New Gear - Almost there!
My new Mic came today and I’ve got to say it’s one of the most clearest sounding mic’s I’ve ever used. The AKG Perception 120 is my best mic for now, and will be my Mic of choice for vocals on the record unless I can get my hands on on the 220 or 820 Tubed model. For now though, I am totally content with this purchase, even without the preamp I think it sounds fantastic. My vocals are coming out clear as ever, and I am starting to feel like I’m coming way closer to actually finishing the record. Seriously I mean it this time, just have to gather a few friends for the sing-along’s and Gang vocal parts. Then it has to be sent back to the studio to be completely mixed and mastered.
Also one of Bridget’s friends who composes music for indie films has dedicated some of his time to add some orchestral parts to two of the tracks; the opener and the closer. I think it makes them even more powerful and adds something I wouldn’t of been able to do on my own. It breaths life into what was once a dull song (In my opinion which is hopefully not yours.)
Next purchases for Home-Studio set up
1. M-Audio Studiophile AV40 Powered Monitored Speakers
2. TASCAM US-1800 16-in, 4-out USB 2.0 Audio Interface
3. Shure SM7B
4. Akai Pro LPK25 Laptop Performance Keyboard
5. Pyle-Pro PDKM7 7 Microphone Wired Drum Kit with Mounting Accesories.
6. Acoustic Foam 12x12 Tiles
The Natvies Present Paper Wolves hitting the studio in 3 days
I am really excited for it; I pray everything goes well. I believe this will be the start of my life and I’m eagerly awaiting it. I have felt like a stranger these past few months; a stranger representing all that I am not. Someone I would be disappointed in, The someone(s) Bemis had been singing about in Admit it. This shook me to the core. I felt/feel sick. I’m doing everything wrong, and I’m feeling like that lost adolescent teen I used to be. I’m not the bad boy I’m just a bad person. I feel like I’m losing self and it’s really gave way to some pretty negative thoughts. I don’t know anymore, I’m being incoherent and whiny.
I just want to feel alive, and bruise my lungs. I want to scream until I’m beautiful and blue.
I want to make me proud.
Precognition of a Greater Future
So Bridget, Christopher and I met with the guys of Sacred Sound Studios in West Islip yesterday to discuss my bands upcoming album. They are amazing, and worked a fantastic deal for our broke-ass’; which felt like someone was finally going to recognize my dream and work with me to achieve my goals. I don’t know how many times I can write, “We’re doing the album,” only to be paired with, “Slight snag, this isn’t working.” This time this is 100% happening.
This is going to be my first album, this is my baby. I’ve written hundreds of songs in my short career of playing guitar, but none really stuck. This album has an extreme visceral love echoing in me, it’s unlike anything I have ever felt before. However that isn’t to say that I don’t have other songs I’ve written that really resonate with me. I have an unfinished song I randomly started reintroducing myself to a few weeks ago and play it every time I pick up my acoustic. My girlfriend can attest to that, she probably has heard it more times this week, than she’s heard the Zombie screams in Dead Island. (Which we have both been playing non-stop)
Anyway, with my life I rarely plan ahead unless it’s with my music. I’ve already thought about playing shows, getting a new bass rig, scouting musicians and areas to play, working/prepping with Chris for his album, playing with Joe to help him achieve his music dream, and even writing my next album. I’m only one (Maybe two) songs in, but it’s going to be relatively close to The Oceans (Maybe a name change?!) but with an angstier feel to it. The Oceans (For those of you who read this blog already know what it’s about) is about a lonely Sailor who is lured in by a Siren call, which ultimately leads to him losing everything and everyone, while he struggles to regain his composure. I’ve said it so many times, I’m just trying to keep it concise, it goes waaay deeper than that. I know that’s pretentious of me to say, but that is how I feel. On the surface it’s that story, but it’s actually my life and my relationship with someone. What albums aren’t though, am I right? Well this new album takes a similar route but it’s about my relationship with my family and our atrophy of feelings toward one another. Not important right now, just felt like writing it. No one reads this blog anyway haha.
Anyway, we’re scheduled for sometime in Mid October to start recording and I am more than stoked. I’m actually freaking (the freak) out on the inside, but I’m sure you couldn’t tell.
