Goodbyehome in the Studio: Episode IX
Nearing the finish line…
Today saw the finishing touches on three songs for me, including one song that may very well be completely finished with tracking work. It feels good to have completed something - 14 tracks really doesn’t seem very daunting until you realize that you’re already three and a half weeks in, and there are still 8 songs that are left to work on.
But things are getting done.
The session started off with the supplemental lead guitar part for ‘Why I Never Run’. One of our only purely acoustic tracks on the album, I pulled out the Alvarez Yari to lay down the melody guitar line. I am constantly amazed by how simple and beautiful this song is. The melody line on the guitar was pretty constant - I only vary it momentarily before a tiny solo interlude after the first chorus (which took way longer to record than I had expected). Regardless, this song will be beautiful upon completion.
And then it was pickin’ time again. Ellis and I were able to agree upon a nice bouncy arpeggiation for ‘I Still Feel the Same’ that drives the song along, and gives it a more down-home feel. I am very pleased with how this track came out. I had initially played the song on guitar, but steadily grew bored with playing a virtually identical part as Greg. This new instrumentation makes the song a lot livelier, and adds a bit more depth.
Plus, it’s a banjo track. It’s fun. Goodbyehome likes fun.
After the pickin’ party, I settled in for a few vocal tracks and overdubs. ‘I Still Feel the Same’ initially took a bit of work, but once everything was warm and I found the pitch, it was extra smooth sailing.
We moved from country bounce to our epic acid-folk number ‘Raindance’ where I set down a number of vocal backup tracks - another tune that’s just endless fun. The sheer layering that makes up this song is mind-boggling. But boy, it already sounds incredible and it isn’t even finished.
It was a very productive session, and my parts for those four songs have been completed! Next up, some accordion goodness! But that’s for another day. Goodbyehome has a pair of weekend gigs to attend to…
Friday Night: Goose Island in Wrigleyville — Special Acoustic Set! - 9:30pm
Saturday Night: Kicker’s Bar & Grill in Schiller Park — 9:30pm
See you soon!
