Mark Somgynari is the studio & equipment manager, AND the go to guy for Ironworks.....

Tim:    Can you describe a typical day at Ironworks?

Capt Mark:  Well it's not typical...! Depending on whether it's a session day or an editing/mixing day, it can be totally different. Session days mean we have musicians come in to lay down tracks or add overdubs to songs we're working on, so there's the dynamic and buzz of getting everything working together and keeping a cool vibe. Those are the most hectic, and exciting by far for me, since that's the stereotypical (pardon the pun) scene you imagine when you think of a recording studio. Learning a song, trying different tempos and beats, stumbling upon something magic that was actually a flub...live. 

Editing/Mixing days are the more tedious, since that's where you take the things form the Session day that you thought were PERFECT and realize "almost perfect" was the more accurate description. Here's where you can spend hours just getting an intro sounding right, or you can try 5 different approaches to a section (or more!) and not find the magic combination that keeps you from being sick of hearing the same chorus for the 112th time that day! But here in the trenches is where the hard work pays off, and this is the part where Jude and Florian Ammon (our head engineer... he's "German":-) earn the blue chips. My part during these days is really more in getting them the sounds they want from the gear, and having things set up and working on a whim when an idea needs tried out. I make it a point to stay out of the control room unless needed on editing days, because a) this part sucks, and b) sometimes I can be of a (very) little help when they ask my opinion of how something sounds with fresh ears. But, mostly a)... :-)

Tim:    Well it's been a banner year for Ironworks. With the release just a few weeks ago of your first artist Rocco DeLuca's "I Trust You To Kill Me." Of course, there must be other artists in "The Works." I understand Ironworks has branched out to a different style of artist. Call you tell us a little about Booyay?

Capt Mark: Booyay is a young (17 if I'm not mistaken)  extremely talented up and coming rap artist. This kid is the "real deal"; he grew up in, and from, the streets, and was a gang member whose talents were  actually discovered in the LA juvi prison system. He writes some of the most powerful word-pictures about his life, his fallen friends, and his will to survive that you'll ever hear. He's amazingly prolific and prophetic. We've done a few tracks with him in-house, and we're developing outside beats with some A-list  guys from the hip-hop world who have also seen this kid's talent and potential.

Tim: Ironworks hasn't been limited to just American artists. What can we expect from the name of Ry Cuming?

Capt Mark: Ry Cuming is the 21 year old Aussie surfer-singer-songwriter included in one of our "eXtra" TV segments about Ironworks. He came in last year and did a couple of demos, which we fell in love  with. We've been trying to get him back here for a full album, but the MoZella and Rocco records, PLUS various song demos and such has us just now getting  round to doing it. I'm pretty sure his record will be our summer 2005 project, which with his style will be COOL! This guy is a chick magnet like I've never seen, which is why I personally hate him... :-) Seriously, a NICE guy with a natural pop sensibility to his writing that I think combined with Jude's direction/production will connect with people, and radio.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Tim: So what is attracting artists to Ironworks? Are there others waiting to be recorded?

Capt. Mark: As far as other Ironworks Artists, we're always looking...But, HEY, we're in the GREAT position of already gaining a reputation of working "with" artists, and not trying to morph somebody into something they're not. And seeing that draws to us the kinds of real artists we love. The kinds that, frankly, most major and even bigger indie labels now don't have the time or mechanism in place to nurture and develop.  EVERYONE we've chose to work with has something about them or going for them that we want to amplify; a heartfelt inner spark, a real soul... Sure, a good look IS important-Video DID kill the Radio Star...I don't want to sound cliché OR naive.  But  artists like Rocco and Ry... You could stick a lousy $30 Radio Shack micro-cassette in front of them with just a guitar, and their passion and true talent would explode out that 2" speaker.  Anybody listen to Jude's Bluebird shows lately?? I rest my case...

Tim:     Of course we know Ironworks can provide a great recording opportunity to an artist, but how do you go about distributing the CD product once it's recorded?

Capt. Mark:  We're fortunate enough to have a couple of avenues available to us, because of the industry clout Jude has as a writer, producer, and manager, and, to a point, the podium Kiefer has as a major celeb. As I've mentioned before,  major labels and many indies don't have a way of grass roots developing and nurturing an artist. The days of big A&R departments, nationwide scouts and the like, are history. These days, a singer/songwriter or self-contained band have to prove they can sell thousands of CD's themselves, and have 90% of a world class finished product in place, or they'll just as soon pass on signing you. I hate using the word "product", because it's 180 degrees away from how we look at artists, and that's how majors have to look at  someone's blood, sweat, and tears... Maybe "finished presentation" is better. So we do our best to have both ends covered; we'll always believe we have the "finished presentation" or it'll never see the light of day. And we have a core group of dedicated (read insane) people who see our excitement, believe in what we do, and go above and beyond to further the cause. So while we've got newer artists honing their craft in front of large crowds opening for national acts, we've got people sitting on their living room floors stuffing envelopes with CD's, and TV producers asking what more can they do to help... It's a pretty cool time to be on the ground floor of the skyscraper...
 

