Showcase: Secret Sounds Live Recordings

Scott McMicken (co-founder of Dr. Dog) brought his project The Ever Expanding to Secret Sounds for a full album performance of “When It’s Happening.” The session captured the album’s intricate arrangements and layered instrumentation in a live, single-room setting — a technical and artistic achievement that showcased both the band’s musicianship and Blue Oak Studios’ recording capabilities.

This performance represents one of our most ambitious live capture projects: translating studio-crafted songs into a live format while maintaining every nuance of the original compositions.

Whitney Monge brought powerful vocals and emotional depth to the Secret Sounds stage, performing two tracks that demonstrated impressive range and control. The single-take format captured the immediacy and intensity of her performance — no safety net, just talent and conviction.

This session exemplifies Blue Oak Studios’ expertise in vocal recording, balancing room acoustics with close-mic intimacy to create a warm, enveloping sound.

Asheville funk collective Supatight brought high energy and tight grooves to Secret Sounds for a performance that pushed the limits of what’s possible in a single-take format. With a full band including horns, keys, bass, drums, and vocals, this session required meticulous mic placement and real-time mixing to capture the complexity and power of their sound.

The result: a broadcast-quality recording that feels like you’re standing in the room with the band.

Experimental electronic artist My Magnificent Nemesis transformed the Secret Sounds space into a sonic laboratory, performing a set of genre-defying electronic compositions. The session showcased Blue Oak Studios’ versatility — capturing not just traditional instruments but also synthesizers, drum machines, and live processing in a cohesive, dynamic mix.

Keyboardist and composer Steve Okonski performed a mesmerizing solo electric set, using synthesizers and live looping to create immersive soundscapes. This performance demonstrated the power of minimalism — one artist, one room, and a world of sound.

Blue Oak Studios captured every layer of Okonski’s performance, from delicate ambient textures to driving, rhythmic passages, preserving the arc and intention of his improvisation.

Blues-rock outfit Bottleneck Jett delivered a gritty, high-energy performance that captured the raw power of live blues. With blazing guitar work and powerful vocals, this session showcased the band’s command of traditional blues forms while pushing into modern rock territory.

This was one of the first Secret Sounds sessions, establishing the format’s focus on authenticity and single-take intensity.