Also it seems like Gregg and Mike think we’ll be finished in around a week, I wonder if that will be true. It would be great to bang this album out as soon as possible, I really want everyone to hear!
Getting it started
After taking what felt like an extremely long hiatus from my music to work on other endeavors and have a good time, it seems I am coming back to my roots. Today was one of the first days in a long time I picked up my guitar, played my music, sang it out, and really and truly felt it. For anyone that actually reads this stuff I write, I apologize for continuously saying, “It’ll be out next month.” The truth is, my intentions were always to have it released right away and to work extremely hard on it. However now that I feel it’s no longer a demo, but an actual Independent record I want to give it all the time it truly deserves; all the time I need to make it sound exactly as it does in my head. I’ve been shopping around for studios for a while now, but it seems I’ve finally been recommended the right one. Sacred Sound run by the Drummer of One Love, Greg DelGenio; who has previously recorded local band Life As A Ghost.
Now I just can’t wait to be paid so I can finally get this started.
And when I do, expect to have free downloads of the tracks!
An Eventful Week
This week has been pretty eventful, for the worst and for the best. I have finally finished writing all of the music for the album. After two years; It wouldn’t normally take this long but I had to hone in my strong-points and get over a lot of stuff that was holding me back. For one, I am comfortable playing the guitar now, although Bass will always be my forté. Lyrically, I feel the story is complete, with two bonus tracks that may or may not be included in the demo, or album or whatever it is called. Not to sound so narcissistic but these are some amazing songs, I honest to God feel good about them. As I have said before, none of these songs are filler-tracks, the ones that were [Namely LetMego and Molting, and I’m Cynical], had either been canned or re-written. I am slightly proud of how far I’ve gotten with this; I’m glad I didn’t give up. I’ve had some moments where I felt like giving away all of my gear and just leaving, but I couldn’t. I’m being driven by this music, even without having a band, which is sort of a problem. It’s difficult to get strangers to listen to you unless you literally jump in front of them and start playing, which I haven’t been able to do. I pray someone will hear the music and want to help me on this journey. I pray you will hear my words and fall in love with my story. If I can reach just one person I will know I’ve done my job, and I will have made me proud.
On another good note, I was asked to do some modeling for my job yesterday. Dutch Huff, who had previously done some shoots of me years ago, also for the library was back again. It was fun, it literally made my whole shift breeze by. He and his wife Julie are fantastic at what they do, so please check them out.
Now for the bad news. When I had came home from work yesterday I went onto my computer to show Bridget what Adele looks like only to realize my computer screen was broken. While we were out, someone touched my stuff and split the LCD-Monitor. It’s going to cost a pretty penny to repair. Money I don’t necessarily have, until possibly tomorrow. Someone is coming by my place tomorrow to buy my Old Wurlitzer Organ. It’s going to be a huge shame to see it go, but times are tough and money is tight. Especially now that I’ll be helping Bridget pay some car insurance bills on our new car.
Fortunately these unfortunate events haven’t really got me down, I have my Relay For Life [Cancer Walk] this Saturday, and I am more than eager to get out of my little room and do some good deeds. At my meeting tonight I am going to throw the idea of Henna Tattooing out there for some fund-raising. Last year, our group was able to obtain more than $1,000 from fund-raising alone. I’m sure we’ll easily double it this year, especially with all the generous donations I have received
[Thank you again Kim]
As always, you too can donate
Possibly the last bit of stuff I’ll have to pick up for the demo version of the album, aside from possibly the Strymon BlueSky Reverberator Pedal.
I believe recording drums is going to be one of the hardest things to do for the album, aside from vocals; let’s face it, most musicians are our own worst critics. I can tell I’m going to have some awful moments, but I will try to overcome this. I truly believe some of you will love it, I love it, and it means a lot to me.
I’m on the right track however, once I finish writing the guitar and bass for this last song that has been driving me crazy I’ll be completely done with all the writing. It’ll be done soon, and then I can get to recording. I’ve already started recording the first song of the album, The Siren Song. Bridget has agreed to do vocals on it, so she’s been practicing. If she completely goes through with it, she’ll be doing vocals in another song Sailing: Part One.
