Mike Null (Blog)

Hey all,

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Good news, Jamie has decided to jump back into the studio and make a new EP!

We’ve solicited the talents of local pianist, engineer and producer Ben Zecker.  Ben and I will be co-producing this project together.

Ben Zecker has gained a reputation as one of the more exciting and in demand young musicians in New England.  He has been heard with funk masters such as John Blackwell and the Matrix, various side projects of the Soulive crew, The Boston Horns, or playing in one of his own straight-ahead jazz or funk projects featuring some of the finest musicians in the Boston scene. You may also have heard him freelancing with a neo-soul, pop, rock, jazz, hip-hop, or an “all of the above” showcase band.  No matter what the situation may be, one thing is for sure; Ben always brings serious musicianship, versatility, great technique, energy, taste, and creativity to the gig.

Yesterday, we went into the studio and tracked drums and bass with some of the best musicians I’ve ever had the honor of working with. Wally’s legend Charles Haynes (Kanye West, MIA, Meshell Ndegeocello) absolutely killed it on drums, perfectly complimented by local funk master Baron Browne (Steve Smith, Mike Stern).  These guys really brought our compositions to life and laid down a great foundation.

Onward!!

PS – Pics to come!  When I get them I’ll post ‘em.

I landed another recording session!

This time I’ll be going in to record with Joya Abbott-Graves.  She’s a local singer/songwriter who has been penned “Boston’s Soulful Songbird.”  I’ll be recording on 3 of her tunes.

Check her out!

Jamie Lynn Hart

So lately I’ve been diggin’ this whole co-writing thing..

I love it when Jamie comes over.  Everything is always so relaxed.  We usually make tea, chat for a while and kick back.

She is the yin to my songwriting yang!  She’s a melody machine.  She carries around a small notebook and captures the musical ideas that float around her head as she goes through the day.  My inner ear’s play list, on the other hand, is usually built from the bottom up.  I tend to hear grooves, changes and arrangements (that I have been known to play air guitar solos to).  Put the two of us together for any length of time and the creative juices just start to flow.

We’ve been tossing around some musical ideas lately which have manifested themselves in the form of 3 tunes that we recently performed at the famous Lizard Lounge Open Mic Challenge hosted by Tom Bianchi and Danielle Miraglia (We made it to the finals!).

A friend of Jamie’s was able to get it on film!  Check out the videos below!

For more about Jamie, you can check out her web page, her MySpace page, or her YouTube channel.

What do you think of the tunes?

Jay Broyer

I recently went in to 6Media and laid down some electric guitar tracks for Jay Broyer’s new album.  Check out what he wrote on his MySpace blog:

Yesterday we had Mike Null in to do his “Mike Null” thing on a few tracks and he really tore it up! Mike played a few shows with me last year and also played lead guitar on a little tune called “So Cliché.” The early studio favorite “casual” is one of the songs he played on and the soulful bluesy lick s he laid down on that tune just hit you right in the gut! Or as Dennis would say and I quote “Dude your solo made me want to eat beef stew.” I have no idea what that means but it was probably one of the highlights of my day yesterday lol.

Beef stew?  Hilarious.

Thanks, Jay.. can’t wait to hear the finished product!

In other news, the track on which I played from his EP (The Sound of U), “So Cliche” just got added to the regular rotation on Boston area radio station 92.5, The River!

Wow!

The Cantab has been insane lately. I don’t know if it’s because the students are back or what. Whatever it is, the energy has been through the roof! It’s been packed every week, and the band has been pretty on as of late.

For those of you who haven’t been down on a Thursday night yet.. Here’s a small example of what you’re missing.  We posted some recent live tracks on the Chicken Slacks MySpace Page.

Hope to see you there!

PS – Mention my blog and I’ll buy you a drink!

Ani ohev otach

In no particular order:

1. The way you laugh when something funny catches you by surprise.. it’s like music!
2. Looking into your beautiful deep blue eyes
3. The way you smell and taste (stole that from your card)
4. The way we can communicate without speaking.. even on the phone
5. Your Cartman impression.. sounds nothing like Cartman, but hilarious in it’s own right
6. Your kisses that hide Starburst and Hershey surprises
7. Your loving and undying devotion and attention to your family and friends
8. The way you wear your heritage around your neck and on your tongue
9. The way time stands still when you touch me
10. The way your intelligence and quick wit always keep me on my toes
11. The way your dangly earrings dance around your neck when we stroll down the street arm in arm
12. Your acceptance of who I am, what I believe in and what I’m passionate about
13. Your dry “sarcastic bastard” sense of humor
14. The moment right after we get into bed.. when we smash into an embrace like two high powered magnets
15. Your gorgeous mane of rich and full bodied hair

I love you, too.  Don’t forget to talk to people, try the food, see the sights and live the life! I’ll miss you.  Skype me?

Check it out! Not only did they give the latest Chicken Slacks album an A-, they mentioned me by name!!

We’re assuming the title is a rhetorical question. And, hell yeah we can dig it. We don’t care if you’ve got a terrible band name, we love your set list: Stax classics, blues treasures and “Too Much Time,” an extra-obscure Captain Beefheart tune. Everybody does r & b covers, almost nobody does them well. Boston-based Chicken Slacks – thanks to Diamond D’s real soul shouting, righteous, punchy horns, and guitarist Mike Null’s authentic tone and restraint – deserve much love for just getting it right. Download: the Eddie Bo-penned slice of New Orleans funk, “Hook and Sling.” (Appearing every Thursday at the Cantab Lounge, Cambridge.)

-Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald

Not too shabby!  Go to ChickenSlacks.com to check out the new disc!

Have you heard it yet?  What do you think?

Holy smokes!

Check out my man Danny Banks on the Dave Letterman show!

I can’t believe it!  I had the great fortune of playing with Daniel a few times with the Toni Lynn Washington Blues Band.  He was.. 14 then?  He really has come a long way.  If he’s this good now.. look OUT!  I only hope he remembers the little guys on his way up!

Keep it up!

PS – I’ve also had the privilege of playing with his teacher, Chris Rivelli.  If you haven’t seen or heard him, you should definitely check him out!  He plays with a slew of bands around town.. including Duke Robillard and Matt Stubbs.