Yesterday afternoon Greg and I finished tracking drums and bass for four new Explone tunes. I posted a few photos to Flickr here.
I was a bit intimidated going in, this being my first time in a "real" studio and all, for someone else's music, with my bass playing under such scrutiny, but I didn't make nearly as many mistakes as I expected. We stuck my 6x10 cab inside a foamy isolation booth in the basement. Since I've spent years sequestered away in the Folkhole playing amp-less bass lines directly into my sad little 4-channel mixer, monitoring my bass through headphones wasn't a problem at all. I didn't really need to "feel" the low-end punch in the room with me. (Although you could feel it rumbling through the floor a bit, because my bass rig is a beast.). Anyway, the result is some really great-sounding bass tracks that I'm finding hard to believe I actually played.
Today Shawn and Patrick are tracking the rest of his guitars and vocals, and I'll be going in for a few hours to add some backing vocals.
Here's some video of Patrick cutting some guitar tracks in the control room:
And here's Greg doing a drum check ahead of recording:
Starting today, Explone is spending three days tracking new songs at Studio Litho here in Seattle. We'll be working with local producer/engineer guy Shawn Simmons. I'm a bit nervous to have my bass playing put under a microscope, but I'm really, really looking forward to the session. It's been a long while since I've been in a studio that wasn't my bedroom.
I didn't know this until yesterday night, but Litho is owned by Stone Gossard. Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Dave Matthews have recorded here. And now here I am, tracking dirt on the carpet and stuff.
I've become a little bit addicted to John Roderick's columns in the Seattle Weekly, where he writes about life as a mid-level rock star and bandleader of the Long Winters. You don't have to be a musician to enjoy it.
The band could not reach a consensus on whether they were individually hungry. I extolled the virtues of [local restaurant] "Ranay's" and made a final endorsement of it even as we were driving past, but the suggestion was greeted with two whimpers, a look of confusion, and an exhalation of breath. OK, done.
But as SOON as we walk in the door of my place, two-and-a-half minutes later, the rabble starts: "Can we order a pizza?" "Is it OK if I open these chips?" "Can I make some pasta?" The enterprising bandleader, a well-known singer, opens my pantry, discovers my canned-chili depository, and says to the room, "Who wants chili?" Four hands shoot up.
Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic also has a blog there, but it's all political and not nearly as fun.
It'll be at Egan's Ballard Jam House on Friday, July 18th. If you're in the Seattle area and would like to attend (and why wouldn't you? It's going to rock), I highly recommend contacting Egan's and reserve your seats in advance. Egan's is a fancy little venue and seating is limited.
Other details are on my Tour page, but I'll be announcing more stuff about the show as the date draws near.
Hey, if you're in the Seattle area and attending NW Folklife this weekend, look for me performing on the sidewalks. Dennis and I will be bumming around Seattle Center, playing tunes and kickin' it in the sunshine, at least until a Coordinator tells us to move.
For years this particular CD has given me nothing but trouble at the various digital stores, and I have no idea why. Thanks to the folks at CD Baby for figuring out the problem, whatever it was.
O HAI. I've been on vacation for awhile. More on that later.
Here is news: I'm throwing a CD release show for Save You From Yourself. Yes, I know, that particular CD has been out since February. Which is precisely why I'm calling it "Scott Andrew's 'Damn, I Should've Had A CD Release Party!' CD Release Party."
This is going to be a rare full-band show, with Dennis Jolin on drums and Suzanne Picard on keyboard, and maybe a few others if we're lucky. We're working up some very cool arrangements and everything is sounding awesome so far. Seating at the venue is limited so if you're in the Seattle area and would like to attend, watch this space for details. (The Demo Club is a safer bet.)
Here are Dennis and Suzanne messin' around at last night's rehearsal:
Yesterday afternoon Greg and I finished tracking drums and bass for four new Explone tunes. I posted a few photos to Flickr here.
I've become a little bit addicted to