Last night J, Sunny, and myself took some time in the ol' Studio 54 and tracked a scratch track for "No Greater Love", a song that J penned many years ago in his "solo artist" days. I think we've only played it live twice, yet we've got a lot of positive comments & feedback from it. It really is a well-written song and has that "hit single" quality to it (I'm just sayin'). We mustered up a click track (filled with sounds of cowbells, shakers, & Sunny's blackberry) and roughed out an acoustic & vocal track. We're also going to strip down the click/reason tracks from "Drums of Justice" and use them to re-track drums over.
That's actually all we got done, and although it doesn't seem like much, it's what we needed for now. Not only to get the feeling that we're accomplishing something we've been neglecting to do, but it's the important part of having something for a drummer to follow & track. Sometime soon, Sunny & Evan (along with SOMERS alumni, Jon Arsenault) will track the drums so we can really get the ball rolling.
We're also going to re-track instruments (using a Logic/Reason back beat) for a song called "Here Am I" which I dig.
So far, our little demo looks like this:
Drums of Justice
Ever
Of Kings & Rulers
No Greater Love
Here Am I
We may also add a live/studio take of a song called "Free (Indeed)", but that's just as tentative as everything else, so who knows what could change from now 'til then. All that to say, we' seem to be gettin' back on track and we're excited to get some work done and finish these puppies up so ya'll can hear em'.
But, until next time... Keep fit and have fun.
Jamie
Currently Listening to:
Vision of You - Shane & Shane
Dissapointed Together - The Myriad
Must I Wait - Phil Wickham
Adelaide - Anberlin
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Rolling Along
Hey Folks,
Just here to give ya’ll an update on some demo stuff…
J cut his finger open last week (fixing a toilet, none-the-less), so he wasn’t able to come in and finish his guitar trax for “Kings & Rulers”. But, when he’s able to do that, Jeff will only need to throw on some vocals, we’ll do a mix-down, and it should be all set. Late last week I tracked some guitar parts on “Ever” (neglecting to do the solo and turn-around riffs because I haven’t got anything I’m sold on yet), and Jeff will also be tracking his guitar parts this week.
Our resident (yet off-campus) studio drummer extraordinaire, Danny Bourgeois, is busy for a few weeks so Sunny is working hard to get some guide trax to Danny before mid-week so he can lay down some stellar drums for us. Once those drums trax are all down, we’ll be on our own to fill the other spaces to make some songs. It seems that our 5-song demo (with a 6th song on hold, yet to be determined) should be done in a matter of years. Ok, maybe not, but sometimes it sure feels that way! Our excitement to get some new material out makes the process seem long & arduous. We’re not putting a ‘completed’ date on it yet, but we’re certainly hoping to start making the tunes more public once the holidays roll around.
We really wanna have the best sound available to us for these songs as we’re happy with where “the music” is going. I think we’ve got a great blend of style, timbre, & content for a 5 (or 6) song demo. We really can’t wait to hear the finished product, and we know you’ll enjoy it too… we promise.
Oh, and don't forget to join us at The SPOT this Sunday night: 8pm @ Allison Baptist Church. Along with a small dose of SPOT house band, SOMERS, we will be joined by special guest Tim Milner, a fantastic worship leader from Nova Scotia. You won't want to miss this one! We'll see you there!
Just here to give ya’ll an update on some demo stuff…
J cut his finger open last week (fixing a toilet, none-the-less), so he wasn’t able to come in and finish his guitar trax for “Kings & Rulers”. But, when he’s able to do that, Jeff will only need to throw on some vocals, we’ll do a mix-down, and it should be all set. Late last week I tracked some guitar parts on “Ever” (neglecting to do the solo and turn-around riffs because I haven’t got anything I’m sold on yet), and Jeff will also be tracking his guitar parts this week.
Our resident (yet off-campus) studio drummer extraordinaire, Danny Bourgeois, is busy for a few weeks so Sunny is working hard to get some guide trax to Danny before mid-week so he can lay down some stellar drums for us. Once those drums trax are all down, we’ll be on our own to fill the other spaces to make some songs. It seems that our 5-song demo (with a 6th song on hold, yet to be determined) should be done in a matter of years. Ok, maybe not, but sometimes it sure feels that way! Our excitement to get some new material out makes the process seem long & arduous. We’re not putting a ‘completed’ date on it yet, but we’re certainly hoping to start making the tunes more public once the holidays roll around.
