Day Seven, Day Eight and Day Nine

Posted by koripop on Jun 24, 2009 in "From the Outskirts" Journal | 1 comment

Day Seven

Justin and Dave had their first day alone in the studio on Friday. Justin came to lay down an upright bass track on Astrocops (which he did and his part sounded great – he is such a funky motha). About a year ago, Justin came up with this great guitar part that sounded like mandolin. Dave had the idea that Justin should play this old Yamaha acoustic guitar with a pick-up a friend of his installed. The sound they got from this guitar is incredible. I have never heard anything like it before. It almost sounds like a harpsichord, or (Dave thinks) a toy piano. I am so happy with what they recorded on Friday. I am such a lucky girl to have Justin by my side. They finished up around 6pm, so I met them at the Barn with a large cheese pizza from Binbrook Pizza, Pasta and More (which tasted awesome by the way). Justin and I went home after an hour and a bit after they showed me their progress…

but not before I downed a giant box of Reese’s Pieces in less than 4 minutes.

Day Eight

Monday was so awesome. I was experiencing bouts of panic all weekend because I had no idea what track to start next. And when I showed on Monday evening, I still had no clue. Dave was lying on the couch listening to Flow ‘n Flow. I listened with him, and when it got to the chorus, I cringed like I usually do. There was something about it that rubbed me the wrong way. Too much was going on… too messy and intense. I took Donovan into my hands and he instantly handed me a new  perspective on the chorus. As soon as I played this new chorus, I knew it was what had been missing all these years. You see, Flow n’ Flow has been kicking around (in some form or another) for nearly 7 years and never felt complete…Until Now!!! Man, I am so pumped about its rejuvenation.

Dave and I decided to lay down the guitar track minus vocals. We recorded a whole bunch of takes and then sat down to listen. Holy cow, am I ever happy with what we came up with. Flow n’ Flow is pretty quick and the guitar part is very tricky. This is why Dave wanted to record it with a shaker track (a sort of drum track to keep me in time). I was totally preparing to mess up the part every time, seeing as I never practice to a steady beat – but it went good.

Dave brought out Almond Granola Bars to celebrate . While I was munching he said something that made me howl. Laughing and eating are a bad combination for me, seeing as I laugh in not out – occasionally sounding awfully close to a goose. So, FunnyManDave cracked a joke and I laughed in, and to my dismay, several parts of my Almond Granola Bar had been sucked up my nose. What an uncomfortable feeling! After I got the pieces out (some slid down on their own accord) A good laugh is always worth some discomfort. (Thanks Dave!)

Day Nine

Tonight I went to the Barn after teaching and we recorded vocals. We got a few really good takes of Flow n’ Flow. It was really bizarre singing this song without playing it on guitar but I became a little more at ease with it after a few passes. Then we recorded what may be the final vocal tracks for Astrocops. The vocal sound Dave got tonight was killer. He said its the best mic sound we’d gotten yet. It showed, because I was very inspired to sing tonight. After this we sat and chatted. Dave played me one of the most hauntingly funky tracks I have ever heard. Her name is Bobbie Gentry and the song Ode to Billy Joe floored me. I cannot believe this is the first I am hearing of this musician. She is one of the first female country artists to write and produce her own music. I am just about to hit YouTube and check out more from her…nite/mornin’. I am back in tomorrow night.