January 31st '05
So what I was saying about that not-so-subtle bass part in New York -- I take it back. It is if anything, definitely subtle. So subtle that anyone coming to our Sidetrack gig will not be able to hear it, strain as they may. I guess that it wasn't working with Roach's new slide solo, 'cause it's so low in our rough mix that I still can't figure out what the heck it was I played. It's partially in my mind, but I think that this time the spotlight will most definitely be on Roach, so I'll just play the ghost bassist and not push some weird new part that may detract from the lovely act she preforms on her git. Back to work...
The CD Came...YAY! Jan. 28
I hugged and kissed the fedex man today. The CD came right on schedule. I immediately plugged in the headphones and cranked my little discman to 11. Oh My GOsh Daarnit! SO good. Yummy. Mmmmm. Goose bumps.
It is only a rough mix but sounds 3 dimensional and legato already. Joby is a genius! Especially his track of frog horn. It is suttle but bites you when you least expect it. Ribbit.
Tonight is rehearsal night and we will crank the stereo as loud as we can and celebrate with non-alcoholic spirits of some sort. Perhaps some mineral water with lemon. "Lemon".
Last night I rehearsed with Bill Bourne at the Beach House. We are preparing for our duo show in Athabasca, Alberta at the Nancy Applebee Theatre on Feb.6th. After running a very slow, bluesy version of "Arnhem", he taught me flamenco rhythms. Okay...no...it's like yoga. You have to be so focused, which is against my multipolar nature. So, I will practice but no results are expected. I am all about the 7/4 these days. 1234567/1234567/ect.
January 27, 2005
It sounds like we'll all be getting to hear the new songs soon. Great! Tomorrow is practice day, which hopefully means Rachelle will have copies of the new goods for all to study and enjoy. For the last couple practices, we've been stumped in a couple places, trying to remember exactly how the new bits in our songs went. Subtle changes seem to be the easiest kind to forget -- although even my not so subtle drop down to a C sharp on my top string and playing of a hammer-on/pull-off chord progression under the piano solo of "In New York" has somehow slipped almost entirely from my recollection. With all the new little slide bits that Rachelle has sprinkled our songs with, we'll also have to practice moving from song to song while giving her enough time for instrument changes and tuning. That's one of the toughest parts of putting on a good (and in-tune) live show - learning how to get through all the necessary downtime without losing the energy.
'till next time
I Attacked A FedEx Man- Jan, 25
So our CD was supposed to arrive today and I was so excited that I attacked a FedEx man and tried to get into his bag. He immediately said "Whoa Girl" and I backed off and explained that I was waiting for a very important CD that was going to change my life as well as the lives of my future Mennonite children and bandmates and their future Mennonite childern. But no.... There will be no CD until tomorrow. Curses.
So now I must disassociate and convince myself that i am not excited about the CD arriving so that the hours don't pass by like years and my retailing expertise don't go to hell in a handbasket.
On a lighter note, our rehearsal was one heck of an experience. We grooved and sat in the perverbial pocket for 2 hours. It was wonderful and I now believe that eating before rehearsal helps because blood sugar contributes to inner rhythm.
Have you ever thought about your natural inner rhythm? I have one but now, much like my good friend John Cartwright, I am trying to tap into the suppressed inner rhythm. I think mine is swing. I never write swing tunes. John, are you there? How is France anyway? How was the clam chowder?
It is Robert Burns day today and we got Haggis and single malt Scotch. I tried the scotch and my legs went numb. Wow, I think i better stick to the Ballentine's just to be safe.
Alright, I must now disassociate and try not to think about the new CD. Ahh, I did it again! Lalalala..I am in Hawaii. Lalalalala, now i am in Russia on a train headed for the Tuvan throat singing competition. First prize shall be a horse.
Jan, 20 "Time Flies"
January is almost over and I haven't even started my New Year's Resolutions. I am so excited for the Feb. 5th show that last night I did air guitar to our CD! I am not ashamed. It is good to practice your moves. My mom bought me new underwear with a stratocaster guitar on the front. How cool is she? So I had fun.
Band business all day every day. We are trying to get ready for our Ottawa showcase in April. Finally we will be heading east after 2 years of staying in the west. Look out Capital City!
