APRIL 10TH 2010

Apologies for the very long delay in the update... lots of excuses, but none very exciting.

James Walsh (Starsailor) and I have been working hard and have just been up in Tromso, in the Arctic Circle, where we have layed the ground work for a record with the Norwegian Orchestra. We go back in May and really excited with the outcome.

James Walsh

While in Tromso, I held a songwriter camp for a week. There was some great writers and songs that came out of it and there must be something in the water/mountains/air or I don't know what... but for a small town in the Arctic, the abundance of talent is astounding!

Sacha

Martin Terefe and I produced an album for Charlotte Church, which I think is going to surprise a lot of people. David Davidson and the "love sponge strings" came over to record on it and we all had a lot of fun.

Charlotte Church

Ilse DeLange has been back and we have started writing for her new album. The last one is now 5 X platinum!

I have been writing for a quite a few other projects when there has been a spare moment, but doesn't feel like there has been many of those... although I did manage while in Tromso to get a bit of skiing in... oh yeah!

On a technical note... We've recently started using Ableton Live. Really getting creative with this excellent software!

Ableton Live

NOVEMBER 28th 2009

Sleepless nights haven't stopped the activity!
Been writing a lot, including a new song with Charlotte O'Connor and some new Lisa Marie Presley ones.
Joss Stone released her album "Color me Free" with the song Stalemate on, which I produced. The album went top 10 in the US.

Joss Stone - Color Me Free

Started a fantastic new project with James Walsh (Starsailor).....early days, but really excited. We are working together on a movie soundtrack, which will also be an album of songs. Not allowed yet to divulge what the movie is yet.....but take it from, its very very cool!

SEPTEMBER 24TH 2009

I am a DADDY!!!!
At 6.25 am 30/08/09 Cora Sofia Skarbek was born. I feel like a 3yr old and its Christmas everyday. An enormous overwhelming love, that I am sure will ignite the song writing. That mixed with being woken up at 4 in the morning and changing dirty nappies!

Cora Sofia Skarbek

On the studio front I have been writing with Lisa Marie-Presley and having a blast. I think it will shock a lot of people and I have really enjoyed it. Very Cool.

Lisa Marie Presley

We had our favorite girl from San Diego over, Miss Tristan Prettyman and are beginning writing for the new album. Got a great song already and looking forward to making another record. Early days, but things looking good.

Ben's Brother is releasing "Stalemate", but for the single has Anastasia dueting. She came in to vocal and the song sounds huge. The version we did with Joss Stone, looks like its going on her album, to be released end of this year. Not a bad couple of singers to have worked with

!

Anastacia

Working with Luke and an exciting new artist called Meme Love. Early days, but showing real potential and she's a star. Check her out.

JULY 15TH 2009

Apologies for the delay in writing some news, but there's been quite a few events in the past couple of months that have kept me busy.

I am extremely excited about becoming a Dad! Not long to go now... One more marathon under the belt, having completed the Artic race and that's probably it for a while!

We've had Sasha Ryabinina over from St.Petersburg and have finished 5 KILLER tracks?..this girl is special!

Sasha Ryabinina

Marc Broussard came over from Louisianna and we wrote some cool songs. With a voice and talent like that, not too hard.

Marc Broussard

I had a great evening at the London Songwriters week, where I was interviewed by Tony Moore and played a few songs for aspiring songwriters..hope I didn't put them off!

Miguel Stanley's record has been mixed by the famous David Tickle (Prince, 4 non-blondes etc.) and hopefully will be out before the end of the year. We also did an EP for Katie Vogel, of 'Green Eyed World' fame and in between quite a lot of writing, including a song Martin and I did for Westlife.

April 18th 2009

Greetings from Nashville, where I have been writing with the royalty of country, Miss Carrie Underwood. Its been all good, but still getting my head around the "country" thang and had to persuade her to do some "Rolling Stones" meets "Queen"....just to get the british vibe in there!