I am extremely over-joyed thinking this album could possibly be around the corner.
Thank you to everyone who has showed me and my music any support.
Recording the Album - Tips For Beginners
I’ve decided to organize myself a little more by mocking up some tip sketches that could possibly help others. I’ve done some extensive research believe me, and I’ve learned the hard way; hands on. I’ve had my fair share of fuck-ups only to completely delete tracks that sounded perfect - only because I didn’t know how to mix properly. I also understand that there isn’t one 100% full-proof way to mix, different genres all use different places for the above mentioned instruments. Example, The Antlers would have the drums raised higher, and keyboard added higher than vocals at most points. Anyway. I would hate for any of you guys to have to go through some easily avoidable mistakes so I hope this helps.
Finally constructing my Home Studio
It’s been a long while, the band was supposed to have our demo out already but we haven’t. It’s making me pretty miserable but let’s pray we buckle down and finally get this done. I’ve been looking at studios and the prices are just way out of my league. Especially for each studios niche; which seems to be classic rock, hardcore, and metal. None of these are specifically our genre, and I don’t want to settle and always kick myself for knowing I could of done better. Anyway though, I’ve been working diligently on turning my once-walk-in-closet type room into a small home studio room. I’ve got to finish sound-proofing the walls and ceiling and clean up a bit (A lot a bit) then I’ll be set.
“But why don’t you record it yourself?!”
I am my own worst critic, and when I start to record I start to feel ordinary and that I’m not good enough. I’ve even felt like this my last practice because it didn’t seem like 100% effort was being put into it. I know that sounds bad, and I’m not outing anyone, my band-mates are my best friends, my brothers. It is clear though that it’s not everyone’s dream to change the world with music, and I respect that. I want that same respect, and. Ah. I don’t know, I’m ranting and verging on personal problems.
ANYWAY
So if any local Long Island bands want to be recorded anytime soon let me know. It’ll benefit the both of us and it’ll be completely free,
Working On The Demo!
So it’s all finally here, the Mics, Guitars, Daws, Pedals, and brand new Socks. Even my computer is totally pumped to be recording such a wicked [In hopefully your opinion] demo. I even got myself Sony Vegas 10 so I could shoot some rad videos for all of you! I know, I know, I seem like all talk. I’m going to record the demo, I’m going to provide pictures and video.
But I promise you, if I don’t keel over and die [Pass out] from being so sick either tonight or tomorrow I will have a totally bodacious sample out!
And I hate to ask and sound really lame, but if anyone could spread the word that this demo is coming out it would be so helpful. I put a lot of blood, sweat, tears, time, and money into this dream, and I need you all to believe in me as much as I believe!
Also the sooner it’s out, the sooner we can tour to your town and hang out!
THE OCEANS DEMO - BONUS TRACKS
So I have been thinking long and hard about it. I had made a set in stone track listing a few posts back.
I won’t change it, but I did feel like mentioning a few tracks did not make the cut. These tracks were LetMeGo and Molting, which in light of my good mood, I have decided I will still (re)record them and possibly release them as demo tracks.
LetMeGo, was written and recorded by Jim Towe, but I wrote and recorded the vocals melodies/harmony tracks. Jim seems iffy about being in a band and has expressed no interest in being in one. [Although he tells me he’ll work on music with me all the time] I still believe this track should be released free for the masses. [If there ARE masses] I worked extremely hard on it, and put all of my love into it. Although the song doesn’t fit the story it fits the theme.
As for Molting I had written this track intending for it to be on the record. Lyrically and Vocally I did not give it my all, and did not want it to just become a filler track so it was removed.
However, after reworking, and rewriting this song, I feel it is finally worthy of being on the record. Since the track listing is set in stone, this is another bonus track that takes place between Sailing: Part One and Ocean
So I was thinking of a way to release these bonus tracks. On the CD? On Itunes? On Tumblr? Bandcamp? If you have any suggestions write ‘em in
If you are at all interested in the demo, feel free to express interest. Drop an email or an address and I’ll send a free physical copy/ or Download Link when it drops!
ALSO EXPECT VIDEO UPDATES!
