Signal Meridian: Paying Tribute to Underappreciated Songs through Reinvention
A passion project for Blue Élan Records co-founder Kirk Pasich, Signal Meridian is a group of world-class session musicians and vocalists organized into a collective to reinterpret, reinvent and reinvigorate underappreciated songs from all genres.
The four-chapter series begins with Signals in Autumn, 10 tracks covering protean U.K. band Strawbs, who started in the ‘60s as a bluegrass duo before morphing into a leading folk-rock band (featuring Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny), a prog-rock outfit (with future Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman) and finally, roots rock. Vocalists include Blue Élan recording artists Bernie Barlow (Moody Blues, Melissa Etheridge) and Jordan West (Grace Potter, Cam), along with Vanessa Bryan (Lady Gaga, the Killers) and Holly Palmer (David Bowie, Gnarls Barkley).
CHAPTER 1
SIGNALS IN AUTUMN
CHAPTER 1
THE COLLECTIVE
KIRK PASICH
Blue Élan Records co-founder Kirk Pasich was trained as a classical organist from the time he was five years old. But he also wanted to be a lawyer As a lawyer, he has been recognized by Variety and the Hollywood Reporter as one of the top entertainment lawyers in Los Angeles and by various legal publications as one of the nation’s top lawyers representing artists, record labels, and motion picture studios and television networks in disputes with insurance companies. On the music side, he once wrote record reviews and has managed rock bands. Since co-founding Blue Élan, he also has produced records for a wide range of artists, as well as producing various recording projects benefitting charities such as UCLA Health Operation Mend and the Alliance for Children’s Rights.
Signal Meridian started as a passion project for Kirk in early 2026, with the goal to record an album revisiting the songs of a group whose music he has loved since his college days. When some of his favorite—and the best—musicians and singers came on board, Kirk decided that the collaboration should be more than a one-off project. That initial album is now the first in a series of planned albums, each revisiting some of the artists and songwriters that Kirk long has respected, while also sharing original music written by Signal Meridian’s members.
Producer
SASHA SMITH
Sasha Smith is a Los Angeles-based keyboardist and session musician whose piano work has supported a range of artists, including Cat Power, Ariana Grande, Everclear, The Wallflowers, Freedy Johnston, Ann Wilson, Sam Beam, Priscilla Ahn, Sia, and Audrey McGraw. He composed the music for Emmy-winning film Baby Blue and has played on Grammy-nominated albums "Somebody Save Me" by Sugaray Rayford and "Manuscritos" by Claudia Brant. Raised in rural Sonoma County, Smith began playing piano at a young age. He later apprenticed with Tom Waits before relocating to Los Angeles, where he became a sought-after collaborator in studios and on tour.
“I had almost zero knowledge of the Strawbs before this record. I had only heard their name mentioned by my friend Andy while on tour in the UK. Going into the studio to do this project has been many things, including a tremendous pleasure, challenging, gratifying, humbling, and even terrifying at times. Baked into their writing is both a playfulness and complexity which makes for a musical rollercoaster. The Strawbs Roster has included incredible musicians like Sandy Denny, Rick Wakeman, and Blue Weaver among many others.”
“Lots and lots of practice and prep time. Much like a live performance, much of the actual work was done beforehand. I'm very thankful to have been surrounded by such hard-working talented musicians and crew. We made spreadsheets and divided up chart making, matching singers to songs, finding the right key for each singer, and making checklists for each song. In doing all the prep work the sessions felt more free and spontaneous when the rubber met the road.”
“Dream project, dream team, very challenging and yet equally gratifying - we can do hard things :)”
Producer / Keys
BERNIE BARLOW
Bernie Barlow is a long-time singer songwriter in Los Angeles. Individually, her sound would be classified as Americana blues-infused folk-rock. She spent many years on the road touring and recording with artists as a backing vocalist. She's no stranger to prog rock after touring with The Moody Blues for nearly a decade. Strawbs were just a stone’s throw away .
“I'd never heard of Strawbs until I got an email from Kirk Pasich saying, ‘Hey do you want to come and sing some songs on a project with a bunch of amazing other musicians.’ ‘Why, yes, of course. I'm game and always up for a musical adventure.’ So happy I did ... “
“What a talented bunch was assembled for this project . It was a rare pleasure that week of recording at Dave's Room. So glad I said yes. Looking forward to another adventure!”
