I had a rare and distinct pleasure the other night – I was catching up with some old friends who have a pair of sons who are both complete characters at the grand ol’ ages of 6 & 8. They are also young men of discerning taste. By “discerning taste” I mean “like our music”. Apparently their parents do, too. But not quite in the same level of enthusiasm as their offspring who like to sing a long at the top of their lungs. This is what we like to hear! We were driving home and I was treated to this phenomenon and revelled in every second of it … hey – we gets it where we can. I particularly enjoyed the moment where, as father dearest turned the volume down on the solo (who does that!?) the young’uns’ response was a chorus of “Ohhhhh daa-a-a-ad” … which is what I say to the engineers when we’re mixing.
Oh – and the song? … Gimme Something I Want … and the chorus in question?
“If you can’t give me something I want, gimme something I need”.
I’ve never asked MJEB what the song is about … for me it’s always been about cake.
Whilst Sydney enjoys a wet weekend and Sydneysiders flock to the hills, the batch, the crib (hi Kiwi cousins), the holiday house and the weekender, down in the Stormcellar we're cranking out stuff again.
I just uploaded Don't Take It So Hard On Me to the Internets and it's awaiting processing. I should be able to release a sample here soon-ish.
So for our current this-isn't-an-album-what-is-it, otherwise known as the Everywhere Feels Like Home Project, we've recorded:
Everywhere feels like home - Main Theme, Harp Theme, Guitar and Horsefiddle Theme and Ecstatic Yeti Mix. That's 4 songs.
According to Theo and Mr Wizard these only count as one song. According to Rosie and Me, PFFFTTTBLLLLRTTT!!! (insert raspberry sound)
In songs-that-count-as-songs (additional raspberry) we have finished:
The Flood (released as a single)
Sweet Mama (Recorded, played on air in France, don't think we've released it as a single tho')
Rock River (released as a single)
You Can't Push Me Away From You (released as a single)
and now Don't Take It So Hard On Me, (being released right now).
That leaves Bloomington (instrumental) and Rock River Variation to record and then we're done with the project.
Of course, that hasn't stopped us from bringing a bunch of 'other' new songs into the live show (Return of the King, Chalk Angels plus others in progress) but we decided that the Everywhere Feels Like Home Project should only contain songs from/around our last O/S tour.
This brings me to Live field Recording! Yay!
'Bloomington' was originally a piece Rosie played at Soundcheck in Bloomington, where I got the first version recorded. As it's a soundtrack-style instrumental, it makes Mr Wizard itchy because:not complex enough.
and of course, a very decent in-development version from the Townie
As you can see, it's got an ethereal, spacious quality to it.
We recently voted on our preferred engineer for the recording but I wanted more 'space' to record in and Ben found a potential spot for us.
On location recording can be a chore, just ask...er...us. We did it for Sweet Misery and for the whole of Hired Guns & Borrowed Glory.
At least this place is in Sydney.
Nonetheless, I am into it. It's not that we can't do it in the studio. It's that the environment influences the performers and I think this one needs space.
I researched all sorts of crazy ideas - from recording it on a barge, on a headland, in a field or on a sporting pitch, most of which seemed to be too difficult, expensive or Annoying To Others...
My target is to have all these songs recorded and available prior to the EFLH multimedia night, so we best be cracking on with it.
I'm listening to the Mastered version of DTISHOM and...err...um. Sounds the same but different.
In discussion with Mr McGlynn about what mastering does, we talked about the expectation we have of mastering engineers - we send them out tracks and they come back Touched By God.
After listening to the song for the last few months of recording and mixing, it's hard to see the forest/tree thing.
The lesson on this one is that the Producing decision is 'who you work with' as much as it is 'what you do'.
Sooner or later you have to trust the Ears of the folks you're working with.
I for one, feel like we're in safe hand with Mr McGlynn and Mr Bowden. With any luck, I'll have this song released within the next few days. It's a cracker.
Boy I needed that. Life's been hectic and the chance to drive out to Oberon was a welcome recharge for my batteries. Take a wander through my pics and join me in some relaxation.
After my discussion about Folk metal, Rosie obliged with some Iron Maiden for the trip to Oberon. Who would have pictured Rosie as a Maiden fan? Eh? Run To The Hills was very appropriate. Anyway.
We had a great time playing music to enthusiastic locals who are as pleased to hang out with us as we are to see them dance. And that's quite a bit. Love you guys. Cheers to Grahame, Mark, Charmayne, Pam and all the Oberonites who make us feel so welcome.
It's been a while since I travel-blogged, not too much has changed.
Rosie has more guitars
The car doesnt have keys anymore
Blackheath is still full of hipsters
And driving through rural New South Wales, on a cool, sunny autumn day remains a profound pleasure.
Rosie very kindly drove so I could take a breather. Stunning countryside.
I've taken a picture of this broken street signage every time I have been there.
Selfishly, I hope it's there for many more pictures to come :-)
I derive profound satisfaction for a night of music, pleasant company and Green Bathing as we drive across the mountains.
It's a real gratitude moment for me.
Thanks to Rosie for the drive, to Gary for sound and to the boys for a solid up-vibe session of playing.
These are the good bits. They're worth celebrating.
