One Step Closer
Well, we got together last night and popped in the CD for a collective listen, which was one of the scarier things I've done in my life. The entire recording process has been exhilerating for its highs and lows - highs in the realization that we were making such a great record, lows in knowing that I could've done a lot better at points, but I think there's some peace at last about that.
All in all, everyone seems very happy and proud - we've made notes about some tinkering that needs to be done, some volume adjustments here, a nip and a tuck there, but overall - we're behind it enough to duplicate some copies to take with us on this week's festival trip. We've decided to make this a special limited edition, numbered and signed, with an initial run of 50. This, until we get the actual record back from duplication.
For me, there was a severe learning curve during the course of recording, so some of my parts are better than others, in my opinion. Everyone else sounds great in that same opinion - isn't it funny how that works? I think it boils down to the fact that only you know what you were shooting for when you played or sung a note. So if you nail that note, you're happy. If you lost control and it ended up someplace else, you may not be so happy. The folks who had no idea what you were shooting for have to judge that music according to their own preferences. You can sing perfectly and still have someone hate your voice. Or you can sing like you've been gargling with razor blades chased by whiskey and cigarettes and earn a following that would make Bruce Springsteen blush. In realizing that - I'm trying to let go of the fact that I generally hate my voice and am terribly paranoid about it as I attempt to improve and better my control. The band has been amazing in encouraging me forward - part of my progress can be chalked up to being so comfortable around them (most of the time, when I'm not freak-spazzing out), which is key if you're going to stretch your wings, try new things.
Really, objectively, standing back from this project and listening to it as a whole, it's quite an amazing album, one that is unique, entertaining and a lot of fun, with just enough mystery to make people go "huh?" I'm very anxious to see what people think of it.
In the meantime, the pre-show crunch is on - today I'm printing out covers, burning CDs, making labels, while also balancing all the other stuff I've got going on (columns to write, interviews to transcribe, plants to water, floors to sweep, administration crap) so I can rest easy when Jae and I take off for Key West on Sunday. I don't want to think about NADA, you hear me? NO THING, ZIP, ZILCH! Wanna sit on a beach, look at the ocean, read a good book, PURGE!
And then, the game is afoot......
All in all, everyone seems very happy and proud - we've made notes about some tinkering that needs to be done, some volume adjustments here, a nip and a tuck there, but overall - we're behind it enough to duplicate some copies to take with us on this week's festival trip. We've decided to make this a special limited edition, numbered and signed, with an initial run of 50. This, until we get the actual record back from duplication.
For me, there was a severe learning curve during the course of recording, so some of my parts are better than others, in my opinion. Everyone else sounds great in that same opinion - isn't it funny how that works? I think it boils down to the fact that only you know what you were shooting for when you played or sung a note. So if you nail that note, you're happy. If you lost control and it ended up someplace else, you may not be so happy. The folks who had no idea what you were shooting for have to judge that music according to their own preferences. You can sing perfectly and still have someone hate your voice. Or you can sing like you've been gargling with razor blades chased by whiskey and cigarettes and earn a following that would make Bruce Springsteen blush. In realizing that - I'm trying to let go of the fact that I generally hate my voice and am terribly paranoid about it as I attempt to improve and better my control. The band has been amazing in encouraging me forward - part of my progress can be chalked up to being so comfortable around them (most of the time, when I'm not freak-spazzing out), which is key if you're going to stretch your wings, try new things.
Really, objectively, standing back from this project and listening to it as a whole, it's quite an amazing album, one that is unique, entertaining and a lot of fun, with just enough mystery to make people go "huh?" I'm very anxious to see what people think of it.
In the meantime, the pre-show crunch is on - today I'm printing out covers, burning CDs, making labels, while also balancing all the other stuff I've got going on (columns to write, interviews to transcribe, plants to water, floors to sweep, administration crap) so I can rest easy when Jae and I take off for Key West on Sunday. I don't want to think about NADA, you hear me? NO THING, ZIP, ZILCH! Wanna sit on a beach, look at the ocean, read a good book, PURGE!
And then, the game is afoot......