And we’re off. Tuesday we pressed the big red record button and started laying down stuff for the new album. Tentative steps at first working on a little track called Ripples Rock My Boat. Really good day’s work but in some ways a tricky one to start with because we’re trying to get a mixture of lushness, playfullness and weight… not easily done. Very simple drum loop complimented by a great Eno-esque sound from Ed. Love the sound but the problem with those soundscape noises (think Heroes or in-their-pomp U2) is that they immediately give a track weight – very useful in some instances but when you’re trying to give it a lightness of touch or humour then it can be stifling. Trouble is it sounds so damn good. I think the answer lies in backing vocals (again as Eno says “I’m starting to think that all the world’s problems could be solved with either oyster sauce or backing vocals.”). And a great vocal/lyric. I’ll get the notebook out.
Rewind to Monday – spent the day going through tracks we have so far. Some great stuff. I won’t lie I was worried about this album. Through the making of Architect we had a real sense of being a gang because we’d been together through the 10 years of Four Day Hombre and spent so much of our lives with each other, things didn’t need to be spoken or expressed sometimes for us to know what was going on or where we were going. Same with any long relationship. Jase only left in October so I didn’t know if we’d be able to get that feel so soon. It’s different for sure but it’s refreshing and seems to be working a treat so far. There’s still a swagger and I hope maybe a lightness of touch that’s so hard to get. So far there are at least 3 killer tracks and that’s all you need to base an album on!
Other stuff…
Lovely email from Tom Robinson asking which song we’d like played on his show.
Booking dates for a tour in April – hope we might fit in some living room gigs as well – anyone fancy it?
As Hux said on the last post – great day down the studio, loads of good ideas and tracks. Knackered by the end but started playing this tune just before we left – proof if proof were needed that all roads lead to Bluegrass… Enjoy. More on Friday…
Great day down at the studio today, first day of writing in where the stalwarts (Ed, Rich, and Si) have been joined by Gary Stewart and Simon Goff. Energy was really high and I’m really pleased to say that it felt very natural writing with Simon G and Gary for the first time. It’s different for sure (it’s the first time we’ve written as a band without Ash and Jason our original drummer and Bass player), and the output is different too though we’re coming out with strong material and just as importantly it’s feels a very open environment.
Rockin’
Must get some sleep. Tomorrow sees discussions on a new website, a rock school in Goole and shortly we’re going to reveal the year’s plan.
Very quick blog – too late for much detail. Set up day today – a necessary evil I suppose but good fun. Photo below shows Hux taking a drum around the room to find the best location for the drums. More dirt than you could shake a stick at removed by 3rd hoover in final stages of life. Grumpiness and confusion over mic placement held at bay by Ben visiting and discussion of all things fun for the year ahead – gigs, parties, albums…so much. 2010 could be a lovely one, my fingers are crossed. Gary and Simon coming tomorrow to play more. Tired now… need to do some work and go to bed, early start tomorrow…
