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February 16, 2006

STUDIO HEAD

Its quite amusing really! We started off just deciding to record two songs at Matts, just to hear what they sounded like with a real drummer. And its turned into a crazy dash to finish 10 songs fully recorded and mixed to finish off a debut album!! We are back in the studio again this week - yesterday we tracked two more songs, and today and tomorrow is about mixing them. By our estimation, we will probably be able to finish all 10 songs by next week. Completely self-financed and self-produced, the Circus Diablo album has really built itself. We didn't initially plan on doing it like this, but I'm really glad we ended up deciding to record all the songs. Speed recording 101!!! Most big budget albums take three months to record. A lot of tweaking, smoothing and massaging goes on, and a lot of the time, all the mistakes, character and 'live feel' gets lost along the way. Because of the way we have approached this record, we will have done it all in under three weeks total and it has retained a really great vibe to it. No Auto Tune or Beat Detective has been used - and we are all in agreement that the finished mixes sound all the better for it. Computers really aid the recording of modern albums, but sometimes you can end up 'LOOKING' at music. And music should be LISTENED to, not watched!!!

Not a lot to tell really - life tends to pass you by when you get 'Studio Head' - disappearing into a darkened, air-conditioned room at around noon, and emerging 14 hours later into the dead of night, to creep home, get some rest, and then get up and do it again the next day! No interesting human contact, no scintilating conversation, no chance encounter to tell you about. It all becomes about the EQ of the hi hat, and the chinese food delivery at 8.00pm!!! And I love it. Being able to create music is really cathartic for me, and enjoying the process (and staying out of the results) is SO theraputic. Oh - by the way - I seem to have used a few big words in this post, so don't even bother correcting my spelling!! I know ..... I left school WAY too early!!

So I'm gonna get some coffee, wake up and get an hour with my wife (we kinda nod hello as we pass in the hallway everyday, and thats it! Feels like I haven't seen her in days.) and pack up the laptop to hit the studio again. I will take the camera and try and get a V-Blog in for tomorrows post. There's a few questions I can answer and maybe get you a quick soundbite of one of the songs as we mix it. Stay tuned kids!!

Peace

Billy

Posted by vivelerock at February 16, 2006 08:06 AM

Comments

Just curious Billy, when did you leave school?

Your posts fill me with so much optimism. I'm just about to start recording with my band and seeing the Diablo stuff come together so quickly gives me so much energy to want to start- so thank you!!

Posted by: Karl at February 16, 2006 09:13 AM

Looking forward to the new music!!! Take care of yourself Billy! :)

Posted by: Cori at February 16, 2006 10:09 AM

Awesome, Billy! Have a great rest of the day!!!
xoxo

Posted by: Junebug at February 16, 2006 10:18 AM

HA! That will show Mr Navarro, none of this 1 and a half years to write & record an album...

Cheers mate, and take care

Posted by: Simon at February 16, 2006 11:10 AM

"...alot of tweaking, smoothing, and massaging goes on...."

Is that what the pic is about today??? Nice....errr....pants!! heehee

Happy Thursday, everyone!!
~Bonita

Posted by: Bonita at February 16, 2006 11:35 AM

Billy

It sounds like the perfect scenario in the studio. Gettin the live vibe is definately the way to go not sounding too over produced. The only downside is not seeing the missus. 4-5 dudes in a small confined space is all well and good but you still gotta have a womans touch haha!!!

Can't wait to hear the tunes

Cheers

Junkie

Posted by: junkie inc at February 16, 2006 12:19 PM

Sounds like so much fun!!!

I'm currently feeling like the majority of people expect all that "looking" at music B.S. to go down. I wonder if they can actually handle real records anymore. Itt's rad that C.D. has such an indie astetic. Cheers!

Posted by: Spencer at February 16, 2006 12:50 PM

Tweak, smooth and massage away, Billy!!! Bwahahha. We'll love it. But the key is having fun doing what you are doing. Makes it all worthwhile.

