Week 31. Back in Sunny LA to Finish What We Started
Tue Aug 17, 2004 2:55 am
Monday August 17
Meeting Morrissey's Mixer
Eating and Wild Partying
YES MEANS MAYBE, NO MEANS WE'LL MAKE IT UP AS WE GO.
LA is such a strange place...or maybe it's the music industry (reference
my discussion from Sunday about the pace and the communication here).
At 2:00pm, we finally met up with management and mixer at Larrabee's
(on Cahuenga). After a 15 minute meeting, we were free...so we went to
grab a bite at The 101 Cafe (great food), which was really just a quick
stall before we were supposed to go back to the studio to hear a mix...
but instead, we came back to the Hotel and I worked; but around 7:00,
we got the call from management: "show up Tuesday at 2:00 to hear the
first mix of Marvelous Things" (instead of show up "now" as discussed).
What a weird place. Flexibility is something we Texans might should learn
about. Then we could goof off more and work less. I think I could get
used to this culture pretty fast.
JERRY FINN
Jerry Finn mixed and produced Morrissey's last record... maybe even the
one before. Jerry is a friendly, happy guy with a good attitude. He said he
was a big fan of Eisley's music. I think he'll do a great job with Eisley's
first real record. Somewhere on this forum, I posted his entire discogra
phy. If you want, I can dig it up. He say's that Morrissey is a strange,
strange man, but sang every tune with one take...never missed a note. I
think that say's it all.
Jerry asked the band about their influences and what records they liked
and how they wanted the record to sound. It was a great 15 minutes.
btw - Hot Hot Heat is recording in the room right next to Eisley's mixing
studio. We might should say hello to those guys.
PROGRESS
Btw. I finished the sticker and the poster, (Snow Patrol tour promotions
for Eisley) got sign off's and handed to sticker to an intern who came to
the hotel and picked up my disk which was funny since WB is a stone's
throw from our hotel. I told them I could go drop it off. oh well, see how
nice they are? Poster and flyer to deliver tomorrow. Then it's back to the
CD. You guys will get this stuff if you go to this show. (free stuff)
PARTY ANIMALS
So, we chilled in the Hotel, eventually got bored and decided to go out for
a night of wild, crazy partying - which included visiting with a friend of
ours and Brad's (Jeremy) in our rooms, driving to an outdoor mall in
downtown Burbank, getting various coffee and chai beverages at The
Coffee Bean, walking down the street, hanging out, walking back to our
van, crashing "Pzykotic's" apt and listening to Rilo Kiley's new cd (it
comes out tomorrow) followed by a drive up to that weird, scary peak
that overlooks the Hollywood Bowl but the gate was locked and anyway,
Stacy and Christie were so scared they were sick to their stomachs from
all the hair pin curves and steep embankments so we drove into
Hollywood and had a huge Chocolate milk-shake party at Mel's Diner,
drove pzykotic home, came back to the hotel where the Weston and Brad
are now sound asleep and I'm in the dark room typing by the glow of my
forum purchased Apple g-4 Powerbook monitor screen. What a night.
I have more to report in the morning. Too tired now. I'm still on Texas
time where it's 4:10am. g'nite. bd
p.s. the chocolate milkshakes were lo-fat yogurt.
Tuesday August 18
Marvelous Things
Rilo Kiley
It's been a long day. I'm getting about 4 hours of sleep and struggling to
keep up with so many activities.
The biggest news of the day - Jerry mixed "Marvelous Things" and it's
huge. I don't remember ever using that term, but... I believe it fits. The
new vocals are arresting; the mix is brilliant, dynamic. One listen and the
band was like..."that's amazing...". And, of course, Craig Aaronson got
chill bumps. The next song is the new "Memories". Can't wait.
Tomorrow is the big pow-wow at WB (right down the street) with
management and A&R. We'll have breakfast in Craigs office, everyone
will roll up their sleeves and dook it out. I don't expect any casualties.
