Embryo 4: Homemade Music by Bay Area Musicians is the latest Embryo compilation. Work on
this Embryo began in 2004 and was finally finished in 2006. This Embryo is a bit different
than the rest in that the contributors were asked to produce a track especially for the Embryo,
one they had not recorded yet. It is also different than the others in that it features only
Bay Area artists. The previous Embryos featured mostly Bay Area artists, but only Embryo 4
does so exclusively. This Embryo is the most hi-fi not just because most contributors have
upgraded their home recording equipment, but also because Bill Fisher spent some quality time
mastering the disc. In addition, I had the CDs duplicated at a real legit duplication plant,
and the CDs are for real, and not CD-Rs (like the previous two Embryos). Thanks for taking the
time to read the Embryo Story.
*read the Owl Mag's review of the Embryo 4 compilation here .
*purchase Embryo 4 through Darla .
The embryo compilation:03 adventures in homemade music was compiled over the
course of a year, from mid 2000 to mid 2001 and released on September 21, 2001. This
Embryo's birth was also celebrated with a party and show ,
this time at Vulcan Studios in Oakland. Embryo compilation:03 is definitely reflective of the
musicians in my circle having upgraded their home recording equipment. It is interesting
to hear how the Embryo contributions have changed over time with the tracks on the embryo
compilation:03 being considerably more hi-fi in general than those of the previous Embryos,
though still pertaining to the "homemade" rule. Ben T. mastered this disc, and Matt M., Alissa
and I designed the cover.
Embryo.2 adventures in home made music was completed in late 1998 and released
to the public in early 1999. It was the first Embryo to be celebrated with a release
party, held at the Cell Space in San Francisco. This Embryo differed from the first
in that it was no longer Satanic, it was released on cassette tape and CD, and the
contributions were not limited to having been recorded on a 4-track, though they still
had to be "home made." Embryo.2 also included more artists from the Bay Area music
scene, unlike its predecessor which primarily featured the works of me and my immediate
circle of friends. The cover for this Embryo was designed by me and Matt M. with help
from Wayne S. There's a crazy story about how I was able to produce CD-Rs at the last
minute before the show with the help of Shawn and Michelle S. I won't repeat it here
because it's too crazy.
The Satanic Embryo 4-track Adventure was conceived in the summer of 1997, shortly
before the creation of the Cubby itself. The Satanic Embryo came about as a
result of my amazement at all my friends' wonderful self-recorded 4-track music.
After hearing so much of it, I began to think it was a shame that no one besides
ourselves was hearing it. It was these feelings that inspired me to compile a tape
of my favorite homemade songs by me and my friends, and then to duplicate the tape
about a hundred times and distribute it. R.D. did the awesome art work for the cover,
and I designed and wrote the booklet.
Brian
P.S. Embryos 3 & 4 can be purchased online through Aquarius Records . Just enter "Embryo Compilation" into their search engine.
