Stargaze's David Ramos talks about his new EP, live band and recording with an iPhone
Plus, One Putt brings classic country to Fresno radio and Dio's Selland Arena concert makes 'Holy Diver' super deluxe edition.
Stargaze was a pandemic project; a way for David Ramos to get back into creating music after a break from playing in mostly metal bands around town.
“I was so desperate to make music. I came across this artist on YouTube who was being interviewed about how he only uses his iPhone to record,” Ramos says.
“And he’s done music for super well known rappers and stuff all on GarageBand on this iPhone. That blew me away.”
Since 2021, Ramos has released a series of DIY singles under the Stargaze moniker and put together a band to play the songs live. We talked in advance of his latest EP, aptly titled “Bedroompop,” which was released across platforms on Friday.
OK. Tell us about the new EP.
“Bedroompop is basically about the steps of a relationship. Like, meeting someone and going through that honeymoon phase up, having second thoughts and basically leading up to the break up. That’s how I tried approaching this EP.”
How’d you get started making music in your bedroom?
“One night, while being you YouTube I stumbled on a artist by the name of Clario and I was fascinated about how low budget her video was and how low quality the sound was and that the video had like over a million views.
And I kept looking at more bands like Boy Pablo and Surf Curse.
It wasn’t until I stumbled on to Current Joys that I really wanted to make my own music.”
There was a time when musicians had to go into a studio to get anything that approached a good sounding release. It doesn't seem like that’s a world you know.
“I’ve been in big studios with previous bands. I’ve recorded at Wolf Sounds here in Fresno, with Peter Wolf. That was my first experience in a ‘real’ studio.
But, I’ve been into the whole producing thing since I’ve started Stargaze and honestly, I feel more comfortable being at home because I can work on my own time and take a break and not waste anyone’s time.
Although I record everything myself, I really am still learning how to do it all. Heck, I don’t use I microphone to record my vocals. I have to use the microphone on my phone. But I’m definitely saving up for better equipment.
Sometimes, working with other people can push you to be better, though, so there’s that. If I have to record somewhere else I would just have to adapt.”
When you perform live, you have backing band with you.
“Yes. I have a live band and I love them. I call them my little Stargazers.
The first person to join was Desiree. I put out an ad on Craigslist and maybe like a couple weeks later she messaged me. She plays bass in Stargaze and has her own project y’all need too keep your eye out for. They’re called Stateless Rat.
Then, we have my buddy Josh Hill. We recently both played in another band called These Eyes Are Heavy. He offered to play drums for Stargaze and he bought a drum set a few days later. He’s been in the scene for a minute. He’s an OG.
Then, we have the youngest one, Alley. She found us on Facebook through mutual friends. She plays keyboard and guitar really brings a vibe to the band.
Josh and Alley actually joined a week before we had a gig, so we all had to learn and memorize the setlist quick. But we pulled it off.”
The band plays July 16 at Broadway Studios with Puppet, Pleasure Pack, She Grins and Izzik and VCTR. If you’re up for a trip, they perform at the Maui Sugar Mill Saloon in Los Angeles on July 22.
One Putt Broadcasting launches new classic country station
For those who like their country music with a massive dose of nostalgia, One Putt Broadcasting (the Fox, K-Jewel, KYNO and New Rock 104.1) has delivered.
Last Monday, the company launched a new station from its HQ in downtown Fresno (across from the Warnors Theatre).
The Legend 105.5 FM plays “the country music we grew up with that other radio stations left behind.”
Think Reba McEntire and the Judds, Garth Brooks, George Strait and Alan Jackson, but also Hank Williams (Jr. mostly, but you’ll get the senior thrown in the mix too), Dwight Yoakam, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.
The change is part of a frequency swap that puts K-Jewel at 99.3 FM.
NowFM was removed from the One Putt lineup.
Some will take issue (already have) with the station’s use of the term “classic,” believing there are a specific sets of dates under which “classic country” should rightfully be classified.
Like maybe, pre-and post Garth Brooks (‘cause he’s an easy target).
But Fresno is has long been a county music town and with pop culture so pitched into feeding people’s nostalgia, this feels all like this is a no-brainer.
To note: I host the Homegrown show on NewRock 104.1 FM, which is part of One Putt Broadcasting.
Super deluxe edition of ‘Holy Diver’ includes 1983 Fresno show
Happy birthday, Ronnie James Dio.
The Black Sabbath frontman and solo metal star would have been 80 year old today.
In advance celebration (or just promotion) Rhino Records on Friday released “The Holy Diver: Super Deluxe Edition.” This is a massive four-CD (or two LP) box set that includes the remixed album, plus unreleased outtakes and other rarities from the era, along with a live recording of Dio performing at Fresno’s Selland Arena, Dec. 28, 1983.
The 12-song, hour and eleven minute set is pretty much what you’d want to hear from Dio.
It’s all hits from the era (“Stand Up And Shout,” “Straight Through The Heart,” “Holy Diver,” “Rainbow In The Dark”) plus a couple Sabbath covers (“Children of the Sea,” “Heaven and Hell”) and “Man On The Silver Mountain” (from Dio’s time in the band Rainbow).
While the show has been officially unreleased until now, a version can be heard on Youtube from Dario Romero’s Remastered Concerts.
That’s it for this week. Remember you can now hear me on the Homegrown Show Sundays at 8 p.m. on New Rock 104.1 FM. If you have anything you think I need to be looking at or listening to, feel free to let me know: jtehee@gmail.com