Airpushers Use M-Audio Gear to Create Debut Album, Themes for the Ordinarily Strange
Airpushers Use M-Audio Gear to Create Debut Album, Themes for the Ordinarily Strange
Black Eyed Peas band members Printz Board and Tim Izo Orindgreff launch a new sonic venture
Black Eyed Peas band members Printz Board and Tim Izo Orindgreff launch a new sonic venture
What happens when two of the mastermind musicians behind the Black Eyed Peas decide to start a new sonic venture? You get Airpushers, the genre-defying brainchild of Printz Board and Tim Izo Orindgreff. In the midst of contributing to the success of musical superstars such as the Peas, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey and more, Airpushers are releasing their debut album, Themes for the Ordinarily Strange.
Themes for the Ordinarily Strange delivers an exciting blend of musical styles that will surely appeal to a diverse fan base. The album features a wide variety of instruments—from baritone saxophones and clarinets to electric guitar and didgeridoo—and performances from guest artists like MoZella, legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier and soul singer Sy Smith. To fit this ambitious project into their already busy schedules, Board and Orindgreff mastered the art of recording on the run. The globetrotting duo edited and created new works by taking full advantage of the portability of their M-Audio equipment.
“We did a lot of this Airpushers album while we were on the road with the Black Eyed Peas,” says Orindgreff. “Our Mac laptops, Pro Tools M-Powered, FireWire 410s and Oxygen and Axiom keyboard controllers were workhorses on Themes for the Ordinarily Strange. One time we were headed on a red eye from New York to London and I was lucky enough to have a whole row to myself. I was working on some of the keyboard parts to the song ‘Pink Cheetah.’ It is just so easy to plug in and start working—and the quality is top notch.”
“Most of these songs were pieced together from hotel rooms to home studios to the first hours of a major session when everyone was late, you name it,” attests Board. "With our M-Audio gear, we were always ready to go. For example, we used Pro Tools M-Powered with the M-Audio Transit to edit vocals from ‘Push That.’ To be able to grab something that is smaller than a tin of Altoids out of my bag and in seconds be editing in Pro Tools is amazing. It sounds great and isn't power hungry, which is key on flights."
One of the most unique opportunities presented itself at a Pepsi Center locker room in Denver, where the pair was recording saxophone for the album. “Printz and I were using the M-Audio Solaris microphone hung delicately in the shower, to capture the subtleties of shower reverb for use on the song ‘The Duke,’” explains Orindgreff. “The large head on these microphones makes them extremely useful in situations where a removable showerhead has to double for a mic stand.”
In addition to Airpushers, Board and Orindgreff have worked with a diverse roster of artists including Siete Rayo, Brian Setzer, Smashmouth, Yellowcard, and Puffy AmiYumi. Board plays trumpet, keyboards, and bass, and is the musical director of the Black Eyed Peas. He has done extensive film work, and has production credits for artists like Fatlip and Macy Gray. Orindgreff has recorded with artists including John Legend and Nate Dogg, and plays horns, woodwinds, and guitar. To check out the new album and learn more about Board, Orindgreff and Airpushers, visit http://www.airpushers.net/
To celebrate the CD release, join Board and Orindgreff at El Cid on Tuesday, October 24. Lamont Dozier, MoZella, Golden, Sy Smith and more are slated to perform with Airpushers. Visit http://sarathan.com/ecards/airpushersparty/ for more information.
Themes for the Ordinarily Strange delivers an exciting blend of musical styles that will surely appeal to a diverse fan base. The album features a wide variety of instruments—from baritone saxophones and clarinets to electric guitar and didgeridoo—and performances from guest artists like MoZella, legendary Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier and soul singer Sy Smith. To fit this ambitious project into their already busy schedules, Board and Orindgreff mastered the art of recording on the run. The globetrotting duo edited and created new works by taking full advantage of the portability of their M-Audio equipment.
“We did a lot of this Airpushers album while we were on the road with the Black Eyed Peas,” says Orindgreff. “Our Mac laptops, Pro Tools M-Powered, FireWire 410s and Oxygen and Axiom keyboard controllers were workhorses on Themes for the Ordinarily Strange. One time we were headed on a red eye from New York to London and I was lucky enough to have a whole row to myself. I was working on some of the keyboard parts to the song ‘Pink Cheetah.’ It is just so easy to plug in and start working—and the quality is top notch.”
“Most of these songs were pieced together from hotel rooms to home studios to the first hours of a major session when everyone was late, you name it,” attests Board. "With our M-Audio gear, we were always ready to go. For example, we used Pro Tools M-Powered with the M-Audio Transit to edit vocals from ‘Push That.’ To be able to grab something that is smaller than a tin of Altoids out of my bag and in seconds be editing in Pro Tools is amazing. It sounds great and isn't power hungry, which is key on flights."
One of the most unique opportunities presented itself at a Pepsi Center locker room in Denver, where the pair was recording saxophone for the album. “Printz and I were using the M-Audio Solaris microphone hung delicately in the shower, to capture the subtleties of shower reverb for use on the song ‘The Duke,’” explains Orindgreff. “The large head on these microphones makes them extremely useful in situations where a removable showerhead has to double for a mic stand.”
In addition to Airpushers, Board and Orindgreff have worked with a diverse roster of artists including Siete Rayo, Brian Setzer, Smashmouth, Yellowcard, and Puffy AmiYumi. Board plays trumpet, keyboards, and bass, and is the musical director of the Black Eyed Peas. He has done extensive film work, and has production credits for artists like Fatlip and Macy Gray. Orindgreff has recorded with artists including John Legend and Nate Dogg, and plays horns, woodwinds, and guitar. To check out the new album and learn more about Board, Orindgreff and Airpushers, visit http://www.airpushers.net/
To celebrate the CD release, join Board and Orindgreff at El Cid on Tuesday, October 24. Lamont Dozier, MoZella, Golden, Sy Smith and more are slated to perform with Airpushers. Visit http://sarathan.com/ecards/airpushersparty/ for more information.
