Day 9, wow it's hard to believe so much has happened in this short time frame. I am overwhelmed with pride and joy at how the project is going. To see Sammy and John work is truly incredible, I feel so blessed to be working with them. Things are progressing smoothly and quickly, but really there is no reason to rush. The flow just comes natural and as the guys are inspired with even a melody they are able to act on it immediately. I had told you yesterday that our new song was a fun lil' ditty, it has become so much more than that. We were going in a completely different direction yesterday with the lyrics. But today the song took on a whole new meaning, oh it's still a happy song, but it's a bit sentimental too. John asked me to write down the things I liked to do when I was little, my favorite color...It's amazing how these thoughts can take you right back. Our favorite thing to do was to get our skates and play roller derby. It just so happened that we were the corner house, so we had a nice long curvy sidewalk that we could ride on, it was quite a procession seeing us all in a row. As you know summer for a kid is the best, we played outside from morning till night. Making mud pies, climbing trees, playing hide n' seek, kick the can, eating sweet juicy watermelon. I think that kids now a days don't even know what it's like to have a watermelon with seeds. Although we were many (11) we always entertained ourselves and tried to stay out of our Mom's hair, but mostly we knew that if we went inside there were plenty of chores to do.
I had a nice surprise today. While writing a song about my childhood and friends I received an FB message that an old friend (actually he's younger than me) was gonna come by the Taqueria. He and his wife are Pastoring a church and are really all about outreach within the community. I told Pastor Dan that when he arrived to come on up to the studio so I could introduce him to Sammy and John. It was so nice to see him, his wife Angie, her parents, and their family. Upon seeing old friends I always get so sentimental thinking of those days. So it was the perfect way to close our day in the studio.
Sam and I spent the evening watching the movie Despicable Me with our Dusty. This is how it is, as the older children become more independent it's just us three hanging out. Riding along in the truck together we always listen to music and I gauge the music by young kids response. Dusty loved the practice cd I brought home and we heard the song about 20 times just singing along, Another great day, I hope it spills right into the weekend and throughout the coming week.
<3 and Blessings, Lizzi
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Day 8 in the Studio
Today was a catch up day. Sammy and John were going to complete the music to the two songs on the mix table. I was going to start singing the lead vocal, and background. But today took a turn in another direction. Turns out as I drove up to the Taqueria the Health Inspector had just arrived. So just to be sure someone was there to do the walk through with the inspector I followed her in. Turns out the newest cashier was working. The head Cook was at the Fremont store, he's the one that usually does the walk through with the inspector if Jeremy is not available. So I called Jeremy and he said he was working at the Evergreen location. So I stayed and did the walk through with the inspector. I was already running late to begin with so this put me back about an hour and a half. The inspection went well, I signed the report on behalf of my son, thanked her for coming by, than ran upstairs. It didn't seem to phase the guys at all that I was late, they do what they do no matter what. They were just completing some parts on the songs. Sounds great, it's amazing how layering different sounds adds so much dimension to a song.
Today I will start recording my vocals - NOT in a whirlwind of creativity - John had an idea. They went out for a break to discuss, I am amazed how they didn't even need the keyboard, right there on the back steps of the studio they begin creating a new song. They came back in and asked me to listen to this new idea for a song. Of course being courteous as always John said "well unless you want to continue with the other songs". Oh no I'm totally into listening to what they were humming come to fruition. Amaze me again why don't you, is exactly what they did! A new happy lil' ditty was born. I am all about upbeat, positive message type songs. Well when the guys said they were creating this specifically for me, this song couldn't have been more perfect because it's about FOOD! Not literally food but metaphorically throwing together a lil' something ...a bit of this, a dollop of that, makes it all good, Fun right? So Sam who had been watching from his computer (while at work shhh...) texted me some lyrics. He's so funny, and what a great start, I have a feeling he's gonna get involved with helping us write this song.
Sometimes I think, if we do this recording only for our own family it is totally worth it. Think about it, my children will have something creative, personal, and lasting that they can hand down to their children. I don't mean to be morbid, but reality is, we won't live forever. And even if I did, I'm sure it wouldn't be a pretty sight. I'd rather have my new heavenly body, hopefully it's the one when I was twenty years old - lol. So tomorrow we'll see what we actually work on. I love the fact that the guys have the freedom to create as inspiration leads, rather than getting an idea only to find that you completely forgot the melody the next day.
