Author: Berkeley Cat Records

We’re from Berkeley. We are cats. We make records.

LAMENT – Audio by Russ Ellis and Jay Lane, Video by Jason Martineau

We have a very special treat for you today on Russ Ellis’ BIRTHDAY!!
A brand new amazing video set to the Russ Ellis track, LAMENT.

Here’s video producer Jason Martineau’s notes:

When Russ first approached me with the idea of creating a video of fractals and computer-generated visuals to accompany his audio track, I eagerly seized upon the opportunity. Using his iconic image by photographer Judy Dater, I built a visual narrative of mathematically generated clips utilizing 10+ different applications, then composited and animated them to follow the music. Russ provided invaluable creative input along the way. I’m very happy with the result, and indeed honored to have been asked to contribute in this way. In a sense, it’s not much different than if he had sent me an original melody and asked me to come up with a chord progression for it. So, this is my “visual harmonization” for Russ’s “Lament”

Here’s Russ’s notes:

Fans of the audio version of “Lament” will be aware of its origins from its liner notes on Songs From The Garden. As soon as it was completed, I imagined it with images. Several years ago, Jason Martineau introduced me to fractals, The Mandelbrot Set, etc., so, last year, I asked him to entertain the prospect of adding fractals to Lament. He agreed. I am very happy with the results. Hang with it a couple of times. There’s stuff to get into.

You can also view this directly on YouTube if you like, and you may share it to your heart’s content. We suggest you view it full-screen, at high-res.

Enjoy! And please join me and all the Berkeley Cats in wishing Russ Ellis a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! And many more. Much love,

Eric Din

Video for Chika Ding

Berkeley Cat Records is proud to announce this video of Russ Ellis’ latest single, “Chika Ding,” produced by Alcide Marshall. In Al’s own words:

“A collaborative effort with myself and multiple generations of the Ellis Family. Hoping to galvanize the youth for the upcoming election.”

 

 

RUSS ELLIS
CHIKA DING
Marshall Entertainment Group 2020
Voice: Russ Ellis
Music: Alcide Marshall
Vocals: Zoe Ellis
Vocals: Lily Ellis
Mixed by Dave Ellis @ Ellis Island Studio
Avatar creations: Dave Ellis, Bella Ellis
Video Production: Alcide Marshall
Portrait of Russ Ellis by Judy Dater

(Catitor’s note: This was originally posted May 9, 2020)

Collaborations!

In which we bleat about collaborations and how it’s really not so different doing them online/long-distance as it is in person, and we spin a few tracks which we created collaboratively. Oui.

Songs found in this episode:

Jupiter Girls by Eric Din  (with Jay Lane and Steven Bernstein)
I’m So Terribly Stoned by Eric Din and Damon Wood
Bested By Pelicans by The Uptones
Out To Sea by The Uptones
Oh and a lil’ snippet of Rude Boy by The Uptones for the intro music.

Berkeley Cats Go Maaad

Episode 3 find the Podcats going off the deep end. Round the bend, if you will. Unhinged, purrhaps. Peanut butter optional.

Featured musical biscuits include:

Ridiculous by The Uptones
(Moose, Bennie, Paul, Tim, Jeanne, Adam, Scott and Din)

Pogo Dancing In My Sleep and Much Better, by Eric Din

Can’t Stop by Two-Stone Killers
(Michael Valladares and Eric Din on this track)

Gearing Up For a Breakdown by HOBO
(Ben Eastwood, Paul Jackson, Tom Pope and Eric Din)

Baggagemaster, Sound Pressure, and 4:20 @ 7 Pools, by Stiff Richards
(Tuan Titlestad, Ben Eastwood, Paul Jackson and Eric Din)

Credits may be incomplete. If so, please forgive us, we’ve gone mad.

Tomcatfoolery

Tomcatfoolery and caterwauling! This episode contains songs from your host Eric Din, plus Matte Martin, The Recyclists, and The Uptones. It’s an “Every Day is Earth Day” SPECIAL!

Click thru these to find lyrics, song credits and suchwhat.
Suchwhat is not a word. But neither is podcats.

The Recyclists – Tumblin’ Down
Matte Martin – Bridge
Eric Din – Always For A Moment
The Uptones – Faith (and a little snippet of Rude Boy at the end)

Talkin’ To The Wall

Here’s a track I made with the help of Moose, Thomas, and Adam, all members of the Uptones at various times. A Mini-Tones, if you will! We did this remotely, as these things go nowadays, in our respective houses and studios, tracks careening through the Interwebs like on Star Trek transporters run amok. Lyrics and credits below. Feel free to share any ol’ which way if ya like, even on.. the WALL!!
-Dinbot

Talkin’ To The Wall

I don’t ever want to be what you want me to be
I don’t ever want to see what you want me to see
I’m not what you think I am I see your evil plan
I don’t ever want to be what you think that I am

Oh oh, appearances deceiving
Oh oh, I’m talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, yellin’ at the wall

I don’t ever want to lie I do it every day
My life is a fiction now a farce in every way
Staring down the selfies will you like me when I’m dead
There’s no antidote now for what they put in my head

Oh oh, staring down the selfies
Oh oh, and talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, I’m climbing up the wall

I don’t ever want to be what you want me to be
I don’t ever want to see what you want me to see
I’m not what you think I am I see your evil plan
I don’t ever want to be what you think that I am

Oh oh, appearances deceiving
Oh oh, I’m talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, talkin’ to the wall
Oh oh, delete it from the wall

——

Eric Din – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Bass and Vocals
Moose Lethridge – Acoustic Lead Guitar and Vocals
Thomas White – Drums
Adam Beach – Tenor Sax
Produced, mixed, and otherwise cat-handled by Eric Din

© 2021 Dinwiddie / Lethridge
King Roy Music, BMI

Cats in a Pod

Berkeley Cat Records has a podcats. Everyone has a podcast. We have a podcats. Episode one is up and jammin. We’re delighted with the early response and invite you to give ‘er a listen and if ya like, omigarsh, a share! Songs from The Uptones, Russ Ellis, Jay Lane, Matt Jaffe and Eric Din herein, with commeowentary from your host, Eric Din.

Songs in this episode:
Our first Podcats has music from The Uptones, Matt Jaffe, Russ Ellis & fam, Jay Lane and yours truly your host, Eric Din.

Songs in this episode:

  1. Keep Pushin’ – The Uptones
  2. Get Out Of My Way (original version) – The Uptones
  3. I Can See It Now – Eric Din
  4. Stoned On Easter – Matt Jaffe
  5. Apollo 11 – Russ Ellis (Feat. Bella Ellis)
  6. New Variant – Jay Lane

Links! We have links. Here are links. Lynx, rather.
Russ Ellis
Matt Jaffe
Jay Lane
The Uptones
Eric Din