Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Tracking, Tracking, and more Tracking.

     Wasssup guys! How ya been? I know a lot of you are on the edge of your seats waiting for my new music. I've been posting a lot of tease videos. Yesterday, we tracked the drums with Jimmy Paxson. Kim had told me that Jimmy was the type of guy that never went anywhere without bringing something. If he came over to someones house he always brought some sort of food or present. Sure enough when he walked in the studio he had a bag from Whole Foods and a magazine with the best chicken recipes. I was super nervous about meeting him because he's worked with so many big name artists like Stevie Nicks and Ben Harper. That all went away though when he started telling some hilarious jokes and talked about fishing.


     We tracked drums for a majority of the day. They sounded so killer it's not even funny. In between takes I also got to hear some great Stevie and Ben stories. I think that's been my favorite part of all this, just hearing the stories that these guys have. From driving a van 4 hours one night in the wrong direction and praying your band won't wake up and find out, to how they use to fight over who got the first call on a pay phone. Also, hearing what really goes on behind the scenes was just so cool.



     Once we finished with the drums, I recorded some more vocals. We had a little make shift recording tent thing. It was awesome. I even did a Passed Out Gold picture for my friend Goldy Locks (if you watch my video diaries you know what I'm talking about).

#PassedOutGold

     So that brings us to today! It's my last full day here in LA. I'm so sad. Don't get me wrong I'll be happy to sleep in my own bed again and finally see my sister, but I'm definitely going to miss good 'ole California. We're working on final vocal stuff (like background vocals) right now. I'm literally listening to Brad edit a few things while I'm writing this. It's a lot of clicking sounds and short fragments of music haha.
     I know I've said this a lot but the music is sounding so good. I'm dying for you guys to hear it. Please be patient! I love you guys!

xxC

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Monday, July 14, 2014

Greetings From The West Coast!

     I have been in California now for 2 1/2 days and I love it! It's such a wonderfully laid back atmosphere. Sometimes I wish I were better with words because it's so hard to describe. Brad and his family are so friendly and nice. His nine year old daughter, Frankie, is like my new best friend. She also has a beautiful singing voice. And Brad's wife, Kim, is so much fun to talk to. The day I arrived Brad took me sight seeing at Hollywood Blvd. and a place that over looked LA. Then we went back to his house and fixed the song arrangements. We also recorded scratch vocals and guitar. Needless to say I was running on fumes because I was so tired.


     Yesterday, they took me bike riding at Santa Monica beach. We rode to Venice beach and back. 7 mile round trip. That was so amazing. It didn't even feel like 7 miles because of all the people watching. One thing I loved about the beach was that there were so many different types of people. A lot of people think that there are only weirdos in LA, but that's not how I see it. I think it's wonderful that there are so many eccentric people here. They're more accepting of being different. And yeah, okay, there are a few weirdos.... but the good kind. After the beach, Brad and I recorded some lead vocals till late that night.
     Today, we started working at the studio around 10:30 am and went till 8:00 pm. We just tracked guitars. Kevin was the bomb! He's so talented it's not even funny. I tried to get as much video for my video diaries as I could. Now that we have guitar, the songs sound so wicked. I'm just going to warn you guys, it's very different from anything you've heard from me. It has a really nice 70's rock vibe going on. I'm so excited to get to share it with you. 


     Tomorrow, we're going back to Studio Wishbone (Brad's studio) to record the drums! Jimmy Paxson (who also plays for Stevie Nicks) is going to be laying down his tracks. I'm super excited to meet him. So basically tomorrow's going to be another busy day. I'm going to try to edit my video diaries on the plane back home Thursday. 
     I wish you guys could fully experience this. I'm so in love with California. Stay tuned and keep up with everything on my Facebook Page! I've been trying to post pictures as much as I can. I love you guys! Kisses from the west coast! 

xxC

P.S. Sorry for any typos or improper grammar! I'm so tired and it was all I could do to just write this. :)

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

I Have Some Big News!!!!!

     If any of you guys follow me on Twitter or Facebook you'll know that I have been teasing everyone about a big announcement. First of all, no, I am not getting signed to a record label. As amazingly awesome as that would be, the news is not quite as life changing. Although, it's just as big and exciting in my opinion. I'm sure you are thinking "Get on with it!" ....
     I'm going to be going to L.A. for the first time ever in about two weeks! Now before you get too disappointed on the news, there is something in it for you. I'm going to be working on two new songs produced by the one and only, Brad Smith! If you're not familiar with the name then I'll give you a hint. That wonderfully catchy song called "No Rain" that you hear on the radio sometimes? Yep, Brad wrote it. He is a founding member of Blind Melon. All you Melon Heads that are reading this know how awesome he is.
     Several years ago I worked with Brad on a couple of songs ("Run" and "Missing You") for my first EP. He flew out here to the east coast and stayed at my house while we recorded the vocals. I loved working with him so much that I've been dying to do it again. So, I sent him some of the songs I've written that had been accumulating over the past few months and told him if he had the time I would really like to work with him on some new stuff. If you don't know, Brad has been super busy with Blind Melon shows and recording the new album for his band Abandon Jalopy. When he came back and said that he was all for working on some new songs I was so happy. He even invited me to stay with him and his family.


     So, in two weeks I'm gonna be on a plane.... by myself.... flying to the west coast for the first time ever! Yep, you heard correctly! I shall be traveling solo. Words can't express how excited/anxious/nervous I am. I've never done anything like this before but I'm ready for the adventure. I'm also going to get to meet the musicians who are playing on my songs and be there while we track everything. I'm such a studio nerd so I can't wait to see the process of it all.
     For the next few weeks be prepared to see a bunch of stuff about this trip. I have a feeling the next few blog posts are going to be nothing but it. Don't worry, I will most definitely make a video diary or two of my experience navigating the airports and staying with Brad.



    There you have it! Sorry there aren't any fancy pictures, seeing as I haven't gone anywhere yet. As a prize for reading this long blog post I will leave you with a lovely looking Woodstock dreaming about music...



xxC


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