Plans in motion

SO! I'm not much more organised than I was a week ago..

- I've asked Jeeves to be present at the sessions to document it for me, by video and camera.

- Chris is going to fill in some backing vocals, hopefully. I'll need to organise a rehearsal there.

- Andy is happy to be guitarist, but he's leaving the country in April, so it must be done in the next 6 weeks.

- I haven't booked anything further with the studios. I haven't even talked to the engineer again. I'm planning on emailing him again tonight to let him know that I am still interested and that I'll contact him in the next few weeks.

- I might ask Danny if he has any drummer friends who would lend their sound to it. But... part of me really wants to go through the studio for this as I would really like a decent job done. The beat really holds a piece together and a professional will get the quickest recording and best sound possible. Also, I'd only be paying per track, rather than per hour, so it's not too bad..

- I have a lot on my mind right now. I'm still struggling with what tracks to choose, and am planning to record all possibilities and go through them one by one, forcing my friends, acquaintances, family.. hell, even strangers to listen. I'll probably post a poll in my LJ and one here. Ultimately it has to be my decision, but I really need the input.

And after taking the step back for a week or so (not touching anything, I feel a bit more confident that I can sit back down and play and really listen to what is and isn't going to work.

This is no glamourous or easy job, folks. We artists are way too emotional, picky, self-critical and angsty. I just hope it all comes together.

The process continues

So I lie awake most nights at the moment, planning things out. Last night I wrote up the possible songs with their pros and cons and what instruments they would need. I realised that in hiring a bassist, guitarist and drummer, that will make this EP a more expensive affair.

And then I remembered Andy and Stuart.

2004-2005 I was in a covers band called Plush. We performed at a wedding or two, mainly soft-rock hits - David Gray, Coldplay, etc. We disbanded after our drummer moved to Australia. Andy was the guitarist (and an amazing one at that), and Stu was the bassist.

So I'm asking these guys tonight. If they say yes, then I'll look at using them for the songs that need that extra punch. And then maybe I'll just need to hire a drummer.

I'm so smrt.

Other than that, I think I'm ready. I sat at the piano last night and played out a few songs - I'm still not definite on which ones I'm going to do. What I think I might do is record samples of all of the songs I'm thinking of, and make people listen to them. I will make the ultimate decision, but I'd like to have some input from ears that aren't my own.

xx

It's happening

I can't believe how excited I am. I can't stop thinking about this recording I'm about to do.. every project is such an adventure.

I'm really looking forward to recording in a new studio with all the fancy gadgets and equipment and spending the amount of time needed to mix it. I have been in touch with the wonderful technician/engineer and he has given me some amazing quotes. The first one (quite a large chunk of time/work) was a bit of a shock, but we managed to keep talking and it looks like it is going to be very reasonable indeed. I think we should be able to get through things reasonably fast, as that's just the way I've always worked, but you never know!

We are going to book in for 3 hours in recording with piano/vocals, 3 hours of backing recordings and extra instruments, then they'll work 3 hours on mixing and give me the mastering for free. These are the minimum hours, I am expecting to be working a bit more than this and paying a bit more too!

I know it's not for a huge release or anything.. but the idea of having new recordings just makes me tingle all over.

I remember the first time I recorded my music professionally - I was so excited just to be able to have a recording of it.. and it came out so great. I can't wait for this project.. I just can't wait.