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Roth-Handle Studios
11-30-2012, 07:54 AM
Hey hey,

Albums and recordings are interesting creatures. They usually start off as the end of a long writing process and rehearsal period. Every detail twisted and turned. A well layed out plan to follow. With certain bands the creative process ends with the recording. The album is a documentation of the music that has been written before entering the studio. If everything is arranged properly we will be fine right ?

Necromonkeys debut album Necroplex is the exact opposite of that. Everything was written and created in the studio. Necroplex is a loud conversation between two good friends in a studio filled with sounds, atmospheres and lethal electrical wiring.
I first met David Lundberg while working on his band Gösta berlings sagas album Detta har hänt. It was a great couple of days filled with wild and free experimentation. A lot of coffee and a lot of laughs…We immediately connected on a personal level about music and a general way of viewing things. A couple of years later I was roped in to produce the follow up album Glue Works. I sat in on a couple liveshows and toured now and then with the band as a guest. Since those first sessions David has become a big part of the Roth Händle studio working on countless sessions with artists such as Vera Vinter, Staphan O Bell, Ketil from Jaga Jazzist and many many more…and when Änglagård reunited to play some shows again David was the natural person to bring in to play the keyboards live.

Very early on me and David started talking about recording an album together. We had a lot of discussions what it should be. We didn’t want to make a clean progressive rock Änglagård meets Gösta Berlings saga (even though reading it back now it sounds quite interesting). We wanted it to be a mix of all the things we love, not just progessive rock. Mellotrons, quirky rhythms, Italian women counting to 20, LOUD, drummachines, synth arpeggios, Optigans, Sonic hiccups, Modular synths, Casio keyboards with Pink Panther stickers on them and Tubas. We love Magma and Les Baxter. James Joyce and Spiderman.

So how do you embark on a project like this ? The solution is very simple and complex at the same time. You put on some coffee, you aim the microphones sort of in the direction of an instrument and then you start. Very small. And then you add something. And then you add another thing. Talk about it for a little while…and then continue in that fashion. When you have some sort of foundation you invite some of the most talented people you know to hang out and record…and then its probably time to put on some more coffee.
We have recorded this album because it made us very very happy doing it. We were also very curious about what “we” would sound like.

One of the main ideas was to do it fast. So we did. And apparently we are very fast at recording but very very very slow at making album covers….but now its finally done.

Listening back on Necroplex now…We both realize it is a weird one.
Its dark and brooding, quirky and twitchy, funny and melancholic, atmospheric and abrasive, electronic and acoustic.
It is quite simply the complex sound of two very good friends having a lot of fun in a studio together.

So if you release an album in 2013 how do you actually do it ? Get a big label ? Get a cool indie label ? Release it digitally ? Are blogs important ? Maybe I can write something enthusiastic and uplifting about the album on Facebook ?

We really don’t have a clue. If we could have a lemonade stand but with Necroplex instead we would. If life hands you Justin Bieber make Necroplex or something like that.
So we came up with this weird Idea. Drop us a line at Necromonkeyness@gmail.com if you want to buy a copy of the album and we will send it to you.

We are really sorry…that was the best we could come up with.

Have a great weekend,

David & Mattias (Necromonkey)

Roth-Handle Studios
12-01-2012, 02:35 PM
Hey hey,

thank you for your replies. Great ! Some of you have asked if its going to be released on Vinyl and its not impossible at all depending on the interest.

There have been requests for a sample from the album so....here you go !

http://soundcloud.com/necromonkey/asshole-vote

// Mattias

zombywoof
12-01-2012, 11:04 PM
Sounds like interesting stuff!

ChrisXymphonia
12-02-2012, 01:19 PM
So for now it is only cd release or just download?

Roth-Handle Studios
12-02-2012, 04:06 PM
Cd release and digital...to start with.

...oh yeah and please remember as always....its limited edition until we make some more.