I talk too much, I hope you'll tune in tomorrow and watch the footage so you can see how it all unfolds. And if you do, let us know, we're all on Face Book. We also uploaded some You tube clips of our first days in the studio, anyways we'd love to hear from you. Take Care
<3 Lizzi
Today I will start recording my vocals - NOT in a whirlwind of creativity - John had an idea. They went out for a break to discuss, I am amazed how they didn't even need the keyboard, right there on the back steps of the studio they begin creating a new song. They came back in and asked me to listen to this new idea for a song. Of course being courteous as always John said "well unless you want to continue with the other songs". Oh no I'm totally into listening to what they were humming come to fruition. Amaze me again why don't you, is exactly what they did! A new happy lil' ditty was born. I am all about upbeat, positive message type songs. Well when the guys said they were creating this specifically for me, this song couldn't have been more perfect because it's about FOOD! Not literally food but metaphorically throwing together a lil' something ...a bit of this, a dollop of that, makes it all good, Fun right? So Sam who had been watching from his computer (while at work shhh...) texted me some lyrics. He's so funny, and what a great start, I have a feeling he's gonna get involved with helping us write this song.
Sometimes I think, if we do this recording only for our own family it is totally worth it. Think about it, my children will have something creative, personal, and lasting that they can hand down to their children. I don't mean to be morbid, but reality is, we won't live forever. And even if I did, I'm sure it wouldn't be a pretty sight. I'd rather have my new heavenly body, hopefully it's the one when I was twenty years old - lol. So tomorrow we'll see what we actually work on. I love the fact that the guys have the freedom to create as inspiration leads, rather than getting an idea only to find that you completely forgot the melody the next day.
I talk too much, I hope you'll tune in tomorrow and watch the footage so you can see how it all unfolds. And if you do, let us know, we're all on Face Book. We also uploaded some You tube clips of our first days in the studio, anyways we'd love to hear from you. Take Care
<3 Lizzi
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Day 7 in the Studio
Another great day in the studio, I am so pleased with the speed and fluidity of the project. I can't express how amazing it is to work with John and Sammy. When we were beginning this project I mentioned how I felt like I was stepping into their world. Honestly it was a little intimidating, but now it feels like we are a cohesive team and I know we are all working towards the same thing: an amazing album.
As the videos are uploaded it seems like so much has happened since each one. Even hearing the lullaby completed, I forgot how sweet and pure the song is, and it makes me so proud to be a Grandma who can express her love in this way. No matter what Rocky will always know he is special to me.
Today we completed the third song. This song speaks of a relationship and how after time we tend to loose touch with one another. It really is a conscious effort to stay connected, Sam & I have been married for almost 29 years and believe me our lives are jam packed with stuff we are doing, things to do, plans, and hopes... Our children have taken up so much of our one on one time, that it's easy to get lost in their lives and what they are doing. It's great to support your kids interests, needs, and everything else, but it will keep you busy. Sometimes you can loose touch as a couple, but as I see my children getting older I am reminded that this is the man I fell in love with, and this is the person I chose to spend the rest of my life with. I don't want to get to the point where it's just us and we've forgotten who "us" is. And that was the inspiration for this song. When Sam got his new truck with a bench seat, he was so happy that I could sit right next to him (his babe) just like when we were dating, arm around my shoulder, and singing as we drove along. No one had to remind us to enjoy each others company, we would make a way to be together, or we'd talk on the phone for hours. We had no concept of time when we were together, now we have to go so far as to make a date just to get away. I think anyone in a relationship for an extended period of time can relate to this song.
Before I close I just wanted to thank everyone who's been watching the live stream, and also apologize to those who haven't been able to log on. We are maxing out our capacity for viewers, so when one person logs out another can log on. Sam is working with Mike of Ctek Media to see how we can increase viewer capacity. So it's good that people are watching and it's bad that only a limited number of people can watch at a time. So please be patient with us while we try and correct this. I am happy to say that we have come a long way in a very short time! I hope you will keep watching, and supporting us with all your positive comments, and please tell others about it. The Iklectix & I love sharing the gift of music with you. Hope you'll see us tomorrow.