Carrie Underwood

Was in NYC for a few days before, writing with American Idol's Jason Castro, who was very refreshing, cool writer and great vibe and with Martin Terefe we wrote 2 killer songs.
Off to LA to work with my brother Stefan (Double 0 Zero) and Justin Gaston for a week, then back to getting all these songs tracked!
There has been a lot of new development acts in the studio over the past couple of months and really exciting stuff......
Meme Love , Bo Bruce and Thom Crawford....and it proves there is no shortage of "talent" out there......watch these names!
Also been some good writing with Katie Voegle who has a huge and exciting launch platform coming out soon.
OH and YES!.....Bens Brother record has been picked up by Island Records and is due out for release in May......SUPERB!
In between this I managed to get some incredible heli-skiing done, although there never seems to be enough hours in the day!

Sacha

MARCH 12th 2009

Congratulations to Ilse DeLange, who won a "lifetime achievment" award and performed "Miracle", a song we wrote with full orchestra and it sounded amazing.
The song also won "Best Song" in a feature film and Ilse's record continues to go from strength to strength.

Ilse De Lange

Miguel Stanley has finished his album and it is sounding really special.....waiting to get it mixed and had some great work on it from Luke Potashnick, Pete and all the musicians. Watch out world......is all I can say!

Miguel Stanley

Brendan James has completed 6 songs and is the new "star" of the KensalTown Kings Soccer team. Its been a pleasure having not only his football skills, but his unique magical musicianship.

This week Julian Perretta has been in writing with me and its been a real pleasure. For someone so young and cool, he has an old soul and been really inspiring to be with.
Gonna track over the next few days and looking forward to seeing what the outcome is.

Julian Perretta

I spent a fantastic week in the Alps, heli-skiing and on ski-tours, which was OUT OF THIS WORLD! Came back with a chest infection after being caught out in a storm, but still completely worth it.

Off to Nashville soon to write with Carrie Underwood and BC Jean, then ........who knows.....well maybe Mike Dixon my manager does?

JANUARY 20th 2009

Been a while.......and a new year has arrived. Forgive me if I wander while writing this, as I am at the same time listening to the talented Mr. James Bryan playing guitar.

Jason continues to go from strength to strength and along with Adele has been nominated for Grammy's. There seems to be some movement in the UK, with the album at No.8 this week.

Charlotte O'Connor signed a worldwide deal with Colombia records and we have been back writing and recording. Had a exciting tracking session, where Jamie Cullum dropped by and played some Farfisa on a song called "My Rose" and we are all "buzzing"........ (in the words of Charlotte.)

Double 0 Zero are doing some finishing touches to mixes and all looks set for an exciting year for them. Stefan has been in writing and heads back to LA to wrap up the last of the mixes.

Gin Wigmore came all the way over from New Zealand and wrote some cool stuff and we are very much hoping she will be back soon.

Gin Wigmore

Brendon James from NYC is here co-writing and gonna do some tracking over the next few days.

Pete and Ainsley are both working hard, Pete is leading the charge with the Harajuku Girls and Ainsley is continuing work on his band "To Venture Planes".

Right.....back to guitars!

NOVEMBER 17th 2008

NYC.......just back from a fun, but hectic time!
Was lucky enough to witness the election, with the historical event of Obama becoming President elect. Time Square was like New Year, winning the Super Bowl and Armageddon all at once.

Other good news is Adele, who performed on Saturday Night Live, both "Chasing Pavements" and "Cold Shoulder" reached number 11 in the US billboard charts and Number 1 on US iTunes.

Adele

Jason Mraz continues to grow, with "I am Yours" becoming one of the biggest songs of the year. The album is close to Platinum in US and has been very successful around the world.....except in the UK!!!! Go figure.....

Jason Mraz

The lovely Ilse DeLange hit the number 1 spot in Holland, with the album "Incredible".

Ilse Delange

Waylon is back over and we are recording his record, as is Miguel Stanley and Shawn Barry, so studio is full of musicians and activity.
Ben's Brother record is hopefully being mixed later this month and lots of writing going on......whew....need a holiday!

Sacha

OCTOBER 3RD 2008

Greetings from Kensaltown! We have just completed Ben's Brothers new album and its been a blast!

We have also managed to get some pretty special guests to sing on it, including Joss Stone, Jason Mraz, Jack McManus, Cass Lowe and Pete Gordeno.

Malcolm, Karl and Luke were all back on flying form and with the help of Ben's Brother all round talent Kiris and Jamie, tracking was a dream.

All is in place now and the tracks are off to New York to be mixed by the fantastic Michael Brauer.

