Making Brighter Side

The Big Day...

2008-03-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy busy last few months and tomorrow is the big day. Brighter Side will be in stores and online for your purchasing (and then listening) needs! A few entries back I said I would use this blog as a touring blog which, now half way through the Matt White tour, I have unsuccessfully followed through with. So what I decided to do is celebrate the release of the album by retiring this blog. I started this blog over the summer during the recording process and now that the album is out I feel this particular blog need no longer be! Not to say I won't be blogging anymore... I'll be back, no worries! You can still read blogs on myspace and facebook, etc...

So if you didn't follow this blog from start to finish I suggest you go back to the first entry and watch all the videos on making the album. Relive the magic!!

Anyway, thanks to everyone who plans to go buy the album tomorrow! WE DID IT, HURRAY!!!

-Brad

The Value of Music

2008-03-03T13:11:00.000-08:00

The Value of Music

With music so easily accessible today, the value in music is dwindling. I can’t help but notice, from my own experience, that more and more people just aren’t buying music anymore. They either illegally download it or burn a copy of the CD from a friend. How this helps the artist I couldn’t possibly tell you, other than it “gets the word out” about them. As great as that is, once the “word is out” and you know about that artist, it is your responsibility to then purchase that music if you like it. The problem is the majority of people don’t. Even if they only like one song, the amount of 99 cents seems to be too much of a sacrifice for a song they could listen to forever.

A prime example would be my song “Better With You.” This song was featured in an episode of Laguna Beach in late 2004. The song was not available on iTunes yet when the show aired, so fans of the show turned to Limewire in order to find the song. What they ended up finding was a rough acoustic version of the song, which I recorded in my bedroom in 2003. This version of the song leaked out and unofficially became the known version of the song. From the artist’s view point, I can’t stand that that’s the version of “Better With You” people know. It was unfinished, sounds terrible, and I was unconfident in the song at the time, which I had every right to be because it was a demo for my own reference. But alas, somebody leaked it out to Limewire. Now that version is used on peoples personal YouTube videos, I can tell when guitarists cover it because they do the same exact count in as I did on the bedroom demo, and I’ve even come across it on wedding photographer’s websites.

So why is this a problem? Shouldn’t I be happy that my music is “out there.” Well, for one, the version that is out there I don’t even approve of, so no. Second, when I find that somebody has used that version of the song in their video it only tells me that they didn’t buy it, they just wanted to illegally download my music because it’s free that way. So, you get what you pay for. But in lies a problem. By doing this you strip yourself from being a true fan of music because you give it no value. You just ripped it off and look at it as a disposable product.

Music makes you feel things you could have never felt before. It’s a connection you will not get anywhere else. It mends relationships, ends relationships, and creates memories you’ll never forget for the rest of your life. But for some reason, in today’s society, that sentimentality isn’t even worth a dollar to most people.

Again, back to my song “Better With You” for an example. I came across a woman’s wedding photography website which had the song playing on her front page. Normally when people write me and ask if they can use a song for something, I give them the okay, so long as they just buy the song off iTunes or get the CD. When I was at this woman’s website I noticed the version of “Better With You” was that old crummy bedroom demo I disapprove of. Obviously she had illegally downloaded it. I took it upon myself to write her and let her know that I have no problem with her using the song on her website, but asked that she at least purchase the album version if she use it. Her response was that she would just go ahead and take it down from her site. So instead of investing a measly 99 cents into her business, she chose to just take the song down. I only found it fair that if she was to use my music to promote her own business, that if anything, paying for that one song wasn’t too much to ask. But no.

But that’s the way most people are. They will take the song and make it their own. Live through it and share it with others. But the moment you ask them to support the artist they shut off and close down. The artist becomes the bad guy, trust me, it’s happened to me before several times.

I am so fortunate to have made it this far in the music business, especially on my own, without a major label. But as my career builds and more people know about me, it becomes a balancing act of trying to maintain this career so I can keep doing it, and trying to get those that know about Five Times August to willingly support it the right way. By purchasing the music, not illegally downloading it, or burning a copy from a friend.

