Local rock, jazz fusion band Eight Stories High is taking a large career step, thanks to Ball State University's state of the art recording studios.
The members of Eight Stories High got their start on campus, forming on the eighth floor the Studebaker East Complex. And for the past year, they have been utilizing the professional resources in the Music Technology Studios while recording their eight-track, debut album Stories of a Wasted Man.
Ball State's recording facilities are of professional caliber, which enabled Eight Stories High to produce a quality album.
"If it wasn't for the equipment and resources here at Ball State, we wouldn't of had such a great, professional experience," keyboardist AJ Wilson said.
Music technology seniors, Paul Marquissee and Chris Ross recorded the raw tracks for Eight Stories High, while the band's drummer Mike Brown mixed and mastered tracks. Wilson attributes both the student recording engineers and the guidance of Richard Di Giallonardo, Director of the Music Technology, for the album's successful outcome.
Eight Stories High also had outside motivation to produce their debut album. "We started to get a lot pressure to make an album- and now we can finally give them a tangible product," said Wilson. "The students chose to help record us because of our variety, our ability to touch different people and the energy we bring. Hopefully, our album will translate that energy to our fans."
Doc's Music Hall will the band's album release party this Friday.
"We wanted to have our album release party at Doc's because that's where we played our first gig with the band as it is today," explains Brown. "And Mike Martin, Doc Peterson and Doc's Music Hall has helped us so much- they have been supportive by getting us gigs and by helping to promote us. They have got us a far as they can, and it just seemed really fitting."
Eight Stories High is affiliated with local multi-media production and marketing company Folly Moon Music as well as being a regular on Doc's Music Hall's rotation.
"This album is a huge step for the band. It will help them to get themselves out there by giving people something to take with them and spread their music. Having that product is so important because a band without a CD is like a coffee shop with no coffee," explains Mike Martin, owner of Folly Moon Music and Doc's Music Hall.
"We've seen so much growth in the band and sound and the whole experience of making and producing that first album is a the first step to get them to the professional level. Now we want to help start the process of getting them out there by showing their product to resources and building connections, while teaching them to be self-sufficient without a record label."
"It's been one heck of a process, but we couldn't be happier with our decision to take a more professional route by using Ball State's recording facilities and getting sponsorship through FM music and both album benefit gigs," explains Wilson. "I think the album will be the first step to get us not only outside of Muncie, but Indiana. Not all bands can produce an album of such quality- and I think it is definitely going to take us places."
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