ALOT OF PLANNING is required in the pre stages
THE PROCESS IS TRYING AND INSPIRING AT THE SAME TIME, but is immensely rewarding. I must say I had a light but moment early one morning during my hour long journey to work and that was it, set in stone. I Ran the idea past the guys and they were a bit surprised I think that I was thinking to far fetched in some peoples view I suppose, but I followed it all through and so did they. We had a great experience in the studio and it seemed to be pretty painless throughout, although I had a very bad migraine that lasted two days but aside from that, no major issues.
So we set off for Nashville from Belfast in June, via Dublin, London then settled in to our accommodation just a 20 minute walk from downtown, I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for the use of AirBNB, it really is fantastic not just financially easier, but the people you meet coming through and the friendships you make are priceless.
Luckily the couple we rented rooms with were very supportive of what we were doing and had supported me for a couple of years, they played a massive part in this project.
I also ran into a few exceptional musicians downtown , if you want some extra inspiration then look no further!
Recording 'HEARTSTRINGS'
In the studio our line up consisted of drums, acoustic guitar, keys, electric guitar and bass for the majority of the album, for the single, the process was listening to a demo version I had on my phone from a rehearsal in Belfast, the session players listened intently and charted out the song. This is fascinating by itself if you have not witnessed this process before. A handy method to learn as it's a common tool in studios and bands to communicate easier and on the same level. Once you learn it it is extremely valuable.
The day before the first recording session we went on the hunt for instruments, renting guitars, amps and a bass guitar. For performances we rented acoustic guitars from Fanny's House of Music on Holly St. We were not far from there and frequented the store playing and purchasing some really rare instruments. The owners and staff there are also musicians and couldn't do more to assist their customers. I really felt at home there and we return every year. They trusted us to rent the gear and this really took the hassle out of travelling with guitars and equipment.
We even got the go ahead to film a couple of live songs in the shop.
www.fannyshouseofmusic.com
After charting out the foundations, the band took their places in the live room and played through their ideas a few times, I was in the a vocal booth and could hear everything, I really loved how the song kicked off, although I couldn't help feeling it was a tad on the acoustic side. The vibe and feel was there and I thoroughly enjoyed singing over the steady and slick playing on this track.
I like how simple but catchy the lyric line and melodic hooks stick in your mind. I felt this was a good launch point and it's a song that I had sort of given up on and I feel it has been given a new lease of life.
I am very pleased with the end result although there are a few tweaks still left to do on the album version, the acoustic single is really something I will look back on with a sense of achievement and I am proud of everyone involved.
The single will be released as a pre launch at the 2019 Belfast Nashville songwriter's festival and available only to those who download via the website exclusively for a period of time.
It will also feature on the album as a bonus track.
Credits to :
Percussion / Dean Stevens
Double Bass / John Conway
Guitar / Carl Miner
Acoustic Guitars / Dean Horner
Backing Vocals / Stephen Macartney
produced by Sean Giovanni / Dean Stevens
Without these talented people I call my friends .... it would not have been possible
It is very much taking a risk, it's scary and daunting and the end result is unknown unless you plan, plan, plan every aspect of the recording from the basics up to the fine details at the end of the journey, who will mix and master? Duplication? Distribution? promotion and so on.
As it is currently I am self releasing, without and agent a label or a manager, so all the bulk mentally, physically and financially is on me.
I worked very hard on the run up to going away and without a regular job and gigging local venues on the cover circuit, I couldn't have done it.
If you are setting out to record even one track, make sure you have covered all areas financially first, you don't want any unexpected extras popping up.
So set a time scale, a budget, the best musicians you get, the song rehearsed a million times, and the sound you want to achieve.
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