Shake Some Action! - the making of the third record

Fire and Ice – now available

James — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:18:14 +0000

Fire and Ice is now available from all major online download stores.

A reminder that the limited edition digipack CD version will be available in April. Our mailing list members will be able to get it first with free worldwide shipping, a free bonus CD and other goodies so if you’re not already a member, go and sign up!

cover art

James — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:45:47 +0000

As we get closer to release date, I start wearing a lot of different hats. There’s the engineering/mixing/producing hat – finalizing the mixes for each song. There’s the business hat – making arrangements for pressing the CD, digital distribution, promotion etc etc. Then there’s the graphic designer hat – designing the cover art. Last time Gary and Chris designed the cover; this time I’m doing it myself, as I did with the first record. I’m no graphic artist but I know what I like Here’s a working copy of the front cover:

Mixing is coming along swimmingly. I’ve been experimenting with various song orders but today I think I stumbled onto a sequence that works really well. While listening to it in my car (as I do to check all my mixes) I let out an involuntary “fuck yeah!” at one point, which I think means things are really starting to come together

free download – song # 12 – where is the sun

James — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:18:04 +0000

and so the 12th song is now complete – click below to stream or download:

Where Is The Sun

Today I had a listen to the 12 songs recorded so far and I’m very proud of what we have “in the can”. In fact, I am now leaning towards wrapping things up with this song and shortlisting the best 10 songs for the CD.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this window into the making of our 3rd record. We’ve given away 44 downloads featuring various mixes of each song and that has hopefully given you an insight into how we work. But – the work is not finished yet. I’ve noticed the songs need some additional mixing, so I’ll be doing that in the coming weeks.

The album will be called “Fire And Ice” and will be available from all the usual digital stores as well as a limited edition digipack CD release by March/April. Stay tuned for sneak previews of the album artwork and final track listing in the coming weeks.

progress – song 12 – where is the sun?

James — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:27:50 +0000

song # 12 now has a title – where is the sun? – along with lyrics and a couple of guitar overdubs since the first demo. I think it’s about half way there – some of the vocals were done in a couple of takes and sound a little rough. The lyrics might need a bit of polish and the mix needs to be tightened (there’s a lot going on in the chorus) but overall some solid progress.

where is the sun? (rough mix)

song 12 – first demo

James — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:23:38 +0000

and so onto song # 12 ~

a few years ago I was early for a band practice and while I waited I picked up a bass guitar and started playing away, eventually happening on a riff or two that I liked. I pinched one of those riffs for a song I did with my previous band, the Jeunes, called Obvious which you can listen to here. On that song the riff is played an octave higher on guitar. It ended up sounding quite different to the original riff, and I really liked the original version, so I recently decided to start working on it for the next song. The first demo is built on the bass guitar part, with some drums and a couple of electric guitars added. It’s very sparse but kind of cool IMHO.

song 12 (first demo)

free download – Open Your Eyes

James — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 05:13:44 +0000

it took awhile but we’ve finally finished song # 11, Open Your Eyes. As usual, click on the song title below for the streaming and download links.

Open Your Eyes

let us know what you think!

nearly there

James — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:14:57 +0000

sorry for the long gap between updates – some unavoidable delays. Open Your Eyes is tantalizingly close to being finished – should have it online within a few days.

after that I only plan on starting another 2-3 songs so we’re getting close to the end of the record. that will leave us with about 14 songs and we’ll shortlist that down to the best 10 or so for the CD. the songs that make the cut for the CD will be remixed from the versions we’ve posted here on the blog. those mixes were often done pretty quickly and for the official release we want to take a bit more care. you should hopefully notice some significant improvements.

in the meantime, stay tuned for Open Your Eyes which will be available for free download in a few days.

Riverina PO 18492 [19208] Ramsey AF 90 1.33 Sea NV X Y

song # 11 – open your eyes (rough mix)

James — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:32:52 +0000

this song has been a bit of a challenge – the verse and chorus parts are quite different so it has been difficult to mesh them together. anyway, after lots of trial and error, here’s the latest rough mix of song # 11 – now titled Open Your Eyes.

Open Your Eyes (rough mix)

the bass and drum parts are a little different and so are the guitars. there are some horns and organs added throughout. I only recorded one take of the vocals so they are a bit pitchy and rough and will no doubt be improved upon.

at the moment the song plays out for a couple of minutes at the end – that bit will either be edited down or will feature some new guitar overdubs. you’ll just have to wait and see . . . . .

song # 11 – first demo

James — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 16:32:35 +0000

onto song # 11 – an upbeat, funky little number. just guitar, bass and drums at the moment – stay tuned to see how it develops.

song 11 (demo)

free download – I Wasn’t Born Yesterday

James — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 04:56:40 +0000

This week I added a lead guitar part, 2nd rhythm guitar, Hammond organ and harmony vocal.

I’m still not sure what the lyrics really mean but what the heck – it’s catchy and has a great beat. Enjoy!

I Wasn’t Born Yesterday