the hard work behind the fun

"can't wait to sit and edit through everything" ?

what was I thinking?

I must have forgotten what a grueling and tedious process editing really is, and I'm definitely feeling the burn.

what is "editing"?

- listening through all the takes to find the right one
- nudging the drums here and there on a late or early hit
- nudging the bass to microscopically match the drums
- nudging the rest of the rhythm section to be more in sync
- getting rid of random noises
- replacing bad notes

why? are you not good enough?

we are good enough, for humans.
however recording standards have reached a point where being human sounds sub - par, and the best musicians have to go through editing (as I've done for many, many people). I think it started with the digital age of programming and sequencing and the possibility of editing everything to perfection, so much so that it became the norm. don't believe me? just listen to the radio and tell me they don't sound like perfect synced machines. and that's why bands sound worse live these days...
i didn't even mention auto-tune. and don't get me started.

plus, editing makes a much better and clearer mix, so this work will pay off when it's mixing time!

my challenge with this recording is to keep the soul and energy of a live performance and musicians who play their heart out, while still reaching the bar that has been set by the rest of the music world.

so what's next?

unfortunately our NY recording had to be postponed for December, in the meantime I am finishing the editing, and setting dates for keyboard/guitar overdubs and a string quartet!

no video this time, nothing interesting or glorious about hours of editing...

stay warm y'all!

part one - rhythm section

aah, the first recording day. so exciting. a fine day to wake up sick...
nontheless I pulled through (only to crash afterwards) and had a great time! it's been a long time since I was on the recording end of the studio, and it's been a long time since I played a nice sounding grand...

the studio and Warren were terrific and the AndreZ all did a fantastic job as we banged out 6 songs in 4 hours, we're so pro...

can't wait to sit through and edit through everything.

what's next? off to NY next weekend to record the sensational bandoneonist JP Jofre on "a bus to sunshine" and a group sing on "the forgotten one".

should be a blast.

until then I leave you with a short video:

welcome!

first post on the "introverse" blog!

this blog is meant to give you a look at the recording process of my new album.

step 1, the title!

i originally called the album "spaces" but decided to change it to "introverse" because i thought it was catchier and wittier, it's an "intro" and "verse", it's introverted and an "inner universe".
it's great.

step 2, the funds!

after a successful kickstarter campaign adding up to my savings, I have a minimal amount to make this happen. this will be a lesson of how to turn out a kick ass record on a very small budget.

step 3, the studio!

I'm fortunate to record in the newly opened rotary records in W. Springfield, it's an amazing, huge really affordable space.

step 4, the band!

our first recording step is the rhythm section, besides me on piano I am psyched to be working with these 3 incredible musicians, all have a similar name mind you: Andres Wilson on guitar, Andreas Brade on drums and Louis Andre Ochoa on bass.
yep, Andres, Andreas and (Louis) Andre.

step 5, November 14!

our first recording day, following which you'll get a big fat post and a video on how it all went down.

until then,

peace