Our second record has just been mastered. In other words: it’s done.
This was a strange and interesting trip, filled with intuitive flow and lots of momentum. We learned an awful lot making the first album and put those lessons into play making the second. For us it’s all about capturing something natural, not over-thinking things and just putting one foot in front of the other. Combine this with a crack production team (Dave and Jools, with help from our buddy Paul) and you get to some pretty interesting and special places.
We talked before making this album about the spirit we wanted to capture. There’s a feeling to this record that sums up the time in which it was made and the place the band was in. It’s a good place, and we hope that comes across when you hear it.
It’s time to take it into the world now. We’ll do a small promotional run of the album, and take it to New York in March to see what’s what.
- Dan
Hey there,
We wanted to share this with you. In August of 2010 we went to into
Sing Sing studios for the first session of our second album
‘Sweetwater’.
Our friend and band mate Paul shot this video of the day’s session.
At the time… starting another project seemed like a mountain, and
our atittude was get in get out - quick. Looking back now, it seems like
Our new album ‘Sweetwater’ is almost completed… we hope you like this
little ‘peak’ into our strange world.
We launched a ‘Double A-side’ single last night at The Grace Darling - Last
Song That I Write/Along the Way.
It’s a great venue - perfect size, cool atmosphere, nice stage. We had some good friends playing with us in the form of Paul Ruske, a frequent Glorious collaborator and gifted singer-songwriter, and a new band called Format Wars, made up of old friends. They filled the space with their brooding instrumental pieces before Paul and his band played a refined, soulful set.
Our good buddy Tom Marks from Goodbye Motel was helping us out on bass and it was a pleasure to have him on stage. He gels with us effortlessly and after having him direct and shoot a video of ours (Along the Way) as well as play on our new album, it was cool to finally play a show with him. We worked in several new songs and the set ended up being about half acoustic-based, which made things interesting. Top-flight sound-man and good friend Cam Trewin took care of the mix and that investment was worth it to say the least - a sound-man can literally make or break a show.
The first 40 guests took home a copy of the single, gratis.
I spent the last two days at Pauly’s studio, recording mainly guitars and some keyboards for the album. It was rare to spend two straight days recording, so we took full advantage!
Pauly’s been busy working on his debut album of late, and took some time from that to work on The Glorious album. His first single ‘Washed in the River’ has been getting massive props. You can check it out here –
’Washed In the River’ - by Paul Ruske (Featuring Soweto Gospel Choir)
The songs are shaping up. The further you go, the more ideas you have to improve things. I think deadlines are so important for projects like this, as you can be in danger of getting lost. Like, head way up your butt kind of lost.
I think the stand outs thus far are ‘Sweetwater’ and a brand new track called ‘Seen the Light’. Sounds rather religious doesn’t it?
-Dave
The Third day of Sing Sing…..
We visited Sing Sing again yesterday for what will probably be our last day of tracking there for album #2.
After the required morning coffee hit we loaded in and set up, honing the sounds to Jools’ liking. We know the room pretty well now so we feel kind of at home there. It’s important to make the place feel like it’s yours for the day, and forget about the fact that you’re hiring a world class studio with amazing gear at every turn. The more relaxed the better.
We tracked the drums fairly quickly and then Dave made use of the vast array of studio guitars on hand to experiment with sounds on a couple of songs. The spirits of Black Sabbath, John Bonham and The Beatles were all called upon at various times during the day to help us tap into certain feels and moods for various tracks. Things flowed and the spirits were good to us.
We’re careful not to wring every drop of blood out of a session. When we feel like the work is done and it’s time to go, we go. We have a little tradition of grabbing a curry after a session, and we honoured that again last night, although sadly Jools couldn’t make it. Dave had a beer for him.
Dan
Last night a gentleman came to my house with a Piccolo Trumpet! With fantasies of Simon and Garfunkel and The Beatles… I had asked him around to try and capture a ‘certain sound’.
I got paranoid halfway through as I realized… having someone play Trumpet in your house is, well kinda loud. He was a great guy though… and a very good player so no-one complained.
To top a very hot hour off I asked him, as a very special treat, to play the solo from Penny Lane. He did, and he nailed it in one. Just like David Mason!
It was very exciting after that… too bad Penny Lane has already been released…
His name is Ari Farrar, and here he is pictured here.
Till next session!
-Dave
We headed into the lush confines of Sing Sing studio yesterday to continue laying down tracks for our second album.
With us on bass was our partner-in-crime from Goodbye Motel, Tom Marks, who’s generously given his time in rehearsal over the past few weeks to help us hone the songs and develop a humming band sound. He adds a beautiful element to our chemistry, kind of like he’s always been there.
Our co-producer Jools once again helmed the session. You don’t want to get in his way when there’s work to be done. He’s an amazing force in the studio, ensuring that things keep moving forward and really steering the ship. The man has been involved with many hit records and his presence gives the proceedings a little magic.
Sing Sing is truly a haven for a band to record. It’s equipped with all the gear you could want plus amazing house engineers who just get the job done. When you combine their big room with Jools’ gift for capturing sounds you’re onto something pretty classy.
We’re kind of deep into the record now. Dave is still writing - some of the songs are brand new. That freshness is very cool.
Out for now.
Dan
We returned to The Workers Club last week to support our buddies Goodbye Motel at their farewell show. Those boys are heading to the USA soon to dive into another world and make the most of some opportunities that have come their way. May good things be abundant for them.
Our own experience in the States last year was very special and left us eager to undertake the journey again. There’s nothing quite like driving into LA at dusk, especially if it’s a virgin land for you. LA and NY are full of mystery and excitement in very different ways. The atmosphere of each city is completely unique and we were fortunate enough to experience them back to back. If all goes to plan we’ll be touring the States again around the middle of the year.
Goodbye Motel actually sold out the Workers Club, a mighty achievement. Our set was short and sweet, in accord with our aim to be super pro. We wanted to play a good set, exit the stage in plenty of time and leave the headliners to do their thing, cameras and all. The mission, I think, was accomplished.
As for today, we’re in the process of seeing whether we can arrange a recording session for next week. A certain song is asking for a certain chemistry. We’ll see if it comes together.
l
