Posted on Aug 05 2011 01:30 PM
Hey all!
I better answer the questions and comments!
wooza wrote:
I agree with everyone else. These types of posts are a real treat! Reading how much time, effort, thought, energy, and general obsessiveness is going into this project has me eagerly awaiting the finished product. I really appreciate when bands put this much work and thinking towards their songs and albums. I'm sure it'll show once this thing is released.
I sure hope so, Ben! I don't know about the other guys, but for me this was definitely a difficult process. We're such a small-time band, so this really doesn't make much sense, but I do feel some weight due to having to live up to our first two CDs (as well my work with the Cossacks). Though our fans are few in numbers, I definitely don't want to let them down - and I don't want to let myself down. I feel it's a real privilege getting to record an album and actually having people plop down their hard-earned money for it, so I want to make sure that I do the best job that I can to make sure they're happy. I feel that responsbility. Obviously we won't get even the surf fans to all like what we do, but as long as I know we've done the best we can and we're feeling proud of the work, then I can feel good about the CD and know that at least our fans should be pleased. At least I hope they will!
wooza wrote:
I'm SO anxious/curious to hear what's in store (I've actually for the most part avoided recent Madeira youtube videos to keep the new direction a surprise)!
Well, I don't know about a new direction. There are a few songs that are maybe different from what we've done before, but I doubt you'll find the whole thing overall that much different. They're different songs, and we try to do the right thing by each song (meaning giving it its own personal arrangement and sound), but it's still us playing, and we have a particular sound that comes naturally. Anyway, I'll be interested in finding out once you get to hear it how much of a departure you think it is from the sound of the first two albums.
I'll definitely be holding my breath for months until this is released.
Don't do it! You're turning green already!
Surfgitar wrote:
Yup. Threads like these always provide a kick in the asspiration.
That's great, I love it! Thanks!
eddiekatcher wrote:
Hummmmmmmmmm, what IS that Bandmaster doing there? Ha! Good settings too.
Ed, just for you! Actually, I didn't use it very much, it was there mostly as a backup for the Gomez - not that the Gomez needs it, as in the two years I've owned it hasn't so much as coughed funny! An incredibly reliable amp, built like a freakin' tank! Thanks so much, Dario! But I did use the Bandmaster (which is a '62) for a few overdubs, just for a slightly different flavor, and for the Atlantics tune, since they used a brownface Bandmaster for lead. Between the Surfer and the '62 Bandmaster (and the AC-30!), well, I tell you, it was an embarassment of riches, that's for damn sure!
morphball wrote:
The room with the Showman was specifically designed for this recording; it features a dampening system between the foundation and the load bearing walls, which is capable of supporting Ivan's thunderous staccato in conjunction with the layers of percussion. It's true!
When I was in that room, dialing in the sounds for each song, it was so loud that my ears were literally in pain. It felt like something was jabbing into them! (Actually, my ears are still ringing - five days after finishing the recording! Not good. Though the same thing happened with the recording of that last two albums, too. It took quite a while for my ears to normalize afterwards - but at least they did. We'll see this time!)
djangodeadman wrote:
Ivan, do you record sitting down as a rule? I find it hard to play unless I'm standing up!
Some stuff I recorded standing up and some sitting down. If it's a high-energy, double-picking tune, it's usually easier to play it standing up. If it's a tricky and delicate song, sitting down is much better. It puts the guitar closer to my head, and my arms in a more natural, higher, position on the guitar.
Thanks again for the nice words, all! Greatly appreciate them. Hope you enjoyed the photos.
—
Ivan
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Last edited: Aug 05, 2011 13:31:53