Vocals
PAUL TRUDEAU
Paul Trudeau’s musical career began in Cambridge, Massachusetts. At age 11, Paul attended and studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. By age 15, he had joined his first band in Boston and toured extensively around New England and Canada before moving to California at the age of 18.
Once in Los Angeles, Trudeau joined Polydor recording artists Darling Cruel touring and collaborating with Gregory Darling and Tony Visconte. While enjoying a dual career as a singer/songwriter and performing with a variety of national acts, he independently released his first album under the band name Radiojones. He would later go on to release two more albums. “Shirley Road” in 2017 and “Lost Diamond Boy,” his debut release with Blue Élan records in 2025.
His touring and recording credits include Billy Idol, Susanna Hoffs, Rick Springfield, Melissa Etheridge, Lifehouse, Blinker The Star, and Meredith Brooks.
"I wasn't very familiar with Strawbs prior to my involvement with these sessions. With Kirk at the helm and working with all of these incredible musicians and artists, I can honestly say that the 5 days spent in the studio tracking this album were some of the most enjoyable and creatively satisfying times I have ever experienced!! I also had the chance to do something that I have NEVER done in the studio ... playing an improvised synth intro with the amazingly talented Sahsa Smith!! So much fun!! I can't wait to perform this live with everybody!!"
Guitar
HOLLY PALMER
Holly Palmer’s voice has shaped other people’s landmark moments — and forged a genre-defying catalog all her own.
She’s the voice David Bowie brought in alongside his own on “Thursday’s Child,” the opening track of his album “Hours.” It marked the start of a run as vocalist and percussionist in his touring band that spanned six Bowie albums in all: two studio (“Hours” and “Toy”) and four live (“Live at the Beeb,” “VH1 Storytellers,” and the posthumous “Live at Glastonbury 2000” and “Something in the Air (Live Paris 99)”). She’s also toured with Seal, duetted with Michael Bublé, and built a solo career spanning seven albums, from her Warner Bros. debut (Female Newcomer of the Year, The Sunday Times) to “Tender Hooks” with Howie B (U2, Björk) to “A Family Album,” a record about raising her son Maceo that The Mail on Sunday named one of the “Top 100 Albums of All Time.”
Mid-career, she went back to school for a Master’s in Vocal Arts and Opera, not to leave the stage behind, but to understand more about the mechanics of her instrument, from the inside out. That curiosity became “Metamorphosis,” her latest album: jazz-inflected art-pop made with David Bowie’s Blackstar rhythm section and a cast of heavyweight collaborators — a record that sounds like someone using what she knows about the voice to find sounds she’s never made before. It is a record, she says, which is “full of feelings I’d previously not found a way to express.”
What else can this instrument do? It’s the question that’s kept her moving into a new album currently in preproduction with producer Chris Bruce (Meshell Ndegeocello), onto concert stages, into film and TV work like The Land (Hulu), Babes (Netflix), and The Exorcist: Believer (Blumhouse), and various advertising campaigns.
Alongside her performing and recording work, Holly is drawn to artist development and passing on to artists just starting out what the road, the studio, and these extraordinary experiences have taught her.
Vocals
VANESSA BRYAN
Vanessa Bryan is a powerhouse vocalist and recording artist with a voice naturally rooted in rock and steeped in soul—gritty yet sweet, tender yet explosive. Born and raised in Eagle River, Alaska, and now based in Los Angeles, she has built a career defined by extraordinary vocal range, emotional fearlessness, and an undeniable command of the stage.
Vanessa’s voice has taken her around the world, from two world tours with Idina Menzel and Madison Square Garden to Coachella alongside RAYE, Glastonbury with The Killers, touring with Gwen Stefani, and performing at the White House.
Equally magnetic in front of a roaring festival crowd or a full orchestra, Vanessa has been featured with MUSE/IQUE, bringing her own soulful, rock-inflected artistry to the legendary music of Etta James and Quincy Jones.
Her recording credits include Lady Gaga’s Grammy-nominated Chromatica, including “Babylon,” and most recently, Ziggy Marley’s Brightside.
Beyond the credits is an artist with a voice entirely her own—soulful, fearless, and deeply human. Whether onstage or in the studio, Vanessa Bryan brings raw power and vulnerability together, creating performances that are not just heard, but felt.
