Tim put a bunch of photos on facebook from our time in the studio. Here they are:
Been listening to some of the rough recordings we’ve got for the record so far. It sounds pretty sweet. We won’t be going back to the studio now until Whitsun (24th-26th of May). We’ll be recording a couple more songs, finishing vocals and percussiony bits and then working on strings with Robert (the guy who runs the studio we’ve been recording at).
x
Hello!
It’s the end of our fifth day recording the album and it’s all going pretty well. I’ve been recording some of my bass parts and we’ve managed to get a super clear sound out my battered old combo amp. We’ve also made a start on vocals, so the songs are really starting to take shape and sound fuller.
Stu finished writing some more vocals after our session tonight so we’ve got plenty to get on with tomorrow, along with some more bass parts, hand claps, glockenspiel, tambourine, backing vocals and a party popper.
I will try to get some video edited soon, so you can have a bit of a preview.
Safe,
Dan x
I thought I’d have a go at writing about something that I’ve been thinking about recently…
I think that today, there is a tendency for rock bands and other live modern music acts to not pay much attention to the quality of their live performance sound.
It seems to me that stylistically it has become popular for rock musicians, for example, to only want things as loud as they can get it during live performances. This unnecessary tendency is reinforced when they tour locally and use house live “engineers”, (and I do use the term loosely in this case) who haven’t a clue as to how to get a good quality live sound without blowing the ears off everybody night after night including themselves. Then they use those same damaged ears to tweak every live act that comes through on house PA systems that I have found are usually too powerful for the size of the venues that they are installed in. This cycle of sonic abuse is then endorsed by the audiences, (that really ARE uncomfortable with the excessive volume but never really speak up), because they have no reference point to judge a dynamically lively yet audibly comfortable and exciting listening experience due to their singular exposure to the current way things are.
Chris
So last night we sat up late with Robert (the guy who owns the studio) talking about a bunch of different subjects ranging from metaphyics, religion, the after life, black holes and homosexuality. All in all it was quite a strange evening, but it was pretty interesting. It certainly beats vegetating infront of the TV.
This morning we woke up to our third fry-up in as many days. I’m glad we’re getting a break as I don’t think my body can take much more of this. I need fibre!
Anyway, to recording…We’ve managed to finish all the guitar parts and we started on a bit of bass, but we couldn’t get it sounding that hot. Dan had to go home and pick up his bass amp. 2 hour journey all in all, so we cracked on with percussiony bits like hand claps, egg shakers and glockenspiel. I like doing this stuff. It’s fun. It’s also the first chance I’ve had all weekend to actually record anything.
Dan’s just got back, so I figure we’ll be doing the bass soon. I’ve got a cold coming on. It doesn’t bode well for vocals next weekend 
x
So this is the third day we’ve been here. We’ve just returned from lunch. We went to the pub next door and watched half an hour of the Liverpool - Man U match. What was that Mascherano (forgive me if I spelt that wrong) guy thinking?!
Anyway, so far we’ve finished drums and guitar for Chinchilla, Gibbon, Rabbit, Dog and Pig. We’re currently working on guitars for Badger and still have Baboon, Lemur and Aardvark to go. We’re getting through it pretty quickly. A lot quicker than we thought. We’re pleased though, it sounds pretty swish so far.
We’ve spent a lot of time trying to make sure everything sounds natural. There aren’t any effects on this record (so far at least) and I think that’s what we’re aiming for. We want the musicianship to come through. I don’t think any of us want to hide behind delays and distortion. I think it has a lot to do with us being so used to hearing these songs played in our shed. To have them recorded differently would just be weird. We’re all really pleased with it up to now.
I hope you all got nice Easter eggs today. I gave up chocolate, cakes and biscuits for lent, so I’m looking forward to tucking into a giant Maltesers egg later.
TTFN TTNG
x
Oh and it was snowing this morning here. It was really pretty. I took a photo on my phone. I’ll pop it up here at some point.
So we’re currently working hard over the Easter weekend to record a new bunch of songs. Dan has been doing some videoing so maybe you’ll see some clips sometime. Chris has finished recording his drums and we’re starting on Tim’s guitar parts. We’ve just spent 2 hours setting up his amp and mic configuration to make sure the tone is just right. It’ll all be worth it.
Joe (our sound man) is suffering with a savage cold and keeps rushing out to stop spontaneous nose bleed attacks. We’re impressed by his determination to carry on.
As I’m writing, Tim is playing a song called ‘Philanthropy for beginners‘ / Chinchilla (each of the songs on the album has an animal name working title). The time we’re spending over trying to make sure everything sounds right is totally worth it. We can’t afford things like fancy producers and that, so we’re having to rely on Joe and our own efforts at ‘experimentation’ with mic positions and stuff to muddle through. Listening to what we’ve got so far makes me feel pretty excited about it all.
I’ll try and do little updates while we’re here, as I get pretty bored…but no promises.
Stu x
You can now pre-order our Australian release from the Yellow Ghost website. You can find out details for the release over in the ‘Records’ section on the right there >>>>
It’s Tim and my birthdays on the 10th and 14th of April. This is on the 12th. It will be ace!
See you in Luxembourg!
I’m bored and if you are to, then check out these bands. They’re good.
My Disco (somewhere between Foals and Shellac - watch the video below)
The Little Explorer (we did our first tour with these guys and they’re ruddy brilliant)
My Amiga (fun band. They remind me of Dartz/IWACS)
Such an obvious pun but It’s early and I am tired. So hopefully you should all know that we are busy working on our album. We’re going into the studio for the first of many recording sessions at the end of next week. I for one am excited. This being said, we really need to get on some more festivals this year. If you think you can help us out by recommending us to a friend who puts on festivals or has anything to do with festivals, please do it.
We’re pretty much a DIY outfit here and I for one think by and large we do ok. We don’t have a booking agent or a fancy manager and that’s alright by us. Unfortunately though when it comes to booking festivals a booking agent or a fancy manager would actually be really handy essential. So yeah, like I’ve already mentioned if you think you can help…please do.
x