It’s a shock to me how important music is to our lives, yet, so many people take it for granted. They think they are “owed” it for some reason. We’ll make movies blockbusters, and athletes champions, but for a musician to truly rely on their listeners to come out to a concert or buy their albums, it’s a difficult task.

I’ll use sports even more so as an example. Thousands of people will pay high-dollar tickets to see their favorite sports team. Stadiums fill in every major football, basketball, baseball game. For a $12 nosebleed seat, or $150 seat on the sidelines, no price is too much to support your favorite team, yet, in the end how does it really affect the people who watch it other than giving them some excitement for a few hours?

Switch to a musician, where Kelly Clarkson had to cancel a stadium tour last year because she couldn’t sell enough tickets. This is a superstar musician who has had the utmost exposure on America’s most popular television show. You’d think that’d make a difference somewhat, but not for music. Most of you would respond to this with “Yeah, she was popular 6 years ago, there have been a million other Idols since then,” And that’s my point. Most people’s attention span with music lasts maybe a year or two until it’s on to the next popular song.

Others might argue “She’s got a million dollars, she doesn’t need my money.” But it all adds up. The same goes for unsigned artists like myself. Most people assume I have millions of dollars. I willingly admit I am far from having a million dollars in my bank account. In fact, I willingly admit that once my next record comes out I will be on my knees praying people buy it because I have invested enough money into this record that could put me in debt for a long long time. And that’s the honest truth. If my next record doesn’t sell, Five Times August goes on hiatus and I find myself a desk job.

So when you say “It’s just 99 cents, they don’t need it.” You not only kill the value of that song, you’re quickly killing the career of the person that wrote the song. There are so many artists out there that might be “on their way up,” but so many people illegally download their music they are actually struggling to hold on.

With that said. I can’t tell you to spend your money. You work hard for it too. But just as easily as you won’t spend 99 cents on a song, or $15 on a CD you can listen to as much as you want, whenever you want, you will spend $5 on a cup of coffee that’ll be gone in 10 minutes, $9.50 for a ticket to a movie that will be over in 2 hours, or even $35 on a t-shirt from Urban Outfitters that you could probably get at a thrift store for ¼ the price.

Simply put, it’s a job. Just as whatever you do for living is your job. You can’t make a living doing it if you’re not getting paid for it. No ifs ands or buts about it.

I want to wrap up this entry with my feelings on Limewire, because there seems to be a lot of confusion as to what “illegal” downloading means. I want to clear this up for anyone wondering the answer. Limewire, the program itself, is NOT illegal. When you share a file on Limewire, whether it be a movie, a song, or a picture, and you did not make it yourself and are sharing it without the consent of it’s creator, THAT is illegal file sharing. So to narrow it down a little more, I never gave anyone the right to share my music on Limewire, so when you download it, you ARE indeed breaking the law. Not only that, you are hurting my career.

But you might say “Brad, you should be grateful, I wouldn’t have known about you if not for Limewire.” And in some rare cases you might be right. I’ve gained some great fans out of Limewire that ended up buying my music later on. But I reiterate, it’s rare. The majority of people look at it as a way to get music for free, and that’s why I do not like it. If you are one of the people that use it as a tool to figure out if you like an artist before buying their music, I can understand that. But then again, what with myspace, ilike.com, purevolume, and even the 30 second samples on iTunes, why use Limewire anyway? Not only that, if you’ve taken the time to look at the official Five Times August website, you might’ve noticed full streams of every song available for your listening pleasure. But I digress…

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. I’m hoping it made a difference to some of you. And please, if you disagree with anything I said, go back and read it again because it should really make sense by now. There is no reason for illegal downloading and it’s killing the value of music, and killing the careers of those that make it. That’s my point and there’s no arguing against it. It’s coming straight from the artists mouth.

-Brad

the coolest thing I've done in my career so far...

