new beginnings

the cat is out of the bag—work is underway on the follow-up to my debut album (released last June)! 

as I kick off this project, I’ve noticed an evolution in my level of comfort with the procedures through which I approach creative development.

My tools are largely the same as the last go around, and yet several differences between my previous and current experiences have emerged:

1. my level of technical proficiency

I’ve put in a lot of hours working on my craft and it shows in a couple of different ways—most notably in my ability to sing and play the guitar, but I also feel more competent as a songwriter, recording engineer, producer, etc. 

I open a lot of doors for myself by covering all these elements under one roof, but doing so requires vigilance and discipline. still, this is something I’m proud of.

2. an improved feel for my limits

as I recorded the previous album, I gained a sense for my own working efficiency: basically, what I am and am not capable of accomplishing for any given task. 

this carries over to my professional life as well, where it behooves me to be able to anticipate the length of time and amount of energy I need to commit to a deliverable. with a greater understanding of this exertion, I can allow myself grace in the moments where I don’t feel like I’m reaching my full potential. 

it is also a driving factor in me not wanting to set a timeline for this project—I don’t want to invite that added pressure.

3. better means of communication

this email newsletter, though straightforward, has been the most enjoyable format for me to provide updates about shows, new music, and the goings-on of my life. it allows for multimedia, can be easily referenced, and follows a frequency that fits very well into my schedule.

in fact, it presents the perfect means to document the creation of this follow-up project. in that light, I’m excited to share, from the very beginning up until completion, my process for recording an album.

I have twelve songs planned for the project. eight are written with another almost finished, and then I’ve got an intro, an interlude, and one cover song sprinkled in.

on the surface it won’t be a conceptual album, but there is an intended flow that will span from beginning to end as a continuous listening experience. many of the transitions between songs will be abstract and undefined, suggesting a feeling of limbo and disresolution.

and yet release will come in waves, often unexpectedly—as it does in life.

the first step to recording a song is laying out the structure. below you can see an ableton project with the structure already built out and a scratch guitar track recorded.

I’ve already got the song structure laid out in my head prior to recording—I set a click track at the appropriate tempo, and after putting down a full take can set down markers where each of the different sections start and end. I then go back and re-record some of the sketchier bits with more precision.

take note of this dashboard view. it will evolve as the song is recorded and eventually contain the entirety of the piece.

linked here is the audio track exported from the above dashboard. 

my next step for this song is to add a scratch bass part as well. together, these two pieces will give my remote drummer everything he needs to record his part. once I have the drums, I can then start to build the final track around them—including re-recording versions of the guitar and bass.

and so will continue my work until I’m finished. it’s tons of teeny iterations and organization interspersed with moments of inspiration that help direct the course of the project. I’m stoked you’ll be along with me for the ride.

a final note—about Esmute, the drummer on my previous album and hopefully the drummer on this one as well.

Esmute lives in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which has recently fallen victim to torrential rains that have completely flooded the southern Brazilian state. he, his cats, and his drum kit are all ok, but a lot of people he knows are facing very difficult circumstances right now.

give him a follow on instagram if you would like cause he’s a great dude and an excellent drummer, but also please just keep him and those affected by the tragedy in your thoughts. they’ll be back at it before we know it.