In the Studio: Cameron Matthews, a.k.a. Bear Ceuse

By Annie Zaleski Wed., Sep. 9 2009 at 11:31 AM

(Welcome to In the Studio, a section on A to Z that spotlights -- what else? -- local artists in the studio. If you are also recording/recently recorded -- or are a studio engineer/producer and working with people -- email me, with the phrase "In the Studio" in the subject heading.)

courtesy of Cameron Matthews

Who: Singer-songwriter Cameron Matthews, who's now going by the name Bear Ceuse
Where: Multiple places, including Lexington, Kentucky
With Whom: Several people. The song "Marxist Marriage" was recorded with producer Duane Lundy (Ben Sollee, Chico Fellini) and the band These United States -- who happen to be at the Firebird tonight. (Grab this MP3 after the jump.)

"Within the song, we wanted to fight everything that a normal ballad consists of: the constant crescendo, big vocals, big sound," Matthews says. "We instead held back and created a more intimate aesthetic, which at times can feel almost uncomfortable and claustrophobic. But Duane worked his genius and turned the single into one of my most memorable and enjoyable recording sessions."

Bear Ceuse -- which also features Nick Risler of the Radical Sons -- also has a separate EP for download on Matthews' blog, Westminster Laboratory. Called 80, it was recorded with Risler, producer Pat Crecelius and Ben Mezack.

MP3: Bear Ceuse, "Marxist Marriage"