A Strangely Lit Zen Garden- Week 12

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Americana, Fireworks, Parades, Stars,
Politicians, Heat, Snow cones, People Watching, Beer,
Charcoal, Family, Nostalgia, Sunshine, Veterans, Patriotism,
Flags, Homegrown Vegetables, Banners, Classic Rock, Vintage Cars, Freedom

I steered toward the studio anxious to see which musical bits of the new songs would further evolve. This is the beauty of studio production. The bass line for the song ‘Always’, played by the famous Timmy Wolf, was tightened and given more depth, internet plans brainstormed and secured, and rough test mixes of three songs were concentrated on and critiqued. ‘9Sticks’ and ‘Retrograde’ are sounding capacious and phenomenal due to the clever production and engineering at TAYLORStudios. The initial break-dance beat that leads into ‘Retrograde’ interlaced well with Vox, Orange, and Marshall amp tones. Song structures were tonally deconstructed and reconstructed for ultimate sonic outgrowth. There are a few more experimental bits to add to the textural landscapes of the EP, but we are quickly moving into the mixing and production portion of the recording process. Break time at the studio is a great time for reflection and a rest for the ears, although there is the occasional rumble and whistle of a passing train.
For some downtime, Liza and I met a few friends down by the Milwaukee lakefront for what I like to call “The worlds largest broken record”. All had fun, but we high tailed it out of Dodge when the mass of humankind hit later that evening. I prefer crowds when on stage.
I became the proud owner of a primo vintage style pedal pusher bike this week that I will enjoy every chance I get. It really helps to have a bike when one digs biking so much. Thick white wall tires, fenders, spokes, and reflectors… Sweet. Much of the non-studio downtime of the holiday weekend was spent biking and enjoying the outdoors in the backyard strangely lit Zen garden of sorts where I like to write.
The 4th of July was composed of a downtown parade and grilling a strange Cajun/everything in the pot dinner I created while camping the previous year. Congressman Paul Ryan, a politician that I actually dig, was in the hometown parade. I think it’s a positive thing to see a Washington politician take part in this public display of patriotism and promotion of American values. The parade and the dinner were somewhat similar in that both were filled with lots of different ingredients that came together in a spicy, salty, colorful, fragrant dish... Freedom. I’m glad I have the right to say something that corny.
As a write this and crank some Zeppelin, I am reminded of the fact that we can experience all of these things because of the founding fathers and the 4th of July. Make sure you thank a veteran that you know for all the rights that other people can only dream of.
Pics @
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/

Week 11- CRACKLE & LIGHT

Image by xelcise via Flickr

CRACKLE & LIGHT

Cricket lessons from a good Austrailian friend launched week 11. Let’s be specific though… French Cricket. I’m trying to avoid a sticky wicket with the hardcore cricketers that follow this blog (I know there are so many).  I am anxious to become more versed in the game and visualize becoming a better batsman in the future… strange start to the week.

I am always amazed at how an idea from an invisible source can become incarnate and tangible. It is both a blessing and a mystery. This week unveiled a small light at the end of the EP recording tunnel. The first glimpse of post-production came into view yesterday as we set acoustic guitar tracks for the song ‘Always’. My home pre-production had been transformed into the first rough mix of a song that bounced out of my head last summer. TAYLOR Studios is steadily working their musical alchemy on this harmonic design and I am looking forward to finishing and hearing the other songs. Work on ‘9Sticks’ begins tomorrow.

On another note, the pc in my home studio appears to be succumbing to the digital demon living inside of it. There is something far more evil than suspected in that low continuous groan emanating constantly from my monitors. This is not a good thing as far as recording the new ideas that are backing up inside my noggin… But alas, I am not a pc exorcist. Time for a new home studio computer… Any suggestions are appreciated (find me on Twitter, Facebook, Here).

