Back at it Part Deux: the Studio Edition
Oh, how I’ve missed working with this talented bunch
Following a year’s solitary confinement in the home studio, this weekend was a glorious one indeed.
Don't get me wrong, I'm incredibly grateful for my home studio, which has allowed me to survive the pandemic financially. It's my sanctuary, my creative haven. But there's nothing quite like the energy and buzz of a real-life studio, and that's exactly where I found myself over the past couple of days.
My Friday session was at none other than the legendary Arlyn Studios. This place is the real deal, folks. Countless world-famous artists have graced its halls, and the sound is something special, truly unique. Nikki Jensen hired me to write some string arrangements, hire some players, and conduct the session, and with producer Jacob Sciba at the board, the incredibly talented Tosca String Quartet brought the music to life in a way only they can. These immensely talented women are my go-to group for string sessions, and they never disappoint.
L-R: Nikki, the author, Jacob, Sara, Tracy, Leigh, and Ames
Tosca and I go way back. I've known violist Ames since we both landed in Austin, and first violinist Leigh has been my orchestral concertmaster for more concerts than I can count. Second violinist Tracy and I go way back to when she was the music librarian at UT, and cellist Sara and I used to be smoking/drinking buddies back in our wilder days. We've played together, premiered new compositions, performed in Big Star Third together, and provided orchestral backdrops for countless studio albums. I love these humans, and it felt so right to have them be my first post-shutdown session.
On Saturday, I got to direct eight vocalists for the next album from ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead. These guys are always pushing the envelope and doing something fresh and innovative, and it was a thrill to work with them again. I sang/conducted on their Worlds Apart LP way back in the 00's, and if the five tracks we worked on together this weekend are any indication, this new album is going to be yet another epic outing for the band. Plus, I got to work with producer Charles Godfrey, who's done amazing work with the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Swans, and Cannibal Corpse. Talk about a dream team.
The session was so intense that it wasn't until after the vocalists had left that Conrad and I realized we hadn't taken a single photo to document the mayhem. Oh well, next time.
2005’s Worlds Apart, upon which you can hear the author on the Isis refrain
Overall, it feels so good to be back in the thick of things. I can't wait for more sessions like this.