Studio Diary Lovex "Story" EP recording

Studio sessions, October 2004

First studio day, Monday 4.10:

An early morning start. At the studio for 10 and started laying down the synth track. Then we started on the drums. When many snare, tom-tom and cymbal options had been tested and the set had been re-miked a couple of times we took a break. Then the drum recording began. We took the songs in turn; Heart of stone, Guardian angel, Lovex story and Wounds. After a few initial problems recording went pretty well. A few coffee and listening breaks broke up almost constant playing and by 2300 this drummer boy was utterly shattered…we nearly gave up for the day and left Wounds until Tuesday. A last wild push and we laid it down and it came out really well. The studio session which had caused the most apprehension was over. Actually, there was still more to do and the Ep recordings stretched over 2 more weeks because our producer, Jari Latomaa, wanted to take real care, as he thought the band had such potential.. There was so much material that we were unable to record it all with care in the time we had the studio reserved and the EP was a couple of weeks late. But then, good things are worth waiting for.

Second studio day, Tuesday 5.10:

Around 11 to12ish we were back in the studio and started to listen to the previous days drum recordings with wide-open ears and it still sounded really good. Then the bands singer, Theo, sang the demo songs, each recorded in one take. They sounded really good, even though it was just an hour after waking and without warming up. D Just like it made some difference in the end. DD.anyway,after a couple of hours and a coffee pot of setting up we started recording Vivian’s Les Paul riffs. All the songs got a really strong rocking rythm backing. After take-away pizzas Jason B started the bass sessions. The bass lines came off really well and the songs recordings went fast except for Guardian Angel where practically the whole bass score was re-written. The end result was a slew of earthshakin’ bass tracks! :) Around 9 we got Sammy Black set up and recorded another set of real kickin’ guitar backing tracks. Sammy’s tracks got done fast, with 1-3 takes per song! When all the rhythm tracks were in the can, we stared to record the lead and solos and nearly got them all ready. Only the clean acoustic guitar parts were still to do. We got out of the studio about 2am. I crashed over at Sammy’s for a whole 4 hrs before leaving on the 7:30 bus for home, a shower and fresh to my studies!:DD

So, that’s the school day over and from the text you can guess that I’m more than a little tired, but this got written as promised! The recording continues at the beginning of next week. I’ll keep you posted on the studio sessions and anything else of interest!

Peace & Love
Julian Drain

JeeJee Rocks!!!

The Music Bar Jeejee gig didn’t generate high hopes. It was on the worst possible day, a Thursday, and with the over 18 age limit some of our more active audience couldn’t get in. There were still caterpillars in my stomach. The long awaited Promo-pics got taken before the gig.

For a sleepy head the day started far too early. About midday started make-up and styling. Faces matt, eyes rock and roll and hair with attitude. After a few hours and some mild nervous breakdowns we were ready for the camera’s demanding eye. The time table was tight and we were late.

Sound check was ahead and we were getting hot (Vivian almost literally), when sleeves rolled, we shifted the instruments and gear from the training pad. Our driver had obviously been watching the rallies and our tyres screeched on route to the gig. At last we got set up and started the soundcheck.

Doing the sound check brought sweat to our brows and we had to call for make-up again. In a cloud of powder the caterpillars became fully grown butterflies until the lighting got sorted and we were each bathed in a spotlight. The butterflies disappeared and we started to get the vibes.

At 23.45 we got down to it. Rock and roll therapy. The punters moved from the bar closer to the stage and the brave ones found their way to the front row. Old and new fans joined as the music shook their bodies. The show exceeded our expectations and all our fears proved to be groundless.

We were feeling high after the gig went so well. It was time to sit and sample some of Jeejee’s offerings and pose for pictures with the fans.

The evening didn’t end at the Jeejee though. A taksi van took our group, (read stoned group) to Emma’s, the Tammela burger kiosk and finally back to the flat, to ponder the real power of music and to eagerly await the future.

- Court Poet