Different Fur

Different Fur Logo

Different Fur (formerly Different Fur Trading Company, currently Different Fur Studios) is a recording studio located in the Mission District of San Francisco, California, and is located at 3470 19th Street. Since 1968, Different Fur has recorded music from a wide range of artists, including major Grammy and Oscar-winning musicians as well as many important independent musicians.

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  The Live Room and piano at Different Fur Studios.

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  The Control Room - SSL4000 Console with Barefoot Monitors.

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  Different Fur's analog tape machine.

History

Different Fur was founded by the electronic music composer and keyboardist Patrick Gleeson in 1968. The name was suggested by poet Michael McClure, while he was being recorded by Gleeson. By the early 1970s Gleeson was doing sessions with Jefferson Starship on his recently acquired 8-track recorder and Moog synthesizer. It was his expertise in early synthesizers, like the Moog, which eventually led Gleeson to collaborations with Herbie Hancock, whom Gleeson credits with helping Different Fur get off the ground.^[1] By 1971 Gleeson was working with Hancock on his albums Crossings and Sextant. He went on to record many of the synthesizers on Hancock's master work Head Hunters, as well as several solo albums at Different Fur.^[2]

Gleeson eventually sold Different Fur in 1985.^[3] However, it remains an active recording studio to this day. The studio is currently owned by Engineer Patrick Brown.^[4]

In February of 2009, the relatively unknown and very recently signed to Fat Possum band Wavves filmed a video with bloggers yourstru.ly. The project was a 3 part live filming of the two piece playing some of the songs off their new EP including "So Bored." While the original videos only received modest views after release, they marked the beginning of an ongoing partnership between Different Fur engineers and YoursTruly video producers that have resulted in some landmark live sessions with the likes of The Morning Benders, Chromeo, Little Dragon, Big K.R.I.T., Toro Y Moi, P.O.S, Girls, Freddie Gibbs, etc.

Artists who have recorded at Different Fur include Brian Eno, Devo, The Units, Kronos Quartet, Bobby Hutcherson, Primus, Rodrigo y Gabriela, The Morning Benders, Daniel Selby, Herbie Hancock, One Republic, Tristan Prettyman and music for Peanuts TV Specials have been recorded here.^[5]

In December 2008, iTunes deemed Talking Through Tin Cans by The Morning Benders the best indie/alternative album of 2008.

Different Fur was featured in the SF Weekly Music section on June 15^th, 2011. The article focuses on work done with a number of local bands and artistes.^[6]

References

1. ^ Maygarden, Tony: "Synth Pioneer - Patrick Gleeson", 2007
2. ^ Jackson, Blair: "The 70's", Mix Online, November 2004
3. ^ "Different Fur Studios: History". Different Fur. Archived from the original on 2011-11-20. http://www.webcitation.org/63L33e9AO. Retrieved 2011-11-20. 
4. ^ Mix Magazine article announcing the purchase of Different Fur by Klepto Records
5. ^ Droney, Maureen: "Different Fur's 25th Anniversary", Mix Magazine, April 1997
6. ^ Ian S. Port: "Fresh Times for Mission Recording Studio Different Fur" article on SF Weekly

Selected Discography

2011 Dylan Fox and The Wave - Tunnel Vision Bird Call - Other Creatures A B & The Sea - Run Run Run! NeaCombo Diffuzion - Round 2 Digital Attack 2010 Flexx Bronco - Volume 2: Off the Record A B & The Sea - Boys and Girls The Morning Benders - Big Echo Big K.R.I.T. & Grillade - The Wuz Here Sessions Michael Franti & Spearhead - The Sound of Sunshine 2009 The Morning Benders - iTunes exclusive Trainwreck Riders - The Perch A B & The Sea - Suzie/Yellow-Haired Girl (single) 2008 Michael Franti & Spearhead - All Rebel Rockers One Republic - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Loquat - Secrets Of The Sea (2008) Tristan Prettyman - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Mister Loveless - Two Words The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans The Blakes - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Tegan and Sara - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Rupa & the April Fishes - Extraordinary Rendition LoCura - Animas 2007 Black Lips - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Chow Nasty - Super Electrical Recordings The Mother Hips - Kiss the Crystal Flake Rodrigo y Gabriela - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Mew - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Jack Ingram - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Gomez - Live Session (iTunes exclusive) Leni Stern - Africa Specimen - Electric Ballroom Jetboy - The Glam Years

Early 2000's Transdub Massiv - Negril To Kingston City Re:ignition - Empty Heart Loaded Gun FM Fatale - Soft Life for Killers Karpov - Soliloquy Evening - Other Victorians 1990's Fantômas - Fantômas Mr. Bungle - California Sylvester - Step II George Winston - Linus & Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi George Winston - Forest George Winston - Summer Mr. Bungle - Mr. Bungle Primus - Sailing the Seas of Cheese Autopsy - Mental Funeral Primus - Frizzle Fry Phil Collins - Serious Hits... Live! 1980's Bobby Brown - Don't Be Cruel Earth, Wind & Fire - Touch the World Brian Eno & David Byrne - My Life in the Bush of Ghosts Kronos Quartet - Symbiosis Jonathan Richman and The Modern Lovers - "Rockin' And Romance" Joe Satriani - Flying in a Blue Dream Daniel Selby - Finishing Touches Whispers - Just Gets Better with Time George Winston - Winter to Spring George Winston - December George Winston - Autumn Stevie Wonder - Characters 1970's Devo - Come Back Jonee (Single) Coke Escovedo - Comin' at Ya Pablo Cruise - A Place in the Sun Lenny White - Big City Bobby Hutcherson - Waiting Herbie Hancock - Head Hunters Herbie Hancock - Sextant

Coordinates: 37°45′37″N 122°25′15″W / 37.760339°N 122.420895°W / 37.760339; -122.420895