2008-02-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

Last night I had the great honor and privilege to record in the historic Sun Studio in Memphis, TN. If you're not familiar with what this place is, it's pretty much the birth place of rock and roll. This was where Elvis made his first record. This was where Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis all got their start. U2 recorded part of Rattle and Hum here, with Bob Dylan and B.B. King even taking part on the album. Great Balls of Fire was recorded hear for crying out loud! So to be in this studio and actually get to record here was quite an experience, especially right after taking the tour.

I visited Sun Studio as a regular tourist a little over a year ago and took the tour. But, to follow up the tour this time with "okay, your turn" was very intimidating. Known for giving music legends their start, Sun Studio is getting back to what they do best with a program called "Sun Studio Sessions" where they invite up and coming musicians and bands to record a session while they video it. It will air online later this year and hopefully expand to an actual televised program. They were nice enough to let me invite a select number of fans in to watch my own session take place, which gave it a nice "playing for friends in a living room" feel, except it was Elvis and Johnny Cash's living room...

It's hard for me to explain how cool and amazing it was to have not only played, but recorded in that room. I should explain to you that without this studio popular music would not be what it is today. Without Elvis there would have not been The Beatles, and without the Beatles... well... enough said. So to be part of that history is overwhelming. I'm excited for you all to see the show.

Everyone who works at Sun is amazingly nice and made it so much more of experience than I could have ever expected. You can tell they all take much pride in working there, and why shouldn't they?? But it was awesome to work with such a real group of people that actually understand what the music industry SHOULD be. They get it, and I'm so glad to have made new friends with them.

I played a lot of new songs and a few oldies. For anyone interested, here was my set...

Giving It All To You
The Good Life
Do It Again
Wherever
Here
Sentimental Spell
Surface
Beautiful Girls
The Lighting
Better With You
Up To Me
Audience of Zero

In short, that was my experience. I'm still soaking it all in. I will have exclusive video and photos for you soon.

In the meantime, go listen to the first Elvis record, go listen to early Johnny Cash, go listen to Rattle and Hum (tracks 10-13). Do yourself a favor and go visit the Sun Studio website and learn about this place.

- Brad

Touring and such...

2008-02-05T17:43:00.000-08:00

Starting in March I will be using this blog as a touring blog as "hitting the road" seems to be the next phase of the record release. It's been very hard having things to report since finishing the album in the studio so I figure what better way to keep in touch with everyone than by notes from the road? Not that I haven't been busy, but almost too busy to keep up with all the preparation for releasing the record. I will be hitting the road in March supporting Geffen Records recording artist Matt White. I'm looking forward to meeting him and being back out on the road in support of the new album. I will most likely be on the road the rest of the year so there will be plenty to blog about and let you in on.

So until then, please keep promoting the new single "The Good Life" to your friends and call and request the single to you favorite local radio stations. See you soon!!

Brad from Athens, OH

"The Good Life" music video

2008-01-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

"The Good Life" single & video

2007-12-08T08:46:00.000-08:00

January 15th will be the release date for the digital single "The Good Life." Technically this will be the very first 'true' single Five Times August has released. This means there will actually be some real promotion behind it. It is the song we're going to push in hopes of getting some real radio play and I'll even be making a music video (something I've never done before). It's exciting and I hope you climb on board in helping promote the new record. You should check out the new FTA i-squad - it's important for you to join!

Kelly and I will be heading out to LA on the 16th to shoot the video on the 17th. We'll be working with a great new director Evan Lane who just did Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers new video for "Sweetest Goodbye." We have a pretty cool concept going for the video but I'm not going to spoil it, you'll just have to wait and see!

And now a "Brighter Side" timeline check in...

6 months since I started recording the album
4 months since the record was mixed
3 months since the record was mastered
1 month since the first single was released - "Overrated"
1 month until the REAL first single is released - "The Good Life"
3 months until the album is released

Are you ready for this record to come out yet? 'Cause I am!

