liftoff

So, it’s Saturday. Like any normal Saturday, I’ve just woken up, eaten an egg sandwich, and watched two episodes of "It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia" with Shannon. What sets this Saturday apart is that I’m about to go into a studio and continue to record music for my new album. Huh? That’s still just a little too surreal for me to handle: the fact that Bono and I could very well be sharing the same schedule today... But it’s true. Before I go, I just wanted to give a little updateage about where the whole process is.

In nervous anticipation of the day that I'd been waiting for for about a year, I woke up at 4am, unable to fall back asleep. Not a good start. However, hours later, as I pulled up to the studio, Counting Crows' new single was on the radio, which was undoubtedly a sign from the recording gods that their blessing was upon us. Indeed, they would test our faith, but we would remain steadfast.

We all got to the studio at about 11:30, and I know what you're thinking: the groupies, alcohol, and fans were all there to greet us and we partied until Dawn. You would be wrong. We didn't actually record any music until 4:45 - Harry and I pretty much just sat on our duffs while Gary, Brian and Amy set up the drums. Lest you think we're some kind of geeks, you should know that we had some totally rad discussions on the finer points of Star Trek lore, and how Brian (the producer) really is awesome because he's actually tasted Romulan ale. Jealous?

In any case, I'm sure the average layperson would assume that miking a drumkit is a relatively simple process, but as I was soon to learn, there are wavelengths, phases, parities, and all sorts of technical whatsomajiggers that need to be jiggerized. All I know is, by the time Brian and Amy (producers and studio owners) were done with that drumset, it sounded like a totally different kit. Even Gary was impressed.

As soon as we finished getting the drums ready, Harry spent all of five seconds plugging in his bass and another 30 seconds tuning. (It's hard to be a bass player.) After that, we were ready to go. Then the computer FROZE. For some unknown reason, the recording gods decided to see if we could endure a test of this magnitude. However, we were unfazed, for I had an entire jar of peanuts to engorge myself upon, and we had come prepared with all manner of things to discuss while we waited for the new system to get up and running:

1) How Back to the Future truly is a grossly underrated film.

2) How Macs have a reputation as being more reliable than PCs but really, Justin Long is a worthless liar and should burn in a fiery hell.

3) Why some of us can go three days without visiting the "necessary" and others require three visits a day. (I think that's a Haiku.)

4) Why sandwiches in the city are so full of meaty goodness and are reasonably priced, but sandwiches in the suburbs are skimpy and expensive.

5) Why Harry's underwear has such a high opinion of him. (see pictures)

Anyway, after we ran out of things to discuss, we had a lovely visit from one of Brian's famous friends (who will remain nameless) who taught us all how to say "I am horny" in German (not that we asked), and a few short minutes later, we were laying down tracks like ninjas throw ninja stars (rapidly and accurately).

Over the course of Friday and Saturday, we would lay down the bass and drum tracks for all ten songs, which puts us just a tiny bit ahead of schedule. So, that's where we are. Tomorrow's Easter, during which we will not be doing anything other than eating rabbit eggs and petting baby chicks, and come Monday, I'll be back in el studio putting down my hardcore rap lines and fat beatbox rhythms. Alls I can say is, Gary and Harry are undeniably phenomenal musicians, and Brian and Amy are irrefutable geniuses. I can’t wait to see how this record sounds. Hooray! Happy Easter!