// Mattias

Roth-Handle Studios
12-06-2012, 01:41 PM
One of those work in progress videos from the sessions with Einar Baldursson ( from Gösta Berlings saga ).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BEqKibCCuQ

// Mattias

ItalProgRules
12-06-2012, 02:18 PM
So, are Necromonkeys dead monkeys, or monkeys that like having sex with dead monkeys? You crazy kids and your way-out hep-cat lingo...

Roth-Handle Studios
12-06-2012, 05:33 PM
In the end we are all dead monkeys.

// Mattias

zombywoof
01-25-2013, 07:36 PM
For those interested, here's a review of Necroplex...

http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=beardedblog&action=display&thread=104&page=1#1359158889

Roth-Handle Studios
01-26-2013, 07:40 AM
Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

/ Mattias

FrippWire
01-27-2013, 08:18 PM
Ordered my copy. Can't wait!

Roth-Handle Studios
01-28-2013, 05:08 PM
Hey hey Kids,

On Friday me and David are gonna sit down with film maker Martin Gustafsson (the guy who made the Änglagård Documentary) and answer some questions about Necromonkey, the album Necroplex etc etc. Ian (as in Zombywoof) has given us a terrific start but the more the merrier, right ?

If you have something you are curious about...you are very welcome to post your question here or to Necromonkeyness@gmail.com and we will answer in our best mumbliest manner (and then Martin can edit it all together so it makes somekind of sense)

When we are all edited, pasted, photoshopped and done we will post the thing on youtube where you can also find great videos of some of your favorite bands. You can also find videos of cats there.

Best regards,

Mattias

zombywoof
01-28-2013, 07:06 PM
Sounds like a great idea to me.

zathrus13
01-29-2013, 09:51 AM
For those interested, here's a review of Necroplex...

http://zombyprog.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=beardedblog&action=display&thread=104&page=1#1359158889



Nice review. It is difficult to describe, but highly enjoyable nonetheless!

Roth-Handle Studios
01-29-2013, 01:57 PM
It really is a wonderful review !

When we made the album we thought it would be good to leave a couple of questionmarks in there...for the headphones. Also it means that you can listen to it a couple of times and find new places and sounds.

// Mattias

Roth-Handle Studios
02-12-2013, 04:57 AM
As we are putting together packages and organizing the release of Necroplex we are also working on a new album.

It will be divided into a handful of Eps to make the whole thing faster and snappier. After that we will compile it into a full length thing with extra tracks and all.

Last week Ema Nordenstam recorded at Roth Händle and Nicklas Barker (from Anekdoten and My Brother the wind) was playing in the band so after he session was finishedI asked him if he could play on one of the new tracks, Kinky Panda.

and here is a short video of one of the takes....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enRBw6OS95w

have a great Tuesday,

Mattias

Roth-Handle Studios
02-23-2013, 01:06 PM
Fresh Videoblood.

From last weeks Oboe sessions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2r49YYBZSE

New track Transteens (working title)

// Mattias

ChrisXymphonia
02-26-2013, 02:56 PM
It will be divided into a handful of Eps to make the whole thing faster and snappier. After that we will compile it into a full length thing with extra tracks and all

Good to know that upfront so I won't be buying the EPs then. While typing this Every Dead Indian is playing ... wow, wow. This is a great album. Love the fact that you mixed the whole thing as continous piece. As such it feels a bit like walking through this building with different rooms with in every room a different ensemble playing, only when you watch closely you see the same musicians in every room.

Roth-Handle Studios
02-26-2013, 04:56 PM
...well it is simple to say that the finished album wont contain 16 tracks...The idea with the eps are also to experiment with things that might not be album material but adds colour to the big picture. Putting out magazines instead of books. We are (amongst other things) discussing having vocals on some of the tracks which might lead to situations where there is an instrumental track on the album but it has vocals on the ep.

When it comes to the continous track we have always felt that it was important to tie it all together to take the listener on a stroll, a walk through different moods or rooms as you put it.

..and Christian...Thank you so much for listening !