Happy Holidays to you,
Brad

"Brighter Side" - Preview Bio

2007-11-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

Five Times August, a name with a reputation as one of the most important commodities in the music industry’s new business model for up and coming artists. The completely unsigned solo project of 24 year old Dallas, Texas native Brad Skistimas returns with the new album “Brighter Side.” After selling over 100,000 digital downloads without a record label, getting 18 song placements from one album on various popular television programs, and becoming the first unsigned act sold in Wal-Mart stores nationwide, one can only wonder what Five Times August will accomplish next.

With “Brighter Side,” Skistimas has crafted an album of balance. Relatable catchy pop tunes without the overly produced sound that invades today’s Top 40 market. The music is real and each song is its own. In the midst of an industry looking for one novelty hit after another, “Brighter Side” proves to have quality and charm. It’s not just another album with two polished hit songs and ten okay fillers. This album throws away the standard formula of co-writer after co-writer, heavily produced studio tricks, and keeping to a genre specific theme.

At the core you will find, simply, a songwriter with an acoustic guitar. Skistimas blends these acoustic pop arrangements with flavorful hints of roots, country, rock and even punk at times. The mellow “Who You Are” will appeal to fans of Norah Jones or Ryan Adams, while the rebelious rocker “Overrated” might pull in fans of Fall Out Boy or Green Day. The nineties-esque “One Way Road” reminisces that of Matchbox 20 or Hootie and the Blowfish while the blue-collar anthem “The Lighting” reflects the heavy electric guitars of Oasis. From start to finish the album takes you on a journey equivalent to a mix tape featuring a compilation of artists.

And it’s no wonder “Brighter Side” has a sound all it’s own, considering the team that helped Brad put it all together. Recorded in Dallas at Bass Propulsion Laboratories, it was produced by the studio’s owners, brothers Todd and Toby Pipes (Deep Blue Something, Drowning Pool, Flickerstick). At the recommendation of the Pipes Bros, Skistimas recruited local studio musicians for most of the instrumentation, but also took it upon himself to invite former Vertical Horizon drummer Ed Toth to provide a solid backbeat for the record.

“Since Five Times August is a solo project I have the freedom to bring in a variety of players to fit each album.” Skistimas says. “It’s great because those different inputs provide a level of comfort in knowing my sound will never get repetitive from one record to the next. It’s like forming a new band each time around.”

In addition to recording at BPL Studios, Skistimas had the album mixed by Grammy Award Winner Andy Zulla (Rod Stewart, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Simpson).

Five Times August wrapped up an extensive college tour in 2007, traveling 8 months out of the year, visiting 43 of the 50 states, and plans to start the whole thing up again in 2008 to support the release of “Brighter Side.” This time around FTA will be releasing the album with the help of Croshal Entertainment Group, a virtual label based out of LA.

“I figured if I accomplished what I did with my last album by mainly word of mouth and almost no promotion behind it there’s no telling what can happen if I actually give myself a marketing fund this time around!” Skistimas proclaims. “The great thing about working with CEG is that I’m still unsigned and in control of my own image and music, but will still get the attention that many major label releases receive.”

While Skistimas continues to break barriers as an unsigned artist, the music industry should prepare itself for a new breed of music and marketing upon the release of Five Times August’s upcoming release. “Brighter Side” will be in stores nationwide in March 2008.

"Overrated" iTunes single

2007-10-12T23:12:00.000-07:00

The digital single for Overrated will be available online October 31st (perhaps sooner, but that's the day I'm promoting!). It will be available on iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, & eMusic.

Things are starting to come together for the album release. The company I will be working with for the release is planning to release "Brighter Side" probably around late March. Originally I planned to release the record in January, but for promotional purposes (and some financial reasoning; read here) March is going to be the best time to release the new album. So you'll have to wait just a little bit longer, but that's the way it goes sometimes!

I will post another new track online before the release, most likely in November.

From Michigan,
Brad

"Overrated" Lyrics

2007-09-28T15:26:00.000-07:00

On September 30th the new single "Overrated" will be debuting on Myspace.com, iLike.com, and PureVolume.com...

