The Slow Cooker

27/06/2024

OK, so long story short, I had the fortune of cranking this song out when my family visited friends in California (pre-COVID) and while I was there I started to read John Steinbeck, Author, East Of Eden. This inspired an idea to write something from Cathy's (Kate) point of view.
A little disclaimer here, I'm not really qualified to write anything from anyone else's point of view except my own, but as my world of experience is fairly narrow I often like to stumble through other people's lives to find a few words to help stitch together a lyric or two. Special thanks to Mr. Steinbeck - the cheque is in the mail.

More importantly, I wrote this for Kelsey Roy to sing with The Luckies. I was trying to pull together ideas to be considered, focusing on emotionally damaged protagonists and Kelsey delivered this one with devilish charm.
https://theluckies.bandcamp.com/track/east-of-eden

So why did I bother doing my own version (you may ask)? Well, it was COVID times at that point and although this may seem a little odd sung by me, I didn't really have much going on that day...

https://plumemothorchestra.bandcamp.com/https://plumemothorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/east-of-eden-plume-moth-orchestrahttps://soundcloud.com/mitchgirio/sets...

21/06/2024

And finally we climb up (or down) to the last song on our Bandcamp album, The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!
Michelle McKibbon and I offer up this last, hopefully positive meditation on that seemingly rare gift of tender love. Here we are a la Engelbert Humperdinck and other such crooners, straight from our hearts with Step Into My Arms.
The latest album from The Paper Chain Gang, featuring 10 tracks, is now downloadable here on Bandcamp. You can choose to buy and stream the tracks separately or get the whole album at once!
https://thepaperchaingang.bandcamp.com/album/the-paper-chain-gang-rides-again

From the album 'The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!' (full album out June 21, 2024)Title: "Step Into My Arms"Artist: The Paper Chain GangWritten and performed ...

14/06/2024

Song #9 on The Paper Chain Gang's Bandcamp record features a saccharine sweet oeuvre of juvenile infatuation a la The Shirelles, The Shangri-Las and The Paris Sisters. Michelle McKibbon takes the wheel with her retro Girl Pop delivery straight across the Interweb.

From the album 'The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!' (full album out June 21, 2024)Title: "Waiting Here For You"Artist: The Paper Chain GangWritten and perform...

07/06/2024

The Paper Chain Gang (Michelle McKibbon and I) are back at it, cranking out the oldies and keeping some semblance of nostalgia alive. Join us on this musical journey as we dive deep into the crooner tones. Tune in, kick back, and enjoy the ride.

Check it out on Bandcamp!
The latest album from The Paper Chain Gang, featuring 10 tracks, is now downloadable here on Bandcamp. You can choose to buy and stream the tracks separately, as they appear each Friday or get the whole album at once.
We'll unveil one song each week, although all tracks are accessible as bonus additions when you purchase the complete album.
This week it's "Oh Darlin'"!
https://thepaperchaingang.bandcamp.com/album/the-paper-chain-gang-rides-again

From the album 'The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!' (full album out June 21, 2024)Title: "Oh Darlin'"Artist: The Paper Chain GangWritten and performed by Mich...

31/05/2024

Back on The Paper Chain Gang again with an ode to Doo W*p, Elvis and anything else that inspires us in the moment. Michelle McKibbon and I continue to litter the Interweb with more data floating around on countless servers somewhere.
At one point we were considering starting a punk band but then thought that our talents might be best suited to mining older, more gentle tones from the past, reaching deeper into the "nostalgia well."

From the album 'The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!' (full album out June 21, 2024)Title: "My Little Angel"Artist: The Paper Chain GangWritten and performed by...

10/05/2024

Michelle McKibbon digs into the "you're not going to hurt me again" repertoire drawing inspiration from iconic artists such as Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Wanda Jackson.
A standout track from this dynamic release on "The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!" which holds a special place among my personal favorites.
The latest album from The Paper Chain Gang featuring 10 tracks, is now downloadable here on Bandcamp. You can choose to buy and stream the tracks separately, as they appear each Friday or get the whole album at once.
We'll unveil one song each week, although all tracks are accessible as bonus additions when you purchase the complete album.
This week it's "This Heartache's On Me"!
https://thepaperchaingang.bandcamp.com/album/the-paper-chain-gang-rides-again
Mitch

From the album 'The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!' (full album out June 21, 2024)Title: "This Heartache's On Me"Artist: The Paper Chain GangWritten and perfo...