We really wanna have the best sound available to us for these songs as we’re happy with where “the music” is going. I think we’ve got a great blend of style, timbre, & content for a 5 (or 6) song demo. We really can’t wait to hear the finished product, and we know you’ll enjoy it too… we promise.
Oh, and don't forget to join us at The SPOT this Sunday night: 8pm @ Allison Baptist Church. Along with a small dose of SPOT house band, SOMERS, we will be joined by special guest Tim Milner, a fantastic worship leader from Nova Scotia. You won't want to miss this one! We'll see you there!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
We Won't Be Quiet
Despite our slow-moving fall (that followed a busy summers-end)(which is nice), we've taken a bit of a break with our live & studio work (barring the SPOT of course). Though our demo & live work has been quiet, we're trying not to be. We're starting to make some big, loud noise in Sunny's basement, at Studio 54. In fact, after a failed attempt to demo last week due to a flux-capacitor & memory belt-drive bearing break-down in Sunny's computer (aptly name the Millennium Falcon for it's "take-off" noises and fancy flashing lights), we're getting back to finishing "Kings & Rulers" tonight, and getting a fresh new start on "Ever".
Maybe even more excitingly, we've decided to try tracking and old song that J wrotecalled "No Greater Love" which got a fantastic response at September's SPOT. It fit with the theme for the night, and thought we'd bring it out of the reasure chest and throw it in. What we didn't realize was that it really spoke to a lot of hearts and got some great response. Even though our old-man in the group, Jason Muir, penned it years and years ago, we've decided to put a new musical spin on it an try demoing it. We'll keep you updated on its progress.
Really, though, we're excited to get back into Studio 54 and finish some work that we've been neglecting to do. But, I believe we have a new and fresh vision for the demos and we're striving to make some great music; and We Won't Be Quiet until it's all done.
BTW: go out and buy David Crowder Band's new album. It's awesomelicious.
Maybe even more excitingly, we've decided to try tracking and old song that J wrotecalled "No Greater Love" which got a fantastic response at September's SPOT. It fit with the theme for the night, and thought we'd bring it out of the reasure chest and throw it in. What we didn't realize was that it really spoke to a lot of hearts and got some great response. Even though our old-man in the group, Jason Muir, penned it years and years ago, we've decided to put a new musical spin on it an try demoing it. We'll keep you updated on its progress.
Really, though, we're excited to get back into Studio 54 and finish some work that we've been neglecting to do. But, I believe we have a new and fresh vision for the demos and we're striving to make some great music; and We Won't Be Quiet until it's all done.
BTW: go out and buy David Crowder Band's new album. It's awesomelicious.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Dance With The One Who Brung Ya
No, it's not just an uber-wicked Petra song from the glorious early 90s.
It's also a clever adage with wisdom to fill the cracks left by the grammatical impact.
We've had an up and down summer...sometimes really busy, sometimes not feeling like we're even in a band for lack of busyness. Lately we've been having to "think" and "meet" and "plan" a lot, which for musicians and ministers can eventually make you want to "puke" and "wretch" and "hit someone in the face with a roll of quarters tucked into an old gym sock". So to speak.
What I mean is we've been thinking a lot about what comes next and what our next move is. It's one of those seasons when we need to make strategic and/or business type decisions with regards to our future rather than just getting out and playing and making music (as "totally dude" as that sounds).
When God blesses you and decides to use you it's a fantastic ride. We've had that experience certainly in the past. The danger is that it can tempt you to want to cling to that feeling and manufacture it for yourself...or bring with it a sense of entitlement, that it will 'always be this way'.
I think to avoid those scenarios, we need to constantly remind ourselves of what it was we were asked to do in the first place...when God chose to move, what call were we answering? Are we still being the stewards we need to be of the things that God has chosen to bless, or have we gotten distracted from our first love?
