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Archive for the 'Making The Album' Category
helloooooo
Author: admin
So, I know it may look like it, but I swear, I haven’t abandoned this blog nor this site!
It’s been 1 month since the album released on iTunes and I’ve been working on promo and getting album reviews. I have so much more to share, and will do so this week when we unveil the NEW WEBSITE… but the biggest change that has occurred is: I’ve left my day job and am now focusing on music FULL TIME during the week! No more splitting my focus and running around from one place to another. Though I was grateful for part-time work, I want to devote all my energy and time to this album. So, expect bigger, brighter, larger, shinier, happier, sparkly-er things from now on. I’M SO EXCITED TO START RUNNING THE RACE!
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into the studio
Author: mia
So I’m going into the studio tomorrow and possibly Thursday. Probably will record Marionette and a couple others. Mr. Producer works fast and we’ve established a synergy. General day in the studio is: choose a song, load in files, record lead vocals, build over vocals and base tracks with Mr. Producer laying down electric guitar and keys. Throughout the day we listen for where there needs to be a bit more layering of parts (usually in the chorus to make it bigger compared to verses). Then I add background vocals. Then we call it a day, and let the songs sit, then come back to a song to tweak parts another day. At first I was a bit scared at how fast we built the songs, but Mr. Producer is a genius, and it WORKS, and I really love what we’re coming up with. He just makes my odd-but-rocky-angsty-pop-singer/songwriter songs cooler. He is also very open to hearing my feedback and for me to say “can we try this?”. Album is slowly slowly approaching completion. 4 songs down, 8 or so to go!
On another vein I was contemplating releasing this album primarily as a Digital Album, but then I realized, I have to send out hard copies of the album to my dear Sukey Rose Project members, so I’ll be doing at least a 1000 unit run. So many industry peeps are saying that indie artists should forego the hard copy and just sell digitally, but CD’s are BIG sellers at shows, especially for Indie artists. People like to take a piece of the music and the experience home with them, a tangible piece, i.e. CD. A CD marks a supportive relationship between a fan and artist. Especially when you can shake the hand of the person supporting you through the purchase of your CD and sign a kind note on their CD as well. It’s personal. and real.
money money money… money
Author: mia
As someone left a comment on the front page that people might want to hear more about this heart wrenching indie-musician-recording-and-album-process, I’ve decided to start this year by writing more blogs. Don’t say I didn’t warn you because I tend to pontificate, but for the few that may be reading, here we go!
So one big lesson I’ve learned in this process of making this album at a higher level than my last one is, generally, high quality audio production = tons of money. That is the BIGGEST issue that’s holding back recording right now. And when I mean quality, I’m talking broadcast tv audio quality, not just something that sounds good on myspace… I’ve been lucky to work with great producers this time around who are willing to work with my budget, but in the end, if I want more of their time, that costs $$$. I wonder, how did Ingrid Michaelson do it? Work with cool producers, mixers and get prime mastering (a whole ‘nother process after recording that costs $$$) and pay for everything? Maybe she saved up. Or maybe she did a deal with people for ‘points’ on the album (percentage of sales) or had private funding. If anyone knows, throw me some tips!
Besides trying to save what little is left over from my part-time salary after paying bills each month, I’ve realized it’s not too bad work to try to sell stuff on ebay and craigslist. I started posting things on craigslist last month. Only sold 1 out of about 7 things I listed. I put some collected makeup samples and my used M-Audio Firewire interface on ebay and just made $300, not bad! That’s almost enough for about 1 average day in the studio. I started applying for part and full time jobs late last year, just as a stab in the dark but with no results. I’m still pondering about how to balance another part-time job during the week and recording the album, can I do it? Or, I’m sure if I tried, I could get a $7/hour job, but I figured working a few hours on ebay and craigslist would be a more efficient use of my time, and so far it has. I’m still going to relist some equipment I want to sell and keep an eye out for the right part-time opportunity ($20/hour minimum cause I’m WORTH it, seriously!).
Oh, and did you know that I could fund my whole album if I sold an egg? as in OVARY egg. $15,000 on craigslist. Or if I was desperate enough, there was that ad looking for ‘nit-pickers’ as in… picking lice out of people’s hair. seriously, it was a CL job posting by a company called “Hair Whisperers Lice Removal”… as in “Horse Whisperer”? Not quite that desperate yet. Tomorrow I have a Support Team Meeting to regroup and refocus on how to get this done!
Sweet November
Author: mia
As cheesy as that movie is, I still like it because I basically love any movie with Keanu Reeves in it. It’s November already! Well practically November… I can’t believe it was in March that we launched this project. Time has FLOWN! The Sukey Rose Project has been a very valuable learning experience! And it’s not over yet. There is no giving up! So, the recording test session that was set for a couple weeks ago had to be rescheduled for sometime next month. So I was thinking last week, what the heck? Why am I putting so much pressure on myself to finish the album this year? And as easy as pie, I aligned myself with the notion that the album will be released in Spring ‘09. I’ve just been trying so hard to get this done I didn’t want to see the ‘08′ turn into an ‘09′ but you know what? I’m going to have an album that I love and it will be done with care and careful planning so yeah! I’ll record early Jan/Feb and right now the release date is set for mid-March. I’ve got my work cut out for me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. World watch out. I’ve discovered a new attitude, something I didn’t really exercise before if you can believe it… it’s called… AMBITION.