Martin and I also did some writing and tracking with our new favourite Aussie, Mark Sholtez. Jamie and Stefan both did some writing with us and we are very much hoping Mark will be back before the end of the year to record his album.

We also had a brilliant guy called Waylon over from Holland. Martin, Waylon and myself wrote and tracked a really cool song called "Broken to make you whole". Waylon is scheduled to be back at the end of the month.

August 18th, 2008

Loads been happening this summer... from Norway to LA to Ohio to Chicago to London to Ibiza!

Martin & Sacha - After The Marathon

Midnight Sun Marathon was completed by Martin and I and managed to knock 11 mins off my London time.

Amazing event. Running at midnight with sun, fiords, mountains and people from all round the world.

Charlotte O'Connor

Studio has been busy.....Charlotte O'Connor has been back in and she gets better and better. Stefan, from Double 0 Zero, helped out and songs are sounding fantastic.

The Boy Who Trapped The Sun

Colin Macleod, aka. The boy who trapped the sun, was in for a week and we did some writing and tracking and should have 4 songs finished pretty soon. It was a lot of fun, with lots of instrument swapping, strange B.V's and extra sounds being made!

Lisa Mitchell

Lisa Mitchell recorded 3 songs with the help of Dawn Kinnard and the boys and a lovely artist, called Jamelle and Brandon from Texas came in and we wrote some great songs.
I was in LA writing for a couple of weeks with Howie Day, Ry Cummings and some others. Then flew to Ohio, where I met Martin and we wrote 2 songs with American Idol winner, David Cook. Strange place Ohio!

Came back to London to do the demos and then flew straight off to Ibiza, where I mixed a bit of business with pleasure!

Sasha Ryabinina, a talented 18 yr old singer/musician from St. Petersburg has been doing some fantastic demos with the help of Ainsley. We are hoping she will be back soon to do some more.

Ben's Brother

We are starting Ben's Brother's new album in a couple of weeks, which I am really looking forward to......gonna have Luke, Karl and Malcolm back in and it'll be one big happy family and fun and games...and I am sure some sweat and tears.

Look out for Amie Miriello's record coming out in US on 2nd September... co-wrote and produced a couple of tracks for it.

JUNE 9TH, 2008

Martin and I and getting ready for our Midnight Sun Marathon, which takes place in Tromso on 21st June.......Gonna be EPIC! Not sure Martin knows what he is in for.....after the last one I did, I felt like I needed a wheelchair for a month afterwards.

Craig Wiseman was over and we had a fantastic and drunken evening at the ASCAP "songwriters singing their hit songs"......I made the fatal mistake of trying to keep up with Blair Mackichan and Craig and by the time I went on......well lets just say, I had no business at my local karaoke place, let alone amongst Desmond Childs, Graham Gouldman (10CC), Craig, Blaire, Kim Ritchie, Phil Thornally etc.

Ilse DeLange was back and we tracked some more songs with Luke, Malcolm and Kris. Sounding great and always fun in tracking mode. Wrote 3 new songs with Ilse and a lovely writer from NewYork called Nate Campney. Really great young guy, a bit like Ryan Adams and I reckon he'll be big in the future.

Jeff Cohen and Jamie Hartman were in writing and we got an absolute gem and very excited about what we are gonna do this summer. Wrote another lovely song with Jeff and Kim Ritchie and looking forward to writing with Kim and Lisa Mitchell later this month.

APRIL 20TH, 2008

Charlotte O'Connor

Charlotte O'Connor, an incredible 17 yr old from Blackburn (or Birmingham, as I thought for most of the time!), came in for a week and we wrote 3 really cool songs....James Morrison kindly offered his services on BV's and I am really excited about this project.

Ilse Delange has been over from Holland and we have started producing her album. A cross between Sheryl Crowe and The Cardigans......Ilse is a massive star in her native Holland, but we are really going for a big international record and we are looking forward to having her back over at the end of the month.

Pete and I spent a week at a Universal writing camp, writing for Simon Cowell's acts, ranging from Il Divo to Leona Lewis....FULL ON is the only phrase I can use to describe it! I managed to write a song with SEVEN key changes, so feeling very proud of that!!! It was hard work, but a lot of fun and great to be back working with such great writers as Lyndy Robbins, Jamie Hartman, Jack McManus, Blaire Mackichan, Karen Poole, Antonio Galbiati and Remee.

