Summary: One of the reasons I do this podcast is to continue to improve my recording skills. I jumped at the chance to record this episode's group because it would be my first opportunity to record real stringed instruments. Machines on Vacation is made of of Ethan Balis (vocals, guitars, and computers), Amanda (cello), Kellie (viola), Theresa (violin), Melanie (violin, vocals), and Rochelle (violin) Ethan and the lovely ladies of the group's string quartet are from the Washington DC area and make appearances playing live as well as working as session musicians around the area. The sound is a combination of electronic music, guitar folk and orchestral arranging. If you've never heard Nintendo-related electronic music being supported by the multiple harmonics of violins and the cello then you are in for a real treat. The group's songwriter, Ethan, composes and arranges on his MacBook using Garageband and Pro Tools. He then hands off his ideas to the ladies who then transform Ethan's arrangement into a reality. He completes the arrangement with backing tracks comprised of drums, synth arpeggios and bass along with some backing vocal tracks. The Macbook and his Digi002 are the centerpiece of his rig which can send a feed to any venue's sound guy and an isolated click track to each performer through an in-ear monitoring setup Ethan has devised. Familiar... is the word that comes to mind when I was listening to MOV's music. Not familiar in the sense that I've heard this before but familiar in a way that's comforting and nostalgic. I personally enjoyed listening to them and I know you will too. As of this writing, they will be performing live at this year's Forward Festival on April 25th. Facbook: http://www.facebook.com/machinesonvacation MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/machinesonvacation
