first of all, let me express how much i loathe the new edit / interfaces for flickr and blogger. and the google image search engine kinda sucks too. all of these new interfaces look cleaner, but in the process, give you less info on the screen, and some of these seem to rely too much on flash.
anyway... so i've built the basics of a synthy recording studio. its highly probable that i won't use any actual amps, and very few microphones for this set up. as i mentioned before, i'm trying to do something novel, so that my existential issues might get out of the way. i've created a bunch of custom 80's drum machines, got all of my synths hooked up, but i still haven't actually recorded a note. i'm dog sitting for a few weeks, beginning monday and i'm planning on taking my laptop, analog 4-track and a synth over there, so i can start this project in earnest.
in other creative almost there news... i've been rehearsing with the greenleaves and through the sparks this month for a new "music festival" in bham called baam fest. it is taking inspiration from sxsw in austin. and i reckon it intends to fill the void left by city stages and heritage fest. the greenleaves are playing in the afternoon at workplay on the 21st. the greenleaves are briefly shown during our urban standard / bham magazine show a show a while back, about a minute into this promo clip:
somehow we managed to get put on the thumbnail for that clip. anyway, later that night, skybucket records will be having a label showcase at rogue tavern, where i'll be playing with through the sparks. the greenleaves have now played urban standard (acoustic) speakeasy and bottletree. sonically and musically it is very dynamic, earthy, ambient and quite poppy in places. lyrically, it is quite emotional and certainly adds some emotional weight to the performancesn more so than any band i've ever been in. the lyrical adaptation of flannery oconner's stories has been done very effectively.
both bands will be playing mostly new songs, and the songwriting is quite strong. through the sparks will be featuring a sound palette that is expanded, while performing songs with relatively simple arrangements. a huge chunk of these songs have never been performed, or performed only once.
in even more getting closer news... the physical release of the new through the sparks record, worm moon waning, will be happening in late november. there is a multi-format full release being planned, with disc, vinyl, and a possible cassette release, if we can get the logistics and timing right.
somehow we managed to get put on the thumbnail for that clip. anyway, later that night, skybucket records will be having a label showcase at rogue tavern, where i'll be playing with through the sparks. the greenleaves have now played urban standard (acoustic) speakeasy and bottletree. sonically and musically it is very dynamic, earthy, ambient and quite poppy in places. lyrically, it is quite emotional and certainly adds some emotional weight to the performancesn more so than any band i've ever been in. the lyrical adaptation of flannery oconner's stories has been done very effectively.
both bands will be playing mostly new songs, and the songwriting is quite strong. through the sparks will be featuring a sound palette that is expanded, while performing songs with relatively simple arrangements. a huge chunk of these songs have never been performed, or performed only once.
in even more getting closer news... the physical release of the new through the sparks record, worm moon waning, will be happening in late november. there is a multi-format full release being planned, with disc, vinyl, and a possible cassette release, if we can get the logistics and timing right.
other things coming up... an electroliner show in october. album release show with through the sparks, helping out with a music stage during the sidewalk film festival. and maybe even a long weekend trip out of town once the weather cools off. btw, 103 degrees in birmingham is wretched.