ChrisXymphonia
02-27-2013, 12:33 PM
Your welcome Mattias. Will feature some of it on our radioshow Sunday.

zombywoof
03-01-2013, 10:18 AM
Another great review of Necroplex:

http://progmistress.com/2013/02/28/ necromonkey-necroplex-2013/

NogbadTheBad
03-01-2013, 10:42 AM
Is this going to be available through traditional channels?

Are you guys likely to have any issues with this place?

http://www.necro-monkey.com/

Roth-Handle Studios
03-01-2013, 12:55 PM
Is this going to be available through traditional channels?

Are you guys likely to have any issues with this place?

http://www.necro-monkey.com/

We are in no rush to use the traditional channels just yet...and we want no trouble in any shape or form...you see we´re too busy singing. etc etc

// Mattias

Roth-Handle Studios
03-12-2013, 03:44 PM
Work is moving forward on the new Eps...this last Sunday we had a great long session working on a handful of songs.

We also had the pleasure of having Kristian Holmgren over helping us out with our bass issues.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2137aUgfic

We feel very Happy,

// Mattias

FrippWire
03-13-2013, 08:08 PM
My copy arrived last week and I absolutely love it!

jviola95
03-13-2013, 10:43 PM
I'm really looking forward to hearing this.

Roth-Handle Studios
03-14-2013, 01:20 AM
You mean the new stuff...Yeah so are we. Things are changing a lot faster than we anticipated. A lot of new directions opening up at the same time.

Here is a video from yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4WROMJ95ns

// Mattias

Roth-Handle Studios
03-14-2013, 01:23 AM
...and Joe. Thanks for listening !

Roth-Handle Studios
03-15-2013, 04:31 PM
A while back Ian Beabout sent us some questions for a written Q & A thing...We went online and got a couple of more questions and then the whole thing kind of grew...

So here it is..Episode I of the Necromonkey Q & A.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtqNzzEyOEc

Best regards,

Mattias & David

Roth-Handle Studios
03-22-2013, 01:46 AM
And as its Friday already..We thought it was about time to hand out a fresh serving of Episode #2 of the Necromonkey Q & A.

Best regards,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPekYNiS_c

Roth-Handle Studios
03-29-2013, 04:14 AM
Has it been a week already ?

Part 3 of the Necromonkey Q & A...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZKf5bpIG7E

Have a great Friday !

//

zombywoof
03-29-2013, 11:44 AM
Great stuff, thanks!

Roth-Handle Studios
04-05-2013, 08:30 AM
A lot of people are talking about bears and how they connect to solar flares and the howlings.

These and many more questions are answered in epsiode 4 of the Necromonkey Q & A !!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vYJ0s0c93g

Best regards,

Mattias & David

Roth-Handle Studios
04-12-2013, 03:48 AM
There are many different types of animals. Some animals that start with the letter A are Ants and Antilope. Everyone loves bees because of their fragrant taste and hilarious on screen antics. Hiding animals is forbidden by lay therefor you should keep your animals visible at all times.

There are many different types of animals. Some of them like Yes. Bears prefer Tony Kayes solo stuff to Tony banks solo stuff but a bear would never pay money to see them wrestle. And that is why we have spacestations, satellites and cars in different colours. We also have different musical bands and ensembles. Necromonkey is one of the many bands that are available for your listening pleasure. Necromonkey would pay money to see Tony Kaye and Tony Banks wrestle. And that is why Necromonkey is different than Bears. Sammy Hagar was bitten by a Bear as a child.

If you want to hear more about Sammy Hagar go to http://www.redrocker.com/

If you want to see the fifth episode of the Necromonkey Q & A please go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMKB09hz6BQ

Roth-Handle Studios
04-15-2013, 04:14 PM
..and the reviews wander in one by one with slightly confused looks on their faces.

Heres one from Planet Mellotron...the biggest "is there any Mellotron on any of the Alvin Chipmunks albums ?" source online. Wonderfully ambitious and updated.

http://www.planetmellotron.com/revn1.htm#monkey

// Mattias

Roth-Handle Studios
04-19-2013, 01:31 AM
A lot of things going on now in the world of Necromonkey.