Why? Because, the band likes all of these songs and realize that only 11
or so will make it on the record. The only few that Sherri fears will be
stripped but really wants on the record are "The Escaping Song" and
"Plenty of Paper".
Trying to think - what's newsworthy and what's hype...and what's just
boring? hmm... We talked to Paul, the bass player for Hot Hot Heat for a
good while at the studio. If you can imagine, he's taller than Weston. a
big boy, indeed. Interesting seeing other bands interact with Craig. They
love him, you can tell...same relationship.
I finished throwing down all the stuff for the tour and got it off to WB. I
feel a huge sense of relief... now back to the cd.
We hung out with friend Eddie for a bit, dropped him off in Burbank and
headed for the Rilo Kiley in-store at Amoeba with Luke. I have to say,
after hearing the new record last night and seeing them live tonight, I am
now a Rilo Kiley fan. They were really, really good. Yes. Seasoned
musicians, happy, melodic, catchy songs... it was the most professional
indie performance I've ever seen.
After, we shot over to Baja Fresh for some great Tex-Mex; we'd wanted
to say hello to R.K. since Eisley has the same management, they were so
amazing and because we've spent some time with Blake (1/2 writer and
guitar player monster). So, (at my advice) we did... and ran into Blake
behind the stage. What a nice guy. He pulled Jenny and others from the
signing table to spend a few moments with Eisely trading praise. I was
very impressed with those guys... for some reason I expected Jenny to
be this hardened, raspy, smoking girl (?? just from what people had
described), but she was so sweet and kept showering Stacy and gang
with wonderful words. We did the same. ok enuf.
Some of them hung behind to go see "Garden State" at the Arclight on
Sunset. Me and Weston (uncorrect english) are watching the Olympics.
Stacy and Christie are on line or whatever.
I'll toss up a reduced version of the poster... as i said, it's thrown
together quickly - somewhere between Tuson, Arizona and the border of
California. I have a limited # of shots for the band since I was deprived
of shooting prior to leaving because of Jon's illness. At this point, all we
have is what we pushed for 2 weeks before this trip. The trailer shot is
the only one I could expend - seeing how the best shot should be saved
for the CD package.
But having said that, you guys probably feel like i do...that picture
communicates something deeper (at least to me); it sums up everything
that's happened this year to the band. Only you guys who've been
keeping up know what I'm saying. They look like a completely different
band after having been through the struggle of making their first record
and dealing with everyone along the way. They look like they're willing to
take less crap, they look like they're sick of sitting around, they look like
a band ready to get out on the road.
I think the small trailer provides the perfect metaphor for where they are
right now...and nobody will get it but you. This is the mindless information
you get from these ridiculous reports that gives you insight beyond what
anyone would want or ever need.
The sticker picks up on some new Sherri art... there's a t-shirt coming
that ties this all together. Wait. I'll toss a small graphic up for that one
too. Colors may vary...but it should be brown. Thanks. bd
Tuesday August 18
Flickerings of News
as it dribbles in
Peace Pipes
We're about to leave for this pow-wow at the WB. I only hope they have
great coffee (order in from The Coffee Bean? please) and everyone is in
a great mood. It's going to take both. I won't release the song list...at
least I don't think so, but perhaps we can talk about what songs will get
mixed.
Rumors
Will the band have a record release tour? Yes. I don't know when it will
be yet...but there are rumors that the band might be skipping across the
pond again before the year is over.
That's good for Lisa and Juan - though I expect that by now, there might
be as many as 7 UK fans. By the time the Snow Patrol is over, there
could be...oh, I'd say 14.3 fans. (well within the tolerance to prompt
another oversea's excursion) I hope some of those 10,000 that watched
them play their 5 song set at V-Fest will remember them.
Rumors of Release
Anyway, if there isn't a November tour in the US, there will be one at the
beginning of the year...but here's the point: it's looking more and more
like the first week in November for the record release. (DON'T HOLD ME
TO THAT). Maybe I'll know more today.
