Weekend at the Studio

Friday, April 24th

Last night I revisited a few old songs; like 2021 old, which, put like that, feels pretty young. Well, they’re gonna grow up and fly off. I’m heading to my producer’s studio tomorrow to begin work on the album. 

I only vaguely thought that may be what I was beginning with Shimmer of Light. I almost recorded Day Without Weather instead. I left it up to a vote at Open Notes and I played Shimmer  better. But that decision never was to not record A Day Without Weather. And if I’m driving two+ hours to record Weather, I might as well record another song too, right? That’ll put me three songs in — a good measure of an album. So that’s where I’m headed. 

Will I have CD’s made? Will I put it on all the streaming sites? Will I have an album release party? Well, of course, that one! Other than that, I don’t know. 

The things I love most, I love for the process more than the end result and I think recording might be like that. I’ll tell you for sure later in the weekend. But Rich Morey, my producer and friend, is one of the most talented, easy-to-hang-out-with, funny, soulful, authentic, and visionary people I know. Without a doubt, he’ll make me sound better. But also, it happens that I think I tend to sound better when I perform around him already. I’m the same way around Quinn. For a couple of my more frustrating home recordings, I’ve asked Quinn to come sit with me in the music room — magically, I improve. I suppose it has something to do with some mix of being comfortable, wanting to impress, and their expecting I'll do well. In August, I laid down my guitar track for Shimmer with Rich in two takes. That’s not something I do often. So I approach this project with great optimism. 

Playing alone last night, I did some recording — audio and video —  mainly to check myself and also to send Rich some drafts. I’m not sure if we’ll record Celestial Cartographer or I Rise. Before long, probably both. Based on what I sent him, Rich says he has ideas. I’m psyched to see how the songs morph; how different the studio production will sound from my simple strumming.

The question of the night — Can alt moody vibed songs live on the same album as country? As is my habit, if I can’t think of a reason to say no, I usually say yes. And, why not? Two out of three friends agree. I guess it’ll depend on how the songs communicate with each other. Thinking it through feels a similar process as organizing a poetry collection. 

I’m looking forward to this weekend like a kid to summer.

Sunday, April 26th

I definitely do love the process of recording. We only laid down tracks for A Day Without Weather. Rich suggested a wonderful change in phrasing, which included teaching me a new guitar chord. His use of pauses in his own music always wows me, so I was psyched he found a place for one in mine. Well, that probably ended up costing us two hours, while I tried and tried and messed up and went again. Fortunately, Rich has both patience and a great sense of humor. We laughed a lot while we pushed through and got some great vocals and guitar down, if I do say so myself. 

I’d practiced the song enough that playing it became mostly automatic, which is probably why the change tripped me up so much. Well, I practiced Celestial Cartographer and I Rise a lot too. So when Rich shared suggestions for changes to those, I was both inspired and knew it would be best to put the breaks on recording. Instead of re-learning the songs in the studio, I’ll practice new renditions with slower pacing and better swing and return to record again in a couple of months. 

I’ve not felt great about my rate of growth as a guitarist. I still perceive myself as pretty mid, as the kids say. Rich noted that my playing has gotten better — improved dynamics, smoother chord transitions. It’s been too gradual for me to really notice; reassuring to have pointed out. I still usually dread playing out and have been doing it less. It’s hard to tease out if that has to do with not being a huge fan of social attention in general or if it’s because it’s so stressful largely because of the likelihood that I’ll mess up playing. I’ll know if I start to play well enough that I don’t mess up (much). Everyone says, “practice, practice, practice,” but being mom, teacher, writer... etc. I’ve tried to do what I can. But I can’t keep dawdling with this! I’m going to devote myself primarily to guitar for the next two months and see how far I can bring my skill and style. 

That we only laid down tracks for one song this weekend did not disappoint me at all. I learned a ton and left with cool things to work on. And while I look forward to getting these songs out one day, I can’t imagine wanting to rush this process. It’s so fun! And the collaboration is not only making these songs better, but making me a better songwriter. 

I feel so fortunate for the time I spend writing. I’m grateful to Kelsay Books, Cyberwit.net and Loving Healing Press for publishing my work. I’ve written short stories and have always imagined I’d one day publish a novel. I still believe that’s likely. I am working on my third poetry collection. I do not think I ever dared wish that I’d record an album. This is super-sized, wildest-dreams cool. It’s only difficult in the best of ways — working through creative challenges and synthesizing  — sound, imagery, heart, movement. Rich says there’s Math in there too. (I’ll leave that to him.) I looked into studio recording a few years ago and I imagined it would be cool, but awkward; would make me nervous and that I’d feel rushed. Whatever aligned to make this project comfortable and exciting, to enable me to work with such a kind and gifted musician/producer/friend, well I thank those lucky stars. It’s been a good weekend.

A Day Without Weather — beautiful map