Dear Universe,
Today marks our last official day recording at HeadGear Studios. It’s been 5 full days- 18 pots of coffee, 57 cigarettes, 16 ham and cheese croissants, and a whole lot of good. Here is a short recap of our experience making this record.
- Arrive
- Set up- start playing.
- Our first trip to Depanneur! (ham and cheese croissant. roast beef. killer. #4. #7. #9. #10)
- Computer blows- 3hrs gone
- Styrofoam cup art!
- Ron is god.
- CoffeeCoffeeCoffeeCoffeeCoffeeCoffee
- Rhodes in the control room. Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby.
- Depanneur. Again. Again. Again.
- Aaron’s amp breathes its last breath.
- Raid Josh’s apt for gear- a THD Univalve Amp that saved the day.
- KYLE THE MAN!
- Playing with HeadGear’s gear
- Ian dumpster dives, comes back with a new kitchen table.
- Miguel stops by to film. and eat cuban food. (he will go on to ride his bicycle to montreal, alone)
- Mood is still, a bird.
- Overdub-dub-dub-dub-dub
- Mr. Milkman likes RayBan
Well, we’re going into the studio in 10 days now. The new record will be our first full length LP and we couldn’t be more excited to make it. We’ll be culling from some of the older material, and also recording some spankin’ new tunes, some of which nobody’s ever heard, and some we have debuted live at the recent shows. We’ll be recording at Headgear, in Williamsburg. Headgear has been home to recording sessions for TV on the Radio (“Return to Cookie Mountain”), mixing sessions for Kurt Vile, and done work with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Animal Collective, to name just a few! So we’re in good company there, and it’s cool looking at all their vinyl on the wall. Ron Shaffer is producing this record. Rehearsals are going really well, and just can’t wait to do it and share it with ya.
Our British friends Zulu Winter are kicking ass across the globe. It’s a pleasure to watch it unfold, from the comfort of my couch and computer in Brooklyn. Can’t wait for their New York shows on 3/28 at Bowery Ballroom and 3/29 at Glasslands. Check them out NOW – http://zuluwinter.blogspot.com
We played last night at Glasslands. Josh was amped, and playing the keyboard through his sweet amp. Nick and I turned our guitars down. Ian had an Apple computer on stage. 2 guys filming, a packed house, keys, synths, seamless transitions from song to song..who the hell are we? is what i’m thinkin. should we change our name? Yes…something to do with water..or electricity…how about electric shock? noooo, lame. Jen Foster came down from Homer, NY for the show, and hugged me with tears welling up in her eyes afterwards, talking about the new sound like an arrival. In fact, I’d like to take this opportunity to say thanks to everyone who came last night. If I was dazed when you came over to me with your effusions of heartfelt complimentary talk, please dont take it personally. We’ll be back out for another go ’round at Mercury Lounge on Saturday March 3. Let’s do it again, love…and i can change i swear! the daze was just a first time thing.
It’s now 4am. I’ve been up late rehearsing these new sound parts that we’re creating for our newest song, which we’re recording tomorrow. It’s tentatively called ‘Red River’.
Tomorrow will be a big step for us as a band. Not only have we added a keyboard player, this is the first time that we’ll all record a song together. It’s like starting afresh, baby. It’s been too long since I’ve been part of a legit recording session. Maybe this feeling that I’ve been having is what a woman feels when she is wanting to carry and bear another child 
Looking forward to blossoming musical with this band. The future is open…..just gotta feed it some baby food tomorrow.
ciao-
ian
Our good friend Josh Rouah is now playing keys.
It isnt the same as what it used to be,
im feeling the shakes come into my knees.
We’ll be heading into the studio with him next week, and taking to stage for our first show as a five-piece at Glasslands, on Sunday Feb 19. .
Hope you’ll come see us.
-Aaron
I went to the St. Vincent show at Webster Hall last night and it blew my fucking mind! I’ve never really been into big productions for shows, always feeling that to see people make their music was what shows should be about. But St. Vincent’s lighting was ridiculous, first of all. Fucking perfect. Sometimes it was so understated, too, like, I knew the big climax of the song was coming and the lights didn’t follow suit.
The crowd was more hyped than any New York crowd I’ve seen since Rage Against the Machine. New Yorkers respond well to big productions, professional work on lighting and of course, on sound…
The sound at Webster Hall was incredible. I’ve seen shows there that sound pretty average, but last night it was incredible. And she didn’t just sound like the record. She took the songs from Actor and changed them, not beyond recognition, but she altered rhythmic feels and orchestrations in bold and striking ways. At this point in her career, she has the money and the wherewithal to achieve whatever she wants, for sure, so this was really interesting to see. Lately people have been preaching the importance of sticking to the script at shows, and while I hear where they are coming from, it’s not something I am finding easy to swallow. I think of songs as living organisms that grow over time, evolve, and even have moods…in order for me to achieve the presence in performance that is so important, it needs to be fresh every night. And I think my instincts are good when we are talking about when to explore and where to hit it right on like the album.
Speaking of albums, to anyone who is reading this, I want you to know that I in my own right and we as a band are starting to write a new album. We are going to record it this winter, and it will be our debut full length. With Ian’s growing voice in the writing process, and with this conscious effort to write a bunch of tunes…NOW…rather than take the culmination of whatever had been written previously…the sound is sure to shift and probably take on a more cohesive direction. Can’t wait. I’m still stoked when I listen to Live Sessions but it is time to make an album.
Thanks for reading and keeping up with us.
Aaron
Tonight the new era begins for The Yes Way. Live onstage with our new bassist. Spike Hill tonight @ 9, Tomorrow at the Bowery Electric @ 10. Come and share in the new love.
Scroll to the bottom of the Live Sessions and you’ll find “Anchor” and “Falter.” You’ve probably heard these at shows if you’ve been out lately to see us. They don’t really belong on Live Sessions, as these were recorded in a different way. We allowed ourselves the opportunity to take advantage of modern technology for once, and overdubbed some guitars, violins, and vocals. But no click, we don’t like the click right now.
For a brief time only, thus, you can get them as Bonus Tracks on Live Sessions if you purchase the digital download. Later on, we’ll be releasing them in their own right or as part of something bigger.. Anyway, have a listen, and be there next week for the shows!
Much love.
Ian Mellencamp has joined the band.
He saved my ASS last March. He was subletting my room while we were on tour and didn’t pay me until I really needed the money at SXSW. Now, he’s going to be playing the bass. We couldn’t be happier about this fella.
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