About the song...
This song was written in October 2005. I think a lot of our society (especially the youth) is starting to get very materialistic with cars, ipods, clothing/image, partying, etc... things that are marketed to us in a way that make us think it's important to buy into whatever image it projects. As in, you're only cool if you look a certain way, drive a certain car, or listen to a certain type of music. To me that stuff has always been overrated because it's only cool until we're marketed something else, and that can change in a day. Sad thing is I don't think it's ever going to really stop because the average person takes what they're marketed and really does buy into it. I hope listeners will learn from the song in that it teaches them not to worry about looking cool or keeping up with the latest "what's hot and what's not" list. In about 20 years the straightened long black emo rockstar hair look will be the equivalent to your parents having an afro in the 70's...

"Overrated"
written by Brad Skistimas
from the forthcoming release "Brighter Side"

So what I need is a fast car
Maybe think like a superstar
'Cause "everybody's doing it"
I'll coin the phrase and prove it to all

What you are is your own self
At the bar you were someone else
That plaid skirt and button up shirt
Don't label who you are

And I see this is overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
It's never gonna stop

Hear a song on the radio
Sing along, so predictable
'Cause it's hard to be original
When everyone's so typical
Or maybe I'm just living it to

And I know it's not about me
Or anything that I've gotta say
'Cause it's all in how you see it
You might not believe it
The politics could change in a day

And I see this is overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
It's never gonna stop

And I see this is overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
I believe we're just concentrated
On what's overrated
It's all overrated
It's never gonna stop
Gonna stop no no no no
It's never gonna stop

copyright 2007 Seven Places Music (ASCAP)

Overrated [Digital Single]

2007-09-18T13:22:00.000-07:00

It's officially been announced that September 30th will be the debut of the new single "Overrated." I will be debuting it on myspace.com that day, as well as on iLike.com (which it will stream in MUCH better quality than myspace). Soon after it's debut the digital single should be released on iTunes for purchase.

Check back soon for lyrics to the song!

it's all overrated

2007-09-01T15:17:00.001-07:00

It's been a month since I last updated you guys on the album. Since we finished up recording it's been a wild ride the last few weeks. I was in LA working with Andy Zulla on mixing the record, then left for the tour as soon as I got back from that. While on the road I did a little research on who I wanted to master the record and I went with Adam Ayan at Gateway Mastering. I had to have Gateway send the reference master disc to our cozy hotel here in Meadville, PA. So we got that today and the record is pretty much done now! Hurray!

Now the question is... when are YOU going to get to hear this music?? As of right now, I'm planning to release "Brighter Side" in January of 2008. This will give me time to promote it's release properly and really make a splash when it's released. Now, because I'm such a nice guy and I don't want you guys waiting 3 or 4 more months on new music, I'm going to be adding one new track every month until then to my myspace. The first track will be "Overrated" and I hope to have it up by the end of September on the FTA myspace page, followed by a digital single release in iTunes and other digital stores.

When details are confirmed I will post them right here for you, and as we draw closer to it's debut I will post the lyrics for the song here as well.

Tomorrow and Monday I will be hanging out with photographer Mustafah Abdulaziz taking pics for the album artwork.

closing thoughts, go!

2007-07-31T15:53:00.000-07:00

It's been a wild ride. 21 days out of the last month I've made it my business to make the next "Thriller" record. Recording is now complete and it feels good. I'm proud of each song and I can't wait to get them into your ears. I really think you're going to love it.

I should give props to everyone who worked on the record. The following is a list of people you might've seen in videos and people you will hear on "Brighter Side"

Todd Pipes - producer, bass, crumar, and piano bits
Toby Pipes - producer, shakers, tambourine, and background vocals
Ed Toth - drums
Nolan Theis - bass
Josh Goode - keys and piano
Junior Knight - pedal steel

My parts on the record were vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, banjo, xylophone. Yeah there's xylophone on the album, what about it?! Anyway, thanks again to the other players for making the album what it is. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm excited about... and I want you to be too! :)

So the next step is the mixing process and I won't be there for most of it. I'll be heading out to LA in a few weeks to get the final mixes done, but until then Mr. Andy Zulla will be messing about with the sessions and making them pretty. I'll be back to report how my LA trip goes in a few weeks, so for now this is bye bye - thanks for following along on my adventure this month!

put a bow on it

2007-07-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #20

Tomorrow will officially be the last day in the studio, but we're basically done with everything. Soooo... that's all I've gotta say. I will be doing a final studio blog tomorrow and recap all of the greatness that will be this album. Until then...

let's tidy up

2007-07-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #19

I will be honest and say I don't have much to report. We're just going over the tunes one by one now and adding any little extras we find necessary. There are only a few more days and the adventure is over. It's gone by super fast and it went easier than I ever could have hoped for.