APRIL 12TH, 2008

Double O Zero

Double O Zero played some blinding gigs and we are getting ready to finish mixing the record. They are in the US at the moment and are gonna play some gigs out there. "LOVE" and "HI HI's and LO LO's" have been getting played on KCRW and "Pink Ribbons" is creating a huge storm on MySpace. If you haven't heard them .....YOU NEED TO!

Harajuku girls have also been busy, even though they have now come off tour with Gwen Stefani, Jenny has been dancing for Madonna and the rest of the girls have been getting ready for the launch of their record. We are scheduled to go to LA pretty soon and finish a couple more songs.

MARCH 31ST, 2008

Jive records artist Amie Mirellio has just finished mixing her record with Tony Maserati and Pete, Jeff Cohen and I worked a lot on this, so fingers crossed on this one!

I had a really great trip out Nashville, where I wrote songs with my good friend Craig Wiseman, Chris Tompkins, Jeff Cohen and loads of other top Nashville writers. I also performed alongside Jeff, Dave Hodges and Kara Dioguardi at "Tin Pan South" , which other than nearly soiling myself with fear, turned out pretty good! Although it always reminds me why I never became a solo artist!

Ainsley is still skint and Pete is still on the phone.....other than that we are all looking forward to having an exciting few months ahead, with some great artists coming in, including Ben's Brother, Colin Mcleod and .....who know's .....sometimes its better not to!

Sacha

Sacha Skarbek is a Grammy nominated and two time Ivor Novello winner.

Sacha showed early talent as a musician, winning many piano competitions from the age of seven. Awarded music scholarships to Northbourne Park and King's School Canterbury, Sacha was taught by the distinguished pianist Ronald Smith and played French horn, clarinet and percussion. He went on to study in Oxford where he gained a degree in music.

Sacha's musical empathy and classical background bring an unmistakeable quality to his songs and compositions. The breadth of his talent is reflected by the artists he has worked with including: Neneh Cherry, Samantha Mumba (no.2 hit Body to Body), Adele (Cold Shoulder), Jason Mraz, Tristan Prettyman, Sir Paul McCartney, Beverley Knight, Duffy (Save it for your prayers), Jon Bon Jovi, Cherie (BMI award winning song I am Ready) and Sacha played a key role in the development of James Blunt with whom he wrote the Worldwide no.1 hit, You're Beautiful and a further six co-writes on the multi-platinum selling debut album, "Back to Bedlam", including follow up singles Wisemen and Goodbye My lover. "Sacha gave me my education in the art of songcraft". (James Blunt).

Sacha has a unique ability to combine his experience as a top session musician with his love of songwriting. As interested in working with developing artists as with major established acts, for Sacha it's "all about the song".

Sacha is currently working with other top songwriters such as, Glen Ballard, Kara Dioguardi, Craig Wiseman, Sean Garrett, Greg Wells, Jeff Cohen and Elliot Kennedy. In addition he is writing with acts like Seal, Jason Mraz, Gwen Stefani, Pussy Cat Dolls, Duffy, Ben's Brother and Nick Lechay, as well as developing new blood from his "Deamon productions" studio, based in Notting hill, London, including the amazing Double 0 Zero band.

Sacha has produced the talented Tristan Prettyman album, Jive records, Amie Mirellio, Richard Fleeshman and is starting Ilse Delange's new record.

Sacha has recently co-written the comeback single for Gareth Gates, "Changes". Ben's Brothers debut single, "Beauty Queen". Adele's "Cold Shoulder", multiple songs on Jason Mraz's album "We Sing and We Dance and We Steal Things" and Make a Change for German super band No Angels. Kalan Porter's "Run run run", Ryan Cabrera's "How about tonight" and has co-written six songs on Tristan Prettyman's album, "Hello".

Tristan Prettyman Is Just Having Fun

Singer-songwriter Tristan Prettyman will make a stop in Philly this weekend, appearing at Festival Pier with G. Love and the John Butler Trio on Saturday night.

Prettyman's second album, "Hello," has been her career breakout, debuting in the Top 30 of Billboard's Top 200 albums chart and at No. 2 on its Top Digital Albums listing. In only two months, the record has sold about 40,000 copies -- as many as her debut album, 2000's "twenty-three" sold it in its first year.