I think they'd like for the record to be out there for a few weeks or
months before the band tours the record; it gives you guys and new fans
a chance to hear the new songs before touring. Granted, there aren't as
many new ones as you might have hoped for, but the new/old stock are
amazing.
I'm also pretty sure there won't be some big blitz for radio. Remember,
Eisley wants to come out slow... sans the hype... grow naturally. That's
managment/band/label's strong belief. It's always been at the very
center of my thought since the beginning. You want the market to pull the
band through instead of pushing it through. If college radio embraces the
music, a demand will grow and spread into the bigger markets.
Jerry Finn
People here in LA tend to freak when I tell them someone named Jerry
Finn is mixing Eisley's record. (in a good way) Last night at Amoeba, I got
a loud shout from one A&R of another undisclosed label when I told him.
"Jerry Finn! oh MY gosh... he's freaking huge..." Anyway, after talking to
Craig about him a little more yesterday, I thought I'd give you more info.
When asked how he nailed this first song (M.T's) so well, he explained
that he'd researched Eisley. For real... like he's been browsing this forum
and been all over the website and dug deep - into the indie discography
and thru both ep's - trying to uncover the mysteries of Eisley.
Wait. We have to go. I'll report in after the meeting. Wait, it'll be this
afternoon cuz me and sherri are going to look at T-shirt colors with
management's marketing/merch guy who worked at Capital for years
and did all of Coldplay's merch. Later yawl. bd
Thursday August 19
Where I Left Off
WB Meeting and Mixing Progress
Where DID i leave off?... well, the meeting went well. There weren't any
bloody noses or chopped off arms. I think maybe one person's femur
was pummeled and scraped and there was one finger bit off, but...no
serious casualties.
Final Song Selection for Eisley's First Record
It was an open door meeting... Craig, Darin, Eisley (ok an the writer of
this dramaqueenlogue). Bacon, Egg w/cheese bagels and coffee were
ordered out. Sheets were made with each song listed. Everyone in the
room made their choice of 10 and the lists were tabulated...a sort of
game - the results of which pointed to "knowns"...for example, everyone
in the room checking "Marvelous Things". There were also points of
contention...for example, 4 songs were left in the lurch; the band was
told pick two, drop two, which wasn't really so bad as it sounds.
Songs were categorized into rock, medium, ballad...and maybe another
category (I forgot cuz I left my sacred Eisley back book in the van). It
was interesting to see how this discipline divided the record into flavors,
whatever that means. It's an important part of choosing the right songs -
how do the songs balance out? Do you want a boquet (sp?)of different
flowers? or do you want 10 red roses with different character and bloom?
Eisley has so many different kinds of songs... everyone wanted to show
the assortment of styles.
Eisley in International Markets
In the end, 10 songs were selected and an 11th and 12th and 13th were
added for reasons I'll describe - uhh, ok...right now: I think the UK
market has to have one more song than the US does. And in Japan, 2
additional tracks are required. SO...since the record will be released in
those markets, additional songs had to be selected. That's right, Japan's
record will have 2 more than ours.
But no worries. Every song will be released. Either on i-tunes or a B-sides
or somewhere. Eisley was promised that yesterday. So, somehow, you
guys will get to hear every song. (17 I think) Trust me, you'll want to. All
of these songs are great. Some of you will be disappointed in the final
selection, some of you will dance a corny jig.
Release Dates
After the meeting, we talked with Xavier (marketing head) about the
record release. He said there are 3 possible release dates open in
November. It was touch and go for a while...do we release the record in
the land of the giants or wait till they leave the jungle at the first of the
year? (all the big, big records come out before Christmas) The decision
was made to go for it... Marketing confirmed that it could be done
and it was echoed by publicity...right there hanging out in the halls.
I now have a ridged schedule for getting the packing done and approved
at various stages. I have to meet with New Media before we leave to talk
about the web.
