Originally from the musical woodworkings of Cleveland in 1993, Still Inertia came into fruition at the end of 1999 and moved to Philadelphia in 2005.
With a central human (Jason Kraley) behind its cohesion, Still Inertia's music has been uncompromisingly based on experimentation, fusing both electronic and acoustic rhythms, soundscapes and samples with instruments such as real guitars, piano textures and even the human voice. None of this would have been possible without the unique contributions and musical gifts of guest musicians and vocalists. By the 21st century, with an overhaul in the studio department, what started as an all-instrumental musical entity began exploring the use of, not only Kraley's own voice, but guest vocalists as well... which made Still Inertia become known now for its 60% chance of instrumental compositions.
October 2005 marked the geographic relocation of Still Inertia and its studio, which expanded to incorporate and reconnect the use of computer assistance - specifically Sony's ACID Pro 5.0, Soundforge 8, and ProTools (2009). November 2005 began a tremendously creative shift in Still Inertia's music, and over 35 songs were created in 6 years. This was majorly in part with "reconnecting" to a 21st century computer and using higher-end software and hardware (previously uninvented or readily available to consumers in the 90's) and was also inspired by real life changes and adaptations to living in a new, larger city.
Guided by Jason Kraley's somewhat frenetic experiences and adjustments (or mal-adjustments) of relocating to Philadelphia, this album stands as an audible record - a journal of the many thoughts, feelings, encounters and experiences since his move in 2005. "Invested" definitely carries an unusually unique blend of vocal tracks as well as instrumentals compared to Still Inertia's previous works. Definitely some highlights of this album, including its mastered sound quality and professionally artistic presentation, is the first ever recorded use of a full-sized Steinway and Sons grand piano and the inclusion of a guest orchestra from London...
6 years, 2 cities and 3 studios later, through kind support and belief from Stephen Keever, Gooding, Pepper McGowan and Christine Siarka, it was announced in July 2011 that Still Inertia's "Invested" release would begin completion forits public debut, using an entirely new, dimensional level of a "musical canvas workspace"... The album, revisted with additionally brilliant recordings and mixing assistance from toshio alan mana, mastered by the trusted hands of Mike Giffin in Los Angeles, California, and whose graphically colorful, 8-page packaging - meticulously designed by Jason Kraley himself - would be the album to bring closure to an unusually long, six-year adjustment period - resulting in the most unique blend of vocal and instrumental tracks, keeping grounded in the core sound and expressional foundation Still Inertia has endeavored to build upon.
This time around, Still Inertia is humbly thankful for the assistance of guest technicians, lyrical defenders of the mighty pen, and wildly gifted (and ambitiously talented) musicians from around the world including: Roto Visage, toshio alan mana, Lane DiFlavis, Jason Popejoy, Pepper McGowan, Ren Clark, Courtney Ann Smith, GOODING, Shwag McGinty, Keith Royer, Mike Williams, Amanda North, Colin Helb, and the sampled assistance of the Philharmonia Orchestra of London (courtesy of The Philharmonia's Sound Exchange)... and there even is one song that was created by assembling and working with submissions from 65 people's own recording contributions, allowing a song to truly evolve into what it now is - the title track of the album: "Invested".
"Invested" is not Still Inertia's first album. It is, however, the first album to be fully mastered, UPC catalogued, BMI-registered, professionally replicated and printed with a rich 8-page full-color booklet of art and information - released globally to all (both physically and digitally). It also carries with it tremendous support, guidance and technical assistance from Stephen Keever (the real rockstar), Jason Popejoy, toshio alan mana, GOODING, Alex Vega, John Rowland, Keith Royer and many, many more - including Jeremy Mann (creating custom artwork specifically for the album cover) and album titling illustrator Matt Jay (of Bonepumpkin Illustrations).
Often described as "delightfully indescribable, Still Inertia continually introduces rare elements that successfully paint different, unique soundscapes with each new song and album." Also described "on air" as a music entity "[creating] musical moments of time captured as unique instrumental and vocal jewels strewn across a vast landscape of sound." (WRUW 91.1 FM Radio, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 2003)
"Invested" is intended to serve as the hopeful embodiment of a most mentally dynamic range of "emotional wreckage and beauty" in audible form ever written and composed by Still Inertia to date.
This is but another chapter finalized in Still Inertia's book. Cathartic endings bring on fresh and curiously as-of-yet unknown beginnings, and Still Inertia is, of course, continually in motion... even when you think it's perfectly still.
MAIN ALBUM INFORMATION:
Writen, Recorded, Engineered & Produced by Jason Kraley
Programming & Premaster Mixing by J. Kraley assisted by Stephen Keever & toshio alan mana
Belief, Moral Support, Technical/Grand Piano Recording Engineer & Rockstar: Stephen Keever
Album Continuity & Additional Engineering, Mixing & Technical Magic: toshio alan mana
Additional Soundwave Miracles, Sampling Assistance & Sounding Board: Jason Popejoy
Constant Encouragement & Support: Gooding, Stephen Keever & Christine Siarka
Orchestral Samples: Philharmonia Orchestra, London
String Arrangements & Programming: J. Kraley
Shining Beacon of Light: Pepper McGowan
Mastered by Mike Giffin in Los Angeles, California
Art Concept, Layout Design & Graphic Artist: J. Kraley
Cover Artwork: Jeremy Mann
Album Illustrator: Matt Jay
Portraiture Photography: Aaron Whittington
Structural & European Photography: Jonn Klein
Additional Photography: Pepper McGowan, Suzanne Phillips, Melanie Fortino & J. Kraley
Photographic Legal Advice: Shawn Porter
Graphic Finalization Assistance: Terry McMillan
Internet Transferral Setup & Webhosting: Steve Sobol at Lobos Studios, Los Angeles, California
Liquid (en)couragement: Watkins Drinkery, The Irish Pub, The Bike Stop & The Cantina
Marketing Team: Veronica Bound, Rachel Jodejuan, Marc Ferrara & CRC-Music.com
Catering: Jenny Cross
Orchestral samples courtesy Philharmonia Orchestra's Sound Exchange.
Russell Nash & cEVIN KEY sample appears courtesy Skinny Puppy (TAS/Zero-G Ltd - UK, 1998).
toshio alan mana appears courtesy himself.
Jason Popejoy appears courtesy Roto Visage.
Lane DiFlavis appears courtesy herself.
Ren Clark appears courtesy Sigil Sound System.
Amanda North appears courtesy herself.
Mike Williams appears courtesy Madnote Productions.
Pepper McGowan appears courtesy Inky Midnight Records.
Shwag McGinty appears courtesy himself.
Gooding appears courtesy himself.
Performance Rights & Copyright 2011 Still Inertia (BMI).
All rights of the writer & owner of the recorded works reserved.
Published & Managed by Jason Kraley (BMI)
Manufactured by Healey Music (Canada)
Label: CRC-Music.com
Unauthorized copying, public performance, broadcasting & sharing of this recording prohibited.
All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners abroad.
CR-112011-29
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