Monday, February 21, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
The Big Update Part 2
So where were we? Ah yes, guitar.
Of utmost importance to me this time around was establishing the feel of each song. How a song hits the ear when played solo is necessarily different then how it behaves when a band picks it up. So far, I've been a solo act, so we were presented with a challenge - stay true to the feel of each song, but transform it into a full band sound. The solution was found in recording the guitar parts first and building complementary percussion tracks from the ground up.
For many of the initial sessions we went song by song establishing the right tempo, programming a click, recording the guitar part, and building the basics of the rhythm track. Last time around I had one session with the drummer - luckily he was world class - but time was such that there was no opportunity to develop the interplay of the drums and guitar in a meaningful way. So, for City Heart, a healthy focus on percussion has been the key to making the guitar sound great.
Of utmost importance to me this time around was establishing the feel of each song. How a song hits the ear when played solo is necessarily different then how it behaves when a band picks it up. So far, I've been a solo act, so we were presented with a challenge - stay true to the feel of each song, but transform it into a full band sound. The solution was found in recording the guitar parts first and building complementary percussion tracks from the ground up.
For many of the initial sessions we went song by song establishing the right tempo, programming a click, recording the guitar part, and building the basics of the rhythm track. Last time around I had one session with the drummer - luckily he was world class - but time was such that there was no opportunity to develop the interplay of the drums and guitar in a meaningful way. So, for City Heart, a healthy focus on percussion has been the key to making the guitar sound great.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Big Update Part 1
Ladies and Gents, Happy New Year!
Here’s to a great 2011.
I don’t know about yours, but my holidays turned out to be more restful than anticipated. A sight delay in the recording process provided some unexpected time to catch my breath. I read a book, visited with friends, and impatiently counted down the days until we could get back to business.
During this down time I realized that shooting video and trying to actually WORK in the studio wasn’t working. The clips I’ve posted haven’t really narrated the process… so before I head back to NYC at the end of the month to finish up, I’m going to take a few minutes and catch you all up on everything that’s happened so far.
THE BIG UPDATE: PART I
September 2010. In the middle of a little mini-tour, I stopped in NYC and dropped off 6 guitars, an amp, pedals, and a big tangle of cables at the studio. After Lawson was forced to move his studio in July (something about foreign investors and condos…) this was my first glimpse ...
Read more at Tumblr or Facebook.
Here’s to a great 2011.
I don’t know about yours, but my holidays turned out to be more restful than anticipated. A sight delay in the recording process provided some unexpected time to catch my breath. I read a book, visited with friends, and impatiently counted down the days until we could get back to business.
During this down time I realized that shooting video and trying to actually WORK in the studio wasn’t working. The clips I’ve posted haven’t really narrated the process… so before I head back to NYC at the end of the month to finish up, I’m going to take a few minutes and catch you all up on everything that’s happened so far.
THE BIG UPDATE: PART I
September 2010. In the middle of a little mini-tour, I stopped in NYC and dropped off 6 guitars, an amp, pedals, and a big tangle of cables at the studio. After Lawson was forced to move his studio in July (something about foreign investors and condos…) this was my first glimpse ...
Read more at Tumblr or Facebook.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
CityHeart.02.wav
Here is a little montage of the sessions with Sam Cohen. He has this big, warm, fuzzy, tremolo goodness that just fills up the room. Also, it doesn't hurt that his old band Apollo Sunshine was a favorite of mine in college... So cool to have his sounds on City Heart.
Sam's new stuff: http://www.myspace.com/yellowbirds
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
The Bass-ics.
This is Mike. He came in and threw down the bass for City Heart a few days ago.
We spent the first couple of weeks framing out the songs and building the rhythmic foundation - so following that line - I guess Mike came in and poured the basement. Most importantly, he killed it. He's one of those players that not only plays the right notes in the right moments, but insinuates so much in his playing that he's really inside the song and not under it.
Mike's in a super cool band called Knights On Earth: http://knightsonearth.bandcamp.com/
Check 'em out.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
When life closes a door...
get someone to buzz you in.
...
This is the place. The Strokes recorded here. So did Wheatus.
We're in good company.
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