Three New T-Shirt Colors
After the meeting, we headed out... way out... to a T-shirt manufacturer
screener/merchandiser located "one mile from the worst crime zone in
America". (miles and miles in the traffic) New T-shirts look very
promising for the tour. We're talking about 3 designs/colors. A cool
neutral brown with the new design, a nice olive with the portrait T art in
dark, dark blue....and a sorta faded red shirt with the coffee time design
in white ink. The 3 shirts look good together; we'll print more of the
brown - forecasting higher sales in the new one. So, there.
I know there's more to say, but I've said too much. Dead tired. Can't
even think or see. I'll talk about today's events tomorrow. More songs
have been mixed. bd
Friday August 20
The Official Mix List Emerges
The Voice Inside My-Yed
Hey, I posted the hi-rez pdf of the poster and the other new shirt colors
on a new thread in Eisleyblog in case you're interested.
http://www.eisley.org/viewtopic.php?p=172005#172005
Street Team
I saw where peeps are frustrated over the street team page on WB. Well,
that's why bands take matters into their own hands. I'll be talking to
them. I've made comments before but it's time to open up pandora's
box. Do keep in mind that Eisley doesn't have a record out yet. WB see's
Eisley as an emerging band and the marketing machine is about to rev'
up. That's no excuse because there's a tour coming up in one week.
Songs already mixed:
Marvelous Things
Memories
Plenty of Paper
Just Like We Do
If you're Sherlock, you will deduct that these are...well, I won't say it, my
dear Watson. Still, these aren't necessarily going on this record.
Remember, we have to mix more than what will go on the US record.
Splendorous Mixes
I will say that we're all jolly-woggled over the mixes. There is dancing -
in our heads. Everyone is ecstatic. They're beautiful. Sonically, they're so
full... dynamic, rich... Think of some of your favorite mixes - I dunno, I
hear Radiohead sensibilities, Muse, The Flaming Lips, Kent, Mew... it's wet
enough to satisfy our fascenation with Brit-Rock, but it's not so syrupy or
fluid that you drown; it's not stacked or layered in a cheesy way - so you
don't get that radio-pop feel at all. Forget modern rock. No connection.
There are NO cheesy, creed-crunch guitar tones. Keyboard layering pulls
it uniquely toward Eisley's own style. The vocals are Thom Yorkish -
mix-wise. I mean, they're not buried. They're wet but there's great
clarity. I can't wait for you guys to hear the songs.
Well, we have a meeting with Rob Cavallo today - just to hang for a bit
and talk about what the band wants out of the next 3 songs: Lost At Sea,
Telescope Eyes and Trolly Wood.
Well, I have to get ready to go. Likely to get a call soon to go hear
another song: "I Wasn't Prepared". btw. Casey Prestwood from Hot Rod
Circuit recorded pedal steel for this song and one more. We heard a little
glimpse last night. Sounds very cool.
bye.
----------------------continued today--------------------------------
More about Jerry and the Mixes
FYI. Here are bands Jerry has worked with (there are dozens more that
I've never heard of - probably early in his career). I think Eisley really
rounds out his discography where mixing is concerned. He produced and
mixed many/most of these:
AIF
Vendetta Red
Blink 182
Bad Religion
Goo-Goo
David Usher
Morrissey
Sparta
GreenDay
Presidents of the U.S.
Sum 41
MXPX (way back in the day)
I know, like you, i'm thinking - punkrock, but...actually, not so much
lately; and, the Vendetta Red record is mixed beautifully. I didn't like the
band's "white knuckle screamo" so much, but the record sounds amazing.
Also, the AIF record is great...I think Blink's new hits are great mix-wise.
Very intelligent stuff. Sparta...that's cool, but we have to separate the
band's tunes from the mix to understand Jerry's powerful contribution.
Getting inside Eisley's "Yed".
Here's why I think it's working. #1. He's at the top in his field. Everyone
told us he's not only mixed big selling records in the past, he's an up an
comer... very hot right now because of recent work and...he's just a killer
mixer; but beyond that, he studied Eisley.