However, for you hardcore FTA fanatics that are dying to know what songs will be on the album I'm going to let you in on what the tracklisting will probably be. Some of you might have heard some these songs on the last tour and you can bet you'll be hearing them on the upcoming tour as well...

Brighter Side tracklisting:
1.) Giving It All To You
2.) The Good Life
3.) Overrated
4.) Surface
5.) Beautiful Girls
6.) Sunrise
7.) Sentimental Spell
8.) Here
9.) One Way Road
10.) Who You Are
11.) The Lighting
12.) It's Not Over

So anyway, of course we're still months away from releasing the album but I don't see anything wrong with sharing some insider info with you now.

No video today, sorry. I'll be making another 2 day montage tomorrow.

counting down from three...

2007-07-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #18

Three more days and we are complete with the recording process. Then the songs go out to L.A. to be mixed by Andy Zulla. We completed harmony for all twelve tracks today and tomorrow we start tidying up the tunes. I got home late last night so didn't take the time to make a video, so for today's video will be a two parter from yesterday and today.

I was home late because I went to see The Simpons movie. I'm not going to say anything about the movie for anyone who plans to see it. What I will mention, however, is the fact that I realized I can't go out to see movies anymore. It's annoying. We had the good fortune of sitting next to a couple of sweet 15 year old dudes that decided not to shut off their cell phones and talk on them several times throughout the movie. This should be of common knowledge to everyone now you'd think, but kids these days.. they just don't get it.

So anyway, this will be a short entry today for sake of having time to put together two days worth of clips.

oh junior!

2007-07-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #17

If you've been watching the videos lately you've probably noticed there are a lot of shots of me with the mandolin (that odd shaped guitar looking thing). What's funny about all of these shots is that out of all the days (today) we actually used the mandolin on the album, we did not get any footage of me playing it. However, here is some interesting facts about my mandolin:

1.) I got it for free with a 100 dollar guitar offer from musiciansfriend.com in 2003
2.) it is made by Johnson brand instruments
3.) It doesn't stay in tune very well

We had a nice time trying to get the mandolin to stay in tune for it's minute and a half part in "Giving It All To You" - it was very much a pain. I'm no mandolin player as it is, not only that, Johnson does not make very reliable instruments anyway. Out of frustration with the 'mando,' I came up with a slogan for Johnson instruments today and it goes as follows .... "If it doesn't say Johnson on it, it's probably a better brand."

After working out my wicked mandolin part we had a fellow come in by the name of Junior Knight who plays a mean pedal steel guitar. He was a very nice guy and has been a performing musician for almost 50 years. You will hear his work on "Giving It All To You" - a little bit in "It's Not Over" and he's the starring role in "Who You Are." He really knows his pedal steel.

Afterwards Toby started to track harmony for a few songs. These are what I call "stunt vocals" because I'm too afraid to do them. Not really, but for some reason my voice kept going into falsetto and it did not sound right.

We have 4 more days in the studio and I'm not sure if I've mentioned this or not, but I'm excited about this record.

tracing amy

2007-07-26T21:01:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #16

Yeah, I'm excited about this record. I'll say it now and I'll say it again later. Today we finished up keys and piano bits with Josh Goode. His work on the record is what I will refer to as 'flare' for the album. These are the bits that the average consumer won't hear until the 7th or 8th listen. You'll listen to it down the road and think "hey, I never heard that, that's kind of cool. no wonder why this song sounds like magic." Of course there are other bits on the keys and piano that are just there as a part of the song. So here is a big THUMBS UP to Josh Goode and his magic fingers for tickling the ivory these last few days. Additional 'flare' was also added by Toby today with his contiuous work on the shakourine.

