A Note on Recording Roam

            ​About six weeks ago, I released my first CD Roam. Since then, I have been playing shows and making meaningful connections with new folks. I’m having a tremendous time performing my new songs live, and I’m extremely grateful for the continued support of friends and family. In my first blog, I reflected on the order and thematic connection of the album’s songs. Now, I’d like to devote time to the recording process.
            With the album’s concept in mind, I was ready in June of 2015 to begin getting to work. I approached “Soundcloud’s specialist mixing and mastering dude” Jon Huxtable of Smallfish Recordings to help me bring my vision to life.
            Several months prior, I had made a demo tape, a one mic simple recording of acoustic guitar and vocals. Listening to these raw versions, I brainstormed ideas for the album. I knew I wanted a full sound with multiple instruments per song. I could record guitar and some bass and keys, but to achieve my vision in full, I would need help from friends. Luckily, over the past few years I have corresponded with several wonderful artists on Soundcloud.com. I want to remark on each one who kindly lent a hand to this album. Links to their projects will be included at the end of the blog.

           Steph Casey is a terrific singer-songwriter from Wellington, New Zealand who added her captivating vocals to “Horse to Water.” In 2013, she released a killer album of original songs called Whisper and Holler.

           It has been a pleasure to co-write a few songs on Soundcloud with Knoxville-based Bryan Ciliberto, a tremendous writer/musician whose talents span multiple genres. Bryan supplied drums to three songs and also recommended his friend, pedal steel player Matt Wilson. Matt’s remarkable skills are featured on track 4 of the album “Level Headed Blues.” Hear Bryan and Matt together on “That’s Just Her Way of Saying Hello.”

             “In the wilds of Indiana” live Marty and Corinne Lucas, a husband and wife New Folk duo called Return to Normal. Marty’s piano playing on “Roam” and “If I Ever Left This Train” bookends the record. Over the past few years, Return to Normal has released three fantastic albums. I was honored to play mandolin on two tracks from their latest opus The Briars and the Brome.

             Dick Vestdijk of the Netherlands goes by the moniker “Oorlab.” I've had the pleasure to collaborate with him before, and his violin tracks beautifully complement Marty’s piano on “If I Ever Left This Train.” With other artists, Oorlab is currently working on a collection of maritime-themed tunes called “Songs of the Sea."

               Additionally, I persuaded my girlfriend Anna to lend her voice under the condition that she would not be coerced to sing in public. Her vocals add so much. Finally, my friend Jeff Martin offered fabulous bass on a handful of songs; he also sang on “Roam” and “Level-Headed Blues,” the two songs he co-wrote. It is a blast to play shows with Jeff who is a natural musician.

               Working virtually with Jon Huxtable, I recorded and re-recorded almost daily over the summer in my apartment. It was a thrill to share this project with him, and his sonic wizardry had a huge impact on the record’s sound. Jon has shared a sampler of his mixing work on Soundcloud. 

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned...
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StEPH CASEY'S WHISPER AND HOLLER

"THAT'S JUST HER WAY OF SAYING HELLO"

THE BRIARS and THE BROME

SONGS OF THE SEA

Smallfish Sampler