So while Rod and Dave finish the mixing of our new LP, and dine out night after night on Jamaican jerk chicken, I sit at home, working my way though a pile of books, enjoying writing my columns, and also getting right into the last few Steve Malkmus albums. I'm one of the few people who much prefer his albums with the jicks to Pavement. I liked Pavement, and saw them on every album tour, but on his own (or rather, with his band, the jicks) his singing, and playing seem more free almost. He's an incredible (and tasteful) guitarist, capable of some great solos along with his trademark wonderful, surreal lyrics. There's a song on his most recent LP called 'dragonfly pie', which sounds like a Grateful dead song title. Come to think of it, there's a free flowing attitude to alot of the playing that suggests maybe SM is going in that direction. So many of these American 'jam' bands miss the point I think. The music is tedious rather than mesmeric, the lyrics stupid instead of abstract and inspired. Steve Malkmus is flying the flag for optimistic deadheads everywhere.
LATEST DIARY
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20th March 2009for optimistic deadheads everywhere
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11th March 2009to offer proper opinion
So the last vocals are done, all the guitars are recorded and the microphones are getting put away. Our week in Chem 19 studios outside Hamilton is over, and with it my direct involvement in the new album. I'll be emailed mixes as they happen from Dave and Rod in London next week, to offer my judgement, but apart from that, the seventh Idlewild album is completed. It's a good feeling though, and a good record, although at this stage I've heard all the songs too often to offer proper opinion. It doesn't sound like any of the other records anyway, it's playful, in places quite folky, some weirdness happens, and some good riffs. That's not a synopsis by the way, just a few steam of conscious thoughts.
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5th March 2009After working on the tunes
so Wales has been replaced by Scotland, where we all live and where we're finishing recording the new album. I must say it's good to be back, and although being in Bryn Drwyn studios was a good time, it's nice to be able to get home each night after working on the tunes. Apart from Dave who lives in Essex, but him and Rod have hired a cosy (and cheap) cottage close to the studio to stay in. They're fond of working until three or four in the morning.
Of course that means there's no more table tennis, and everyone can eat at home, or prepare sandwiches, so the cook-off is most definitely over. We had some good meals in Wales though. There's a lot to be finishing off here, so I'm glad for fewer distractions, and the studio we are in is right in the middle of an industrial estate, so there's definitely non of those.
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27th February 2009the old adage goes
Time flies by, as the old adage goes, and tomorrow is our last day here in Wales. We're finishing off the record in a studio in Scotland next week, then Rod and Dave are going to mix it in London after that. A residential studio becomes a lot like a temporary home, and even though my bedroom, with it's stone floors and walls is a bit on the damp, austere side (it is after all,in a converted coach house) I'll no doubt miss it slightly when I leave. We've had a good time here, and have done some good work making a record of ourselves in 2009. In another universe maybe this album might be a hit, but times as they are it's a bit uncertain whether it'll get any radio play. There's no reason why it shouldn't though. We've been around for while, which is either a good thing, or a bad thing. I like bands that have a lot of albums to choose from, but then I would say that because I've been in a band for fourteen years.
In the blog's tradition of describing each dinner, Colin, who by all accounts has become the unofficial studio chef is preparing steaks - with baked potatoes, salad and roasted garlic. We've got a great bottle of wine, recommended to me by the friendly lady at my local oddbins. Sure to be delicious.
other than that we've been enjoying listening to the re-issue of REM's wonderful debut album 'Murmur'. I got this album originally from my sister when I was fourteen as a Christmas present. Having only heard 'Document' at this point, 'murmur' confused me greatly. I still remember listening to it at the kitchen table wondering what it was all about. Bearing in mind at the time I was more Iron Maiden than REM. But it subsequently became my favourite record, one that fitted so many moods and so many days. The re-issue includes a live CD from the murmur tour in 1983. It's reassuringly out of tune in places, but very exciting. Bill Berry and Mike Mills - what a rhytnm section. It's been a good soundtrack to a good day.
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25th February 2009Distortion pedals and bad behaviour
This afternoon we were looking through the list for the idlewild pre-orders. It's quite exciting to see the web of fans of our music spread all over the globe. It must be said that the majority of the orders are from Scotland, but Japan, America and Germany are all represented (along side England, Wales and Ireland). There's even a few from Israel, and a couple from Paraguay. Normally you have no idea who is buying your records, or where they come from, so It's a nice thought knowing that the songs we're recording here in rural north wales will find their way onto the stereos of all these people. the pre-orders stop on March 14th, mainly so that we have a clear idea of how many albums to press up. So if you haven't done it yet, and are wanting to, you better hurry. Hopefully after that we'll license the record to a label and it'll be in the shops and online to buy a few months after the pre-orders are posted. That's the plan anyway. We'll be selling copies at the London shows in May also.
Allan is heading home today, but before he goes he's cooking a hearty looking vegetarian chilli. Allan is the sole idlewild vegetarian, and he hasn't been represented in the cook-off that's been taking place the past few weeks. Tonight is his moment in the spotlight. I for one, am looking forward to it. I was a vegetarian for a number of years in my Twenties, then i started eating fish, which led to chicken, which led to bacon, and now I'm firmly in the meat eating camp - as long as it's good quality meat. My god, this is the most un-rock n roll blog of all time. Tomorrow I'll write about beer, cigarettes, distorion pedals and bad behaviour. And Dr Alban.
