Fundamental Elements

in the studio (3.7.2008)

fundamental elements March 7th, 2008
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We’re back in the studio for day 5 and we’ve brought in guest producer Jorge Casas of Miami Sound Machine fame (yup…that Miami Sound Machine). Today should be a fun day.

• 10:32am We’ve had our morning coffee and Jorge is listening to some of the tracks that we’ve already done in order to get a feel for the sounds we’re going for.
• 12:06pm We’ve been working on a lot of foundational things for the tune “All Burns Down,” getting drum loops, tempos, basic grooves, etc. in place. We’ve all been singing ridiculous percussion and melodic ideas back and forth as we bounce groove ideas off each other. Jorge is excited to be here and it’s definitely energizing the group; a good “pick-me-up” after a long, hard week. There are a billion great ideas flying around and a great energy in the room. It’s going to be a great day. We’re very excited about this track. The full band is doing one more pass for the drum takes, and then it’s off to the races…
• 12:39pm The first band tracks are down and Stephen’s editing drums again. After a brief conversation about lunch the room went completely silent for like 5 minutes. Kinda like all those times that Joe has told an awkward joke and nobody knows how to respond.
• 1:00pm Mark is working on bass parts. Yeah, that’s all that’s really happening right now.
• 1:49pm Drums and bass are done. The groove on this song is sick (what else would you expect when working with a sound machine?). Back after lunch.
• 3:00-ish Lunch break over, fresh pot of coffee on, and we’re ready to dive into some guitar parts.
• 4:18pm Joe is throwing down some guitar tracks! Luke keeps playing “Conga” by Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine to keep the energy up and to keep Jorge inspired. Geez…
• 5:26pm Guitars are down. Extra cymbal hits have been added to give the song even more cymbalness. Keys are getting started. Oh baby.
• 6:37pm Keyboard parts are progressing nicely. First, Dustin took us out to the ballgame to church with some sweet organ sounds, and now he’s throwing down some tasty clav parts. He’s so fresh…like strawberries. ;)
• 7:00pm Dustin’s parts are down and it’s time to take a break before hitting the vocals.
• 8:38pm Pizza was ordered (after being placed on hold several times). Russ recorded his vocals while we were waiting for the pizza. Several of us have eaten while Jorge, Stephen, and Russ are listening back through the vocal takes and picking the keepers.
• 9:53pm The pizza was killer. Russ’ vocals and harmonies were killer. Stephen likes to say killer. (Speaking of killer…Mark spent the last 20 minutes reading up on the history of Crystal Pepsi)
• 10:09pm There’s snow on the ground in Nashville and the studio is filled with the sweet brassy sound of Russ’ trumpet. Feels like Christmas.
• 10:43pm Right now Jorge is sitting in the magic seat (basically that means he gets to sit in Stephen’s chair while the rough mix plays to disk). This has become one heck of a song on one heck of a day. See you in the morning.