nathan himself.

Watch this awesome (I mean, it really is) video and be transported, inspired, and totally entertained. This trailer alone makes me want to listen to the album more and more and more......

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