Vocals
ADAM GIMENEZ
Adam Gimenez is a guitarist/vocalist based in Los Angeles, renowned for his versatile playing across multiple genres, including pop, rock, country, R&B, bluegrass, and Latin music. Originally from Nashville, Adam relocated to LA where he quickly made a name for himself in both the studio and live performance scenes. His guitar work can be heard on recordings with Giorgio Moroder, Raney Shockne, and many up-and-coming artists. He's also toured with artists such as Paris Jackson, 3OH!3, and Savannah Pope, and collaborated with Nick Cannon, Klondike Blonde, and Sahn.
With a broad range of musical expertise, Adam has become a sought-after player for high-end private events, delivering exceptional performances tailored to each occasion. In addition to his diverse session and live work, Adam has appeared on stage with tribute bands celebrating the music of Led Zeppelin, The Doors, and The Rolling Stones. Whether working in the studio, touring, or performing at exclusive events, Adam brings technical mastery, creative flair, and an unmatched work ethic to every musical project he takes on.
Guitar / Vocals
JORDAN WEST
Jordan West is a drummer, vocalist, and songwriter living in Los Angeles. Artists Jordan has worked with live and in the studio include Grace Potter, JP Saxe, Cam, Brittney Spencer, Christina Perri, Seal, BORNS, Ny Oh, Ally Salort, Dresage, Scout Durwood, Judith Hill, Gary Jules, and Garrison Starr, among others.
Going into the studio to record these songs was such a fun challenge. My dad loved Rush growing up but that was my only real experience with prog music. I loved how intricate these songs were, and how fun to play. The other musicians and vocalists in the group are so inspiring and I think together we made something special.
Drums / Vocals
KURTIS KEBER
Kurtis Keber is a Los Angeles based session and touring Bass Player. For the last 8 years he has been a part of Grace Potters touring and recording band. In 2020 he was the bassist on the Grammy-nominated album Daylight, which received the nomination for best Rock Album. The title track, Daylight also received a nomination for best Rock Performance, which he played on as well. He has also toured and recorded with artists such as Mickey Thomas (Jefferson Starship), Teri Nunn (Berlin), Aly & AJ, Brittney Spencer, and Devon Gilfilian. When Kurtis isn’t on tour he is a circulating session player in the singer- songwriter Los Angeles community.
Bass
VAL McCALLUM
Whether or not you’ve heard of Val McCallum, you’ve undoubtedly heard his work. Val is a supremely talented guitarist, singer, songwriter and studio musician who got his start recording for the legendary Harry Nilsson at age 18. After 30 years of working with such artists as Jackson Browne, Randy Newman, Lucinda Williams, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and countless others, Val released his first solo album At The End Of The Day in 2013. Chateauguay followed in 2017. Next up was Beau Bow de Lune in 2021.
His latest solo album, As If We Didn’t Know, will be released in March 2027.
Guitar
GINNY LUKE
Ginny Luke is a dynamic and versatile performer, with scorching electric violin virtuosity, gripping vocals and world-class musicianship.
Equally as comfortable in concert halls as giant arenas, Ginny debuted with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony at age 14, performed at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16, recorded for Snoop Dog at 17, and established her touring career alongside Grammy-award winning artist Meat Loaf at 20 as a vocalist and featured solo electric violinist, playing arenas all over the world.
Ginny has both performed internationally to millions of people across the globe and alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry as a powerhouse vocalist, violinist, songwriter, and producer. (Artists include: Britney Spears, Black Eyed Peas, Will.I.Am, the Foo Fighters, AJR, Ashe, Finneas, Shawn Mendes, J.Cole, Miguel, Daniel Caesar, Hozier, Dave Matthews Band, Kenny Loggins, Englebert Humperdinck, Avril Lavigne, Miguel, 6lack, Iggy Azalea, AJR, Nicki Minaj, Skylar Grey, Ruben Studdard and Stevie Wonder and others). Ginny studied at Interlochen Arts Academy, University of Dubuque, Musician's Institute, California Institute of the Arts, and served on faculty at University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, teaching Pop Strings and private instruction for five years.
Ginny released her album “Devil at My Heels” under Blue Élan Records, which features Orianthi and Nili Brosh and is currently working with producers Taylor Graves, Tim Kobza and Onree Gill.
Electric Violin / Vocals