Boston Musical Instrument Rental

I've noticed a need for Boston area musicians to have access to quality equipment. Clubs are under-equipped, churches have sub-par sound systems, aspiring professionals are playing with old beat-up keyboards, and recording artists are using just whatever they can find. I want to help out.

I am renting my collection of keyboards, speakers, and mics. I have:

Keyboards

Hammond SK2 Dual Manual Organ

Hammond XK-1C Single Manual Organ

Hammond XPK200L 20-note MIDI Pedalboard

Korg SV-1 73-Key Weighted Stage Keyboard

Roland FA-06 61-Key Synthesizer

Sound Reinforcement 

(2) QSC K10 1000watt loudspeakers

(2) Turbosound IX12 1000 watt loudspeakers

Behringer XR Air 16 16-channel wireless mixer

6-channel Yamaha mixer

Microphones from Shure, Blue

8-channel snake

Neo Ventilator Digital Leslie Simulator

POSSE Personal Audio In-Ear Monitoring System

I can rent these or combinations of these for $30 a day or $50-$75 for a bundle.

The Kenny Brothers Band- Possum

Playing organ with the Kenny Brothers Band earlier this year

I also spent a little time with John Liner in the studio:

It's been a while! Here's what I've been up to: I've been touring around the Northeast with The Kenny Brothers again. I played organ and Rhodes on their new album Walk in the Woods. See the link below. ♫ Walk in the Woods - Kenny Brothers Band. Listen @cdbaby: Click to listen at CDBaby

 I made a music video with the lovely Claudia Atkinson:

John Liner: Back to the Roots

Just finished a recital with the GREAT John Liner and his extended family. It was, as promised, down home, hand clappin', foot stompin' Gospel and Blues. Featuring the Sarah Messias Band, too!
Broadcast live streaming video on Ustream

Christmas Album and Update

It's been a while since I've posted up here. I've been busy at work; I'm the IT Manager over at the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Boston now. I don't know how I feel into this, because it's so many tangents away from my education and musical work. But so far, almost 2 years in, I'm enjoying it. And it pays well, but I don't as much time to work on projects as I used to. The last thing I did was play Keys on a Christmas album for a friend of mine, John Liner. 

You can check out the album here: iTunes

 And here are some videos from his album release party:

Why use me on your next project?

I am passionate, hard-working, and committed to perfecting my craft, and accomplishing any task set before me. I am a team player who understands the give and take required in playing in a great band. I have experience as a both a band member and a band leader, I can read and write charts/lead sheets ,and I am apt at arranging popular music. I am cool under pressure and deadlines. I have an extensive knowledge of both the creative and business sides of making music. And, above all, I am entertaining. I can definitely provide the visual aspect that a stage band needs.

Kenny Brothers Band | Spring EP (feat. Dominic French)

Kenny Brothers Band | Spring EP (feat. Dominic French) | CD Baby Music Store

Equipment

Gigging:
Hammond SK2 dual manual portable organ
Korg SV-1 73 key Stage piano
M-Audio Axiom 49 Midi Controller
Hammond XPK-100 Midi Bass Pedalboard
Hammond A-100   (at church)
Hammond B-3   (at another church I play at frequently)
Soundcraft and Samson mixers
Neo Ventilator Rotary Speaker pedal
Kontakt and Mainstage on a 15" Macbook Pro
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio interface
QSC K10 powered speakers
(2) Bach Tenor Trombones

I'm ready for anything. Bring it on.

Gospel Corinthians

Anointed, talented Gospel group I play with. Check out their debut album here!

Live with Breanne Primeau at Parallel Sound

New Music

The Dank Tops - "Footprints"

I've put a some more videos, including several with the wonderful Rebecca Zama, and this gem with The Dank Tops. We play all around town; I hope to see you at a show soon.

Here's my lovely Hammond SK2, focusing on a sweet Electric Piano.

Boston Musical Instrument Rental

I've noticed a need for Boston area musicians to have access to quality equipment. Clubs are under-equipped, churches have sub-par sound systems, aspiring professionals are playing with old beat-up keyboards, and recording artists are using just whatever they can find. I want to help out.

