For the past month or so we have been “balls” deep into the mixing of the new record. So deep, in fact, that we (or more accurately, “I”) forgot all about this studio journal. Actually didn’t forget, I just didn’t feel like posting anything. It always seems like a good idea before we start recording, and then we’re so goddamn busy that I can’t keep up with it. There’s just so much going on it’s ridiculous.
We’re trying to finish up all the final mixes, which will definitely be completed by the end of next week, or the beginning of the next, depending on where you like to think that a week ends. Anyway, that’s pretty much our final deadline and it looks like we are on track to make it.
Jamie is currently in the studio finishing up some background vocals and harmonies and Tony has plans to go in for one more day next week to add some more guitars. We’re about 90% through the mixing and we’re still recording. That’s the advantage of using a system like ProTools. We can literally be recording up until the last day of mixing, which is good for us because we always want to add more. I still have things I want to add to the last album. It may actually be too late for that though.
Some other studio related things that are going on: Tony has been working on a some various tracks and interlude type things that will be spinkled into the mix. Maybe an intro here, a few samples there. He’s also been remixing the drum tracks on one of the songs. Basically we’re taking the original drum take and cutting it up and turning it inside out and then pissing on it, just to see what happens.
There’s also the issue of the DVD that you may have heard mentioned on an occasion or six. Myself and Jason “Jay” Smith are currently trying to edit the ridculous amount of footage that we’ve collected over the past two years into something that remotely makes sense. I think it’s coming along pretty well. Like I said before, at some point we’re gonna try to put some sort of preview of some of the DVD footage up on the site. At this point, we just want to get the thing done, or at least semi-done, before we even start worrying about that.
And then over here we have the issue of the live show. After only playing three shows in 2003, it’s taken a little while to get back into performance mode, but I think we’re getting close. We’ve been rehearsing a new set that is a pretty balanced mix of old and new stuff. So, these upcoiming shows will be a good chance to hear some of the new stuff, but we also haven’t forgotten about our last album and all of our fans who still haven’t seen us live yet. Considering the fact that our set on the last tour was only about 30 minutes (since we were the opening band), we’re actually playing just as much (or more) old stuff in this new set. AND you get to hear a good portion of the new album, before it even comes out (or gets leaked on the internet).
So, yeah, we’ve been pretty busy. And the new album is pretty much done. What isn’t done, however, is the DVD and the artwork and packaging design for the whole thing, which we are handling as well. So, I gotta get back to work.
