News from the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio
April 2022
Watch the latest Studio Lounge session featuring local artist crêpe girl
In our latest 970West Studio Lounge session, we were invited to record local musician crêpe girl in her home to capture her original indie rock music.

You can now view the performances of crêpe girl's original songs "I Try" and "Not Fair" as well as an interview with the artist on the Mesa County Libraries YouTube page. 

As a young French-American guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, crêpe girl's music is vulnerable yet brave. Her smooth and graceful vocals draw her audience in, immersing listeners in her heartfelt and refreshing lyrics. Like the crêpe, crêpe girl's music can be both savory or sweet, leaving her audience craving more.
Apply for Studio Lounge today!

Do you live in Mesa County? Do you play original music? Apply to be featured in Studio Lounge! 

Studio Lounge is a recorded performance featuring local musicians playing at the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio. Local musicians are invited to play as many as two original songs live in the studio, which the library records and stores in Mesa County Libraries' digital archive for library patrons to view on demand.
Unlocking the Code: Music Production with Artist in Residence Charles Walker
Learn how to get started mixing live instruments with digital audio workstations (DAW) to create the next best hit! A DAW walkthrough, equipment essentials, and producer tips will be covered. The leader is musician Charles Walker, the Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence.
 
This event takes place from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 13, in the 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave. Seating is limited, and registration is required. Visit the Event Calendar to register.
Walker's Artist in Residence Meet and Greets begin May 3

Meet Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence Charles Walker anytime 2 - 4 p.m. every Tuesday beginning May 3 at the 970West Studio and talk with him about his music. The Meet and Greet is open on a drop-in basis; no reservation is required.
About Charles Walker:

Charles “ChuckJay” Walker is from San Jose, California, where he and his three sisters were raised by Charles and Felicia Walker. Brought up in the church by a COGIC State Organist father, Charles was heavily influenced by gospel music. He went on to graduate from Gilroy High School where he started his choir journey, and went on to study music at West Valley College and San Jose State University. He then started producing music and playing piano in 2015, after his father's passing. He moved to Grand Junction in 2016 for a fresh start and new beginnings.

Wave 11, one of Grand Junction's premiere bands, was formed in 2017 with former bandmate Zack Couron. Wave 11 released an album, "Wisdom and Strength," and performed at many big festivals and local venues in Colorado. The band now consists of Derek Suiter and Charles Walker, providing a new, high-flying hip-hop show that’s bound to make you jump!
 
Charles also teaches private lessons for vocal singing, music production, songwriting, drums, piano, and music theory. While working at The Winery, he enjoys being able to provide music influence to the Mesa County community and plans to continue music excellence at the highest plateau possible. He lives with his wife Zoe and daughter Winnie in Grand Junction and enjoys being with family and friends.

Charles Walker's dates of residency are May 2 - Aug. 8, 2022. To view all the upcoming Artist in Residence events, visit the Event Calendar at mesacountylibraries.org.
Listen to the latest episode of The Audissey podcast about A Novel Idea bookstore
In this episode of the Audissey, we're joined by Friends of the Mesa County Libraries member Cheryl, and Mesa County Libraries' Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator Kelsey. We discuss the library's used bookstore, A Novel Idea, which is run completely by the generous time and efforts of library volunteers. Kelsey and Cheryl also share all of the volunteer opportunities that are available at the library.
Stock up on reading material to add to your home library!

Friends of the Mesa County Libraries are hosting weekly clearance book sales 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. each Friday and Saturday through May 14 at the First Congregational Church, 1425 N. 5th St. (across from Grand Junction High School). All sales are cash only.
Discover what the 970West Studio staff have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Denise's Pick:

Equal parts electrifying rockumentary and epic family love story, "A Band Called Death" chronicles the incredible fairy-tale journey of what happened almost three decades later, when a dusty 1974 demo tape made its way out of the attic and found an audience several generations younger.

Playing music impossibly ahead of its time, Death is now being credited as the first black punk band and are finally receiving their long overdue recognition as true rock pioneers.
In 1982, having sold his jazz bar to devote himself to writing, Murakami began running to keep fit. A year later, he'd completed a solo course from Athens to Marathon, and now, after dozens of such races, not to mention triathlons and a dozen critically acclaimed books, he reflects upon the influence the sport has had on his life and -- even more important -- on his writing.
Jason's Pick:
BBC Radiophonic Music from Silva Screen Records

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop, one of the sound effects units of the BBC, was created in 1958 to produce effects and new music for radio. There had been much interest in producing innovative music and sounds to go with the pioneering programming of the era. Often the sounds required for the atmosphere that program makers wished to create were unavailable or non-existent through traditional sources and so some would look to new techniques to produce effects and music for their pieces. Much of this interest drew them to musical and tape manipulation techniques, since using these methods could allow them to create soundscapes suitable for the growing range of unconventional programming.

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop would also create the soundtrack for "Doctor Who" in 1963 and later on "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." The BBC Radiophonic Workshop would document their findings and share these with the public. In this way, they influenced mainstream music. Sound engineer Roger Mayer, who supplied guitar pedals to Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix, was influenced by their wiring diagrams. In 1997 the electronic dance music magazine Mixmag described the Workshop as, "the unsung heroes of British electronica."

