As the release date, APRIL 3 (yay!), approaches, I want to share a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the beginning of these recordings with you. “Talk to Me” is produced by Warren Huart (Aerosmith, Howie Day) and the lead track is co-produced by Head of A&R at Epic Records, Mike Flynn (Sara Bareilles, The Fray). Yes, that’s right, I’m name dropping. We recorded it at Swinghouse Studios in West Hollywood, however, when I first started demo-ing the songs from this album, I was recording it at…Mom & Dad’s house in Maryland. I happened to be at my parents for a couple of weeks and, as luck would have it, Paul Maylone (producer of my last album, No Will Power) was living in the area at the time. Paul is one of the most talented people I know and can play any and every instrument, but we didn’t have any and every instrument at my parents. My parents had quite a few instruments – an organ, piano, keyboard, trumpet, french horn, guitar, and 12 string. My mom even has an ancient drum machine. I’m not sure she would appreciate that description.
We were picturing humans with TV heads chasing me through the forest. For this, we needed drums, or….an industrial garbage can. Paul made a kick drum out of our outdoor garbage bin (it sounded quite good!) and employed my Dad to play chimes with different style water glasses filled to different heights. We actually came up with an awesome and crazy version of “TV Radio” that inspired the version of “TV Radio” that is on this upcoming EP. When you get it, you’ll have to let me know if you hear anything inspired by a trash can or water chimes….
Here’s a photo from what you will hear very soooooonnnnn…..
Ok, your turn….Have you ever used anything for a different purpose than its intended use? I want to hear!
When I was doing singles & duos in Daytona Beach, I used to tap the mic. stand base with my toe for a drum.
Got into drum solos & trading licks with my bass-playing partner. When the room was in the right mood, it was magic.
Wayne- that’s awesome! I want to hear!
I’ve used !st string guitar strings to replace cheese cutter wire. Old 1950’s grammer school record player to get distorted guitar sounds (circa 1967). Too many other things to remember in recording studios (those days 60’s and 70’s are too packed together and hazy to remember).
guitar strings as cheese cutter? that’s awesome glen! i’m assuming they were steel strings….classical/nylon strings wouldn’t do the job as well.
Hi Kat,
In West Virginia in the 60’s and 70’s, Rock and Roll was really big! The transportation of choice for a Rock Band was an old hearse! It took a lot of ingenuity to fit the band and the instruments and the sound system into a vehicle built for only two people and a long skinny casket! So instead of a bus or van – a hearse was standard transportation.
That’s awesome!! I need to try that!