Monday, March 30th Lawnchair was back in the studio recording more tracks for what may or may not be titled "Dirt & Sky" (thanks to Colin Cargile for the idea). We reconvened in the now home away from home feeling live room at Nice Package to record the next songs on our list of potentials for the record. Again, we managed to track three songs in our three hour chunk of session time. That's pretty damn productive by any one's standards.
We track two older songs (Cold War and Half my Heart) that we've been playing in various incarnations over the past however-many years. Things were a little slow going at first, but soon fell into place as we recalled the muscle memories of late night, third set playings of Cold War. I was wanting to mellow the song out for the record, but soon saw the right in the band's desire to knock it around a bit. I feel really solid about our favorite take of that one.
Later in the night we recorded Half My Heart. This song is as old as Lawnchair, but had yet to be recorded. If you recall it from our live show, it's a mandolin and harmonica driven song that hearkens back to the days of the upright bass and lower volumes. So, Eric broke out the upright and Matt broke out the mandolin and we got a couple of sweet takes full of emotional swelling. As I was describing it later... the track has an intimate intensity with a great building of emotion.
The real highlight of the night's session, however, was during the tracking of a new song call (A Little) Further Down the Road. I had written it and thought of it as a bluesy shuffle, a little boogey woogey number. Well... Jimmy came in with something, should I say, a little radical. The song turned into a N'awlins inspired Swamp Boogey Juke. I loved what he brought to the table. It's the same song, just better. It's got a feel like nothing else we do.
Next week - the rhythm section gets a break, and Matt and I go in to re-cut some vocals, guitar leads, and maybe lay down some harp if we have time. I can't wait to hear the board dumps from this week!!!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Round 2
On Monday 3/23 Lawnchair was back in the confines of Nice Package Recording. This week's sessions yielded 4 songs... a couple of first take'ers to boot. I can't believe how well the process is going. I can't say enough about how great they've been to work with thus far, and how relaxed the process has been. We did start the project with songs we've been playing for quite a while, so that surely has something to do with it. (oh, I know... "stop calling me Shirley") We'll see what happens as we move into the new material.
Now that we have the board dumps from the last 2 sessions, we can start listening to the songs as a collection. It will be interesting to hear if and/or what works together as we decide the song's future. I really look forward to the mixing process, where the songs take shape into real works and not just a conglomeration of sounds. The tracks have a great "Live" feel which is what we wanted to achieve in the recording. Have I mentioned how stoked I am about all of this!?!?!?
We will be back in this Monday, with a new batch of songs in hand. Just two more sessions of general tracking left, and then we are on to the overs and mixing. I have no question that this project will shape up to be the best of Lawnchair's recorded output.
If you play it, they will come!
Now that we have the board dumps from the last 2 sessions, we can start listening to the songs as a collection. It will be interesting to hear if and/or what works together as we decide the song's future. I really look forward to the mixing process, where the songs take shape into real works and not just a conglomeration of sounds. The tracks have a great "Live" feel which is what we wanted to achieve in the recording. Have I mentioned how stoked I am about all of this!?!?!?
We will be back in this Monday, with a new batch of songs in hand. Just two more sessions of general tracking left, and then we are on to the overs and mixing. I have no question that this project will shape up to be the best of Lawnchair's recorded output.
If you play it, they will come!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
And they're off....
Tracking for the new Lawnchair record (working title: "Dirt and Sky") started last night... or should I say restarted. We recorded the basic tracks for this record last year around this time, but illness and time constraints made the performances lack-luster. At least, after a year of laying dormant, they felt lack luster. The hard work involved in the process did not go unappreciated, but we need to put out the best product possible. Those sessions, upon later listening, had too many flaws for us to be happy with at this point in whatever it is we do.
Work began in the well appointed and warm confines of Nice Package Recording in Towson, MD. The vibe was great and our engineer Jason was a pleasure to work with. Once the settings were dialed in, we managed to track three songs in our short three hour session. Lost its Soul, Break Apart, and Marked Man.
We've been playing these songs for some time at our live shows, and the playbacks have us feeling confident that we have caught that live energy and bottled it in the coding. That's the idea with this record, we want to capture the power and energy of the live show, which is not an easy task when recording. There will, however, be some surprises on the record in the way of new songs and possibly new arrangement. Time will tell.
