They Don't Call it "The Music Friends"
Man, the fucking business. Currently, life is plenty stocked up with lyrics, vocal parts, harmonies, doubles, guitar parts, re-doing guitar parts, tone searching, and trying to make a great record, without the business getting in the way. In the way it gets, though, and today was one of those days. Can't get into detail, but the point is that we have plenty to do trying to get inspiration and creativity captured on our precious two hard drives, without the insect-like buzzing of speakerphones mucking it up. All we can wish for is that the business will just help us get the music out the right way, and as soon as possible via a company that believes in us and what we are trying to do. We hope.
I got to work around 6pm on vocals. Gummo and I got a lot done tonight. I did my warm up routine, drank a few bottles of water, made some tea and honey, and chipped away at what is left to be sung. First was a re-sing of the verses to "Go On". Our new "version 3" has slightly quicker verses, so I re-did those, as well as the new slower "tag". A "tag" is a section at the end of a song that is completely different from anything else in the song, a "new" part that only happens once, at the end. In "Go On", it's the "close your naked eye and see" part.
Gummo needed some time to "comp" together the work we'd done, so I took the opportunity to take a night walk around Hollywood. I walked up La Brea avenue to Hollywood Blvd., past Hollywood and Highland, into the seedier side of town, down Wilcox to Sunset, then all the way back to La Brea. It was a good walk. I listened mostly to Brian Wilson's "Smile". A good record to listen to while recording, cause it's an orgy of multitracked vocal parts. This took about an hour, then I was back at the studio ready to get back to work.
Next it was time to start on harmonies to "Blue Bruises". I have been driving around with rough mixes our new songs lately to see what harmonies come to me. When I am driving around normally, I end up singing to whatever I am listening to, and coming up with harmonies, so writing harmonies to our music can work really well like this. Sometimes the best writing happens when you are not trying to do anything of the sort. Singing while driving keeps the motor skills (pun alert) occupied, and the vocal ideas come right from the ... whatever, they come from somewhere.
I tried out my part, and it seemed to fit in well, so we moved on and experimented with some other ideas. This chorus harmony isn't necessarily a "live" part, more of a "subliminal" harmonic support that really makes you feel the main melody. Well, that is the idea at least. This song took some time; once there is a harmony, usually we "double" it then move on. After listening down, something might stick out, like a consonant sound, or a weird annunciation, and you look at eachother and go - "ok, let's do 'em again". The goal is to get it so there is nothing that can be done better. Sometimes you know right away if you are at that point, and sometimes (usually the case for me) you need to listen away from the studio to really get a perspective if it's "finished".
That took most of the night, and I left Gummo to do some computer homework, and left at 12:30am.
Comments
Hey Steve, glad to hear everything going smoothly with recording.....cant wait til I am driving around listening to 'Blue Bruises' or 'Outsider'. Thank you for the last few weeks of keeping us up to speed on developments, also with all the aggro' over at the other 2 boards(6767 & TPC) it is nice to come to a site where there is no bickerin', only admiration for what you guys are trying to do......The only thing I would like to say, even if I have said it many times.....PLease..PLease..Please some U.K/European dates..
Anytime you guys are up 4 it... I will be there
If u book it..I will Come(cum?)
be safe be happy
tonto1%
Posted by: ToNtO1% | March 30, 2005 03:38 AM
B/T/W if you have some time, and are looking for a new book to devour...
WEAVEWORLD By Clive Barker...
full blown gem of a book.
Posted by: TONTO1% | March 30, 2005 03:40 AM
I fuckin hate speakerphones, or videoconferencing. It always makes you feel like you're talking to a machine rather than an actual person. You guys are on the verge of something epic, monsterous, and grand on a scale of industry-changing proportions. I wish you patience, closure, and a well deserved wrap. You're almost there.
Posted by: Lyn | March 30, 2005 03:48 AM
Hi all,
Off to Cornwall for a few days...hope everything goes smoothly this week...will bring you back a pastie...
Love and Peace
RP
x
Posted by: RecklessPrincess | March 30, 2005 05:45 AM
Thanks for the update Steve!
Posted by: Junebug | March 30, 2005 09:23 AM
Just found this site that let's you go back in time...at least as far as the the Web is concerned...and see old versions of sites!
Found some old SKYCYCLE stuff...
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://skycycleonline.com
Posted by: craig | March 30, 2005 09:26 AM
http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://skycycleonline.com
Posted by: craig | March 30, 2005 09:27 AM
Hey Steve... you guys seem to be moving right along with everything. You all seem to balance each other out well. I love the stuff you have on here to the right of the screen.
Where are you getting all of these pictures? They're a riot.
If you haven't already you have to go to
http://media.ebaumsworld.com/sandsicaf.wmv
Pretty cool sand art display. It takes about 12 minutes but cool to watch. Have a great Wednesday
Posted by: reezie | March 30, 2005 09:34 AM
Steve-Don't lose your focus, your almost there. Soon it will be all over. As per the speaker phones I agree with Oldschool they suck! Mine rings all damn day and it drives me insane. I would disconnect them, or throw them out the window if I could. Don't let it get in the way. Never lose sight of your vision......
Posted by: Brett | March 30, 2005 10:03 AM
the biz people giving you problems?
Give me 6 months till I finish the music business program and open up an indie label and we'll give you all the artistic freedom you need. ;)
Don't let anything discourage you. The hurdles will be there, like it or not. I know it's all exciting and you just want to get the show on the road and do your thing, but it's better to take your time and examine everything then go head first into something you're not sure about. I'm sure you already know this but please be vigilant in legal discussions and read every single bit of any contracts and know what it all means.
If you keep hanging around the Hollywood/Highland area you're bound to run into me. I go to the Musician's Institute there. You never know, I might get an internship at your prospective label.
I'm curious about these pics too.. where are you getting them from?
Posted by: mortisha8 | March 30, 2005 02:22 PM
Time in the studio has always been the most challenging for me Steve, having recently begun working on some songs with my band here in Hollywood as well. Never thought about walking the city at night. Might have to try that some evening, see if it does the trick. Getting out of the studio for a few always seems to help.
Posted by: Jonathan Lamas | March 30, 2005 03:22 PM
Steve,
If you remember next time you see Gummo, tell him Jim from jazz band at Palm Springs High School said, "Hello. Glad to see you living the dream my friend." Thanks so much and much luck with the recording.
Posted by: Jim | March 30, 2005 04:57 PM
When you were talking about singing/driving/motor skills I thought about that show "Motormouth". That's the one where they record people as they're driving along and singing without them knowing they're being watched. Funny stuff. You know we all do it. I'm just sure you do it better.
*gives Steve today's "MOTORMOUTH" award*
~Bonita
Posted by: Bonita | March 30, 2005 05:23 PM
too much time in my hands. Cigliano illustrations.
Good stuff
Posted by: Wendybird | March 30, 2005 07:56 PM
dood! I can't wait to hear some music. I can't think of any band besides "a new pink floyd record" that i can't wait for. keep up the great work and keep on rockin. i'm currently reading "tideland" a new take on the alice in wonderland theme but with a truely modern reason to create a fantasy world. all seen through the eyes of a 10 year old girl(also terry gilliams next movie)check it out... see ya!!
Posted by: juju | March 30, 2005 09:57 PM
speaking of illustrators...
I have a thing for Cathie Bleck
Bat Tango
Bean Stalk
CD sampler
Posted by: mortisha8 | March 30, 2005 10:21 PM