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I felt good returning today to the studio, we made so much progress yesterday. Our good luck continued as we tackled some more guitar parts.

‘Silent Moon’ gained a little noodle here and there but will most likely be wiped as the song is very simplistic as is.

‘Free From Harm’, a strange toe-tapper got some doubled guitar riffs that I had in my head ever since writing it. I got to play my favorite 59′ Jazzmaster again on that track and many other. It such an incredible guitar.

The Ebow was taken out for “Between The Sun And Candlelight’ and sounds awesome. Tom done a riff which stretched over five frets. I’m sure there is an easier way of playing it but he pulled it off regardless.

“A Better Life’ got some additional guitar and then I hit the booth to work on the vocals again. I wasn’t sure why I couldn’t nail this song until I realized that the key it’s in is just outside my comfort range. I can still hit the notes but I begin to strain a little. We done many takes and eventually got it after I decided to sing sitting down. this somehow relaxed me enough to get what I wanted vocal. I returned later for several more harmony parts that may or may not make the final cut.

Jeremy, the piano player is arriving tomorrow and much of the guitar work may be pushed to the side as we get into the final arrangement of the tracks. Tomorrow will be an interesting day.

Then what? Well, we need sot bring in our violinist and somehow get our hands on a trumpet player for ‘A Better Life’.

Then what? We return to mix the songs, add the track we done with the previous studio (Take The Day Off) and send them all off to be mastered.

Then what? Promote the record. Which is the hardest part.

Tune in tomorrow night for ‘Day 3 of 3 Recording’

– Colin

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Getting There.
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(sitting down) Office.

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One down, two more to go. I booked three days at Nuthouse Recording Studio to finish the bulk of the record and so far it was very productive. Today we adjusted the bass lines to ‘Between The Sun and Candlelight’ which we will return to tomorrow. It’s a rocking tune that I hope to put some interesting and unusual guitar work on.

After recording several versions of ‘Riot’, we almost returned to the original demo I recorded months previously. It goes to show that sometimes when you are not thinking, you sound better. The final take today just nipped it at the post. I played it on a Yamaha guitar (same type used by Elliott Smith) and it carried the melody a lot better than my Martin (Shock. Horror!) It’s a slower, lyrically heavy Nick Drake-ish track that I think is an indicator of where Supersmall may eventually veer towards more in the future. It has no drums but ‘Siren’, another song that falls into the ‘future Supersmall’ category does. This was also worked on today. Daniela’s drums create an unusual haunting atmosphere not too different to ‘This Grenade Will Love You”. It’s the most complicated guitar part i’ve ever written although to hear it you may not think so. The guitar is in C-G-E-G-C-C tuning which allows for some interesting chording.

‘A Better Life’ was completed except for vocals as my voice just wasn’t cutting it today. I got to use a ’59 Jazzmaster  for a ‘Shins/Beatles-esque’ riff throughout. A Rickenbacker 360 gave it an R.E.M sound on the ‘weird change part’. 😉

Both Tom and I laid down some guitar parts for ‘Home’. Honestly I think it’s done but Jeremy, a session musician who is arriving on Sunday may add some piano.

Tomorrow we tackle ‘Silent Moon’, a favorite and very personal song that was a true co-write. Also, ‘Free from Harm’ . A black sheep if ever there was one.

Office View.
Office.
Guitars!
Amps!

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Yesterday we returned to re-record ‘A Better Life’ and had enough time to lay down the last song for the record, ‘Siren’. I had met Daniela the previous night to rehearse and after playing the song as an afterthought (it was gonna be a solo track) she came up with a beautiful rhythm for it. She captured it perfectly the following day in the studio and it sounds really great.

Taylor, the artist who worked on the first record has already begun working up sketches for the new one, ‘Silent Moon’. We’re looking forward to seeing them.

The music video has been pushed back to the summer after they decided to use the video to promote the new record upon listening to the rough cuts. Either way we’re excited about all the upcoming adventure that lay in store.

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Daniela & Tom (Producer)
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Earphones!