I am renting my collection of keyboards, speakers, and mics. I have:

Keyboards 
Hammond SK2 Dual Manual Organ
Yamaha P60 weighted 88-key digital piano

Sound Reinforcement  
QSC K10 PA system, 2- 1000watt loudspeakers with poles
Soundcraft 10-channel mixer
BLUE Spark large diaphragm condenser mic
Cascade Elroy large diaphram tube mic
8-channel snake
Neo Ventilator Digital Leslie Simulator
POSSE Personal Audio In-Ear Monitoring System

Stage Lighting Effects
Two American DJ Warp sound-activated multi-colored moonflowers
American DJ white moonflower

I can rent these or combinations of these for $30 day or $50-$75 for a bundle.

Contact me for more info.

Girl on Fire - Alicia Keys (Breanne Primeau Acoustic Cover)

I'm playing piano again with Breanne! More videos to come as we prepare for our EP release.

Breanne Primeau - Natural Woman

New Video! I'm playing "Natural Woman" with the extremely talented Breanne Primeau. Keep an ear out for her/our new album early next year!

Update: May 2012

I've been a little quiet, but still busy as ever.

I've finally finished my song Unfair, which has taken three years to record and get it to a place where I'm happy to put it out. I've got two versions done by my two good friends Ernest "Efficial" Dudley and Christine Occhino, both of whom you should check out. They're fantastic writers and performers and I thank them for all they've done for and with Max and I.

I've also got a new version of Worth It All out featuring the amazing Rebecca Zama. She's got such a big voice and incredible soul for a 12 year old!

In other news, I've have moved my recording studio Side Dorr Studios to a new location at the Cambridge Performing Arts Center. Here, I actually have room to create music. No more 5' ceilings, no more laundry room, no more heating system humming through the winter. Plus I have use of the Xibus Performance Hall, a 72-seat venue attached to the studio, to record bands and more in a big open space. I will have to start charging for my services, though. So, I will have a modest $25/hr rate for my services, whether it be mixing, mastering, recording or composing.

I'm still performing around town as well. I'm still playing with Maura Mendoza, helping her promote her debut album which came out last October. I am also playing organ for the Gospel Corinthians, who will be releasing their first album next month.

I'm still working with Breanne Primeau on her EP; we're taking it slow. I hope to be gigging with her by the end of the year.

Thank you all for your support, and I hope to see you soon at a show, or in the studio, or at Stop&Shop, or at the Arboretum, or Seaworld, or...

Recommendations

I'd like to post some recent recommendations of my work:

“Dominic is very possible the most astonishing Musician I have ever had the pleasure to work with. A true 'Renaissance man', he is the drummer/pianist/vocalist in my current band 'Orchestra Ozone'. He is an astute businessman with a very keen sense for PR, esp. the visuals of promotional material. Because I work, perform & collaborate on writing tunes with him, I have watched him under pressure. This is a man who is mastered in restraint, & NEVER looses his cool. Dominic is good natured, very hard working, thorough in everything he does. He composes, arranges, & knows how to run a business. This is a man who is going to make his mark on the music world. Count on it!” 

     -Alida Rohr

"Dominic is very competent but unassuming musician who knows very well how to navigate the whole music industry system. Dominic is a very savvy businessman and manager who knows how to operate and manage a business. I trust him and highly recommend for any business endeavor."

     -Nunotte Zama

“Dominic is a creative and enterprising young man. He works with passion to achieve his goals and has a very strong "can do" attitude. He is a pleasure to work with and was a major asset on every team we were on. I cannot recommend him highly enough.”

     -Max Macrides

“Dominic French is a gifted musician, writer and arranger. He not only generates an endless flow of creative ideas but can personally execute them or direct other musicians to execute them. He was a pleasure to work with in preproduction and in the studio. I appreciate his commitment to the job at hand and I hope we get the opportunity to work together in the future.”

     -Michael Macrides

Updates: December 2011

2011 has been a busy year for Max and I. This year we graduated college, licensed our first song, wrote and finished more songs that ever before and connected with and collaborated with several great, promising new artists.

 Be on the look-out for Jurmane, a young Soul singer from Texas, who will have our song "Put The Day on Hold" on his newest album, coming out soon. Our friend Ernest "Efficial" Dudley released his debut album "Through My Eyez" in August. I helped him with writing, recording, and producing several of the tracks on the album, including, "Unfair" and "Worth It All". You can

buy his album HERE

 Also, I've got a new artist in Canada interest in recording "Worth It All" for her next project. More details to come... And, Max and I have started working on a big project with local artist Breanne Primeau. She has an incredible voice, a great message, and she loves our work: a great combination. 

Stay tuned for more from your favorite songwriters.

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, if I don't write again before then,

 Dominic

Square One

Square One by Macridesandfrench