The excitement of last night is still bouncing around inside of me as I type this. I can't wait for next week's sessions! Wish us luck (whoever reads this other than Jimmy and I) . They seem a long way off, but I will probably post sneak peaks as they draw closer.
Work began in the well appointed and warm confines of Nice Package Recording in Towson, MD. The vibe was great and our engineer Jason was a pleasure to work with. Once the settings were dialed in, we managed to track three songs in our short three hour session. Lost its Soul, Break Apart, and Marked Man.
We've been playing these songs for some time at our live shows, and the playbacks have us feeling confident that we have caught that live energy and bottled it in the coding. That's the idea with this record, we want to capture the power and energy of the live show, which is not an easy task when recording. There will, however, be some surprises on the record in the way of new songs and possibly new arrangement. Time will tell.
The excitement of last night is still bouncing around inside of me as I type this. I can't wait for next week's sessions! Wish us luck (whoever reads this other than Jimmy and I) . They seem a long way off, but I will probably post sneak peaks as they draw closer.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Where do I start....
Wow. Lawnchair has had a fun little run of gigs! Back on Saturday, March 7th we played Club 66 in Edgewood, Maryland. We had no idea what we were in for. Club 66 is a privately owned social club that puts on its fair share of shows. The walls were lined with memorabilia from past performers such as Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet and Fog Hat to name but a few. The sound system and vibe were huge. We had a long day, due to a 3pm load in/sound check and a 9pm stage time, but the folks made it a nice time for us.
We headlined the show, and followed two progressively heavier modern rock bands (Critical Element and Encalidus). As the sonic bombardment increased, we were unsure of how our country-rock was going to go over with the building crowd. About halfway through the second band's set (each band had a 1.5 hour set... we had a 2 hour set), a large crew of 'Chair heads showed up (feeling good) in a pimped out short bus complete with a flat screen and wii.
By the time we hit, we were amped. The crowd was super into it and responsive. We slammed through a blistering set, filled with hoots and hollars of response. We were tight and feeling great. The second set was fun and loose, thanks to half a fifth of Makers Mark (thanks Jared). The night concluded with a monster jam out on Johnny Be Good as called out by the club's owner Dave, who sang it for everyone's pleasure. As a side note, during our first set (I think the song was Snake Oil) Dave came up and played a hand muted broken bicycle horn, and damned if he didn't rock it. During the final jam someone leaped onto the stage and played some blues harp... and rocked it too. The night was left in a blur of compliments and well wishes and promises of returns. I really hope to return to Club 66. The place is a huge surprise and the way all venues should be... those good folks are all about the music and not about any kind of bull shit... oh, and did I mention it's BYOB?!?!?!?
This past weekend (March 13 and 14) we played two more fun shows. We hit our usual 2nd friday of every month show at the Waterfront in Fells Point. As usual, it was fun and loose and folks were dancing up a storm. There were a couple of fellas there who travelled 4 hours up from Norfolk, VA just to see us. I feel pretty confident that we made it worth their while. The show was also attended by our new super-fan Jim, who can now be seen around town sporting his Lawnchair t-shirt.
The second show was up in Gettysburg with our good friends Booker Lee and the County Fair (or Bangers and Mash as they were known for the night). This was either the 3rd or 4th St. Pattys Day party we've played up there at the Pike, and as usual it was a blast. The night started with a surprise (at least to us) performance by a pseudo-traditional Irish group, a gaggle of 12 or so drunken middle-agers with tin whistles and the like. Well, when they were done, things got shaken up a little bit. We cranked through a super tight high energy set that had the Booker Lee boys proclaiming it was the best they've seen of us. It sure felt good, and the sound was great. The Booker Lee gang went on to play two sets of Pogues-style Irish rock. They were great, and I don't think anyone could have not had a great time. It was yet another fun, fun night.
Well, Lawnchair is all fired up. We're running hot and tight, and we're hitting the studio Tuesday night to start some new sessions for our third record. I, for one, am really stoked to track this puppy. Some of the songs are old, some we've been playing for months, and some are brand spanking new. I'll post on our progress as we go... I promise. Onward and upward... I can't wait!