It is raining out and I am as confused as the birds. From -30 to +3. My inner thermostat is out of control!
Back to the drawing board.
Up Late, Without a Date January 14, 2005
Well hello everybody,
I have responded to some comments on the message board, so now I will write you a small email about life.......... It's 1:15 in the morning, and I have sort of been in the special sauce, if you know what i mean".... But I miss all of you folks. I can't wait to see you at the sidetrack in Edmonton. Our show is coming up February 5.
I have been in Kelowna for the last week. Enjoying a little down time. Eating, drinking, and dealing with huge amounts of snow compare to Edmonton. Wow. Well, I think it will melt soon though. Anyway, just touching base with everyone. I will be back in Edmonton late tomorrow night.
I am very tired now. Good night.
Talk to you soon
Kim
From 0 to -29 degrees! Was Denke Ich?
I just had the weirdest night. I went to bed at 8 pm cuz I was so exhausted from the previous week of recording. I then woke up at 2 am and stayed wide awake until 6 am. I then had messed up dreams about being in the studio. Anyhow, now I am REALLY tired.
Recording was so revitalizing in the the same sense. I am in love with the whole creative get go everyday. I learned a lot about ProTools, compressors, microphones, and preamps. We got to use an Abbey Road preamp that was used on Led Zeppelin II and many other of my favorite albums. Rrrrr. I learned how tp play a Hammond B3 which is similar to the Dc3 that I got to fly up in the Yukon. HELL! But once you get the gist of it, not so bad. I drank a lot of Tension Tamer Tea during that session! Joby is very patient. Got to record live at the University auidtorium with Rick Mae on bass, Joby on piano, my cousin December Pussycat on vox, and me on vox and the sexiest Gibson acoustic that you've ever seen! We did an old gospel tune that I have sang since conception.
The record is unbelievable. Every instrument is HUGE! Every part is sexy. Daisy was doing her vocals when I left and was singing through a U47 (I think) that was worth more than all my assets put together. She sounded amazing!
So now it's all about the mix down and the marketing.
Thanks so much to Theresa for feeding us, housing us, humouring us, ect. Thanks Melody for the great song that I can't get out of my head... "When I poke my eye out i go to see my mom." Thanks Felicity for your contributing verses and musical talent that will grow to insane greatness. Smooches. And Joby, thanks for the patience, and hard work, and creative juices that made this record world class!!!
Baker Studio (Victoria, B.C.)-Jan, 4 2005
Just finished vocals to "Be There Too" and "Don't Leave Me Here". I lost my vocal confidence for the first hour but then gained it back again after a glass of Yellowtail Shiraz. Thanks to Daisy, I now know more about the wine I choose although I am unfamiliar with the difference between a merlot and a shiraz. Daisy, are you there? I think it is the different tannin levels. Hmm.
I am very happy to be back in the studio. It is comfortable and Joby is doing an excellent job with the tracks that we layed down on Salt Spring Island. If you have a chance, check out Lester Quitzau's "So Here We Are" album. This is a great example of huge but clear sounds. Every instrument is cleverly placed in the mix to create important dynamics that keep the ear intrigued. Whoa, too much coffee for me.
So today, it's back to the "Salt Mine" to do more lead vocals. Toodles.
February, 2 2005 "The Great White North"
I am finally leaving the cold, white North. It has been 2 weeks of eating, sledding, hiking, jamming, kayak surfing, and surviving -22 degrees. I love the north but am afraid that rock n' roll does not have a strong hold here except for through the am radio. Michael Bolton is still being played right behind "Walking Home Lately". How cool is that?
On a heavier note, I found myself watching the reruns of the tsunami that struck southern Asia. I am amazed at the destruction of this earthquake and am overwhelmed with sadness for the relatives and friends of those lost. It is hard to know what to do. "Diggeth", the metal band that I played with last April, just played in a fundraiser in Holland that raised over 11,000 Euros. Perhaps we can do the same here in Canada.
Tomorrow I fly out to Victoria to finish my parts for the CD. You guys are in for a real treat. It already sounds so magnificant. I am also looking forward to Joby's lattes. They get an 11 out of 10 on the latte scale! I look forward to the Sidetrack show on Feb. 5th as well. Nothing can compare to playing live!