It was a fantastic and fruitful year for the studio, our most productive yet. I want to thank all of the people who recorded with us here in Colorado. First off, I want to thank Anthony Davis for stepping up with massive versatility on several different projects this year. Anthony is a true team player and his guitar, bass and vocals were crucial components to several tracks the studio produced this past year. I also want to thank Kevin Chanel and Vinny Giracello. Both of these fine men traveled from long distances to record at our little, family basement studio. And though both projects are still in-the-works(Lemon-Limes and Skinny Mulligan EXP), they will be completed in early 2012.
Another project I am very excited about is the Junebug/Frankie G collaboration. I spent some time this past year developing "beats" for a few of my friends to rap over. Recording this type of music is both new and challenging for me. My friend Frank is a hip-hop MC who has been performing around Colorado Springs for a few years now(Doobie Bros, SoCo Hiphop). We started working together a few months ago on a new project. We hope to have the new EP completed the first few months of 2012. Then, we plan to work out a live show.
Today, I spent a few hours down in the studio. It was my first excursion there as I have been taking the month off. I started out by recorded a distorted drum machine with delay beat. Then, I added a bass line that really anchors the tune. Next, a souped up keyboard joined the fray. About half way through the tune, I heard a guitar line in my head and added 2 guitars to the mid-to-end of the song. Lastly, I added a scratch vocal track as the song is titled "Ms. Black and White".
The second song recorded is directly influenced by the band Lungfish. I have loved the music of that band for a long time and felt it was time to pay a tribute to their unique sound. I started with a guitar demo, very loud and drone-like. My daughters played keyboard and bongos on the demo. I tried to add drums but it did not mesh right. So, then I recorded a proper version with drums first. Then I added some loud, fuzzy bass and two piercingly chaotic guitars. My daughter Roxy played some cool keyboards on the track as well. I will find the right lyrics for this one and nail it to the wall one day soon.
