After 5 months of recording and full time editing, the tracks are done!!
It's a huge milestone and a sense of achievement as I saw the project materialize in front of my eyes (ears, actually) and turned from my imagination into something I can hear.
It sounds great, and it leaves me happy, relieved, satisfied and excited for the next steps.
Now that the tracks are done they are being sent to mixing, where the tracks are worked on a more technical, sound level to bring the most out of each track. I also enjoy the post-production process of playing with different effects to enhance my vision beyond just live instrumentation.
I've also been moving towards cover art, photos, and booking a CD release tour for June which is no small task! the music clubs are so overwhelmed with submissions it's very hard to get through to them, and the more dates I schedule, the more clubs to chase down!! there are companies doing all the stuff that i'm doing myself, but i haven't cracked yet - bring it on!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
shh! i'm singing here!
wow, vocals.
Recording vocals is my achilles heel. Not because I can't do it, but because singing in the studio psyches me out.
When I perform, I gather a lot of strength and momentum from the stage, and the piano. But in the studio, everything is different, it's just me and a microphone, thinking of so many different elements and details at the same time and having a hard time finding that stage momentum.
The fact that I'm producing the songs too makes it hard to balance that analytical part with the fact that singers sound best when they don't think. I've always struggled to bring out a good performance in the studio, and with this record being so important to me it amped the nerves and neurosis.
But, I wasn't going to let it consume me, so I went to get some outside help.
I went to get some vocal recording tips from vocal coach Pam Wolfe, teaching out of Brandeis University. Pam is very perceptive and can pin point all those little things in technique, attitude and psyche that can hold a singer back.
After a lesson with her I've been continuing to practice and record at home, trying to learn how to immediately tap into the right place in my voice, confidence and lack of worry.
Also, I made an effort to be in a good mood, joke and laugh during the sessions. it helped.
My practice really paid off, as session by session I've been getting good takes with less time, and with more satisfaction. Even Andres, my husband and partner in crime who hears me on stage and recording all the time, proclaimed that this is "the best he heard me sing".
Conquering my studio singing bug was another huge achievement that this wonderful project has brought to me.
And now, only 2 more songs remain before the studio wrap up and continuing to post production and mixing. Hurray!
Alongside with the recording, I'm also starting to plan my CD release tour for June and starting to think about cover art, which is what March is all about. More on that next time.
Happy love day!
Recording vocals is my achilles heel. Not because I can't do it, but because singing in the studio psyches me out.
When I perform, I gather a lot of strength and momentum from the stage, and the piano. But in the studio, everything is different, it's just me and a microphone, thinking of so many different elements and details at the same time and having a hard time finding that stage momentum.
The fact that I'm producing the songs too makes it hard to balance that analytical part with the fact that singers sound best when they don't think. I've always struggled to bring out a good performance in the studio, and with this record being so important to me it amped the nerves and neurosis.
But, I wasn't going to let it consume me, so I went to get some outside help.
I went to get some vocal recording tips from vocal coach Pam Wolfe, teaching out of Brandeis University. Pam is very perceptive and can pin point all those little things in technique, attitude and psyche that can hold a singer back.
After a lesson with her I've been continuing to practice and record at home, trying to learn how to immediately tap into the right place in my voice, confidence and lack of worry.
Also, I made an effort to be in a good mood, joke and laugh during the sessions. it helped.
My practice really paid off, as session by session I've been getting good takes with less time, and with more satisfaction. Even Andres, my husband and partner in crime who hears me on stage and recording all the time, proclaimed that this is "the best he heard me sing".
Conquering my studio singing bug was another huge achievement that this wonderful project has brought to me.
And now, only 2 more songs remain before the studio wrap up and continuing to post production and mixing. Hurray!
Alongside with the recording, I'm also starting to plan my CD release tour for June and starting to think about cover art, which is what March is all about. More on that next time.
Happy love day!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Strings...
Wow, recording in winter in the Northeast could be a nightmare!
We had 3 sessions canceled due to the snowstorms and me getting sick... That set me way past the deadline I have made for myself and the label rep in me is pushing the artist in me to get back on schedule. So fun being a one person project...
But, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and the songs are shaping up so beautifully.
Our string session was on Sunday Jan 23rd, and the UMass grad school quartet did a great job putting some soul into the project. It all started with me playing a show in which Julie (violin) played a killer version of Michael Jackson's "smooth criminal". I asked her to come play on the recording right then and there, and to bring her quartet along.
I always enjoy writing strings. I am extremely grateful for my string arranging background from my NYC days and especially Annie Gallup's album "Weather" that elevated my skills and musicality to a much higher degree. I was very happy to turn that experience to my own music and hearing it all come to life.
next, I only have vocals left! I am half way done and am hoping to wrap up the recording stage within a week or two. Please don't snow anymore, sky!!
We had 3 sessions canceled due to the snowstorms and me getting sick... That set me way past the deadline I have made for myself and the label rep in me is pushing the artist in me to get back on schedule. So fun being a one person project...
But, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and the songs are shaping up so beautifully.
Our string session was on Sunday Jan 23rd, and the UMass grad school quartet did a great job putting some soul into the project. It all started with me playing a show in which Julie (violin) played a killer version of Michael Jackson's "smooth criminal". I asked her to come play on the recording right then and there, and to bring her quartet along.
I always enjoy writing strings. I am extremely grateful for my string arranging background from my NYC days and especially Annie Gallup's album "Weather" that elevated my skills and musicality to a much higher degree. I was very happy to turn that experience to my own music and hearing it all come to life.
next, I only have vocals left! I am half way done and am hoping to wrap up the recording stage within a week or two. Please don't snow anymore, sky!!
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