Local Producer Releases Compilation of O.C. Hip-Hop and R&B

Asaf Fulks, founder of the OC Recording Co., has been called the Timbaland of the West Coast. Recently launching Asaf Productions, Vol. 1, he showcases a diverse group of urban, pop, R&B and hip-hop artists from Southern California, as well as his own production skills. All of the album's 18 tracks - and one bonus track - were also recorded, mixed and mastered by Fulks. "Most people know me as an engineer, so with this compilation I'm trying to get my name out as a producer," Fulks told Performer. "I do a lot of beats [Hiphopbeatz.com] and that's really what I love to do - making beats and producing."

After moving to Orange County from Ohio to work with his mom at Seven Locks Press in Santa Ana, Fulks saw some extra office space and made it his golden opportunity. Opening the OC Recording Co. in September 2004 and building up the studio over time, he's established some major credits and a steady clientele over the past four years. Though Fulks works with all sorts of genres, the studio is one of the few in the area that specializes in hip-hop and R&B, offering local artists an alternative to more costly L.A. studios.

"When you think of Orange County, you don't really think of hip-hop," Fulks said. "But there really are a lot of people doing hip-hop out here - as I'm sure there are everywhere, even in Montana and North Dakota. They call it Juice County."

While Fulks modestly says he's not the hub of the local hip-hop community, he is the one laying down its tracks. Recently starting an artist development side to the OC Recording Co., Fulks also produces two of the artists featured on the album, Mona Lisa and Beneficial. "I'd love to produce more artists and get more into doing development deals," Fulks said. "And I hope the compilation will get people excited about production." If this one doesn't, there are sure to be plenty more on the way.

www.ocrecording.com

www.asafproductions.com

www.hiphopbeatz.com

Hogue Barmichael's:

Orange County Staple Becomes Local Launching Pad

Part of the Orange County community for 20 years, Hogue Barmichael's has been hosting live music for over half of its life. Originally located in Newport Beach, the venue now resides closer to the airport, UC Irvine and the rest of the action. It boasts excellent sound, a full bar for those 21 and up and a mainly local all-ages calendar, featuring artists from the greater SoCal area. There is live music every night of the week except for Monday - that's reserved for karaoke. It's been said that every band that's broken out of Orange County is sure to have played Hogue B's at one point. The venue has served as a launching pad for Atreyu, Agent Orange, 2 Live Crew, Dirty Heads, Cry Havoc and Chaser, amongst many, many others.

Capacity: 230

Genres: Metal, rock, punk, pop, hip-hop and everything in between.

Booking: There is a booking form on the website, or bands can email booking@hoguebarmichaels.com with band name, genre, age of band members and fan base, contact info and a link to mp3s. Allow at least one month of advance time.

Address: 3950 Campus Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Phone: (949) 261-6270

Web: www.myspace.com/hogues

IN THE NEWS

Good Things Come And Go Like Bad Things, the second full length from Costa Mesa's ((sounder)), was recently released on Volcom Entertainment. The duo, comprised of visual artist/video director Mike Aho and photographer Steve Stratton, recorded 12 tracks for the album with producer Nadav Eisenman (Entrance, RTX) and mixer Matt Wignall (Cold War Kids). As a companion to the release, a series of music videos under the ((sounder)) Director Collaboration Project are being slowly released. This month will see the release of the video for "Things Are Gonna Get Worse (Before They Get Worser)" by Dave Bryant on July 25. The band also has a couple of performances booked at the Silverlake Lounge in L.A. this month.

www.myspace.com/

thesounder

I Hate Kate recently put out its debut full length, Embrace The Curse, on Glassnote Records. Producer Mark Trombino (Jimmy Eat World, Blink-182) helped the Huntington Beach-based foursome lay down the album's 12 tracks late last year. With opening slots for My Chemical Romance, The Bravery and Social Distortion already under its belt, the band, led by ex-Zebrahead frontman Justin Mauriello, has plans in the works to tour throughout the year.

www.myspace.com/

ihatekate

Long Beach/Fullerton four-piece The CoCo B's have been gaining a lot of momentum as of late. In addition to an appearance on Vlaze TV, their song "Give Up the Money," off their self-titled full length, being featured as a free download on RCRD LBL this past spring and attention from KROQ in L.A. and KEXP in Seattle, a couple of The CoCo B's songs are being remixed by the U.K.'s Half Tiger.

www.kdouble.com

Michael Ubaldini recently released a new album titled Street Singin' Troubadour. The 13-track album is the fourth release from the prolific Fountain Valley singer/songwriter, who also published a book in 2006 titled Lost American Nights: Lyrics & Poems. Ubaldini will be gigging around the greater Orange County area this month in support of the release.

www.rocknrollpoet.com

Long Beach's Joy Shannon and the Beauty Marks will play an all-ages hometown show on July 19 at DiPiazza's in support of their recently self-released album, As In The Wilderness. The 11-song record is the first Shannon, a songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, recorded with her backing band The Beauty Marks.

www.joyshannon.com

Afterall, the first album from San Pedro's Somehow Still Alive, was recently released via Sunstone Records. The rock quartet recorded 10 tracks for its debut with singer Lucas Valenzuela on production, engineering and mixing duties.

www.alivestill

somehow.com