Posted by: Kate at February 16, 2006 06:19 PM

hi billy cant wait for the ablbum!
i really love your honesty-its hard to come by these days and especially some 1 who really is in touch with the fans -I SPEAK ON EVERY1S BEHALF WHEN WE SAY YOUR THE BEST!!!!!
My question is where can i get 1 of those awesome red camp freddy trucker hats that mr sorum wears?

Posted by: paul at February 17, 2006 03:49 AM

Still saddened you are not with Ian and Billy this time around. How about offering to play cowbell??

Posted by: Sven at February 17, 2006 11:37 AM

Hey Billy,

I agree with sven...I would love to see you play for The Cult again...no cowbell though..just bass....I've seen and heard you talk about the "Breathe" video...why no talk about the "Rise" video you are all over it...that is a great song and video...

Posted by: sherry at February 17, 2006 09:51 PM

Good Morning Billy!

Was there ever a time in your life when you seriously considered a career other than performing (music, acting, etc.)? If so, what would that career be?

Have a great weekend!

Posted by: Cori at February 18, 2006 04:46 AM

Good morning family!!
Hi Billy, Have you watched any Olympic coverage? How about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show?Me, I love me some curling, being a fan of shuffleboard. As far as the dogs...I fell in love with the golden retrievers!
hope to hear you tonight!
love,
jezzi

Posted by: jezebel at February 18, 2006 07:02 AM

Billy,

Way off the beaten path here but thought I'd ask anyway..

How's the American Citizenship thing moving forward?

Check King Mob email as well when you get a chance...

Thanks,
Jay

Posted by: Jay at February 18, 2006 08:44 AM

Billy - what would it take to get you to listen to a snippet of music and give a professional opinion?

Posted by: Redpill at February 18, 2006 09:37 AM

Chicken soup and lots of liquids. Feel better.
~Bonita

Posted by: Bonita at February 18, 2006 06:31 PM

Happy belated Birthday!

Can't wait to hear the new music. Loved the video of you getting tattooed - that's trust!

Hope you feel better soon :)

Posted by: Theresa at February 18, 2006 07:17 PM

Good morning!! I caught the last 5 minutes of CFR last night...Happy Belated to Jen!!
love to all,
jezzi

Posted by: jezebel at February 19, 2006 07:41 AM

Thanks Billy,

After all the polishing Dave, Steve etc have been doing, you have re-affirmed my faith in the fresh recording process.

I've put one track down, but I'm planning on cracking on as soon as I get my top range back!

I've had this weird flu thing that's been hitting the UK, and it took my voice out completely for about 3 weeks...

Hope your cold gets better soon and you can finish stuff off with the same straightforward clarity it seems you have been doing.

RP
x
(Oh and Hi to everyone else too, I haven't been around this neck of the woods for a while)

Posted by: RecklessPrincess at February 19, 2006 01:04 PM

Hi Billy,

Hope you are better...

Happy birthday to Jen. I listened th CFR on Saturday. Not the same with out you, but loved having Matt on. Just poppin' in to say hi... off to Vail this week with work. Too bad I am not a skiier, but I am getting a free private 1/2 day lesson. Hope I manage to come back walking on both legs :)

Have a good one...wish me luck!

SSS

Posted by: Sweet Soul Sister at February 19, 2006 06:36 PM

Hey Billy, Dave has gone on record saying the gets more inspiration from Trent Reznor nowadays than any other artist. Wondering who, if anyone, in todays music scene that is still out there making music gives you inspiration or does it all still come from the pistols etc.?

What ever it is mate, keep it up because what you are doing is amazing and i thoroughly enjoy it and can't wait to hear some CD. Take care.

PS. Do you still listen to the wolfmother cd?

Posted by: Simon at February 19, 2006 09:25 PM

You can't be 23357 serious?!?

Posted by: Mary Box at July 6, 2006 09:35 AM