Ellery Stimulus

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. 

Which ones?

So our work in the studio is from noon to 10pm each day, with a couple breaks for lunch and dinner. An unusual workday but it works well for musician types…

We came in today with 18-19 possible songs for a record that will hold only 11-12. So we spent our first few hours listening to the tunes and eliminating.
I had wondered if we’d feel sad about leaving some behind, but the cutting floor was actually a relief. It just felt good to make a plan.

While we did make a lot of decisions, the full list is still a bit uncertain. So we don’t have a full tracklist for you yet… But, perhaps we’ll get to share it later this week.
Or perhaps we’ll keep it (mostly) a secret. Hmm. Options.

The first week is always the hardest; it’s just mentally exhausting — But we’re happy — it’s all fascinating. Malcolm has great ideas. Great ideas.

And we’ve got homework to do. Rewriting a chorus or two this evening…
Wish us luck!

More soon –

–tasha

We want to know!

Is there a song you’ve been waiting for us to record?
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