Read more here.

Sacha Ivor Interview

Short interview with Sacha Skarbek for the Ivor Novello Awards programme.

Read more here.

Sacha talks to CNBC

Sacha Skarbek & Martin Terefe talk to CNBC!

Read more here.

From Bucks Music Group

"Sacha showed early talent as a musician, winning many piano competitions from the age of seven. Awarded music scholarships to Northbourne Park and King's School Canterbury, Sacha was taught by the distinguished pianist Ronald Smith and played French horn, clarinet and percussion. He went on to study in Oxford where he gained a degree in music."

Read more here.

From the BBC

"Sacha Skarbek - Sacha Skarbek is a Grammy nominated and two time Ivor Novello winning songwriter who's worked with artists such as Samantha Mumba and Beverley Knight, and who also played a key role in the development of James Blunt with whom he wrote the worldwide no.1 hit 'You're Beautiful'."

Read more here.

Deamon Productions is Sacha's own production company based at his studio known as the "The Lodge" (part of Kensaltown Studios in west London). Here, Sacha and his team write, record and produce daily. At any given time they are working on multiple development projects as well as producing major artists.

THE TEAM

Pete Ibsen - Biography

After finishing his degree in Denmark in the mid 90’s, Peter Ibsen came to the UK to follow his dream, passion and determination to turn his musical and entrepreneurial skills into success in the music industry. In 1999, after masterminding and developing his own girl band (Made In London), the doors opened wide with a record deal with RCA and publishing deal with Warner Chappell.

Since then, Pete hasn’t looked back. The long list of famous collaborations and credits to his name include Victoria Beckham, Sugarbabes, Genuwine, Stella Sollei, MN8, Billy Crawford, Amanda Ghost, Hugo Chakrabongse, No Angels and Babyface to name a few. He has also been instrumental in the recent development of new acts such as Double 0 Zero, Kate Elsworth, The Harajuku Girls, Amanda Ghost and Hugo Chakrabongse, not to mention music composed music for film & TV including Hollywood’s finest with music and songs in several new movies including Lady In The Water, Da Vinci Code, Crossover, Spring Break, Like Mike 2 and numerous acclaimed TV shows and series.

After over ten years of colaborations, Pete joined forces with Sacha Skarbek in 2006 as part of the team known as Deamon Productions. He also owns his own publishing, production & music supervision company, Face Family.

Ainsley Adams - Biography

Ainsley is a sound engineer, guitarist and aspiring producer who also happens to be the son of Moody Blues former lead singer/guitarist and co founder of Wings, Denny Laine.

At the age of seven he moved to a small town in Spain where he grew up. Coming from a family of passionate musicians, it was no surprise that by fifteen he had picked up a guitar, was writing songs and playing in local rock bands. Shortly after he started recording his own music and working in a professional studio.

Frustrated by the lack of musical diversity in the area where he lived, at 19 he decided to move to Barcelona, where he continued his studies at various audio/music colleges, experimented as a DJ and ventured into the avant-garde electronic music scene. After finishing his studies in barcelona he moved to London to pursue a career as a producer. He is now Sacha's PA, engineer and all round studio maintainer. Ainsley is currently producing his own band project "To Venture Planes".

THE LODGE

The lodge is a comfortable and functional recording facility which is part of the fantastic kensaltown community.

The studio itself consists of a main recording room, drum booth and live room all of which have natural daylight. Our centerpiece is the 1970's B range Trident, complemented by a great selection of outboard gear, Tannoy, Genelec and Proac monitoring, the super-functional HEAR monitoring system, and top of the range instruments, including a Scimmel upright piano, a fully restored fender rhodes suitcase, a top of the range Gretch drumkit and a selection of rare analog synths. For more photos, please check out the gallery.

Artists

• To Venture Planes
• Shelly Poole
• Ben Parker
• Rosie Wilson
• James Blunt
• Miguel Stanley
• Panchos Lament
• Tom Baxter
• Jason Mraz
• Ben's Brother
• Double 0 Zero
• Tristan Prettyman
• Dawn Kinnard

Friends

• ABLETON LIVE
• Aspire Design Studios
• Karen Poole
• Bucks Music Group
• Greg Wells
• Universal Publishing
• Martin Terefe
• Kensaltown Records