03/05/2024

A few decades back, I delved into Lounge music (special thanks to Skankin' Pickle). When my partner, aware of my newfound passion for all things Lounge, got me The Last Waltz by Engelbert Humperdinck (the British crooner, not the German composer), I initially thought she didn't understand my taste at all. However, as the needle touched the vinyl, I discovered something extraordinary in those '60s recordings that truly touched my heart. While we acknowledge that this is a modern interpretation rather than a true reflection of that era's music, we see it as a heartfelt tribute to that nostalgic essence.
The Paper Chain Gang features songs written by Michelle McKibbon and myself along with other composers.
The latest album from The Paper Chain Gang, featuring 10 tracks, is now downloadable here on Bandcamp. You can choose to buy and stream the tracks separately, as they appear each Friday or get the whole album at once.
We'll unveil one song each week, although all tracks are accessible as bonus additions when you purchase the complete album.
This week it's "He Isn't Me"!
https://thepaperchaingang.bandcamp.com/album/the-paper-chain-gang-rides-again

From the album 'The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!' (full album out June 21, 2024)Title: "He Isn't Me"Written and performed by Mitch Girio and Michelle McKibb...

01/05/2024

Second single from Les Armstrong's album with Russ Boswell on bass and Edan Scime Stokell on keys.
A wonderful song with a back story that I wasn't familiar with until I read Les' Bandcamp post. You can read that on her BC page.

Thanks to Chris Bennett for the guitars and amps!
Mastered by Peter Letros at Wreckhouse Mastering.

track by Les Armstrong

26/04/2024

The Paper Chain Gang features songs written by Michelle McKibbon and myself along with other composers.
The latest album from The Paper Chain Gang, featuring 10 tracks, is now downloadable here on Bandcamp. You can choose to buy and stream the tracks separately, as they appear each Friday or get the whole album at once.
We'll unveil one song each week, although all tracks are accessible as bonus additions when you purchase the complete album.
This week it's "Cookin' in the Kitchen"!
https://thepaperchaingang.bandcamp.com/album/the-paper-chain-gang-rides-again

From the album 'The Paper Chain Gang Rides Again!' (full album out June 21, 2024)Title: "Cookin' in the Kitchen"Artist: The Paper Chain GangWritten and perfo...

24/04/2024

Once again I'm dipping into the memory well. I wrote most of this song while on the TTC. "The better way" can be a source of inspiration, but I had a stronger memory back then, now I'd have to bring a note pad with me.
Got to perform this with Lorraine Muller recently-ish which got me thinking of how much I enjoyed Dan Meier's string arrangement (thanks Dan!). And thanks to the rest of the band for the great memories.

Official lyric video for "Come On Bring it Home"From Lo and the Magnetics album "A Part" released in 2004https://loandthemagnetics.bandcamp.com/album/a-part ...

19/04/2024

Excited to celebrate Record Store Day weekend with this tribute to vinyl via this digital medium... hmmm.
The Paper Chain Gang features songs written by Michelle McKibbon and myself along with other composers.
The latest album, featuring 10 tracks, is now downloadable here on Bandcamp. You can choose to buy and stream the first track separately or get the whole album at once.
We'll unveil one song each week, although all tracks are accessible as bonus additions when you purchase the complete album.
This week it's Rock 'n' Roll Records.

10 track album

02/04/2024

Revisiting that pre-COVID period in my musical life and happy to say that Kirsten Jones and myself are releasing and slight re-Mastered version of this year-long journey into song A Year Of Fridays.
Wasn't it enough to just do it? Why kick it around again?
Are we just glutens for punishment?
Well maybe we're using this as an excuse to write more senseless songs that no one asked for (kind of like that Wonka movie).
And maybe, just maybe we'll "exceed expectations" (like that Wonka movie).

https://kirstenjonesmitchgirio.bandcamp.com/https://www.facebook.com/A-Year-Of-Fridays-2020891354866092/?modal=admin_todo_tourWeek 36 - How Can You Sleep (ly...

16/03/2024

This song by Lo and the Magnetics opens up with a lovely bass clarinet figure played by Dan Meier, an amazing musician. It also features a stunning rhythm section breakdown at 1:37.

Official lyric video for "Insult & Battery"From Lo and the Magnetics album "A Part" released in 2004. © Lo and the Magnetics 2004Top 5 Records, Montreal, QC,...

13/03/2024

I missed the release of this song by Les Armstrong, the first single off of her upcoming record. I had the honour of recording and mixing this record, an album in which Les played almost all the instruments. Russ Boswell thumped out some great basslines including this one on Les' amazing song, Worn Out.

track by Les Armstrong

05/03/2024

Happy to share the 20th anniversary of this record that I had the pleasure of producing and (co-)composing for this excellent group of musicians from Montreal. Tracked in Lorraine Muller s rehearsal space while huddling for warmth.
I just love hearing this group of wonderful musicians - Lo, Dan Meier, Chris Raz, Russ Cooper and Mike Gasselsdorfer.

Recorded and mixed by Claus Frostell
Assistant engineer - Don Murnaghan
Mastered by Richard G. Benoit

Official lyric video for "Out"From Lo and the Magnetics album "A Part" released in 2004© Lo and the Magnetics 2004Top 5 Records, Montreal, QC, Canada LYRICS:...

