All the Little Details
I am so sorry for not writing more often. Since I finished recording there have been all these little, tedious bits of things to do. So here is a list of some of the things an independent musician is up to after the recording is finished.
1. Get the final masters… On January 22nd I had tea and talk with the one and only Paul Intson, who did such an incredible job mastering. Paul also laid down three awesome bass parts on the album. This meeting was so great, I am now a huge fan.
2. Album artwork… this one has been really, really time consuming. Since I have a bit of Photoshop knowledge, I have been messing around with the artwork on my own. I realize that many people these days do not value the album as a tactile experience. Of course there are always upsides and though digital downloading has killed CD sales, the amount of waste it has saved the earth is something I cannot say that I am ungrateful for. But I cannot deny the fact that something is missing when I purchase things on iTunes. I miss the artwork, I miss reading the lyrics in the companion booklet, I miss reading the credits – Who produced the album? Where was it recorded? Who played on it? Who wrote the songs? Pictures, posters, drawings… all these things are lost to me in the digital world. I know, I know, this information is only a click away but it is just not good enough on a computer screen! So I am taking my album art seriously because I want to make sure that you die hards like me do not miss anything.
3. Promo shots…yuck. If there is anything I hate more than the smell of broccoli it is having my picture taken. I feel so unnatural in front of cameras. Know what I mean? When the lens is on me I just do not feel like being myself is good enough, or interesting enough for that matter. However, this time around I cannot believe I can say…I had fun! A year ago I met a young photographer named Elizabeth Kaye and she was such a lovely person I never forgot her. When I was speaking to my photo-friend Jamie Rosenthal about taking some new shots, he mentioned that I should give Elizabeth a call. So I did. Elizabeth came over to my house a few weeks ago and we pretty much just hung out and took pictures. She even taught me how to hold my mouth! See I never knew what to do with it! – should I smile, or should I be serious? UGH! So complicated. Models are not given enough credit, people. They know their bodies so well and have such control over each limb and facial expression I believe what they do is truly an art and a skill. Anyhow. Elizabeth made me feel much more comfortable in a lens than I ever have before and the shots that she came up with are just awesome. She is a very gifted photographer and an even kinder person. I cannot wait to see where her career leads her. As soon as I can I will post some of the shots. www.elizabethkaye.ca
4. Research, and more research, and more research… management companies, record labels, venues, festivals, distribution, e-zines, new music blogs, pod casts, booking agents, grant applications for touring and music videos, etc, etc, etc… the list really does go on and on. I have to be careful to make time for writing new songs and practicing! For all you independent musicians out there making a living with your talent, I give you serious props.
5. Boot Camp…When we finished recording, Dave could see that I was a little scared about what was to come next. You see, I really do love performing, but I find it emotionally exhausting. The recording process felt so much more natural – secluded. So, Dave said to me “You need to go to boot camp.” Since I am going to be spending the better part of the next two years on a stage, he figured I should have my chops together – not just musically, but emotionally. This is one of the reasons I found a weekly gig at a little coffeehouse in Westdale called My Dog Joe. Since December 1st I have been playing every Tuesday (minus one) and each week I am learning more and more about what it is to be a solo performer. It is a very different beast than being a recording artist, that’s for sure. Whether it is a hand full or a hall full of people, the most important thing is to make a connection. And I am finding that in order to do this I have to make that connection with myself first.
“All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.” (Mark Twain)
I think I made up for the lost journal entries with this one! If you are still awake, thanks for reading.
‘Till next time.
1 Comment
Hugs!