Oh wow.
Between Takes
This is only our third time making a record, but our limited experience confirms that the first week is the hardest.
(Not that we weren’t told so when we began that first record in Nashville. “Don’t worry,” the guitarist said, “The first week is the hardest. It’s hard for everyone.”)
The obvious reason is that it’s all us, all the time. :) Later on, we’ll get to watch and listen as other musicians breathe life into the songs. Or we’ll get to sing and play over song foundations that have already been laid. But this is the groundwork.
The bigger reason is that there are so many questions to answer. We decide this week which songs will go on the record, and once we’ve determined the tracklist (which is still a bit uncertain), we decide how exactly each song will go. How many verses? How many measures before the bridge begins? What kind of intro? Should there be different chords for this part? We’ve played this song this one way for three years, but maybe it’s asking for something different than we thought. What if we try it in a lower key? Can you re-learn the piano part? What if we re-write the bridge for that one song? Maybe the bridge of this song should really be the chorus of the song…
It’s hilarious written out, but while we’re in it (which is right now), it’s an emotional rollercoaster. The process is terrifically vulnerable; it’s scary and awkward at times, and frustrating… Usually while also being fun and legitimately fascinating.
We’re being pushed, in a good way: In the way we asked to be pushed. We came into this process saying, “Okay. What is it that Ellery does, and where is the music going? What are these songs asking for, and how can we translate it all onto a record? How can we break old habits? What limits have we unconsciously placed on ourselves?”
We’re finding some answers to these questions, and while the answers are welcome, they’re not always easy. Rewriting a song you’ve known for years is challenging both emotionally and pragmatically, and singing all day is challenging no matter what the reason.
But the more we hear the results the better it all feels. It’s the right direction. Can’t wait to see what everything looks like on Monday. 