show at the Orange Sofa - expect greatness

Hello

We're going to play a show at the Divan Orange in Montreal on May 13th. Our friend Dom from Minneapolis who goes by Dearling Physique will be playing with us.

Please come to see this guy, he is amazing.  We first saw Dom on a balmy Minneapolis evening in July and he was sharing the stage with ghosts. Few people have the strength of character to lead a group of ghosts in front of a live audience, Dom does.

see you all there.

caila

Still going

We have been doing some over dubs and general messing around on the record with our good friend Pietro in his bedroom. 

His room is very small and reminds me of a maid's room in a mansion. No windows, but a very attractive skylight.

Yesterday Pietro, Rory and I took apart a song that just wasn't feeling right and have started to re-build it from scratch. So far Pietro thinks it sort of sounds like Suicide... obviously we still have some work ahead of us.

Forging ahead!!

Leaving New France for New England

This weekend we are taking a road trip with some friends to play a handful of shows. This is really what it is all about, heading through the foothills of Vermont playing shows in towns we have never been to. The Adventure of it all! I just learned that we will be playing with Nat Baldwin in Burlington, I've wanted to see him play for a while now, lucky break I suppose.

The record is in an interesting state, we seem to have a new plan everyday as to how to finish it off. I guess you could say the Rabbit Hole has deepened. Showing it to friends is proving helpful.

Here are the dates:
3/12 – Burlington, VT – 5th Element
3/13 – Portland, ME – Space
3/14 - Kittery, ME - Buoy Gallery

to our recorder

This was the thank-you card we got Radwan today. It was coupled with a plant. 

Update: the Rabbit hole

Working on mixes now, we are in the shit, the muck the Rabbit Hole. Radwan dropped a bottle of vodka in the kitchen this morning. We are planning a celebration for tonight! Not exactly finished. More time has been booked at the studio. It has been such a blur the last few days that decisions need time to mellow, second guessing the second guesses gets confusing. Working on Tell Your Mom is shaping to be something fierce. 

Yesterday

Still recovering from the marathon that was yesterday. I don't remember too many of the details, it flew by at unprecedented speeds, a whirl of vocals dubs, fake wah-wah, strange vocal noises. This is less a video than it is a audio clip, listen hard.

running out of steam

it is now almost midnight and our gowns are about to turn to rags, our chariots to pumpkins. Fourth day is coming to an end tracking is so close to being done, trying to finish up tonight but we are losing it big time now... totally zoned out.
Rory is about to lay down some poor man's wa wa guitar. All we have is a fazzerrrr pedal. After one run-through:

Radwan
"you ready?"
Rory
"I guess so."

yup

Tell Your Mom

Here is a vocal take from Tell Your Mom.. Shit sounds hot!

vocal warm ups

Inspirations for the day: ESG, Freak 'em Dress, Sugar Momma, T.I: Stand Up Guy, Britney.

Day 3

We are heading into day 4 (of 6) vocal takes are the next order of OP'S. Unfortunately it's now plus 7 in Montreal and I cannot go skiing before heading to the studio. This is a major bummer and I'm worried that without the fresh air I will get totally foggy and useless. Tempo seems to be the only issue with our songs so far. It is interesting how much of a difference 4-5 beats per minute can make in a song.  So far we've re-recorded one song and disputed three over speed and pacing. Feel seems to be the main concern for this album so far. 

Here are some recording blogs by friends that kick way more ass than this blog (but keep reading! there is hope!)

Cryptacize

Cloud of evil

Odd Blood

new means of communication

We have stopped using words to describe how songs should be. This is a prime example of the new means of communication. I believe Fantasia was the reference Caila was using.

Before recording I go skiing

I don't really have any other outlet for showing these, they are from this morning before starting the session. The day has been going swell. A few hang ups, a few wicked amazing takes. Waiting on dinner now. 2 days in and we are already starting vocals. 

trusting your gut to want sweets

Today we listen though the 7 songs we did beds for yesterday. On the first listen of one of the songs my gut said we should re do it, but by the third time hearing it everything seemed fine. Rory and Radwan have gone to pick up pastries, I'm wondering what my gut will say when it's full of sugar.

End of day reflection

Here is what the last 24 hours have looked like to us, unfortunately we have yet to capture ourselves on film actually playing or making "magic" as one might say. You would not know it from the pictures but we are actually making speedy progress on this record. It sounds really amazing so far. We only have six days in the studio, so far we've laid out the base (really, I mean the base not the bass) for seven songs

First Post

So here we are, this seems the best way to reveal the inner workings of making an S&S record.

We are recording @ hotel2tango here in Montreal with Radwan Moumneh

Maybe best to first report to you our breakfasts' for the day:

Rory: Bagel smoked Salmon and cream cheese 

Caila: Wasabi peas, Payapa, *she also had a pear and chocolate danoise before work this morning..

Jon: Eggs and stuff

Nate: Granola + yogurt 

Inspirations for the day:

Gimme Shelter, Cross country skiing on Mont-Royal, Lost season 4 episode 7+8, Steve's (Baby Eagle) advice to Nathan for the day: drink water, keep hydrated .