I think I mentioned it, but he dug thru everything including this forum to
better understand the culture, the identity, the sound, the band's affinity
within this music culture we're all in... (you, me, eisley...us)
How do you mix a band that has an indie presence but on the other hand
posesses this diabolical potential to have a radio presence? You get into
the band's head...you listen to live video clips, you understand deeply
what the band wants and needs. the band...you compliment their unique
sound....you become the band.
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Tonight we hung out for a bit, went to eat a bit, drank a bit of coffee and
mixed a bit of music before driving a bit back to the hotel where we're
watching a bit of TV.
See, actually...we got together with 'berlies. It was nice... I mean, she's
nice; we met her friend Greg at a Japanese restaurant in Encino in the
Valley...
woah, Rob Cavallo just called and we have to go meet him. Catch you
guys later. bd
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It's 3:45am - just got back from meeting with Rob at Bob's Big Boy a few
blocks away. The meeting was pivitol...seeing how the last 3 songs hold a
great amount of weight for this record (at least from the labels
perspective and toward meeting goals). I can say they're important from
the band's perspective as well; Lost at Sea and Trolley Wood are
important songs artistically and could impact the record in a huge way.
Telescope Eyes could give the band and the record the exposure
they need... It's a song that could take a great deal of pressure off the
band...you guys know this; we've talked about it, but I'm too tired to
form intelligent sentences. Talk more tomorrow.
Saturday August 21
Discussions and Gernussions
Sub-Title Goes Here
Those title/subject things are getting to me. I don't want to have to think
that hard...especially if I don't know what I'm going to write about.
Like I said, the meeting with Rob Cavallo last night was amazing... he's a
great communicator/thinker. Having Rob on the scene at this final hour is
refreshing... he's very global, very executive...but also very much like a
friend who understands how bands feel, what they go through; it was like
having someone lower a grid, a framework for thinking, an understanding
that helped define where the project has been, where it is now and where
it should go. Since there are only 3 songs left and songs have been
selected, it becomes important to pull everything together - to make the
most powerful product possible. (ppp)
He's the kind of guy that doesn't just say, "so, how do you want these
songs to sound?"... he says, "what problem do these songs need to
solve?". (he didn't say that, I'm paraphrasing... but you get the idea)
You know how we've been talking about what colors are in the boquet...
and what colors are missing. Rob is all over that. Anyway, this is a deep
subject and hard to re-create. The meeting was productive and the band
starts with Rob at El Dorado Studio at high noon Monday morning.
Everyone is looking forward to the adventure and is very much on the
same page. So much to get done in one week. sheesh. Wish we had 2.
But NOT. Snow Patrol starts so soon... yikes.
On Indie rock... I noted that helloworld had a friend who didn't like Rilo
Kiley's new record because it was too "manufactured". I am very much in
touch with this feeling. On a lesser scale, I agree... for example, I hate
the highly commercial, highly compressed, muliti-stacked guitars of
Nickelback, Creed...much of modern rock, etc.
But this issue seems to divide the ranks. I'm familiar with both RK's old
stuff and their new stuff. Old records are are cool....but very stripped
down, analog, lo-fi, guitars are often out of tune. Songs are under
produced and very ruff.
So, I speculated, if raw = quality, then we shouldn't expect or desire
airplanes to fly. They could just be losely held together...ruff ideas. If
music is a celebration of raw emotions only, why ever tune a guitar? Why
ever add an effect? If digital sounds are too perfect, why are analog
pedals, which are just old school circuitry, ok? Why are tubes good but
solid state solutions bad. What replaced the echo-plex? Why is it legit?
Why sing in tune if guitars aren't in tune? What is manufactured? As we
head toward perfection, do we lose quality? do we lose our souls? Is indie
quality or crap? Is crap good and quality bad?
I like Rilo Kiley's new record... That's just me. It sounds good. Can they
hang onto their indie fan base with a record that sounds this good? I can
tell you this - if they hang onto their indie fan base, it's a plus. Sure
would be nice to grow and still take those guys with them. Not sure if
they will. More than likely their fan base will morph and adjust. There will
be casualties.
How do you think Eisley is doing? (in this regard)
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