The end comes as a surprise. After ....14 months? 15 months? 12 months? crikey when did we start this again? hang on i'll look it up.
Ok so Morning flame was released as a single in Feb 27 2024.
Therefore we're just over a year if you imagine it probably took a month to make MF.
Once again, our present production rate is around a song a month, with a little variability.
Since 2020, when I became the resource for editing and mixing, we've been making things in an ongoing song by song production process.
Previous to Signposts, our...i have to look it up....13th album, our process was to gather the songs, do it all in one fast hit in the studio cos we're 'frugal'.
I am certain that this alternate approach has changed the nature of the songs and how they work. I'm of the opinion that it is normal and to be expected as a band grows and changes.
I still feel like we have been in a wonderful pocket of quiet that has enabled us to produce work we're happy with, without the glare of expectation. Count your strange blessings.
After last nights walk around the circuit, I only made 4 notes on fixing.
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Solace main up one decibel
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morning flame down half a decibel
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liquidator up 1/2 dB
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Turn the front vocals up in the yearning
The new order works. True to concept, the first half of the album now crashes through the wall like the kool aid character, until we hit 'where am i' when it takes a blessedly slower approach until the end of the album. I reckon this is like an A side and B side - A is full on power B is much more chill. A little like the Safe Harbour/Rogue State approach.
As the releases are digital it's much of a muchness, but I am considering doing a small Audio Cassette run.
new order:
zeppelin/solace/morning flame/by myself without you/liquidator/crossfire/psychedelic surfer/the king is back/heavens on my shoulders/where am i/2 week millionaire/the yearning/the fix is in/the duke/waiting on a message from bob.
Final Review Phase
I have formally requested a review from the cellar feller's. That will bring me to the following:
1. final review notes
2. final fixes
3. 2nd final review
4.2nd final fixes (if any)
5. Group 'in car listens'
6. 3rd final fixes
7. leave it for a day or two
8. listen.
9.4th and last fixes
10. preparation for release, technical chopping and prep for CD's
11. release to digital services
12. produce small runs of physical product.
After that, there are two cracking songs I wanna get into the set, more in the greenhouse ready to receive more work, and a few other things to get on with.
Good times.