We headlined the show, and followed two progressively heavier modern rock bands (Critical Element and Encalidus). As the sonic bombardment increased, we were unsure of how our country-rock was going to go over with the building crowd. About halfway through the second band's set (each band had a 1.5 hour set... we had a 2 hour set), a large crew of 'Chair heads showed up (feeling good) in a pimped out short bus complete with a flat screen and wii.
By the time we hit, we were amped. The crowd was super into it and responsive. We slammed through a blistering set, filled with hoots and hollars of response. We were tight and feeling great. The second set was fun and loose, thanks to half a fifth of Makers Mark (thanks Jared). The night concluded with a monster jam out on Johnny Be Good as called out by the club's owner Dave, who sang it for everyone's pleasure. As a side note, during our first set (I think the song was Snake Oil) Dave came up and played a hand muted broken bicycle horn, and damned if he didn't rock it. During the final jam someone leaped onto the stage and played some blues harp... and rocked it too. The night was left in a blur of compliments and well wishes and promises of returns. I really hope to return to Club 66. The place is a huge surprise and the way all venues should be... those good folks are all about the music and not about any kind of bull shit... oh, and did I mention it's BYOB?!?!?!?
This past weekend (March 13 and 14) we played two more fun shows. We hit our usual 2nd friday of every month show at the Waterfront in Fells Point. As usual, it was fun and loose and folks were dancing up a storm. There were a couple of fellas there who travelled 4 hours up from Norfolk, VA just to see us. I feel pretty confident that we made it worth their while. The show was also attended by our new super-fan Jim, who can now be seen around town sporting his Lawnchair t-shirt.
The second show was up in Gettysburg with our good friends Booker Lee and the County Fair (or Bangers and Mash as they were known for the night). This was either the 3rd or 4th St. Pattys Day party we've played up there at the Pike, and as usual it was a blast. The night started with a surprise (at least to us) performance by a pseudo-traditional Irish group, a gaggle of 12 or so drunken middle-agers with tin whistles and the like. Well, when they were done, things got shaken up a little bit. We cranked through a super tight high energy set that had the Booker Lee boys proclaiming it was the best they've seen of us. It sure felt good, and the sound was great. The Booker Lee gang went on to play two sets of Pogues-style Irish rock. They were great, and I don't think anyone could have not had a great time. It was yet another fun, fun night.
Well, Lawnchair is all fired up. We're running hot and tight, and we're hitting the studio Tuesday night to start some new sessions for our third record. I, for one, am really stoked to track this puppy. Some of the songs are old, some we've been playing for months, and some are brand spanking new. I'll post on our progress as we go... I promise. Onward and upward... I can't wait!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Incoming and Upcoming
Here are some upcoming shows!Sat. 3/7 - Club 66 in Edgewood
Fri. 3/13 - Waterfront Hotel in Fells Point
Sat. 3/14 - The Pike in Gettysburg with Booker Lee and the County Fair
Look for an update soon.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Another years done gone...
Lawnchair's 2008 came to a close back on December 12th, back at the old Waterfront. We had a pretty fun year all in all and it ended up in a rather rollicking way. The show started with a technical meltdown which, in the end, turned up a positive. Issues had plagued my gear for a while and I couldn't pin point the problem, that is until it all but crapped out. Well, that'll be fixed for '09. Anyway, we got rolling along having a good old time, and sure enough the shots came flying. Some old friends wanted to help us have a blast playing our last show of the year. As we played through the sets, shots of all type and proof came from all angles. Jimmy, on his usual trip around the bar, received an early christmas gift (or should I say a pair of gifts). On his extendo-solo trip around the bar, playing bottles and glasses along the way, a rather striking blond said "Play these!" Down the top went... as did Jimmy's jaw. After a momentary pause to consider (Jimmy actually dropped the beat - that never happens), Jimmy couldn't take the though of injuring such a giving woman's chest and made his way to the bar and back.
It was a great night. I can't say that we played our best, but damned if we didn't have a blast. Thanks to everyone who came out, and bought us booze, and sang along and danced their asses off at this past show and every other throughout the year! Y'all have helped us have a ton of fun and hopefully we've done a little of the same for you... especially during such a shitfull year.
Onward and upward. Thanks again, and we hope to see y'all a little further down the road.
It was a great night. I can't say that we played our best, but damned if we didn't have a blast. Thanks to everyone who came out, and bought us booze, and sang along and danced their asses off at this past show and every other throughout the year! Y'all have helped us have a ton of fun and hopefully we've done a little of the same for you... especially during such a shitfull year.
