Photoshoot, Sam Russell style
After all the dust settled, somebody put it perfectly:
2 wardrobe changes, 3 locations, we laid down some tracks for somebody else’s project, and ended up knee-deep in Greenlake. All in just over 2 hours!
Always an adventure, Allison Tullos, Ken Nottingham, Dave Forrrester, James Apollo, Caithey, and myself met up at Sam & Jame’s house for a whirlwind photo-shoot for various upcoming Harborrats releases. Some photos in the house, on the porch, and in the backyard. Then on our way to Crackle and Pop studio to take more shots and redub some gang vocals on James’ new album (a recovery of choir tracks that were erased unkowingly), and finally to Greenlake where we got wet waitstaff style.
Highlights: Jamming on the front porch and answerring the Greenlake public phone only to be asked if we wanted special favors.
Thanks again Sam for leading us in fun adventure.
0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Random Info, Session Work
In the house
Before the evening started I thought it was going to be a slow night at Pies and Pints. A couple of our regular players had other obligations and it was a nice weekend and a hot night. Nice weekends usually mean folks drain out and stay in Sunday nights. Hot evenings usually mean people avoid hot restaurants with exposed ovens like the plague.
However, shortly before playing, I got a text that my buddy Garrison would be showing up. And then a buddy, Oded, who had long ‘promised’ to come, showed up as well. In addition, the place was packed with a good dinner crowd.
After two really great sets with Tom, Colin Klein, Pat Ferris, and myself, we were joined on stage for a couple songs by Gus Clark on accordion. Gus has a booming voice and personality and it really kicked everything up a notch. After Gus, a gypsy-jazz group, let by Jusef(?) played a set of tunes. The night ended with a random set of folks kind of shooting songs off here and there. But a good time was had by all!
0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Shows
Off the wagon – or is it on?
Another blog left stale… Sorry about that.
Anyway, rather than rehashing too much, I’ll just rehash a little.
Played a really fun show out in Sedro-Wooley a few weeks back. Johnny Fitzpatrick and Robert (bass) picked up Tom Rooney and myself to play the gig. It was slated for Nettlehoney, but two of their members are out of the country. A wide open venue overlooking a riverside park, the acoustics were great. On the trip out, we packaged and labeled a first-run of our CDs. Was a great feeling to sell them within hours of leaving the press ;)
Pies and Pints has been going really well. Rickie Bobby (aka Rickie Gene Powell) has been playing mandolin with us. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to focus on the fiddle. Or, in one case, when an extra fiddler arrived, to hop in on snare. Otherwise it’s been the usual suspects, with Johnny and Colin Klein alternating sets (and often playing together) on Banjo.
As for Creeping Time, we are in the final phase of mixing the album. With lots of details to fill out, we’re expecting a full public release sometime in early 2012. How about that for a 3 year recording project!
0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Recording Studio, Shows
Oceantone and Fantasmophonic
My buddy Dave Delmar is the center of a collective called Ocean Tone, which “…is a West Coast artist network… exploring new horizons in collaborative expression”. He posts music and visual art from various people in the community. He recently called for music submissions, so I polished off a couple of tunes that had been lying around and submitted them. These songs are all roughly connected by various phantasmophonic stains – or impressions – and are available here for your listening pleasure.
Wet Town
1/2 written in Seattle, 1/2 written in Boston. Drums: Cutty Foster, Bass: Adam Cat.
Hole in my Bed
Written several years ago after inspiring Folklife weekend. Re-recorded with Johnny Fitzpatrick and Tom Rooney.
Space Camp
A night alone with some strings, a keyboard, and lots of switches. Inspired by nature.
Bob Replay (previously posted – this is different mix)
I downloaded 24-track masters of three Bob Marley songs. I muted everything except for the kick and snare drums. Recorded a bunch of guitar parts over the drums. Turned on the vocals (original Marley and backups) and everything jived perfectly!
0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Random Info, Songs
Georgetown Carnival – what a event! Nice & interesting folks. Saw a few great friends I haven’t seen for a while. What a great thing, bringing lots of people together. Good beer, interesting booths and attractions.
Creeping Time played first at 1:15. Really nice folks and didn’t seem to mind when our kids ate all the fruit and we fed our families. Though does it count if we played our hearts out? Felt really natural playing with everybody. The set ended 10 minutes early when Dave told us we had one song left. Apparently he misread somebody’s signal and we still had 15 minutes remaining. We definitely tried playing it like it was the last song ever.
0 Comments | Posted by Michael Spaly in Random Info, Shows