Wassup?

Clarke Rigsby is an amazing man. You can tell he “gets it”.

We recorded at his stellar studio yesterday, and (insert flogging here) I forgot my camera. Thee hee. Ummm, sorry.

Luckily we did get some beautiful tracks, and so if I had to choose one or the other (pictures vs. tracks), we ended up with the better of the two.

Kris Hill played some great guitar, and I even got to play Clarke’s world-class piano. It’s hard to explain, but one can just develop a bond with certain pianos.

I suppose the same could be said for the instrument of choice in any profession, but I don’t actually own a “studio” piano, and so it’s nice to be able to visit one every once in a while.

MY piano was the piano my grandparents bought for my mother and her sister when they were little girls – which, actually was much to my mother’s chagrin. You see, there was this new technology and device called television, and my mom very much wanted one of those instead…

But, being prudent people, my grandparents thought that a piano would be a better investment. So they paid $12.00 a month for it, for something like ten years.

At some point, my mother white-washed it, and it’s seen enough wear and tear that it doesn’t hold a tune anymore.

But my grandparents were right. It was a better investment – and it changed my life.

It’s also the piano I’ve written every one of my songs on. Well, except for the Alice Cooper stalking Kyle MacDonald song. That was written on the hotel piano in Fargo.

Hellllooooooo

Wow. OK. Force self to communicate.

Life has been whizzing by, each moment more awesome than the last, and I find myself saying, “Wow – this would make a really great website entry.” Or, “Oh my goodness – I should take a picture of this – or that – and post it right away.”

And then, I remember that I haven’t even yet explained all of the cool recording stories at MetalWorks with Adrian, Julian and Kris.

As a matter of fact, the surface hasn’t even been scratched on the campfire performances/huge stage-show/the amazing town of Kipling/almost-getting-deported and our subsequent encounters with Canadian Immigration.

It hardly seems fair to just skip over that, only to mention our future really-fun plans.

Did I mention that we’ve got some really fun plans for the future?

Wednesday, we’re heading into Tempest Recording to record guitar overdubs, and my piano tracks. Clarke Rigsby is also supposed to have this amazing Hammond organ so who know what kind of trouble we’ll find ourselves getting into?

photo courtesy of Tempest Recording

© 2000-2005

In early October, we’re headed back to Toronto to record the bass tracks and (drum roll please) the VOCALS!!!! I can hardly stand it.

We’re almost across the finish line, folks. It sounds so good – I can’t even tell you.

It’s like sitting on a little secret.

Kipling, SK was the place to be!

10 of the 14 traders – Kyle MacDonald – Mayor Pat Jackson & Burt

Roach

Jeff Cooper’s self portrait… (Trader #7) Thanks Jeff!

Lots to tell… Lots to tell…

Ok, I know that I’ve been a little MIA lately, but it’s all in the name of making some awesome music.

Below is a video of Kristofer Hill and I playing a tune called Hounds of Romance on the streets of Kipling. We’re performing gypsies at this point in the weekend.

Nirvan from the 1 Second Film, Ian MacDonald (Kyle’s dad), my neighbor Leslie and Corbin Bernsen get in on the action.

I promise to give a full update, even if it’s in the form of short journal entries, over the next few days.

Until then, enjoy!