Studio: Day Twelve
Today Dave went in first to get some guitar work done on "Ashes". I had most of the day free to myself before I was expected late afternoon/evening. Gummo sent me the first rough mix of "Said You'd Be" and then later the first rough of "She Won't Last". The rain slowed down, and I thought it might be a nice time for a long walk. I dumped the new versions on the iPod, got some warm clothes on, and hit the streets. I walked for about 45 minutes and just listened to "She Won't Last" over and over. It's still being built, but I am so happy with how it is turning out. The song has never sounded near as full and dramatic as it does now.
I got on the subway and took it to Hollywood Boulevard. With the streets wet with rain, all the neon lights reflect and it looks so pretty. I walked up and down Hollywood Blvd, past the tattoo and T-shirt shops, the frightened tourists, and pizza joints. In front of the Hollywood/Highland shopping center, they had erected the stands for next weekend's Academy Awards. I walked to the Capitol Records building and looked in the window at all the gold records on the wall. I walked for about 3 hours, and once I wound up at the studio, I realized I had been listening to "She Won't Last" on repeat the whole time. I am so happy with this one.
Some songs, like "Said You'd Be" are simple to track because you really know how you want it to sound, and the most important thing is to maintain the authenticity of the "live" sound. Here's an analogy: When a sculptor makes a statue out of stone, they have to have the idea of the finished statue perfectly laid out mentally before they begin, then they chip away the negative space, and what's left is ...voila! - a statue. I see songs like "Said You'd Be" this way... you know what's "inside" before you begin.
"She Won't Last" is different. I see this one more like a clay sculpture. With clay, you start with a blob, then add more and more on, until a shape starts to emerge. With more and more detail, the sculpture eventually becomes "finished". The "shape" of "She Won't Last" became clearer in the last day, and now I am so excited to keep "sculpting" until completion. There is no way to know how this one will truly turn out, and that's pretty exciting.
Tomorrow is our last day in the studio, and we will be working mainly (if not solely) on this one.
Meanwhile, back at the studio this evening, I arrived and found Dave still knee deep in "Ashes". At 10pm I laid down one guitar track, then went home to let Gummo comp the vocals to "Left to Lose". By the way, Gummo is really doing a great job, 12-14 hour days every day, and keeping the whole project focused and on track, and we really appreciate his creativity and hard work.
Afterwards, the rain turned into a full-on storm and beat Los Angeles with wall after wall of water.
Comments
wow man, that blog was so descriptive... really got me into the mood of your day..god i sound like a hippie!
Glad to hear you are enjoying the songs.
Posted by: tommie | February 20, 2005 04:55 AM
"I got on the subway and took it to Hollywood Boulevard. With the streets wet with rain, all the neon lights reflect and it looks so pretty. I walked up and down Hollywood Blvd, past the tattoo and T-shirt shops, the frightened tourists, and pizza joints. In front of the Hollywood/Highland shopping center, they had erected the stands for next weekend's Academy Awards. I walked to the Capitol Records building and looked in the window at all the gold records on the wall."
I hope when this recording is done, and been released, when you are on the road, and experiencing the feedback from the fans you will garner, that you always remember this moment. Particularly when you head back to Capitol to see your record placed on the wall.
Cheers!
Mike C. (FLA)
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2005 06:44 AM
Last day in the studio? Meaning the record will be finished?
Posted by: Six7Six7 | February 20, 2005 07:26 AM
Mike, I quoted that exact portion to a friend. It's brilliant.
Steve, I am fascinated by how your creative mind works and reading this makes me feel like I am peeking into something I shouldn't be. Your writings are so intimate and perfect snapshots of your feelings "in the moment". I love that. Thanks for these little windows.
~ Susan
Posted by: Suz | February 20, 2005 10:40 AM
Great post. Shows how much goes into an album -- at least by those who are doing so for more than just to make $$$.
Some questions about the process: What happens after you finish recording? Who takes over --Gummo? What do they do? And how are you guys involved in it -- to make final decisions? All in all, how does the album go from recording of this and that in the studio to jewel case on the shelf or MP3 in iTunes?
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2005 11:47 AM
Actually, as it relates to iTunes, I would think you guys want to "release" the album in a special Internet/WWW-connected way -- via iTunes certainly, but maybe something else. You know, something to recognize the unique way this band and the album have come into creation. Are you guys going in that direction?
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2005 11:50 AM
Good luck with the wrap on "Ashes" man. I know that song has a lot of personal meaning to you. I know today will probably be both a relief and also kind of sad, in a way. Here's a toast to job well done fellas!
Posted by: Lyn | February 20, 2005 08:53 PM
Steve- I am so glad you are almost done with the whole studio process. It really has been inspiring to read your details on the process, both the ups and downs of it all. So a big thanks for giving a "simple fan" the insider scoop. As I write there is soldering smoke in the air, as my guitar is being modded out by my best friend. I have been inspired by you and the guys to step up my game "sonically" as a guitar player. I look forward to hearing the end results. I would have never imagined a band would create an environement TPC Community where other's could step up and record with people across the nation/world. Hopefully my guitar mods will be finished to complete the guitar tracks to "Lullaby." Thanks Steve, you rule!
Brett
Posted by: Brett | February 20, 2005 09:24 PM
I'm so hyped for the album.
You guys have been working like dogs!
Posted by: AMBER | February 21, 2005 12:10 AM
Steve,
I really appreciated the analogy to sculpting. That description just seemed to ice the cake on your fabulous post. It's been really cool to read about your experience in this journey, and I for one am going to petition you to put all of these posts together in a book someday! (You write very well, by the way.)
Anyway, keep up the good work. I bet it feels good to be pleased with what you are doing.
Jen
Posted by: Jennifer | February 21, 2005 05:36 AM