Hi everyone and welcome to our new blog.
Here's an introduction to our new CD that we are launching in early December with a bit of background on how we recorded it.
'Martini Blue' is the name of our brand new Album. It's a tribute to the music and style of the 1960s and includes a couple of our original tunes that we think fit with the sound and feel of the CD.
Track Listing:
Yeh Yeh
Here There and Everywhere
Alamoré
(They Long To Be) Close To You
People Get Ready
This Can't Be Love
I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
Moon River
My Heart Belongs To Daddy/Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
Coffee
Mas Que Nada
We tried something quite different for us in the way we recorded this album. In the past we have recorded either in the studio or totally live, this time we thought we'd go for a hybrid of the two.
We invited our families and some friends to join us in the sensational LB Events showroom where a number of comfortable areas were set up for people to relax with a drink and some food.
We set the band up on a small stage at the front of the room and hooked everything up to our long time friend and producer Brett Taylor's mobile recording studio.
We planned four timeslots where we would play all of the songs planned for the album and our aim was that from them we would get at least one version of each song that we were happy to put on the album.
The idea was that we would perform each song as if it was at a gig but with the freedom to start a songbagain if we weren't entirely happy. This gave our audience an interesting insight into the recording process and the way that we can be so hyper critical of things that many people don't even notice. It also gave them a look at the commitment and concentration required to produce a piece of music at a level that we believe best reflects our creative voice. On those occasions where we did start a song again our audience was able to observe the different ways we change things around until we are happy with the final result.
The idea was that we would perform each song as if it was at a gig but with the freedom to start a songbagain if we weren't entirely happy. This gave our audience an interesting insight into the recording process and the way that we can be so hyper critical of things that many people don't even notice. It also gave them a look at the commitment and concentration required to produce a piece of music at a level that we believe best reflects our creative voice. On those occasions where we did start a song again our audience was able to observe the different ways we change things around until we are happy with the final result.
We initially found the process quite daunting and struggled with the idea that we weren't doing a gig but that we were recording something that we hope people will listen to again and again and again. That's not to diminish the live performance but a live gig has a different focus and often you are aiming to achieve different things.
After a while, and with a great pep talk from Brett, we think we really found our groove. We had so much fun doing this part of the recording and we think that that comes across when you listen to it. The album certainly has a live feel about it but there is a clarity that you don't normally get from recording a live show.
After we had recorded the songs we had to each go away and choose our favourite versions of each song, we then came together and as a group decided on the final takes. It is interesting that we were virtually unanimous on every track and now that the mixing and mastering is complete we are all extremely happy with the final result.
Before the final mixing and mastering was done we decided that there were some bits and pieces that we thought could greatly enhance the songs if we added them over top.
We headed out to Brett's personal studio and Barn recorded some vibrant percussion on a number of songs, Lainie recorded some grooving Hammond Organ and Backing Vocals, Katrina also recorded some vocals and Mike added in some colourful guitar.
Once all of the recording was finished we left Brett to weave his magic in the mixing and mastering stage. This is where he adjusts the levels of each instrument, sorts out the EQ so that the album doesn't blow up your state of the art home theatre or just hanging in there car stereo, and adds some great special effects, (Check out the start of 'My Heart Belongs To Daddy' it sounds so cool).
Well that's just about it. The CDs are being pressed as I write this blog and should be in our hot little hands in a week or so.
We're so proud and excited of this album and we hope that you enjoy listening to it as much as we've enjoyed making it.
Until next time.
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