Side note:
In yesterday's blog I posted a drawing of Amy Winehouse I doodled. Apparently some of you were unhappy with me for 'making fun' of another artist - but I must say that in my defense I did not depict anything in my picture that she doesn't already parade in her own commercial image. I don't have anything against anyone's music, that is, the actual melody and chords put together. However - I do have a problem with her statement (statement being the image she projects and her lyrics). I willingly admit I'm a fan of a good love song, that's why I write them. But it seems to me that this generation isn't growing up with many love songs. I find them more to be 'sex songs' which confuse young adults into thinking that that's what love is. Maybe I'm just some nerdy 'square' that doesn't find it necessary we have another drug abuseing prostitute looking superstar, but I don't agree with it, that's all.

Moving on...
I'm excited about this record.

the 'keys' to success

2007-07-25T17:40:00.001-07:00

STUDIO DAY #15

Today was indeed a long long day. What is normally a 35 minute drive to the studio in the morning took 2 1/2 hours. In downtown Dallas an industrial site exploded from continuous gas canisters igniting off each other. This caused various pieces of debri to fly about, making the city shut down several of the main highways next to the fire. This meant the only way to get where you wanted to go was through back roads. I took a guess, like many-a-people did, and just kind of drove toward where I was going and finally I got to the studio around noon. Luckily the drive home wasn't as bad, it only took an hour and fifteen minutes.

Apart from the sitting in traffic today, we had a productive time in the studio working with Josh Goode on keys/piano parts for the album. The songs are really starting to solidify now. Things are coming together and I'm getting excited. You should be too! Out of 12 of the tracks on the album I'd have to say 12 of them are hit singles. That means this album will blow your mind with a musical explosion to the likes of which you will never forget. But I digress...

After working with Josh, Toby went back to work on shakers and tambourine parts. This means that when I'm making liner notes for the album, Toby's credit shall read: Toby Pipes - Shakourine. I also enjoyed drawing a picture of Amy Winehouse and writing her a fan letter.

And now for the moment you wait for each and every day... the video...

the home stretch

2007-07-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #14

Back in the studio today. It's good to be back. Now is the time where I start to worry about whether or not we'll get the album done in time. We'll be in the studio every day for the next 8 days (counting today). Todd and Toby assure me we'll get everything done, and I know in the back of mind we're doing just fine. But me being "the artist" - I find it my duty to worry about these things.

We finished doubling vocals for "Overrated" and "It's Not Over" - then finished out the rest of the day doing tambourine parts. This was Toby's domain. Todd bet me $10 that Toby would mention 'Davy Jones Tambourine Camp.' He never did which was kind of a let down. For those of you who don't know who Davy Jones is, go listen to the Monkees (a guilty pleasure for us all).

Tomorrow we'll be tracking some keyboard parts. Joshe Goode of the Josh Goode Band will be laying that down for us. I haven't met him yet, but I'm sure it'll be a good time.

... and we're back?

2007-07-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

For some reason Blogger decided to put this blog under suspision of violating their terms of service yesterday, so I was unable to post a new entry. But we're back now so we can get back to business.

Yesterday we started doubling up vocals. This is where you sing certain parts of the song twice so it'll sound thicker in the final mix of the song. I haven't ever done this before and wasn't sure if I could pull it off - the main objective is to sing it almost the exact same way twice - but apparently I did really well at it according to those in the studio. Hurray for that.

After our sessions yesterday Todd and Toby packed up with their band for a mini-tour this next week, so I won't be heading back to the studio until they get back on the 24th. They will be in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois so I encourage you to check them out if you are in the area. DEEP BLUE SOMETHING'S MYSPACE - check it out. I'm sure you remember the song "Breakfast at Tiffany's" - well, that's them.

