January 24, 2009
Saturday

Ketchikan, Alaska - For Darren Morze, proprietor of Philadelphia-based Plan B Recording Studios, an average day involves recording some of the east coast's finest musicians, doing live sound for legendary bands at Philadelphia's Trocadero Theater, and rehearsing with his NYC-based indie rock band, Native Black. This Winter, Ketchikan residents Carol Alley and Jason Custer switched up Morze's schedule, offering him a free plane ticket, housing, and all-you-can-eat king salmon and halibut in return for some technical assistance. "Sure!" said Morze, a dedicated fan of seafood and travel. "This is like winning the lottery!"

Morze resided in Ketchikan from December 26th through January 10th, helping Carol Alley set up recording equipment at her community arts space, The stARTled salmon, and recording local Ketchikan musicians for free, and for small donations.

Morze worked with artists Pariah, Dave Rubin, Southside Totems, Carl and Tom Thompson, Chris Wilhelm, and the stARTled salmon's Winter Break Music Camp with Sitka guitar teacher Hank Moore, helping to empower musicians to find new modes of expression, and learn basic studio recording techniques. "It's great to work with people who really care about the music they're making," Morze reflected.

The end result of two weeks' work was a whopping 6 CDs of material! Carol Alley learned the in's and out's of recording, and is now prepared to continue to use The stARTled salmon as a recording studio for local artists.

Morze and Custer have been friends for several years, and have collaborated on community service projects in the past. Last year, they put on a concert in an impoverished, rural Appalachian community in Virginia, raising money and hope for a free community skate park for youth.

"As a musician and a studio engineer, Darren is among the best and most creative in the world. Yet he doesn't have the negative attitude or ego that's commonly associated with the music industry. He has the rare ability to always see and bring the best out of anyone, and then capture it. Working with Darren has been a high point in many people's lives, including my own."

From Ketchikan, Morze traveled back to Philadelphia to spend time with friends and family, and then will travel to Denmark, where he will be composing a soundtrack for a film.

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Ketchikan, Alaska