So we spent the entire weekend laying down the final adjustments for our recording. To fill you in, we’ve decided to go all in and purchase a substantial amount of recording equipment. After searching for studios and producers, we concluded that as awesome as it would be to record with some of these people (
Matt Malpass of Atlanta, GA), that we just couldn’t take the time to drive up to Atlanta and spend a significant chunk of our band money (all of it). We figured that if we purchased equipment ourselves, that it will not only give us a record, but it will allow us to demo songs whenever we felt like it. So this is what we got: Mac Pro with Logic, M-audio interfaces (two of them), interface adapters (for more inputs), mixer (I forgot who makes it…we wont be using it though), new drum mics, new mic stands, fancy cables, new monitors, new hard drive. This stuff, in conjunction to what we already own is proving to be a worthwhile investment, so far the demos sound awesome. We’ll post some of them up on our page within the week. However, this all sounds nice, but it requires an enormous amount of patience. Most of us are new to DIY recording, so we have to take it step by step. Logic (the program which we use to record) is NO JOKE. Thankfully, we have our good friend Gianni who records bands, he’s agreed to help us out. In addition, my girlfriend Monica works for Apple, and she knows the mac pro inside and out.
The experience thus far has been priceless, as we are learning a lot and spending even more time together. On Friday the band with the exception of Jorge gathered at our practice space (John’s living room) to rehearse one more time before John gets his close-up. On Saturday I worked on some scratch tracks and helped with some more “prepping” issues. I spent the entire day with the guys, and while John was tuning his kit, Mike and I stepped out for a quick bite at our local hot dog establishment, and inhaled a ridiculous amount of hot dogs and French fries. The trip, was supposed to be a quick “in and out” thing. However, how could two musicians resist the local record store across the street? What kind of self respecting music lover would I be if I didn’t pay a visit to the always indulging “
Yesterday and Today Records?” Anyway, that visit turned into a series of decisions and persuasions (mostly by me) to keep myself from purchasing too many records. I convinced myself that one or two vinyl records would suffice. I walked out with one, a Joe Cocker import where he not only performs his classic Beatles cover “Little Help from my Friends,” but three Bob Dylan songs as well. From there, Mike convinced me to hit up the thrift store that was down the street (how could I resist a cheap book? Or a cheap piece of music? Or some sweet shades?). When I walked in I discovered Tom Petty’s “Wildflower” CD for two bucks! However I was instantly heartbroken when I found out the actual CD was not in the case. From there we went for some cupcakes, then guitar center, and then Radio Shack for some killer curly guitar cables (like the ones the Beatles used).
Later that night, a friend of mine invited me and some other friends to a fashion show that she was organizing on the beach. After the (what seemed endless) search for parking, Monica and I finally made it into the club. As we walked in we were enthralled at the site of our private table. We were pumped, free drinks and (for me at least) Brazilian bikini babes. Sadly though, this event was being held at a typical south beach club. What I mean by that, is that the club tries too hard to maintain a level “exclusivity” and as a result alienates its potential patrons which in turn causes them to close their doors. That night, my friends were not allowed in because of dress code issues. I immediately explained to our host why we had to leave and she understood. When I caught up with my friends, I noticed that they were more dressed up than I was. Now I can understand having a dress code, but when your potential clients are standing at the door, who are on a VIP list, and are wearing closed two dress shoes with button down shirts, the obvious decision for the door guy would be to let them in. However, it is these decisions that ultimately play a huge hand in the undermining of these types of locations. Let me elaborate: A club is a business, not a society that requires its members to adhere to a specific level of guidelines for the sole purpose of exclusivity. In other words, it is not a country club. For the brief time that I was inside the club, it was empty! Empty! The show was about to start and there was nobody there, everyone was at the door. They wouldn’t even let the photographer in! How does this place expect to pay its employees? Or its rent? I find it hilarious, and it’s why I usually tend to stray away from these types of clubs. That, and the feeling I get when I’m inside one of these places. I feel as if I’m playing “Where’s Waldo” when looking for my friends. Everybody in there looks the same…sunglasses, dress shirts, popped collars, blow-out hair styles, and way too many fake tans. Nothing against these folks, but I prefer a little originality. Anyway, enough about that, the night ended up being a success. We decided to “mosey” on down to the swanky and always good Rooftop lounge. The views there are incredible, and on a hot summer night it provides a much needed breeze. Here's a pic:
This has been a great weekend, I was with my closest friends, my girl, and I got a chance to play music. Not mention, it was full of new experiences, one of them being my visit to Pei Wei. Pei Wei is an amazing Asian restaurant. Its like a fast food version of P.F. Changs, only the food tastes nothing like fast food. In fact, the only thing fast about the place is the process of how you get your food. I recommend to anybody who reads this to go to Pei Wei and eat!
Regards,
Ray
Here are some pictures from this weekend:
John and I (scratch trackin and air drummin)
Mike attempting to find the "logic" in Logic.
