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The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar

    Impaired Faculties invites students to recording session

    Impaired Faculties recently took a trip to Studio in the Country with Dr. Joseph Burns’ Communication 256  Introduction to Radio Production class. They recorded an original song called ‘‘Investment Thanker’‘ in four hours.
    Courtesy of Jordan Settoon

    Impaired Faculties consists of five professors who took a trip to a recording studio called Studio in the Country. Dr. Joseph Burns, a communication professor took his communication class to the recording studio as a field trip to emphasize their coursework. 

    “Going with Dr. Burns to Studio in the Country was a neat experience,” said Tara Barbe, a senior communication major. “It took a lot of time to set the instruments and equipment up, but when they started to play, I could actually feel my ears vibrating. The music was excellent and seeing how it was made was a lot of fun.”

    Burns was asked to teach Communication 256, a radio audio production class. He expanded the class past radio. Burns was inspired to search for professional studios, which resulted in him making a call to a Studio in the Country. 

    “They asked me to take it over,” said Burns. “I wanted to move it away from just a radio class to an overriding audio class. I decided to grab everything if it had to do with audio. I wanted them to see a real recording studio. I wanted them to see a professional studio.”

    Impaired Faculties recorded an original song at the studio, which will become available on their website and Facebook page. The rest of the band members were excited about the opportunity to record in Studio in the Country.

    “I thought, ‘What better place could there be to learn about audio production?’” said William Robison, the Department Head of History and Political Sciences. “Joe’s song, ‘Investment Thanker,’ rocks musically and has really clever lyrics.”

    Studio in the Country is known for being the recording studio where Kansas, Stevie Wonder, Blue Traveler and more recorded albums. The studio’s reputation prompted Burns to buy four hours of studio time. 

     Overall, members of the band thought the venue, process and recording was a success.

    “It went extremely well,” said Robison. “The location is easy to reach from Hammond. The studio itself is marvelous, and Ben Mumphrey, the engineer and Jay Wesley, his assistant, are experienced, professional and very friendly and easy to work with. We were well rehearsed ahead of time, which is crucial. Joe had sent a demo of the song to Ben ahead of time, so we were all on the same page.”

    Setting up the equipment for recording the song took at least an hour and a half. 

    “The only challenge is that being in the studio requires a lot of patience, as you do a lot of waiting for everyone to set up equipment, for the staff to test mic levels and such, and then you get to watch a lot while individuals are overdubbing particular parts,” said Robison. “I love the whole process and am never bored.”

    Impaired Faculties consists of Burns, Robison, Dean of the College of Business Dr. Randy Settoon, professor of kinesiology and health studies Ralph Wood and Dean of the College of Science and Technology Daniel McCarthy. 

    “I’ve been playing with these four guys for three years now, and they are by far the best group of musicians with whom I have worked,” said Robison. “Getting to record an original song with them in a place where so many outstanding artists have recorded was fantastic.”

    Impaired Faculties will play outside the Pennington from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. as a fundraiser. 

    “It is associated with a health fair and other related activities,” said Robison. “Ralph volunteered the band, and we are playing free of charge because it is a university-related activity and a good cause.”

    The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness Campus Walk will take place on Apr. 1. The registration for the event starts at 9 a.m. outside the Pennington. The event begins at 10 a.m. Impaired Faculties will be playing a special acoustic set from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and full electric set from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

     
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