Thursday 29 July 2010

July 2010...

Hi all,

I thought I would be updating this more frequently than I have. The reason for the lack of updates is actually because 1) I moved into a new flat (in the very plush Earls Avenue in Folkestone I might add!) and 2) I have been ridiculously busy with recordings and mixes to catch up on. So, what's been happening in the world of the Anchor Baby?

CATS and CATS and CATS:
These guys have been in to track some demo versions of their new album material. It's much more energetic than their previous stuff, and I am pleased to be working with them, more info on this as it's finished!

PHORIA:
This AMAZING bands' new EP is now finally mixed and ready to be sent off for mastering. Imagine it sounding a bit like Elbow meets Coldplay meets Sunny Day Real Estate. It's dark, beautiful and very very awesome!

THE AMBIENCE:
Nearly there with this album. It's 11 songs of reverb-smothered experimental indie, circa Manchester in the late 80s/early 90s - some of my favourite things about this record are all of the little interludes between songs. They are things that have just kind of happened in the studio. For example, there was one day where Joe (singer) was passing around his I-Pod with the new Brian Eno synth app on it. We had it plugged into the desk, and I was recording it for some reason. Just as everyone was having a go at making ambient synth noises, the trumpet player was doing his warm ups in the live room. I had a stereo pair of room mics set up (trusty old Rode NT1s!) so I hit record and what we've ended up with is a really unique sounding kind of avant-garde bit of music! Smother it in reverb and hey presto, two songs linked together!

KLAUS:
I was lucky enough to witness Klaus performing his amazing acoustic set at a gig in Folkestone a couple of months ago. After a brief chat it turned out he's a fan of Jairus and we arranged a day to record back in June. He laid down two songs, "Note to Self" and "Don't Kiss Back" in as many hours - and I am pleased to say that I have now mixed them and will be making one of them available on my website very soon!

STATIONS IN THE VALLEY:
New band from the ex-Secondsmile boys. This record is in the final stages of mixing, only a few tweaks to go and then it's off to mastering! There's some really great parts on this record, and I managed to do some guest piano playing too! looking forward to sitting back in a few weeks and chilling out to the finished article!

CHARLENE HUSKINSON:
Two more days in the studio of mixing should have this 10 song album of female-fronted brutality under wraps. Really pleased with the guitar and drum sound on this record, the trusty Hughes and Kettner Tri-amp really shone through this time around.

That is all for now, more updates, more frequently from now on!

- Dan.