And… we’re done.

Everything that needs to be burned into the memory of the studio computers has been; now all that is left to do is sit down and mix it. Some pretty great ideas for an album cover have been growing in the band consciousness, we are equally excited about the package as a whole as we are about the audio we’ve recorded.

Titles? I myself would quite fancy the succinct and honest “Get on the Drugs”, which would develop its own kind of beauty in the context of the album cover image we have in mind. But I think we’re leaning towards a simple self-titled, which still works very well.

There’ll be an E.P. launch, or something.

Swimmingly

Wrapped up the instrumental tracks for the EP today; last but not least the suave if un-experimental vocal stylings of Emilio Mercuri, which will be undertaken tomorrow. Brought home what we have so far on CD, been listening to it a fair bit. I must say, I am unexpectedly proud of the group on the way we’ve come through. I wasn’t sure how well our live-orientated act would translate to record, but so far everyone has been consummately professional, dedicated and tuned in. I hope that one or two people like the end result when we finally get there, but it won’t break my heart if they don’t. I like it, and that’s all I wanted.

Steps to Immortalize the Noises We Make

Tomorrow morn, Redcoats begin recording. Those who know us know it has been a long, slow and arduous journey to this point: over a year has passed since our big fund-raiser (in which we raised almost two grand, and I’ll boast that all I like, fuck you very much that-guy-who-ragged-on-our-gig-cancellations). Throughout this time there have been broken promises and broken hearts, false starts and enough procrastination to reach the moon. But we’ve arrived at last, and in fourteen hours the mics go on and the sound gets put to tape forever.

The song line up we have rested upon, after months of shifting and rearranging, appears to please all, and so hopefully it will please a sizable amount of listeners. During our last minute back-to-basics rehearsals, a White-Stripesque psychedelia song happened. We have decided its going on the EP with all the others, so there’s that to look forward to.

All this talk of recording has invariably turned my narcissistic mind toward future solo recording endeavors. I wonder at times whether I should bother with a small release or go straight to the full album. Seeing as it’s probably going to be a homemade effort, it won’t make much difference I guess. Unless I want to get some strings or shit in there. That’s something I’ll have to think about.

Anyway, Redcoats EP ahoy. Ask me for a copy if you see me, I’ll do you a sweet deal.

The Pictures are Moving

My dissatisfaction with them is down completely to how aesthetically displeasing I find myself, and has no bearing on the quality work done by Martin Kingsley in capturing these images. He did a very fine job indeed.

You can visit some video of the stuff I stumbled through at The Old Bar whilst supporting Jasmin Kaset here. No obligations, though.

Jasmin Kaset and guest

Tonight’s gig at the Old Bar went reasonably well, in a quiet sort of way. I suppose my failure to prepare a set list of any kind might have been a source of shakiness, but the random selection of assortments I picked out of a hat didn’t seem to cause any riots. Ignore any indescribably bizarre musical reinterpretations of key developmental scenes from the first season of Chris Carter’s The X Files.

More over, I was very taken by the girl whose gig’s underside I was clinging to. Jasmin Kaset’s charm outdoes her guitar playing tenfold, but personally I prefer it that way. At any rate, she has a sweetness of voice that employs all the best sides of coy, ironic and genuine, and her songwriting reflects that impeccably. Taking the stage adorned in an oddly flattering football singlet, shorts and stockings, the Nashville native’s bi cultural surety laid some lovely groundwork for the charismatic tightrope walk of shamelessness vs. amiable awkwardness. I’d like to support her again, or, failing that, just go to another of her shows. One to look out for, just quietly.

Martin Kingsley is kind enough to have captured some of tonight on his magic image stealing box. There will be some video up soon, too, I’m told.

The Old Bar

I’m playing my third solo gig at The Old Bar in Fitzroy this coming Monday, the 4th. I know it is my friend Michael’s birthday but I hope he will still be able to attend and I will be able to give him his present.

This is the first time I’ve ever been the sole support act, which is kinda nice. Headlining is a lady named Jasmin Kaset, who’s moved down here from Tennessee, I’m not sure how long ago. I will be very interested to hear her stuff.

Come on down if you’re free; the old bar is a very cozy place, despite or perhaps because of the beer garden Christmas lights and dread pirates.