Road Bump
Author: mia
Hello All! I hope you’re enjoying the last breaths of summer… I spent last week with my brother, sis in law and my two most amazing adorable nephews who were visiting from the East Coast. Let go of my worries for a bit, enjoyed the beach and also babysitting! But now it’s back onto the saddle…You may have noticed there’s been a bit of a silence on my side regarding the album… it’s cause, well, recording the new album has been put on pause. Yeah, it sucks, but I’m determined to make this into a positive thing. Some of the reasons I made the decision to put things on hold are due to funding and scheduling issues. At first I was really down about a perceived setback, but now I’m determined, hopeful and driven. I’m going to take this opportunity to try to do a bit more fan-funding and pray for a sponsor to help me finish the album. I’ll fill everyone in with more details soon. Just wanted to let you know that the project is still going, we’ve just hit a bit of a bump on the road, BUT! nothing’s gonna stop me… onward I go!
Trials and Tribulations
Author: mia
This week is off from recording! I’m catching up on some housekeeping, errands, promo for the Project, etc. So a couple weeks ago I almost gave up. Scrapped everything. Artist=swept away by emotion I guess. I was feeling stressed about raising funds, doubting my worth, wanting to just quit and give up the album and music. It was like a storm of discouragement and negative thoughts came and battered me for a week. The biggest frustration was feeling insignificant. Insignificant musically, to the world, etc. But my faith got me through, and I read my trusty bible and the storm passed. But, truthfully if there were no project managers/support team and project members to keep me accountable, I would have run away and hid in a cave. Thankfully, I’m not alone! What causes stress? Well for one, feeling as if every note is final, down for posterity. Trusting another human being to bring the songs to fruition (still working on this one, but I’m getting better, no?). Wondering if my stuff is really good or just ‘good’, though I know I don’t suck. Fearing that I’m wasting everyone’s money and time. Though the technical process or recording itself hasn’t been stressful, it’s these general questions about my identity and future as a musician that press upon me. It’s times like these I wish I was a driven, ambitious, slightly obnoxious but well-meaning diva. I’d get so much done! I know we all go through these times. It’s part of being human. Thanks for reading.
Layers and layers
Author: admin
Songs Mapped Out, Tempos Chosen= DONE!
Scratch Tracks (Vocals and Guitar)=DONE!
Record Drums (over scratch tracks)= DONE!
What next? Now we get into the meat of recording! Right now as I type, Tim is recording electric guitar parts, layers and layers of them, onto “War”. Looks like we’ll take it song by song, add instrumentation, and flesh them all out musically. Then we tackle vocals and I’ll get to sing to amazing instrumentation. (Karaoke to my own songs? Fun!)
Tales from the Studio, Day 6
Author: mia
Yesterday was day 6 in the studio and it has been going well! The first few days we recorded scratch tracks (rough guitar, vocal, and rhythm tracks to be used as reference for studio musicians, i.e. the drummer.) None of the scratch tracks are really used on the album which is good cause I was snifflin’ with my cold, but it’s almost gone. Today we tweaked the piano on “Siren”, added scratch vocals and Tim added these really cool key textures to the chorus. One of the sounds was this really bass-y, subsonic texture and it had the whole studio booming like a sat. night rave. Will do a proper video blog from the studio on Tuesday and give everyone a little tour!
Summa summa summa summer time
Author: mia
It’s JUNE already! And bummer, I’ve caught a summer cold. Hopefully that’s not going to make a big impact on… GOING INTO THE STUDIO TO START RECORDING MY ALBUM TOMORROW!!!! Whoo hoo! Tomorrow, Tuesday June 3rd, I’m going to begin something I’ve been trying to do for the past 4 freakin’ ‘years! It goes to show, if you really want to do something, if you never let go of it or give up, eventually it will come to pass.
Recording usually starts with ‘pre-production’, which is what I’ll be doing for the first few days in the studio. Preproduction is different with each producer you work with. Generally it means going over songs you will track (record), going over the direction of the sound, arrangements, lyrics, etc. Preproduction allows the musician and producer to get a good picture of what the album will look like overall and it’s a time for everyone involved to share their visions and get on the same page.
On Choosing a Producer (Part 2)
Author: mia
Your budget is settled, you’ve got a short list of producers. What next?
Next, you contact the producers and/or visit the studio in which you will be recording in. I spoke on the phone with one potential producer, visited the studio of another, and had email correspondence with the third. All three could help me make an amazing album.
I carefully listened all of their past work and consulted my support team. This is where the decision got a bit stressful! I had to really figure out what I wanted this album to sound like. It helps to have a clear idea of what genre/style your music is in and what your target market is. The producer you choose will designate the general direction you will go in terms of sound and style. Did I want this second album to sound more spacey/indie/alternative/rock? Did I want to go more in the direction of mainstream/singer/songwriter/pop/rock? Hmmm… After taking everything in consideration, I finally decided on a producer who I know would do an EXCELLENT job and made me feel *tres* comfortable in the studio. Someone I knew who could help me bring a bit of all genres into the songs. We’ll be starting pre-production in the first week of June and then record through the month of June!
Oh my, I’ve got to get to that fundraising. $3000 RAISED SO FAR!!!! Need at least $4000 more by the end of May and the rest by the end of June. Please spread the word. Thank you for supporting independent music.
-M
On Choosing a Producer (Part 1)
Author: mia
The first big step to making your own album is finding a producer. The producer of your album will be the person who will help you take your songs from rough draft to completed form. The producer will also have a huge impact on what your album will sound like because ultimately he/she will be directing the actual recording of the sounds.
The cool thing about being an indie artist who hires their own producer is that you have the option of having a say in how the songs are recorded and what they’ll sound like. This is called ‘co-producing’. Most signed artists aren’t allowed to co-produce until they’ve established themselves as hit-makers or are on their 3rd or 4th album.
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