FRESH COAST ENTERTAINMENT interviewed me this past week making it the second EP dialogue in a few short weeks. Both interviews were conducted before a full moon. Hmmm…. I’m looking forward to seeing how the online magazine represents the conversation. More marketing and branding sessions are springing out of conversation during studio breaks. Thirsty, yearning, enthusiastic… Patient?
Pics @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/sets/72157624362697776/

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Week 10 EP Recording- MODIFICATION

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Captain’s log: Stardate 201018.10.
Vocal lines have been evaluated and confirmed until the mixing of the EP. All guitar lines were analyzed and some set to re-track. The content of my last interview, new photos, and a demo of the new site were also evaluated for proper character. The engine room reports that we are clear to pickup speed in order to reach an end of July destination. The Captain sends his recommendation to throw a party when this process has reached fruition.
We began retracking several clean guitar tracks on ‘Retrograde’ and a couple fiery Pete Townshend sounding bits. Progress was also made on ‘Always’. We may only be a track away from finishing the guitar on that number. The original solo guitar will either need a couple touch ups or to be rerecorded due to a couple odd notes in the original recording. I’m looking forward to further developing these original tracks… Tonight.
Major lifestyle changes have taken place this week thanks in part to the very energetic Tony Horton and the need to get into full on rockin condition (not the Motley Crue diet) for the upcoming video shoot. I will tell you now that Yoga is not my friend, but I can see the value in it. Having discipline may hurt now but will pay off later. I hate clichés, but “No pain no gain” actually makes sense. This concept is so foreign to our current “Give it to me now” drive-up culture.
It’s one thing to be interviewed and it’s another to edit the interview with a sort of focus group. That’s really all I have to say about that… I’ll stick to songwriting.
Currently I am anticipating a Saturday afternoon of cooking pit bbq, drinking a few beers, and listening to Jim Morrison rant some gibberish about “Seminary school”. Yeah, Loverboy was right and I can’t get ‘Everybody’s Workin for the Weekend’ out of my head. Somehow this blog ended like an old Dennis Miller piece from SNL. Oh well. That’s the news and I’m outta here!

Pics @
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/sets/72157624186933815/

Week 8- HOME

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Home is not a place. Home is a feeling you get when you are in the company of certain people. Some may experience it in a circle of friends, in the fellowship of like-minded people, or the gathering of family. The later was my case during the past Memorial Day weekend and week eight of the EP recording saga.
Our party of two traveled the state’s endless summer construction to a small town in northern Wisconsin. My family has had some sort of connection to the area since the early 60’s. The studio was pushed aside for the untarnished rugged landscape of the Turtle Flambeau Flowage this week. Emerging from a pleasant night of conversation and rest, we were eager to explore. We trekked through the Fallison lake trail, Star Lake trail, and mapped out other stops over champagne and fresh strawberries. Not very rock and roll, but the pine air and sunshine were great for recharging energy.
The family headed over to the Wisconsin Concrete Park for an incredible exposition of 200 glass and concrete statues constructed by Fred Smith, paid respects to relatives who have gone before, and relaxed on a sunny deck overlooking the forest and flowage. Texts and calls were nonexistent due to the remote location. Although there was no studio work this week, there were new memories composed and flashes from the past evoked. Home is not a place. Home is a feeling.  
Pics @
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/sets/72157624227343312/

