“The Savage Line”
(2021 Version)
by Make Believe Friends
Produced by Luis Maldonado (Foreigner)
The Savage Line (composed by Laura Espinoza & Luis Maldonado), is based on the infamous 2008 "Battle of Wanat" in Afghanistan. The song was originally released on Lunden Reign’s critically acclaimed album: “American Stranger” (Cleopatra Records). This updated version sung by Mindy Milburn and created as a possible soundtrack for an upcoming movie about the battle. Michael Bluestein (Foreigner), Geoff Pearlman (Echo in the Canyon Band), and Marc Slutsky (Peter Murphy), also contributed to this version.
Make Believe Friends
(aka Lunden Reign)
Lunden Reign was created during a tour of the UK in 2013 by Laura Espinoza & Nikki Lunden. Luis and Laura, the primary songwriters of Lunden Reign, began their co-writing partnership after “RockBand3 (video game) wanted to add two of their songs to the interactive playlist. Luis agreed to produce the songs and after they began writing together for LR’s two critically acclaimed albums: “American Stranger” and “Confessions” (both also produced by Luis Maldonado).
Most of the recording for these albums took place at Capitol Records, Hollywood and Stagg Street Studios, Van Nuys and released on Cleopatra Records. These albums can be heard on all major platforms including Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and videos on YouTube under Lunden Reign or Make Believe Friends Band:
MakeBelieveFriendsBand.com
After Nikki Lunden’s departure to pursue a solo career, Laura Espinoza & Mindy Milburn created Make Believe Friends (“MBF”), as a sister band to Lunden Reign that allows each to have their own unique style. However, songs from each are intertwined in live performances.
“American Stranger” was turned into a live musical by Laura Espinoza in 2018 when it debuted at the Hollywood Fringe Festival winning “Best Of” and several other honors. American Stranger - the musical will return to the stage in 2022 with a larger cast and length with Mindy Milburn returning as the lead character.
Laura Espinoza
Laura is 3-time Emmy winning TV producer and the primary songwriter/guitarist for both bands. She is also host of “The Rock Radio Show” on KBUU-FM, Malibu/Los Angeles. Laura has recorded at Capitol Records, and Abbey Road, UK. She has performed live with Terri Nunn (Berlin), Dale Bozzio (Missing Persons) and other legends of rock music.
Luis Maldonado
Luis is a Los Angeles based musician, writer, and performer. He has worked with artists such as Train, Lisa Marie Presley, John Waite, Bigelf, Into the Presence, Glenn Hughes and others. Luis began his professional journey in music at 19 in the Bay area with Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, allowing him to work with artists such as Michael Schenker, Artension, U.F.O., and Cairo to name a few. He's been featured in Guitar Player Magazine, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and numerous TV performances. Through years of touring, recorded performances, and writing for artists, Luis has continued to stay current in today's music industry.
Mindy Milburn
Mindy is not only the lead singer of MBF, but she has also been involved in musical theatre productions in Hollywood and a member of an ensemble cast at the Carousel Theatre in Akron, Ohio. She studied at the Cleveland Ballet and has done commercial modeling for The Talent Group. She has also danced professionally for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. Mindy also played the role of Holly Bunch in the 2003 motion picture “Haywire”.
Example Curriculum
- Aligning Drum Tracks (9:51)
- Dialing Up a Basic Drum Mix (5:29)
- The Overheads (7:46)
- The Kick Drum (8:34)
- The Snare Drum (5:50)
- Adding Punch to the Kick and Snare (4:39)
- The Toms (5:21)
- The Tambourine (2:56)
- The Room Mics (3:43)
- The Spot Mic (3:49)
- Room Reverb (3:10)
- The Cymbal Swell (3:25)
- Polarity Optimization (2:53)