Rehearsing the Record

We had another rehearsal last night for the record.  It was so fun!  I could feel the energy building as soon as I hit the Long Beach border.  It is an incredible  thrill to be working with such amazing musicians and in such a cool location!   I have been a solo act for 15 years, more or less, so to be able to hear the songs more fully realized is so fresh and exciting.  It also gives me a chance to make distinct choices, and really think about nailing down the song.  When I play by myself, I just do whatever.  It’s good to be able to tighten things up.

The best part though is having conversations with the band about what they feel and how they hear the songs, really exploring the dynamics.  I try to just sit back and listen to their opinions.  Sometimes we even share the same thoughts, which is kind of cool.  It makes me feel as though we are on the same page.

I am happy about the song selection too.  It was such a process narrowing down what songs are going to make it or not.  I got it down to 15, and then it got ugly.  Still I am confident that these songs are the ones.  Most of them are new material.  That could be because it’s always fun to play new songs, but in a way I think they represent where I am at as a songwriter right now, which is a lot of what this project is about. I guess it does not have to be the last record, it is only the beginning.

My favorite cut right now is Constellations.  Steve, the Producer and bass player, is laying down the perfect line on a fret less bass he found in some guys trashcan and Jon, the drummer,  has such a laid back swinging beat, I almost cry every time I hear them kick in.

I keep thinking this is the most amazing dream. .. If it is, please don’t wake me up.