I'm not sure why I decided to ramble on about all that or if it even made sense, but I've been thinking about it lately since fall has begun to arrive and things sort of 'begin again'. It's funny that when trees and plants starting to die, Christian programming and TV shows are coming alive again. Anyway, with our monthly worship event, The Spot, starting up again and things for me personally heating up in my position as a local church worship leader, I'm looking forward to a chance for God to recharge my passion and focus in those areas. Afterall, they're the simple "yesses" I answered in the first place that openend the door for so many other thigns God has done.
So in the midst of our journey in writing a new album and wrestling with the details that come with it, I'm trying my best to stop and smell the roses...or see the forest for the trees...
...or dance with the one who brung me.
Sunny
p.s. On a practical note, we're looking forward to sharing a couple of our new tunes that have made the short list for the new record this weekend at The Spot. If you're gonna be there, watch for "No Greater Love" and "Free Indeed". Ciao.
Currently Listening to:
"Dance With the One Who Brung Ya" - Petra
It's also a clever adage with wisdom to fill the cracks left by the grammatical impact.
We've had an up and down summer...sometimes really busy, sometimes not feeling like we're even in a band for lack of busyness. Lately we've been having to "think" and "meet" and "plan" a lot, which for musicians and ministers can eventually make you want to "puke" and "wretch" and "hit someone in the face with a roll of quarters tucked into an old gym sock". So to speak.
What I mean is we've been thinking a lot about what comes next and what our next move is. It's one of those seasons when we need to make strategic and/or business type decisions with regards to our future rather than just getting out and playing and making music (as "totally dude" as that sounds).
When God blesses you and decides to use you it's a fantastic ride. We've had that experience certainly in the past. The danger is that it can tempt you to want to cling to that feeling and manufacture it for yourself...or bring with it a sense of entitlement, that it will 'always be this way'.
I think to avoid those scenarios, we need to constantly remind ourselves of what it was we were asked to do in the first place...when God chose to move, what call were we answering? Are we still being the stewards we need to be of the things that God has chosen to bless, or have we gotten distracted from our first love?
I'm not sure why I decided to ramble on about all that or if it even made sense, but I've been thinking about it lately since fall has begun to arrive and things sort of 'begin again'. It's funny that when trees and plants starting to die, Christian programming and TV shows are coming alive again. Anyway, with our monthly worship event, The Spot, starting up again and things for me personally heating up in my position as a local church worship leader, I'm looking forward to a chance for God to recharge my passion and focus in those areas. Afterall, they're the simple "yesses" I answered in the first place that openend the door for so many other thigns God has done.
So in the midst of our journey in writing a new album and wrestling with the details that come with it, I'm trying my best to stop and smell the roses...or see the forest for the trees...
...or dance with the one who brung me.
Sunny
p.s. On a practical note, we're looking forward to sharing a couple of our new tunes that have made the short list for the new record this weekend at The Spot. If you're gonna be there, watch for "No Greater Love" and "Free Indeed". Ciao.
Currently Listening to:
"Dance With the One Who Brung Ya" - Petra
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Update... or lack thereof
Well, it’s been almost a month since our last blog, so I thought I’d at least say hello and assure you that we’re not dead, So… “we’re not dead”.
Not much brewing on the SOMERS front lately. We’ve actually been pretty slack, and we’re just winding down from our busy summers. The cool autumn air is quickly filing in, and we’re getting our parkas out and starting to build our igloos for the winter. Also, tonight will be our first rehearsal since we last played in August. It seems like forever, and it’ll be good just to see the guys again. Heck, J lives next door and I haven’t seen him in at least a month.
We’ll be rehearsing for this month’s SPOT event on the 30th (we’re working out the kinks for a venue, so please stay tuned). We’re excited to get back into the SPOT after a 3-month summer hiatus. It’ll be good to get back with the Spotters and worship again; starting the new (school) year off with a bang. And, we’ll be playing at First Church of the Nazarene on Sept. 21st @ 7pm as part of their Spiritual Life Week. All are welcome (I think… just show up).
As far as the “album” goes, we’re still praying into it. We’re waiting on the Lord to give us a direction & stance on the album, and are patiently (and impatiently) awaiting his “ok, go!” or “ok, no”. You know how it is! Where He leads, we’ll be soon to follow. We’re exploring some other demo options and are anxious to finish up the tracks that need to be completed and we’re going to schedule those in soon. Feels like forever! Can’t wait.
