Asheville Gems: Moog, Toubab Krewe and Echo Mountain Recording Studio

I have once again been blessed by the Moog Foundation. This time in the form of an invitation to Echo Mountain Recording Studio to capture images of Toubab Krewe's finishing touches on their new album. Toubab Krewe has been a big supporter of Moog Music and the Bob Moog Foundation throughout their wonderful career. 2 of the members are Asheville locals and have known Bob Moog since they were young and have been using Moog equipment for almost as long. 
The guys in the band were kind enough to grant the Moog Foundation access to their recording sessions so that they could capture Toubab using Moog equipment on their album. In addition, Drew Heller, guitarist for Toubab, gave an interview with the Moog Foundation about how Moog insturments have influenced him and how he uses them to get the sounds he wants.
During all this, I got to be a fly on the wall, taking pictures and hanging out, in, what is one of the most amazing spaces I have had the opportunity to be in... Echo Mountain Recording Studios. 
No detail was left undone in the building of Echo's second space. The opportunity to record an instrument lies in every corner and crevice of the building, including the bathrooms. And when I saw that, I had the thought: "Why not! Even my singing sounds pretty good in the shower!" From the lighting to the choices of wood for the baffles, to the amenities, to the control room, to the lounge, Echo has it all. Balconies over looking downtown Asheville, roof access to get a breath of air, video editing... it's all right there. Another wonderful feather in the cap of Asheville, N.C.. 
So big thanks to Moog for the invite. Big props to Toubab for the upcoming album, which is rockin' if I do say so! And many thanks to Echo for allowing all of us in to document this wonderful occasion. 
I love this town!







Recording in the bathroom, Luke said it sounds like the home his teacher lives in, being constructed from stone and corrugated metal. **Note the Zildian cymbal light fixture.


Holdin' down the rhythm in the back.


Giving the low end some flavor.


Toubab uses a lot of unique instruments accumulated form their extensive travels... check out the cigar box guitar. Mix that with a bank of Mooger Foogers and you have Toubab Krewe.


Drew upstairs in Echo laying down the guitar tracks. He had the whole room to himself. It was amazing to be in that space with him while he communicated with the band and laid down the various tracks and sounds for the new album.


David feels the beat as he works the Rickenbacker.


Drums and bass keep the beat moving along.


This is one of my favorites. This is the space Drew sat in as he recorded. What a gorgeous room, the light coming in through the windows, mixed with the wood floors and red curtains, and the solitary light on Drew... to cool! I love Drew's shadow on the floor as well.


The setup for the interview with Drew.


Drew talking with Meg from Moog Foundation.