Mixed feelings about Ask You Mix

Last night Dave and I drank tea and sat at the computer to mix together the parts that we recorded for Ask You with the guitar and strings sections that Brendon added up in Vermont. Three words- No Easy Task. haha Brendon definitely embedded an intense emotional quality to the song and resonated even through a rough mix he provided for us to listen to. At around 11 o'clock last night, Dave and I finished up what would be the final version (at least for the May 26th release) but there was something still not right in my mind. In working with the EQ on my acoustic and vocal parts, we had a tendancy to lose some of Brendon's key guitar parts and sounds; everything seemed to compete for the same space and in doing so a lot of the subtle emotions that were interweved through the song seemed to disappear. I noticed it mostly when I listened in my car on the way home and when I returned to my computer. It's good that we had the option to listen to it at a few different places. Having "mixed feelings" about this particular mix, I sent it along to Brendon to see how we did with his parts. Sure enough, he agreed that something was off. This is what he had to say:

"This mix sounds too safe. Nothing really stands out.....the emotional impact needs to be less compromised by the mix."

I really couldn't agree more and though Dave did a fantastic job with the sound quality itself, there was an emotional quality that really seemed to get lost in the polishing of this song. After a morning to think it over and discussion with both Brendon and Dave, it has been decided that Brendon will take on the mixing responsibility as it seems to make most sense to allow him to maintain what he intended for the song by giving him control of how it all comes together for the final.

Much thanks and appreciation goes to Dave for staying up so late to try and get this done for our release and another nod to Brendon for taking the tracks back to his station to give it its final treatment. You guys both rock and I couldn't do it without you. Sincerely.

On to May 26th...

In the End almost to an end!!

Last night Mr. Chad Macomber entered the studio for the first time and after only a few short takes, he nailed his lead guitar part for In the End. Before that I laid down a rough vocal part for him to be able to play around in certain sections. Chad came in and confidently set up his gear, drank a beer and filled our ears with his edgy, wahwah pedal driven guitar riffs that brought the song to where it needed to be-intense and powerful. Only thing left to add to the song are the final vocals, backups and perhaps some string arrangements during the chorus and outros. In the End will definitely stand out as a departure from the rest of the album but I have looked at it more as an opportunity to foreshadow a new style of songs to come for album number 2 - a little more edgy, if that's the direction I decide to go.

Pictures and video of Chad's work in the studio on May 20th coming soon!

Ask You Released May 26, 2009

Ask You is nearly complete, having received the beautiful guitar parts and string arrangements from Brendon Thomas yesterday and allowing us to work on the final mix tonight. There are some things I might play around with that involve extending the outro a bit with a new set of simple lyrics but other than that, the song will be ready for you all on May 26th- the 12 year anniversary of when my mom passed away from her battle with Familial Amyloidosis. I will also be releasing an acoustic version of the song May that I wrote back in 2001. Both will be featured on a dedication/memorial web page, along with some information on my mom.

Special thanks and gratitude goes out to Brendon for taking the time to beautifully fill this song out with exactly what it needed. Every time I hear it I get chills. I think you will too.

I appreciate your involvement so much, B.

Look for Ask You on Tuesday May 26th.

The Band

Yesterday was the first time since early April that all four of us were in the practice space in Weston. We have a spot in the Marblehead Festival of the Arts coming up on July 4th and are definitely going to be crankin' it up a notch to be ready for that and to put on as good a show as we can! We are advertising ourselves as Carnival Hero for the show and there is a good mixed bag of songs including a Bob Marley cover, a Jackson 5 classic and some songs that Chad and I have written together in the past. Chad has a song he will sing from one of his solo albums and we will be doing a 5-song block from What To Keep & Let Go as way to promote its forthcoming release. Things are sounding great and the guys and I are really excited to get up there and rock in front of the harbor. Let's hope for a beautiful day!

A Nice Reunion

On May 12th, the boys and I met in Weston to work on something; I say "something" because since we haven't really practiced in a while it was very unclear what we were going to get accomplished. aha I am happy to say that after only a few takes we wrapped the acoustic and bass parts to Passing into August. Cheers!

Back to the studio!!

My classic to-the-studio-introduction-while-driving video.

Still not a smart idea. haha

"We're gonna cruise through this project!"

Here marks what I believe is the beginning of the last half of What to Keep & Let Go. It was definitely great to be back in the studio with Mr. Kuc. I have missed it!