I’ll come back with an update as soon as there is one! Heh…
Currently Listening to:
"How We Operate" - Gomez
"Yahweh" - U2
"Everlasting God" - Lincoln Brewster
"Everything in it's Right Place" - Radiohead
Not much brewing on the SOMERS front lately. We’ve actually been pretty slack, and we’re just winding down from our busy summers. The cool autumn air is quickly filing in, and we’re getting our parkas out and starting to build our igloos for the winter. Also, tonight will be our first rehearsal since we last played in August. It seems like forever, and it’ll be good just to see the guys again. Heck, J lives next door and I haven’t seen him in at least a month.
We’ll be rehearsing for this month’s SPOT event on the 30th (we’re working out the kinks for a venue, so please stay tuned). We’re excited to get back into the SPOT after a 3-month summer hiatus. It’ll be good to get back with the Spotters and worship again; starting the new (school) year off with a bang. And, we’ll be playing at First Church of the Nazarene on Sept. 21st @ 7pm as part of their Spiritual Life Week. All are welcome (I think… just show up).
As far as the “album” goes, we’re still praying into it. We’re waiting on the Lord to give us a direction & stance on the album, and are patiently (and impatiently) awaiting his “ok, go!” or “ok, no”. You know how it is! Where He leads, we’ll be soon to follow. We’re exploring some other demo options and are anxious to finish up the tracks that need to be completed and we’re going to schedule those in soon. Feels like forever! Can’t wait.
I’ll come back with an update as soon as there is one! Heh…
Currently Listening to:
"How We Operate" - Gomez
"Yahweh" - U2
"Everlasting God" - Lincoln Brewster
"Everything in it's Right Place" - Radiohead
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Back from tour; back to tracking
Hey Kids,
Well, we're back from Soulfest, London, and Kingdom Bound and we have survived. Bubt, just barely with the mind-numbing travel, sweltering heat, all the bats & cockroaches, and deafening rock n' roll. Click Here to read all about our trip.
We had a breif refresher rehearsal last night @ Sunny's for a gig we're playing in Moncton this Friday. Be sure to come check us out! Friday, Aug. 17th @ 97 Hildegard Rd (right next to the fire station). The festivities begin at 8pm.
But, back to what really matters! The record! With no major events in the near future, we're going to put all of our focus back into the record and making sure we get great demos. We've got about 3/4 "Kings and Rulers" tracked and about 1/4 of "Ever" tracked. Once we finish those, we'll go back to the drawing board and choose a few more songs to demo. We hope our bud Danny Bourgeois will keep trackin' drums for us; his studio chops are phenominal. Who knows... by the time we're done, maybe we'll have a full record ready to release! haha, maybe not but we hope we can get something out to you guys really soon.
But, until then, keep checkin' this blog as we continue to working on new songs. Adios!
SOMERS
Currently Listening to:
"Death Machine" - Fiction Plane
"Remedy" - Black Crowes
"Hole" - Kelly Clarkson
"Our Love is Loud" - David Crowder Band
Well, we're back from Soulfest, London, and Kingdom Bound and we have survived. Bubt, just barely with the mind-numbing travel, sweltering heat, all the bats & cockroaches, and deafening rock n' roll. Click Here to read all about our trip.
We had a breif refresher rehearsal last night @ Sunny's for a gig we're playing in Moncton this Friday. Be sure to come check us out! Friday, Aug. 17th @ 97 Hildegard Rd (right next to the fire station). The festivities begin at 8pm.
But, back to what really matters! The record! With no major events in the near future, we're going to put all of our focus back into the record and making sure we get great demos. We've got about 3/4 "Kings and Rulers" tracked and about 1/4 of "Ever" tracked. Once we finish those, we'll go back to the drawing board and choose a few more songs to demo. We hope our bud Danny Bourgeois will keep trackin' drums for us; his studio chops are phenominal. Who knows... by the time we're done, maybe we'll have a full record ready to release! haha, maybe not but we hope we can get something out to you guys really soon.
But, until then, keep checkin' this blog as we continue to working on new songs. Adios!
SOMERS
Currently Listening to:
"Death Machine" - Fiction Plane
"Remedy" - Black Crowes
"Hole" - Kelly Clarkson
"Our Love is Loud" - David Crowder Band
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