Tim:    What medium will you use to market it to the masses?

Capt. Mark:  Any that make sense to the artist's direction. As you know, we've 
had "some" prime-time TV exposure. The Internet is the new millennium’s "word of mouth." And we're blessed with long-time web fans of Jude's and Kiefer's that know if  they are behind a project it probably won't suck!  And J&K are so appreciative of  the response we've received it's humbling...And because of their long-time relationship with the film/TV industry, I'm certain you'll be seeing more Ironworks Artists songs showing up on TV shows, soundtracks, etc.. And we'll continue marketing our CD's and such thru our website, www.ironworksmusic.com,  and on each corresponding artists' site. In the case of Rocco, his site, www.roccodeluca.com also has links to buy CD's and other related goodies. And there's the Amazon, eBay, iTunes, and other venues too.

Tim:     Of course to a true artist, CD sales are not the only mark of success. However, we all know an artist has to live. How can the Ironworks system turn a profit for everyone involved?

Capt. Mark:  I personally quit taking the limo to Jack-in-the-Box for lunch months ago...:-) ( I actually did that once with Journey back in ancient times) But seriously folks, there's not a whole lot of bureaucracy or middle men getting a cut here. Jude has said before that the Ironworks gang really is a multi-tasking outfit to the extreme. If you can't do at least three things well enough to have each of them be your career, and do them usually all at the same time, then you can't hang here. Jude has five or six, depending on if it's radio day (Tuesday-when the ratings come out). Thank God we clicked in with the right group of those people right at this time, and thank God for Jenn-Jude's assistant, quasi tour manager, quasi receptionist, and full time Den Mother.
 
 
 
 

 
Tim:    With Jude behind the controls in the studio, his free time must be limited. Many people keep asking "when can we expect a new CD from Da Man?" What has he recorded so far?

Capt. Mark: I'm guessing there's at least 5 or 6 songs in various stages of "doneness" that could be album worthy with a pointed effort. (not including a few cover tunes done in fun) Song's like "Loving You Ain't Loving Me" were done as songwriting demos; unless you are shopping it to a specific artist to record, you purposely don't zero in (or pigeonhole it) with a full production so as to leave "room for interpretation". If Jude chose to put one on his next solo record, that's exactly what he would do too. As far as when a new record would be?? ...jeez... I think a logical progression would have to lead up to it. Right now, I'm hoping  that he'll do the show he promised the Yahoo board sometime this fall. I think (hope) by doing that he'll  find the inspiration & motivation to tighten up an  album concept. And by that I mean he would want a  theme to base a new album on; not just throw the first  12 unsold demos on a disc. All his solo efforts have been themed statements; Falling Home, IDKWIATW, VF3S, even STC have a thread of consistency summed up in their titles. He's mentioned more than once just calling some "friends" and doing a quick record of blues covers (he has a MEAN "Reconsider, Baby" in the can round here somewhere). I have a title in my head for his next one that I've mentioned to him...I'll leave it at that for now.

Tim:     Do you think there will ever be a chance Jude will release songs from the legendary 88 song A View from 3rd Street recording era? I personally had an idea that he could put them together, and call it "Looking back at 3rd Street" or "An Extended View of 3rd Street." What's your insight on his recordings? How do they sound?

Capt. Mark:  As an "official" package? Honestly, no. But I'll guarantee there will be more snippets that surface from them. (In fact I'll have something from "back in the day" for you in a few days) This is why I'm happy there are "unofficial" sites like yours, and the resurrected JCafe, Chris' site, etc. that provide an avenue for stuff like this to be heard and accessed, and to leave the 
Yahoo board as a board.

My insight? Well, I guess I should leave you with a couple of teasers...Did you know there's a whole OTHER record full of songs from BEFORE #1 that didn't get picked up? They're a pretty cool bridge between The Records and what became #1-more pop-rock, less ballads, etc. How about a version of "Joe" that is more John Mellencamp than...John Mellancamp?(think ROCK in the USA!)  I've found hours of session tapes for IDKWIATW where impromptu 70's jams broke out of legitimate attempts to get a take. "Chevy Van", anyone? 
Other than the first, first record- (#0?) which so far only exists on cassette made from a DAT, the quality overall is excellent. There's boxes more of tapes to go thru...if it's there, it'll be found.

Thanks for the questions and support. From all of us @ Ironworks.
 

Tim: Thanks Capt. for your insight on Ironworks!