Available on Hoopla Digital.
Studio Gear Highlight: The Godox MS300
The Godox MS300 Monolight is a 5600k daylight-balanced flash source that allows you to bring your portrait photography skills to a whole new level at the 970West Studio. With a camera, a tripod, and this strobe kit, you are ready to manipulate the lighting on your subjects’ faces in ways that you aren’t able to using natural light or overhead lights in your home or studio.
The setup process is simple; you just attach the strobes to their tripods, plug them in, and you are ready to go! This is a wireless process, so you don’t need a bunch of cords coming out of your camera to sync the MS300 to your flash trigger.

One setting that we recommend you play with are the power of the lights, which range anywhere between 1/32, the lowest amount of flash power, and 1/1, the highest flash setting. We also recommend you try photographing your subject with and without the umbrella diffusers that come with the kit. The purpose of these umbrellas is to spread the light from the flash more evenly across a subject’s face, while also softening their features.
If you would like to reserve the studio and try these out yourself, you must attend a 970West Studio Orientation, and then book the ‘Live Room.’ If you would just like to learn more about how to use them, attend ‘Portrait Photography Class,’ where we host a workshop that demonstrates all of the different ways you can use studio lights to achieve your best portrait photograph.

To find this information and schedule your next visit to the 970West Studio, visit mesacountylibraries.org/services/970weststudio.
Studio classes continue!
Most classes require advance registration. Click the links to register.
970West Studio Orientation

Take the first step toward using the 970West Studio. Orientation classes last an hour. Registration is NOT required.

970West Studio Orientations take place during the following times:
Studio Q&A

Explore the 970West Studio as we offer Orientations and have staff available to answer your multimedia production questions.

Assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In-depth/additional questions may require a future Book a Librarian appointment if others are waiting.
Studio Q&A takes place during the following times:
Beat Makers Workshop

Let's make some sick beats! This open workshop is a chance for producers to use Logic Pro, along with a MIDI controller, to hone their beat-making skills. Studio staff will be on hand to offer guidance and answer questions. Stop by or stay for the entire time. This workshop will be different every time, so come make something every month!
Beat Makers Workshop takes place at 4 p.m. Friday, May 6
Digital Photography

This is an introductory class into the world of DSLR photography. We will cover the basics of ISO, aperture, shutter speed, white balance settings, focus features, and any other questions you may have about digital photography. This course is ongoing, so keep coming back to continue learning.

This is a great class to start with to build basics and then move on to the other more-advanced classes. After this class, you will be able to check out the library’s available Canon cameras!
Digital Photography takes place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 10. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Mac OS Basics

Mac OS is a proprietary graphical operating system developed and marketed by Apple Incorporated since 2001. It is the primary operating system used in the 970West Studio and the Creation Station at the Central Library. In this class, learn the basics of Mac OS. 
Mac OS Basics takes place at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 19. Seating is limited and registration is required.
Intro to Logic Pro

Logic Pro X is a popular, user-friendly DAW (digital audio workstation) that became a major creative force with its recent update.

Learn how to use Logic to produce tracks at 970West by attending Intro to Logic! Like Logic Pro itself, this class is updated often. Attend multiple times for best results!
Intro to Logic Pro takes place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 20. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Intro to Green Screen & Chroma Key

Learn the methods used to remove a video's background and replace it with a different image. In this hands-on class, we will explore the process of using a green screen, including video capture and the post-production process known as chroma key. Participants are welcome to bring digital images to use during class, provided that these images are saved on a USB storage device prior to class. This class is ongoing, so keep coming back for more fun (and learning)!
Intro to Green Screen & Chroma Key takes place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 25. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Digital Illustration with Photoshop

In this introductory class, we will cover the Photoshop workspace and basic tools. Participants will follow along with the instructor while using Photoshop brushes, selection tools, and layers to create a postcard-sized work of original digital art.

This course is ongoing -- bring your questions, requests, ideas for future art projects, and please keep coming back to continue learning.
Digital Illustration with Photoshop takes place at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 26. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Introduction to Video Editing

In this hands-on course, learn the fundamentals of video editing using Adobe Premiere, a program included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Participants will learn how to import video clips into the editor, edit clips inside the editor for improved playback, and export video projects so you can share them to your favorite online video-sharing websites. Sample footage will be provided, but participants may also bring a USB storage device with their own footage. This course is ongoing, so keep coming back to develop your skills!
Introduction to Video Editing takes place at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Audio Alchemy: Explorations in Experimental Sound Design

Let’s get weird! Are the beats and bass lines of traditional beat making a bit too structured for you? Are you searching for a sound, your own sound, that doesn’t live on today’s popular playlists? Come to an Audio Alchemy session and explore some experimental soundscapes with us!
We’ll primarily use Alchemy, a sound module included with Logic Pro X, but other ingredients like real-world sampling and DAWless knob-twisting are definitely on the menu. A basic knowledge of Mac OS and music production is strongly recommended. Attend multiple times for best results!

Audio Alchemy takes place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 27. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Additional technology resources are available on our Technology Guide: Tutorials and Classes page. There you will find printable class handouts, basic tech help for your computer or mobile device, and a selection of tutorials. Still not finding what you're looking for? Fill out a Book a Librarian form to receive one-on-one instruction for your tech-related topic.

All studio classes take place at the 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave.
Follow the 970West Studio on Instagram
Follow @970west_studio on Instagram for weekly posts about all things 970WestStudio. We share gear updates, local band highlights, video releases, and more!
A NOTE TO READERS

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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org