Week 7 EP Recording- RETURN

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We were finally free to head back into the studio after a stimulating two weeks out and about away from the studio. The unseasonably warm weather of the past weekend made it hard to stay inside the otherwise comfortable studio setting. The recent addition of a basketball to TAYLOR Studios and the great weather provoked a few free throws and lay-ups in between songs. Great diversion on a hot May day. A game of h.o.r.s.e. may be in order when we are closer to the EP wrap.
The first day back was filled with much strategizing and also brought Nia, a new member of the production/promotion team, into the studio environment. I can see that she will bring some great ideas and interpretation into the mix. On Saturday, the background vocals were finished for the harmony laden ‘9Sticks’track. Producer/engineer Jeff, vocalist/strategist Liza, and I enjoyed a couple Tecate’s and an impromptu Mexican feast to end the day. Calling it a day is always good with an extended chill out session.
More background vocals were tracked on Sunday. We tentatively sorted out which bits would stay and which would be excluded so as to not be predictable and boring. An extensive brainstorming session followed Jeff Taylor’s lesson in crafting a solid Internet strategy. Liza began to conceptualize some original logo ideas and Nia introduced new musings on branding and image. Perspicacity and vision were soaring and streaming.
I was interviewed on sunny breezy Tuesday afternoon in a grassy peaceful setting. Interviews make me more nervous than singing no mater what the location. I think it’s all the honest straight talk that people generally avoid in daily life. Harmonies were then recorded for ‘Retrograde’, which would crescendo from a Beatles feel into some strange Eagles sounding polyphony. A “field trip” to my personal studio was resulted on Thursday due to the complex nature of the loops used in a couple new songs and talk of a major workroom overhaul. I took over the chef duties after the business part of the afternoon was completed. Week seven ended with the crew as twilight fell and solar lamps turned on around a grill and a chimenea. 
Pics @
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/

Week 6- Nostalgia

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The Rhinocerotic reunion episode came to a close in week six. No studio time was taken this week due to the practice schedules and studio bookings. Liza & I were feeling artsy toward the end of the week so we both took a much needed vacation day. County Clare, The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, and the Milwaukee art Museum were all wrapped into less than 24 hours. Ah yes, Kandinsky, Jamieson, Word of God…. It was a groovy Irish pub/Religious/Expressionistic moment.
Saturday was sonically thrust into early morning Sunday at the Rhinocerotic reunion show. Rhino overtook the stage with the traditional 90’s psychedelic dance groove followed by Tim Korry and Me Talk Pretty. It was great to see the guys and the “old crowd” back together and rockin’ better than ever 10 years later. The fire and force had slightly ebbed after the flow of the first show due to a little exhaustion on my part. Regardless, we advanced into an ambitious exposition of euphony and luminosity. I do so love online thesauruses… 
Week six ended with a brief meeting at Milwaukee’s famous Leon’s Drive In with Jeff Taylor. The next studio date was discussed over Leon’s Spanish Burgers and lemonade in cool 50’s style. Jeff told me that the burger recipe was actually his mom’s. This cool local bit of trivia completed a great week of nostalgia and amusement. Week 7 begins in days… 

Pics with exclusive 2010 Rhinocerotic shots @

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/sets/72157624098005760/

Week 5- A Sweet Sounding Pilgrimage

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I headed over to one last practice with RHINOCEROTIC (play) after a not so interesting 8hr grind of daily monotony (work). We decided on the final set list for the show this coming Saturday, jammed through the set, surrounded by some chilling out time. It looks like the show will be the traditional psychedelic soaked groove rock show that was our trademark in the 90’s. I headed back home after this strange sensation of reliving my early 20’s… This will be a sweet-sounding pilgrimage.
Neil Moore (jazz fusion bass cat) joined Liza and me on Saturday afternoon for a run through of the songs from the upcoming ‘Between the Sun & the Moon’ EP. Following up RHINOCEROTIC will be quite a job. This will be the live unveiling of the new songs with a couple tunes from ‘Music From Earth’ as well.  It is a bit strange opening for myself. Drummer Cliff McGrew will be locked in to a full sonic practice on Friday.
Saturday night ran blindfolded and screaming into Sunday. Our get together with friends was a great time filled with margaritas, Mexican food, and conversation which grew increasingly strange as the night went on. Everything was fine until (and I know that you know this moment) somebody mentions “shots”. Not being a fan of that sort of thing, I entered reluctantly. Ocho de Mayo was a little rough, but some grillin and chillin the next day with the Pogues playing “Waltzing Matilda” helped quite a bit. Next week, back into the studio!
This week: RHINOCEROTIC- TIM KORRY- ME TALK PRETTY @ Vnuk’s Lounge. See http://www.timkorry.com/ for more info.
Pics:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49198010@N07/sets/72157624036334052/

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