Ian Schaefer

Great little review of A Private Press, courtesy of 10 Mile Stereo.

We’ve got a nice show planned for June 4 in Philadelphia at the North Star Bar ‘Victorian Dining Room’, 8 PM. Oh, and we’re hammering away at a full-length album. Due out Summer 2012. Check out our unique ‘stirring…parlor-esque’ sound.

This song was submitted for the 2012 Philadelphia Songwriters contest, and is also available as a free download.

My friend Nicola, with whom I’ve shared the stage in Philly bands Smiles, Everyone and The Fontanelles, brings her very best voice and lyric-writing to a new project called A Private Press. Delicious melodies.

Listen to it. Buy it.

Goldbrick highlights Smiles, Everyone’s spirited command of art-rock theory and power pop punch. Jangly guitars layered over deft basslines and disciplined percussion create perfect structures for Nicola Dixon’s expansive vocal range and exquisite storytelling. Thematically, Goldbrick celebrates the awkward duality of living with a briefcase in one hand and a guitar case in the other. Smiles, Everyone capture this notion beautifully in their latest single Debbie Harry, an addictive, catchy gem that sets the pace for this impressive EP.

$100.00

[five-star-rating]

Thanks to generous friend, we will be shooting video during our next performance at Philadelphia’s legendary North Star Bar on Thursday, February 25th, 2010. This is the perfect opportunity for wallflowers and rabid fans alike to take part in a little Philly indie-rock history.

Smiles, Everyone Demo CD Sleeves

Keeping with the do-it-yourself approach my band has taken to producing our demo, we’ve opted to print letterpress sleeves for the promo cd. Production is underway here at my print shop in Lititz. (more…)

It took a bit longer to complete than we expected, but my band, Smiles, Everyone, finally has a new eight-song demo. You can listen to it here. We are actively seeking gigs in Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA (and points in between) for the summer and fall of 2009.

If, like us, you crave new, original music, please listen and tell us what you think.

Here is my current bass rig for Smiles, Everyone, which includes:

Ampeg Bass Rig

Fender American Deluxe V bass
Humphrey modded Boss CS-3 Compressor
Electroharmonix Big Muff
MXR M-80 DI +
TC Electronic M-350 processor
Ampeg SVT3-Pro amplifier
Switches for amp mute and eq boost, M-300 bypass and tap tempo

I don’t use half of these pedals 90% of the time. Only the compressor and mute are essential. M-300 is for occasional phaser and tremolo. Big Muff is for fun.