back at the studio after a weekend at home, and things are coming along, table tennis and cooking flair has seemingly gone from strength to strength, and the songs are sounding fuller, and more and more like an album, which is the intention. Today is pancake day and so far - no pancakes, although it's been promised later, but how much later? that's my question Colin.
Today we've also developed a slightly strange obsession with the work of Swedish Europop/reggae sensation Dr Alban. Primarily the hit singles 'it's my life' and 'sing hallelujah', and the latter mainly for the video when Dr Alban fails to convince us with his dancing, in a baby blue pvc outfit complete with gold medallion and bulky white trainers. I don't know, some days you wake up and it's all sonic youth and superchunk, and the next day it's Dr Alban. I suppose being in a residential studio has alot to do with this. Was he a real doctor? maybe.
The only other song in my head today is 'yes my name is iggle piggle', but I think my baby son has much to do with this.
LATEST DIARY
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25th February 2009Was he a real doctor?
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18th February 2009the other nominees couldn't hope to
Recording going well, and not much more of note today apart from watching some of the Brit awards on the television in the living room, which otherwise hasn't been turned on since we arrived. I feel so removed from things like the Brit awards, in my musical world it simply plays no part. Still, it's fun to watch while you eat your pudding ( following trout poached in cider with roasted vegetables courtesy of the cooking skills of Gareth). I've been to a few awards ceremonies, the best, by a mile was/is the Radio 2 folk awards - it's actually good fun, the people are nice, and the music is interesting. The other ones I've been to have been either surreal, or quite boring. And usually full of very dull people. But this is not breaking news. I was happy to see Iron maiden win something though, a childhood favourite, still capable of selling out stadiums. And the fleet foxes, they might not have won anything, but they're written a collection of songs most of the other nominees couldn't hope to.
That enough about that though. Allan and I are enjoying listening to some Dire Straits.
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17th February 2009The spirit of Superchunk is with me today
Is it because my life is busy and I've normally got plenty of things to be doing, domestic things, normal stuff - cooking food, reading the paper, looking after the little boy, but in a residential studio I find myself typing 'blogs' every day because I can't concentrate on anything for more than five minutes ? Probably. Anyway, I'm glad to finally be paying more attention to this website, lovingly created by Wayne (thank you again Wayne), and in truth typing 'blogs' is quite good fun, even though I should really be honing my lyrics into poetic perfection. (I write this with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek)
Yesterday it was Sonic Youth. Today it's Superchunk. Heroes of the 90's indie rock scene and pretty much my favorite band from 95-98. They're still great, I rarely listen to their albums now, but thats due more to the fact that I lost most of their albums moving houses over the years. They've just turned twenty, which for a band is quite incredible. We had 'On the mouth' on earlier, their classic 93 indie rock hallmark. My suggestion of spending the rest of the day playing superchunk covers was vetoed unfortunately. I suppose we've got a lot to be getting on with. 12 songs in two weeks is a tough schedule and we've been working to 4am each day so far. We've just recorded a song called 'The night will bring you back to life' and I think it's the best tune Idlewild have written for ages. It's simple and quiet, but I'm happy with it. very happy with it. We're moving onto a more rockin tune now called 'city hall' which we played a few times live, although it has changed considerably since then. Whether any of these songs will better Superchunk classic like 'throwing things' or 'presicion auto' who knows. I like to think the spirit of Superchunk is with me today regardless.
I'll sign off (if that's correct blogger terminology) with the auroma of Rod's cooking - Sausages with marsala gravy and garlic mash. Smells like it'll be lovely, and we've got some local 'Brains' beer to wash it down with, as they say here in Wales - danteithiol!
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17th February 2009If i'd had more time
Tonight there was a bit of misunderstanding in the old cooking department, so it was up to me, at the last minute to produce an old favourite - pasta with sauce. Usually, I'd crush up some fennel seeds with chilli and add an few chopped anchovies to the garlic and olive oil before putting in the plum tomatoes and leave it to simmer for an hour, season it well then serve it with some good spaghetti and lot of black pepper and parmesan. But the kitchen didn't even have any salt, so it was basic fare and no comments were made after dinner, which is always a bad sign. I feel, in the band, i didn't really get to flex my cooking muscles. If I'd had more time I would have cooked a Scottish favourite - Fife miners stew, or peat smoked haddock with black pudding and bacon. Such is life. Gareth is gearing up for some stuffed mackrel tomorrow.
From a music point of view, Dave (Eringa, the producer) wore an excellent sonic youth T-shirt today which inspired everyone to listen to sonic youth and re-kindle our collective love. It's not like our new tunes are anything like theirs, well maybe a bit on the guitar front, but they're a great band and it's nice to have an outpouring of positivity in a studio. Most of my day has been spent in the kitchen trying to write lyrics, and reading a book about Babylon. And playing table tennis. It's the band sport of choice (actually most bands are keen on ping pong) and everyone has found their form somewhat. Colin is by far the best, but I just beat him, so I'm feeling good about myself, ping pong-wise. Anyway, i worry that this is quite boring. I'll leave it a few days before I write again.
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16th February 2009Maybe I'll keep it that way
so the inaugural DMW tour is over (last years three Scottish shows didn't really count as a tour) and everyone is happy, all of us, and seemingly all the audiences. Most of the shows sold out which was unexpected and very nice, so thank you whoever came along. I think we've got a great thing going on here, and I love the fact it's an evening of music and stories and tunes, as opposed to just another gig. We're doing another run of shows in June and December hopefully, and a few festival apperances in the summer. After which we'll get to work on another album.
Plenty of things to be getting on with in the meantime, not lest the new idlewild LP, which we've just started recording (I type this in the studio kitchen listening to the owls outside). North Wales seems very picturesque, i"ve never spent much time here. Gareth and I's planned hill walks might have to be scrapped though, as venturing onto the hills is 'not advised' according to the experts. Will have to make do with walking around the woods that surround the studio. People keep asking me what the new album sounds like. In truth, I'm still not sure, the songs all sound good but this time we're going to spend alot longer on them in the studio, adding extra things, so they'll change quite a bit before it's done. It's a guitar players record I think - Allan and Rod are shining bright and some of their parts are brilliant. My words are still verging into vague territory. Maybe i'll keep it that way.
The studio has no catering, so we're taking turns cooking, which isn't very exciting news for the reader, but it's a silent inter band challenge. In a band full of foodies, it's competition time to see who can cook the best. Like a crap version of masterchef. Tonight Colin made a very rustic lamb stew with buttered cabbage. washed down with some decent french wine it was a fine first night meal and set the precedent. Rod's cooking tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.
