Did vox in the studio tonight. Vox is the cool way to write the word vocals. Tell all your friends. Tell them about the vox thing, not about the studio. Tell no one about that.
You probably haven’t heard, but…
We’ve actually had a few sessions recently. Yes, great things were done in these sessions. No, you will not be privy to any other details.
Posted by phil on October 18, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=229
A one-man band and a one-band man.
“Allen & His Merry Band of Mastertons” recently made an appearance at the studio to add fluffy rhythm and melody nougat to a chocolatey click track core. I (the I in this story, of course, played in part by me) couldn’t be bothered with musical whimsy. I (me) was then decidedly thrust into the familiar state of “out of the band” and was sentenced to arrange the microphones into an array that could doubly serve as the skeleton of a modest fort. As I must commonly seek shelter from the storm of Allen’s wrath, this was a necessary consideration. Upon acquiring tones that I had hoped might please the Almighty Master(ton), we began building the foundation, beat by beat and note by note. The picture that I am about to paint is neither pretty nor pleasant, neither true nor a picture. Though I dutifully aurally documented each of his ideas, he screamed into the dedicated voice transduction device, “MORE TRACKS! MOAR TRACKS!!!” I would implore him, “What will you be playing?” He would only scream more, “ALL THE THINGS!!!”
The pictures you are about to see only partially reveal all of the things that he played.
The revolutionary Masterton Nasal Monitoring System
The view of the piano perched atop Allen's head. This is weasel POV.
A classic pose... A recreation of the stunning image from February of his 2000 calendar.
This is a never-before-seen alternate shot from his controversial series, "In Your Bass, Punk: Up Close & Personal."
Posted by phil on September 12, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=190
The Sackbut, and a New Tune
Here’s a peek into our most recent session. We had some time left, so we started tracking another song. It’s a song about a pirate…a lonely pirate…with scurvy…and crippling self-doubt.
Posted by allen on August 26, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=173
Hyphen-Heavy and Our Own “Kickstarter”
It has been nearly a month-and-a-half since relocating to the godforsaken desert so I thought I’d give you an update/back-rub.
We’ve been rather productive. A new song has been written, horns are being arranged by a very skilled minstrel, and strings are taking shape (in my mind).
In my down-time, I have been experimenting with “stream-of-consciousness” guitar-playing. This means I’ve been making lots of noise and irritating the neighbors. The results have been interesting, at least to me. The next-next record may turn out to be something completely out of character.
We’re due for another session in the studio soon, so keep an eye out for pics and vids, or as the vowel-shunning kids say “pcs n’ vds.”
We have also been considering a donation system to help make this record better than the last. A lot of artists are starting to reward fans in some way if they contribute. For example: A $10 donation would get you a digital copy of the record. A $25 donation would get you a copy of the vinyl and a high-quality digital download, swag, etc…
Would anyone be interested in such a system?
Allen
Posted by allen on July 16, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=166
Glockenspiel!
Some pics and a video from our last session.
Posted by allen on July 6, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=159
The Ol’ Post-Secondary Educational Attempt
The other shoe has broken the camel’s back. This is the final nail in the bootstrap.
In other words, it’s time to grab life by the bull and seize the fish.
I’m moving back to Arizona. Or, rather, I’m moving forward to Arizona. An opportunity has presented itself like a newlywed and I would be remiss, nay, downright rude, in my refusal to aggressively pounce.
This conclusion, to which I have come, seems an obvious choice, though I fear the reality won’t set in until well on the road.
The worst part is leaving the awesome people I have met here. Believe me, I’m much more broken up than I let on. I would love to gush about each and every one of you, but I’d prefer to do so with conversation.
I’ll be back in the studio with Phil, et al, doing what I love to do…making music. I never realized how necessary this was to my soul until I completely deprived myself of it. It’s where I feel like myself.
I want to feel like myself again.
Here goes nothin’.
Posted by allen on May 28, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=154
Good things from nice people
Someone saying some nice things. Thank you for saying nice things.
Posted by Ryan on April 21, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=148
Can a montage really help you find love?
No, that’s just ridiculous. However, the montage below was made with love (and iMovie). That means you will feel love when you watch it. In turn, the love you feel will make you hungry. The hunger you feel will make you demand nutritional satisfaction. The nutritional satisfaction you obtain will make you feel complete. So, to summarize, this montage will complete you.
Posted by phil on April 17, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=142
Fancy Studio Pics to Impress Your Friends
If you’ve ever wanted to know what it’s like to be making great music in a cool studio, look at these pictures (taken by Allen) and imagine that you were in them. After doing so, reflect upon how that just improved your life. Was it not grand? Now, aren’t colors more vivid, smells more pungent, and sights more beautiful? There’s no need to thank us; it’s the least we can do for you.
Cheryl and Allen switched between the Bottle and the TLM 127 for vox.
Cheryl was kind enough to lend her awesome voice to the record.
I have no idea what I am doing.
Listening to Cheryl's vocal take.
The API has a massive patch-bay. It's almost mastedonic.
Posted by phil on April 16, 2011
http://blog.anitaexira.com/?p=135