17/02/2024

UK artist, Mark Lawless has crafted some deeply introspective songs that go to a profoundly personal place. He has a gift for capturing the raw emotions of heartbreak and the nuances of love, loss, and resilience. It was a pleasure to work on this collection of his music.

from the album Zenod

28/01/2024

MORGAN DOCTOR released this song, Live Again, on her solo record, Other Life. It features a few co-writes with Tamara Williamson. It was a pleasure to mix this album and play bass on this track. Morgan is both an amazing drummer and composer.

Provided to YouTube by Believe SASLive Again · Morgan DoctorOther Life℗ Aporia Records Inc.Released on: 2009-03-24Author: RR.Composer: RR.Auto-generated by Y...

23/01/2024

Recently revisited this record by José Miguel Contreras Avendaño (of By Divine Right). José came in for a couple of days just as I was leaving Slaughterhouse 754 and had just started my pre-Chemo - wasn't quite at my best ha. He just played these lovely songs live with mostly guitar and voice and that was it for me for a couple of years. He approached me later to help mix the album which he had created around those initial performances. Although José didn't need me to mix (he does fabulous work on his own) I was moved to be a part of the process that had began (for me at least) at such a challenging part of my journey.
There are so many incredible songs on this record, At The Slaughterhouse - haha, but here is a simple but moving video to the opening track.

Grand Central Station, by José ContrerasFrom the album "At The Slaughterhouse", available now on Headless Owl Recordswww.headlessowl.comwww.headlessowl.bandc...

13/01/2024

Getting into the composing zone - which right now involves no actual composing - for FAWM month.
"14 Songs in 28 29 Days.
FAWM is February Album Writing Month. A global collaboration focused on new music."
In February 2019 I popped out a number of songs (14 to be exact) somewhere in the range of having a great time writing to cranking out some really crap-tacular turds.
Here's one of those lovely one-mic wonders, a song that name drops Roy, Jimi and Paul while touching on the disposability of music.

from the album february songs

18/04/2023

Tyler Benedict record, No Lifeguard, released in 2015. It was great to have assisted in some of the tracking on this recording. My sound engineering contribution was very small, but it was still an amazing record to be part of.
Tyler is a wonderful songwriter/ singer. Well worth a listen.

Provided to YouTube by CDBabyYellow & Green · Tyler BenedictNo Lifeguard℗ 2015 Tyler BenedictReleased on: 2015-05-17Auto-generated by YouTube.

27/01/2023

An excellent live performance by Les Armstrong captured on video by Sean Ryan.
A gas to have been a part of this.
Bass: Russ Boswell
Drums: Dave Patel
Mixing: Mitch Girio
Direction: Sean Ryan
Recorded at The Rogue Music Lab by James Paul.

Bass: Russ BoswellDrums: Dave PatelMixing & Engineering: Mitch GirioDirection: Sean RyanRecorded at Rogue Studios with the help of James Paul

17/01/2023

Les Armstrong shared a post on Instagram: "Well this was fun! A day in the studio performing my song “South-facing Window” with some talented players. Guitar and vocals: Les Armstrong Bass: Russ Boswell Drums: Dave Patel Video production and editing: Sean Ryan ...

09/11/2022

Toronto singer-songwriter, Sean Peever, recently put out this EP of Autumn songs in... Autumn.
Me? I had the pleasure of witnessing and capturing this moving target of a performer who is always on the go. Who is Sean running from? Fair question.
But perhaps the real question here is why did it take me so long to share this post? I mean, it's almost Winter already!

"A loving tribute to Toronto singer-songwriter Sean Peever's favourite time of year, Autumn's Desire is an EP devoted to two central themes: the love of the autumn and falling in love in the autumn, with his trademark masterful fingerstyle acoustic guitar and hot buttery vocals. Giving her welcome assistance on two songs is powerhouse Toronto vocalist Wendy Irvine."

4 track album

12/09/2022

New EP, new song and new video by Toronto singer-songwriter, Melanie Peterson. This track features Peter Collins on bass, Mark Mariash on drums, Alex McMaster on cello, Jill Daley on violin and Amanda Penner on viola.
Drums, bass and strings were tracked at Revolution Recording. Engineered by Stephen Koszler, assisted by Crayton Clark.

An amazing experience, once again, to work with so many talented artists/ musicians/ technicians.

Feeling very grateful.

"Ruined Lovin'" by Melanie Peterson and Mitchell Girio from the EP 'We've Got This - Side Two", out September 2nd, 2022.STREAM/DOWNLOAD: https://soundcloud.c...

22/07/2022

Looking forward to playing with Tamara Williamson and Antony Cook. Here's a song that I had the pleasure of working on for Tamara (with Karen Graves on Violin and Stephen Pitkin on Drums).

Flashback is the third release from Tamara Williamson and her one single a month campaign from the collection of songs entitled ‘Blue Skies’ written by Willi...