Happy New Year, folks. We just lived through the worst natural disaster since EVER, topping off a year that was already a bit too “exciting” for my comfort. I became a Dad just in time to lose my own, watched a nation divide over an election and a war, and just generally had a lot to worry about. I also got food poisoning on Christmas Eve, so I have few memories of my son’s first Christmas. That’s life, though. I can’t complain, but I can look back through the year’s scrapbook and shake my head – so much STUFF happened! And again, the tsunami thing… I don’t even know how to talk about it. My mind is completely blown by the destruction and death. I can’t even wrap my brain around it.
We’d like to put out the record in April, that’s what we’ve decided. Barring any more unforseen delays (and I can’t imagine that happening… oh, UNFORSEEN… yeah), that’s quite reasonable. Mixing should be finished by next weekend – yes, you heard me. The room known as the “music room” in my house has been soundproofed and repainted a lush red/gold color and is now ready for newly upgraded recording equipment – and cymbals. Don’t forget the cymbals – I have, for a couple years now. Just never had the cash. I’ve been borrowing cymbals for about half that time and the other half of the time I just haven’t had any cymbals. So even though I have a drum kit at all times, I can’t really practice and I’m looking forward to that changing – and obviously I’m looking forward to having more than four tracks. Pleased as pie with the new paint job in the room, my son crawls around and gnaws on the red hose housing a long string of rope lights – he loves doing that. So when the next record rolls around (and I’m about to get started on it at as leisurely of a pace as I can stand), you’ll probably hear lots of baby babbling and squealing because he’ll be in there with me most of the time. There are probably four strong personalities on the new record and on the next album there will probably be a lot more – no two ways about it, it’s going to be a dark record. I have a slew of song ideas, loosely grouped under song titles that only I know what they mean at the moment. Yet I have so much to be happy about that of course there will be bits and pieces of the ditties and lullabies that I write for my son and of course lovely love songs for my girlfr- fianc- wife will abound. I’m already in such a different headspace than when I wrote the new record – but at least I’m still recognizeable as the same person. When RS&SH came out, I had completely changed since those songs had been written that I felt like it was someone else’s record. I’m so glad that the new record doesn’t feel like that. Sometimes when I close my eyes, I get right back into the situation I was writing about and I forget that any time has passed at all. Most importantly, I can still stand behind the sentiments even if I have continued to mature. Part of the danger of writing what you know and capturing the moment is that a year or two later you can go back and think “ah, I was crazy” and I’m glad to not feel that way… yet.
Let me know if I become redundant while repeating myself over and over.
Fishremover will hopefully resume recording this month. I don’t know if we’re going to re-track anything on the new system but that shouldn’t take long even if we do. I’m just looking forward to the intensity of side two (yes, we’re working chronologically from the first song to the last), as it will all be one song.
Oh, more good news – I haven’t had many nightmares lately. They’re backing off a bit. Come to think of it, I believe that they stopped when I had food poisoning. Hm. Trade-off.
And finally, I hope everyone had a safe and happy new year. Hopefully, This Will Be Our Year.
Cue The Zombies, maestro.