For the next week I will be doing some home recording, and also listening to a rough mix CD of the songs we have been working on. If I accomplish anything at home I'll be sure to post it. I've been messing around with a cover of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed." Maybe I'll share it with you soon.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!!

rockin' the suburbs

2007-07-16T08:37:00.001-07:00

STUDIO DAY #12

Finished up with electric guitar parts as of right now. If we think of something we want to add later, so be it, but at the moment it's time to move on. Tomorrow we will try our hand at harmony parts for the vocals. This was something I always felt the last album lacked in, so this time around it's gonna get done right!

I'm still trying to figure out what will come of the bonus disc for Brighter Side. It might be an "Acoustic Sessions vol.2" as I mentioned before, but I also thought of the idea of putting together a bonus CD while on the road from August - November. I thought it might be cool to compile recordings done in hotel rooms, live shows, and then also extra tracks from the Brighter Side sessions. There's also the possibility of doing a DVD. I'm interested to know what you guys would like for a bonus disc. I want to give you the most bang for your buck once the album is released. let me know...

bringing out the goods

2007-07-13T18:53:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #11

Today we started tracking electric guitar parts for the album. I brought in a couple of my own electrics, which was nice because one of them I haven't used much since 2003.

Songs worked on today :
Beautiful Girls
Overrated
It's Not Over
One Way Road
Sunrise
Giving It All To You.

Other than that there's not too much to report. My cousin John came to visit for a little bit. Later in the day Toby and Todd and I had discussed certain things wrong with the music industry.

Enjoy the weekend and I'll see ya Monday

so... go green?

2007-07-12T18:02:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #10

We finished up vocals today and we are getting ready to rock the electric guitar tomorrow. Today would have been an un-interesting day to film, but luckily we had a visitor come in named Jesse. I never met the guy until today, but Todd took it upon himself to interview Jesse for the blog. Without any warning, Jesse deemed it a good time to discuss his thoughts on politics, needless to say he's voting "Green" .. and why? Because... they're... about green?

big wheels keep on turnin'

2007-07-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #9

I'm starting to find it difficult to report things other than "the drums are done" - "the bass is done" - "we are working on vocals now" - "vocals are almost done" but surprisingly that's pretty much how things are going at the moment. Todd mentioned today that the album has actually been annoyingly easy so far, which is a GOOD thing. A lot of bands go into the studio un-prepared which can cause difficulties in the album making process. I started writing songs for this album about two years ago so I've had some time to get to know them pretty well. We're knocking them out without any problems, but I don't want to jinx us - hopefully we don't run into any problems.

Vocals are almost complete. We have three more to finish tomorrow and then we'll start adding the extra stuff that will fill out the record (electric guitar, keys, background vocals, etc...)

One of the songs we tracked today is called 'The Good Life,' which I actually started about four years ago. I never finished it because I couldn't ever think of a chorus for some reason. Low and behold, a month or so ago I finished it and is now ready for pop music super smash hit stardom. For the hardcore fans of 'Better With You', this one knocks it out of the park.

Enjoy the video and the "bonus" footage at the end...

the emoto-transformer 3000

2007-07-10T17:08:00.000-07:00

STUDIO DAY #8

We started vocals today, which means all eyes are on me. If my vocals aren't good, the whole record goes down the tanker. I've decided to skip over my worries by purchasing the emoto-transformer 3000. A new piece of studio gear where all you have to do is speak the words and then program the melody in the computer and choose which emotion you want to convey in the song, and you are all set with perfect pitch! Just kidding, I made that up. I will not be pulling any cheap stunts like that - you get the real deal baby!

Anyway, we tracked vocals for Who You Are, One Way Road, Beautiful Girls, Giving It All To You, and started on Here. As we started to work on Here I realized I was getting rather hungry, as I had previously informed Todd and Toby my interest in eating a Chicken Fried Steak. My two PB&J sandies and bag of Sun Chips didn't hold me over throughout the day as I had planned.

I do realize my lunch menu is a normal part of my recording blogs, but I should stress that food is an important part of my day. I like it, it tastes good. It makes me work better. It also fills in space for the worded portion of these blogs :)