The Setbacks' Studio Adventures - SUNDAY MAY 2nd

May 3rd, 2004

For the past few days, we've been in the recording studio, laying down some meaty and delicious tracks for consumption by you, our voracious fans. The first two installments are below, so it makes more sense to read those ones first, then this one.

SUNDAY MAY 2:

This morning was going to be tricky. It’s one thing to have to play music first thing in the day, but it’s another all together to try to sing shortly after waking. I knew I would be doing some vocals today, so I tried to wake up early and get my voice going by talking non stop. I talked to my Frosted Mini Wheats, I talked to the shampoo in the shower, anything to get those morning froggies out of my throat.

When I got to the studio, Steve was again already there, still reading the same page from the Rolling Stone magazine as the day before. How long does it take to read a full page picture of Britney Spears pulling down her skimpy panties? Apparently the answer is: all weekend.

Two of the songs we were recording were brand new, and as such didn’t have full sets of lyrics. So it was decided Paul, Chris and I would do some backup vocals on the songs Steve did yesterday, while he went off to finish writing the lyrics. We nailed our parts pretty quickly, using the “gang” backup vocal technique. Kind of like all three of us pumping our fists in the air and singing the exact same parts. The idea is that at some point, people in an audience would like to sing along with these parts. Again, you’ll have to hear it to understand.

Next I did my one lead vocal song, straining my voice to the edge of the abyss. I had to do a few takes until we got one where my voice didn’t crack. Solid.

Recording vocals can be pretty boring. It’s basically just one guy recording while the other 3 lounge around. There are lots of magazines and books, and a basketball net set up outside. This can kill some time, especially for people who don’t normally play basketball. A game of PIG can take hours, as no one seemed to be able to make any shots. Soon cabin fever begins to set in. Chris was the worst. He’d nap, then wake up and bother us with drum sticks, make rude gestures to whoever was attempting to record, then go for a Hobbit Cigarette.

Steve eventually finished the lyrics and laid them down. It took a bit longer, as singing something just written takes time. In the end, they came out better than I imagined. Another miracle!

Before we left the studio for good, we put together some rough mixes of the songs for the drive test. That’s where you cruise the streets of Ottawa, blasting your own music on the stereo. If the song doesn’t drive well, it won’t stand up anywhere.

Which songs will make it? Only time will tell.