Onward and upward. Thanks again, and we hope to see y'all a little further down the road.
Monday, October 13, 2008
I got a feva...
A week or so ago I couldn't even look at my guitars. I thought I might just hang it all up for a while. We played a lack luster show down in Silver Spring, and it was all starting to feel like too much work... the booking and the promotion and - the whole thing just seemed like a drag.
Well, I woke up last Friday morning foaming at the mouth to play. Who knows why, but I was amped. I could only think about that night's show. All day I sat at my desk, boiling on the inside, just waiting to rock.
So I get to the gig and the band from the early show isn't loaded out yet. We've played this Friday gig for something like three years now, and we've never had the early show run so late. Parking was horrendous as usual, so I dumped my gear so I could circle like a vulture to get a decent parking spot. One of the guys from the early band started giving me a bunch of shit about how much easier it would be to load out if my gear wasn't there. I bit my lip (though I wanted to completely pummel this little fuck in front of all of his slow-moving bandmates just to prove my point), and stated my case. Fuming, I hopped back into the car and found a place to park. On the walk back to the club, the seed of doubt started to sprout in my head. "See, you were right, it's all become a huge pain in the ass."
We got her going and things were weird. The crowd was pretty thin and uninterested for the first few songs. Aw man, was I right about all this?
Well, the bad tide washed out and a big full high tide of listeners and ass-shakers rolled in and lifted us on their backs. By the end of the first set, the place was going ape and they were crying out for more. We took a quick break to regroup and rehydrate, then lit into a blistering second set. The band was playing some inspired stuff. Ebbing and flowing... we could go anywhere we wanted. We were tighter than a bull's ass in fly season and the crowd was into it, fully invested. We took one last, quick, break and they all hung with us. We pounded down a round of bourbon together and fired into what would be the last set of the night. The whole thing ended with an explosion of sweat and sound. The whole joint was screaming and clapping as we closed out the last song. What a night!
While we were packing up and folks were on their way out, we were showered with kind words and promises to do it all again. We sold some disks and loaded out. The whole band felt great. We were all grinning from ear to ear, feeling great about what just happened. They are an awesome bunch of talented guys, all in it together. I left the night feeling lucky to be a part of such a good thing, and have the guys so onboard and supportive of the songs.
I can't wait for the next show.
Well, I woke up last Friday morning foaming at the mouth to play. Who knows why, but I was amped. I could only think about that night's show. All day I sat at my desk, boiling on the inside, just waiting to rock.
So I get to the gig and the band from the early show isn't loaded out yet. We've played this Friday gig for something like three years now, and we've never had the early show run so late. Parking was horrendous as usual, so I dumped my gear so I could circle like a vulture to get a decent parking spot. One of the guys from the early band started giving me a bunch of shit about how much easier it would be to load out if my gear wasn't there. I bit my lip (though I wanted to completely pummel this little fuck in front of all of his slow-moving bandmates just to prove my point), and stated my case. Fuming, I hopped back into the car and found a place to park. On the walk back to the club, the seed of doubt started to sprout in my head. "See, you were right, it's all become a huge pain in the ass."
We got her going and things were weird. The crowd was pretty thin and uninterested for the first few songs. Aw man, was I right about all this?
Well, the bad tide washed out and a big full high tide of listeners and ass-shakers rolled in and lifted us on their backs. By the end of the first set, the place was going ape and they were crying out for more. We took a quick break to regroup and rehydrate, then lit into a blistering second set. The band was playing some inspired stuff. Ebbing and flowing... we could go anywhere we wanted. We were tighter than a bull's ass in fly season and the crowd was into it, fully invested. We took one last, quick, break and they all hung with us. We pounded down a round of bourbon together and fired into what would be the last set of the night. The whole thing ended with an explosion of sweat and sound. The whole joint was screaming and clapping as we closed out the last song. What a night!
While we were packing up and folks were on their way out, we were showered with kind words and promises to do it all again. We sold some disks and loaded out. The whole band felt great. We were all grinning from ear to ear, feeling great about what just happened. They are an awesome bunch of talented guys, all in it together. I left the night feeling lucky to be a part of such a good thing, and have the guys so onboard and supportive of the songs.
I can't wait for the next show.
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