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.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
counting down from three...
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.
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.
Friday, July 27, 2007
oh junior!
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.
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.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
tracing amy
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.
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.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
the 'keys' to success
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...
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
the home stretch
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.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
... and we're back?
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!!
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!!
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