In the first installment of an ongoing segment highlighting the solo work of Noon Fifteen’s band members, Dan Cole speaks with guitarist Joe Massa about his debut solo release, Conundrum. Joe muses on the lessons and challenges of taking on every part of the recording process, from writing music without vocals, to performing all of the instruments, to recording and mixing the music himself. He also dives into the conundrum (see what we did there?) of titling songs without lyrics, and how he turned to a word invented by his toddler and a formative experience from his teen years for inspiration.

Purchase Conundrum on Bandcamp

Check out more of Joe’s other music in Thru Spectrums

Mentioned in this episode:

Eric Krasno
Lettuce
Snarky Puppy


On one of the strangest Thanksgivings in memory, the band discusses “Scared To,” Mandy’s song about being haunted by things you wish you hadn’t said. Phil talks about playing drums to emphasize a feeling, and the band reminisces about making music at Sunwood Recording, during a magical time when we could gather safely indoors, even though Joe had to wait in line for sandwiches. 

Referenced in this episode:

Heard in this episode:

Scared To:

  • Live on “Ithaca is Music” podcast (May 2018)
  • Rehearsal recording (April 2018)
  • Mandy’s original demo (April 2018)

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Mandy talks about feelings, groove, and the group collaboration that helped develop her composition “Easy,” which happens to be Dan Cole’s favorite song when mixing the band’s live show. Phil revisits his time in a reggae band.

Heard in this episode:

Easy

  • original demo, 2019
  • Live at The Range, Ithaca, NY. November 2nd, 2019.

Referenced in this episode:

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After spending the last fifteen months on other projects, Noon Fifteen returns to Finish What You Started! In this episode, recorded in the driveway of Sam and Mandy’s new home (because COVID-19), the band discusses the politically-motivated Lupowitz composition “Dinosaurs,” and how you should try to listen to it while listening to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The band also teases Mandy’s gospel record (Joe doesn’t like the direction in which it’s headed).

Heard in this episode:

Dinosaurs:

-Sam’s original cell phone demo
-2017 rehearsal recordings (Chris Armitage – drums)
-Unused 2018 studio recording

Also referenced in this episode:

Ozzy Osbourne – Mr. Crowley, Mama I’m Coming Home, Crazy Train
Led Zeppelin
Faces
Tower of Power
Otis Redding
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory


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In honor of the third annual Finger Lakes Thaw festival, and the global onset of COVID-19, Noon Fifteen presents “Thaw,” a mini-suite about winter dangers at home and abroad. The song moves through four seasons of soul, metal, progressive rock, and New Orleans funk.

Dan Cole talks to Sam and Mandy about the life-threatening story (and rental property) that inspired the song, and Phil discusses playing hand drums without his hands. Joe and Harry’s children make guest appearances.

Buy or stream this track here.

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Coming Halloween 2019: Noon Fifteen’s epic prog-pop suite, At the Festival, unveiled in a special super-sized episode. At the Festival tells the story of a man in mourning whose trip to a music festival takes a dark turn toward the supernatural.

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The Tick by Noon Fifteen

Noon Fifteen returns, with new drummer Phil Shay in tow, and host Dan Cole back to plumb the depths of the band’s music.

The band’s sophomore effort, Finish What You Started, will be released in non-sequential installments via this podcast and the Noon Fifteen YouTube channel. The record’s songs explore themes of fear and temptation. The first three releases will coincide with the band’s “Julyfecta” of summer 2019 shows, with additional music forthcoming.

The first release, on July 4th, 2019, is Sam Lupowitz’s “The Tick.” Here, the band discusses the inspiration of Led Zeppelin, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds, and the politics of the United States.

Watch the 360 video from the session here!

Other music heard in this episode:

The Tick horn ideas – 2015 cell phone voice memo
Hollow Bones – Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds
Take Me Down – Jen Cork and the Good Hope
Didn’t Want You – Julia Felice and the Whiskey Crisis
To the Daylight – Thru Spectrums

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Harry talks about breaking away from traditional pop song structure (and accessible song titles) with “Dave Coulier” (track 5 of Volume 1). Sam talks the ups and downs of self-producing a recording project.

Also heard in this episode:

You Oughta Know – Harry Nichols
Original working demo of “Dave Coulier,” 2017

Dave Coulier – Noon Fifteen
-In-studio rehearsal recording, May 2017
-Take 4 (unused), June 2017
-Sam’s rough mix
-Mark Hennessey’s remix
-Sam & Mark’s tweaked final mix
-Gabe Solomon’s final master

One Hell of a Pill – The Flying Pigs
From Same Place Next Year, 2011

Also mentioned in this episode:

Mark Hennessey (producer/engineer/musician/songwriter)
Gabe Solomon – S&S Studios
You Oughta Know – Alanis Morissette from Jagged Little Pill (1995)
Abbey Road
Smile

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Harry discusses Annie’s Song (track 4 of Volume 1) and how fatherhood has changed his writing process. Sam talks about the challenge of writing string arrangements. Mandy realizes it’s time to make a dentist appointment.

Also heard in this episode:

Annie’s Song – Harry Nichols
Original Demo (2017)

Premonition – Julia Felice
From Diving for Falls (2014)

Mecca Song – Samuel B. Lupowitz & The Ego Band
From Songs to Make You Wealthier and More Attractive (2012)

Other artists mentioned in this episode:
Bluefish
Joseph Campbell

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Harry Nichols recounts how his demo of Just Like You (the third track from Volume 1) evolved into a full-band arrangement. Joe tells us how easy his job is.

Other tracks you heard in this episode:

The Astronaut – Harry Nichols
From Love En Route (2012)

Just Like You – Harry Nichols
Original demo (2015)

Music Behind the Box – Thru Spectrums
From Process (2017)

Recovery Time – Harry Nichols
Original Demo (2016)

Recovery Time – Julia Felice and the Whiskey Crisis
From Devil on Your Back (2017)

Also mentioned in this episode:
The Beach Boys
Gospel tambourine

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