We are currently juggling 18 tracks for the new Necromonkey releases. They will be spread out of a series of 4 eps.

We will be making atleast three videos in the next couple of weeks. Two for Necroplex tracks and one for the new album. They are as you might expect very different from each other.

We are also starting to book liveshows with our first gig scheduled to be in the south of Sweden in early August.

But before we do any of that we have a fresh episode of the Q & A talking about the release of Necroplex.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-2XDaeObXQ

Best regards,

David & Mattias

Roth-Handle Studios
04-26-2013, 01:52 AM
The number 18 has risen to 21 over the last week and the Eps are growing and getting longer.

We are counting on having the first Ep mixed and done by May. We are already working on the cover. The initial Ideas are looking great.

Tomorrow we will be recording a video for one of the slower tracks on Necroplex and double that with recording....and today we are recording Cello and Musical Saw.

....and yes here is Episode 7 of the Q & A.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4bBm7VcOso

// Necromonkey (David & Mattias)

Roth-Handle Studios
05-03-2013, 05:44 PM
Its Friday and as usual we have another episode of the Q & A.

In this one we are talking about Sampling and Optigans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOHubAJJm9E

Take care....and have a great weekend.

// Necromonkey

Roth-Handle Studios
05-10-2013, 01:20 AM
Its been another week...and a lot of exciting things are going on in the world of Necromonkey. We are currently mixing tracks for the first Ep...and we are 50% done with that. 2 out of four tracks. The song we are working on now is a fairly straight forward track with fairly uncooperative sounds. Based around a VCS3 rhythm and Mellotron and then added Celloes and Theremins.

We also got a wonderful review of Necroplex, here http://www.dprp.net/reviews/201333.php#necromonkey

Anyways...here we are with Episode 9 of the Q & A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qms3hfW-NE

Have a great weekend !

// Necromonkey (David & Mattias)

Roth-Handle Studios
05-17-2013, 01:25 AM
Its Friday and time for another episode of the Necromonkey Q & A...

Last weekend we started recording a video for Knock knock hornets nest from Necroplex. It was shot at Roth Händle studios by Martin Gustafsson and with a bit of luck it might be finished this weekend which means that you might be able to see it next week or something.

Work on the EPs is going really well. We finished mixing the mess that was The Hidden Track (The song previously known as Earbrow) which means that there are only two songs left to mix.

The cover is already finished so that means that we are ready for a June release of the Ep.

Take care.

...and the Episode?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COE8eC2rNf0

Roth-Handle Studios
05-24-2013, 04:16 AM
We are very proud and pleased to present the new video for Knock knock hornets nest.

It was directed by Martin Gustafsson (who did the Änglagård documentary as well as the Q & A series)

We hope that you will enjoy it...Have a great weekend, ok?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQmLeANzi0A

// David & Mattias (Necromonkey)

Roth-Handle Studios
05-31-2013, 03:22 AM
OK...so here we go!

The final episode of the Necromonkey Q & A.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOcjQK9ItpE

Thanks for watching and sending in question...Its been fun.

Right now we are working on 23 songs for the upcoming e.ps We are mixing a track today and tomorrow called Snow Nose.

Tenori-on, the Vako Orchestron and Childrens choirs.

Take care,

// Necromonkey

Jon
08-08-2013, 02:45 PM
Raffaella Berry's review of the CD is very nice.

http://progmistress.com/2013/02/28/necromonkey-necroplex-2013/

Roth-Handle Studios
08-08-2013, 02:46 PM
When did you ordet it?

Jon
08-08-2013, 02:57 PM
The CD sounds like it will be great and I'm looking forward to hearing it.

Roth-Handle Studios
08-08-2013, 02:59 PM
Im in the studio tomorrow and ill send you a new one, no problem.

Jon
08-08-2013, 03:04 PM
Thanks!!!

Roth-Handle Studios
08-09-2013, 03:15 PM
2227
Thanks!!!

Roth-Handle Studios
08-24-2013, 08:00 AM
So...is it there yet?