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8/16/2024

ALBUM IS OUT NOW thanks:)

11.3.2023

I declared the record finished a few weeks ago. It's been almost exactly a year since I began thinking about it. We have a release date...far into the future. But it gives us time to figure everything else out. Lucas is mixing and then comes mastering and then comes music videos and album art and layouts and tour planning and writing more...and doing it all over again.

9.4.2023

Recorded a song by myself at John's house with some lent equipment from Lucas. I made two versions before slowing down the tempo and settling into the right thing. I recorded some funny drums in John's attic to go along with it. Some casio sounds and some harmonies. I might work on it a bit more, we'll see.

8.23.2023

We did some final guitar and banjo overdubbing with Tyler and I added some vocal harmonies to a few. Things are pretty much done I think? Maybe Lucas will add some additional percussion to really add the special spice. I've tasked myself with self-recording one song on the record. It's time to work on that. 

7.17.2023

We tracked more vocals today and re-tracked an acoustic guitar that was bothering me. Starting to realize when the songs don't need any additional elements. At least one song is completely done. Probably more. I am appreciating the honest collaborative relationship that Lucas and I have developed. It feels like we are both in service of the songs. Grateful for that.  

6.29.2023

Another short day. We worked on vocals for a bit. I tried my hand at some harmonies for a song but those definitely aren't my strong suit. I always have flashbacks to a performance singing backup harmonies in Cambridge, MA that I totally bombed. Ever since then its like....hard for me to feel confident about it. It's something I really want to improve on though. 

Lucas made me sing Lucky completely in the dark ~for the vibes~. Comping vocals is crazy to watch but I'm glad it exists so I can pretend that I am a perfect singer.

6.27.2023

It was a short day. We intended to work on vocals... but my voice was very hoarse from Barn Party, where I scream-sang Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow with the house band. The hoarseness actually worked for one song, so we harnessed that. We gave up on vocals and started recording construction noises for the solo during Houseboat. Lucas was on handsaw and screwdriver and I was on hammer. We also messed around with some foley sounds for Red Flowers. Went a little coocoo and put the Wilhelm scream in the song. That won't make it onto the final version but...I'm glad we have that for us. 

6.21.2023

Lucas and I worked on vocals today. Many tracks feel close to done. We ate Fu Wah sandwiches for lunch. Victoria stopped by to record harmonies for a song. We were yelling "DEAD FISH" into the mic and doing 90s backup singer harmonies. It's good I promise. 

5.23.2023

Very nice weather. Will H came to the session to add fiddle to three tracks. So impressed with his playing and kindness. When we hear the strings on Lucky, Lucas says we must add a full string quartet. I agree. We got Frank's upright bass part for one of the songs mid session. We ate pork bahn mi's from Fu Wah for lunch. Jon stopped by to hang out but I roped him into adding some vocals to a track. He has a really cool low voice. 

Stevie was being cute, no surprises. 

A little frustration is setting in. At my most cynical it feels like we'll never finish it and the list of things still to be done is so long. I know if I don't make this I will wish I did...so that seems like reason enough to do it. I am thinking about what I would do differently next time already. But I am overall grateful to do it. All the frustrating feelings will probably feel small in the rearview. 

3.19.2023

Got together with everyone (Artie, Juliette, Tyler, Lucas) to work on a song we decided needed a full band arrangement. I think it's the most upbeat song on the record and also one of the most recent ones I've written. Newer songs are always my favorite. MCO added drums remotely to the Townes Van Zandt cover. (Figured out Pete should play guitar on that one too.) Lucas showed me some beautiful synth parts he's been working on. Juliette brought everyone snacks. I ate way too many ranch Pringles. It's officially spring and things are coming to life :) Starting to see the finish line - somewhere over a few more manageable hills. 

2.20.2023

Fourth session with Lucas and Tyler. More guitars, a little banjo. Lucas made French Manhattans. I felt a little crazy at the end. It was a long day, maybe 10 hours. I picked up banh mi's from Fu-Wah for lunch. They take credit cards now. The bitcoin atm is still there, glowing next to the beverages. 

2.13.2023

Third session with Lucas and Tyler. We added acoustic and electric guitar. The songs sound more like songs now. Stevie the Greyhound snuggled up next to me. We ate burritos from Taco Taco for lunch and discussed Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime performance. Lucas convinced me the minimalism was a good thing. She is pregnant after all. 

1.24.2023

Second session with Lucas. We recorded acoustic guitars and scratch vocals. We have basics down for all tracks. I listened to them in the car and felt proud. It's hard not to hear all the stuff I played wrong on guitar- little plucks or squeaks etc. I'm wondering about the sequence of tracks. I'm hoping it all ends up sounding cohesive. 

I've felt like a few different people over the years the songs were written. Feeling slightly vulnerable about some of my older lyrics, they sound stupid to me now. It's odd to present them as new.

Lucas took a polaroid picture of me for the wall. He's been recording a lot of bands at his house lately. It feels good to be a part of that.  

12.7.2022

We had our first session this past weekend. With Artie and Juliette. we did basic drum and bass tracking for 6 songs. it was my first time recording anything in this way. i made chili for the band. i think everyone liked it. the beans didn't ruin any takes (farts). 

thinking about album art with john. thinking about title. its red flowers unless i come up with something better.

played a show with merce lemon at francie's house. forgot lyrics and recovered. 

11.22.2022

i am working on my record. i envision a long list of collaborators. maybe i can get to know my friends better by creating something with them. if you set up your own goalposts you can always score? if you play by your own rules you can always win? process over product? something like that.