<3 Lizzi
As the videos are uploaded it seems like so much has happened since each one. Even hearing the lullaby completed, I forgot how sweet and pure the song is, and it makes me so proud to be a Grandma who can express her love in this way. No matter what Rocky will always know he is special to me.
Today we completed the third song. This song speaks of a relationship and how after time we tend to loose touch with one another. It really is a conscious effort to stay connected, Sam & I have been married for almost 29 years and believe me our lives are jam packed with stuff we are doing, things to do, plans, and hopes... Our children have taken up so much of our one on one time, that it's easy to get lost in their lives and what they are doing. It's great to support your kids interests, needs, and everything else, but it will keep you busy. Sometimes you can loose touch as a couple, but as I see my children getting older I am reminded that this is the man I fell in love with, and this is the person I chose to spend the rest of my life with. I don't want to get to the point where it's just us and we've forgotten who "us" is. And that was the inspiration for this song. When Sam got his new truck with a bench seat, he was so happy that I could sit right next to him (his babe) just like when we were dating, arm around my shoulder, and singing as we drove along. No one had to remind us to enjoy each others company, we would make a way to be together, or we'd talk on the phone for hours. We had no concept of time when we were together, now we have to go so far as to make a date just to get away. I think anyone in a relationship for an extended period of time can relate to this song.
Before I close I just wanted to thank everyone who's been watching the live stream, and also apologize to those who haven't been able to log on. We are maxing out our capacity for viewers, so when one person logs out another can log on. Sam is working with Mike of Ctek Media to see how we can increase viewer capacity. So it's good that people are watching and it's bad that only a limited number of people can watch at a time. So please be patient with us while we try and correct this. I am happy to say that we have come a long way in a very short time! I hope you will keep watching, and supporting us with all your positive comments, and please tell others about it. The Iklectix & I love sharing the gift of music with you. Hope you'll see us tomorrow.
<3 Lizzi
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Day 6 in the Studio
I am beginning to like the Studio more and more. John has challenged me to write a different way than what I am accustomed to. I usually just write my thoughts as if I'm writing a poem, pretty straightforwward right? Well John had asked me to listen to song three from yesterday and just let the music guide me as to where to place a line. He also suggested I write in a more conversational format, as if I'm talking to someone. I was nervous as I started writing and I began to second guess my words. So I started and re-started many times, I thought is this the best way to help the listener understand where I'm coming from? After all I want you to be able to relate to the song, I've got to make it clear, like a real live situation. I was surprised when I finally settled on two verses that I felt were strong. I thought well if the guys don't like it, then I could scrap it and start again at the studio.
There are many areas where this project is stretching me. It's totally out of my comfort zone to be filmed the whole time, also adjusting my writing style, and being interviewed randomly is certainly not one of my strong points. I was incredibly nervous, the lights were hot, and there's usually no warning of what I will be doing. But I signed up for this and although it is tough, I am having the time of my life!
Today I arrived at the studio around 1:30 pm, ready to work because I knew I had to leave around 3:30 to get Felice to work by 4:00. I showed the guys the two verses I had written and they liked them. We tweaked them a bit to make the words and melody flow. John sang along with me in the sound booth until I felt comfortable with the timing of the melody, and we recorded the scratch vocal. The guys are so positive and encouraging, I do my best not to disappoint them. I still need to write another verse and a bridge. so that's my homework for tonight. If you haven't seen the live stream, I would like to invite you to tune in, and feel free to communicate with us. You can ask us questions, make comments (only nice ones lol). We'd love you to step into the studio with us. We begin around 1:00 and go till whenever. A lot is happening each and everyday, definitely an adventure.
We posted another video on YouTube, check it out I think you will like it.
<3 Lizzi
There are many areas where this project is stretching me. It's totally out of my comfort zone to be filmed the whole time, also adjusting my writing style, and being interviewed randomly is certainly not one of my strong points. I was incredibly nervous, the lights were hot, and there's usually no warning of what I will be doing. But I signed up for this and although it is tough, I am having the time of my life!
Today I arrived at the studio around 1:30 pm, ready to work because I knew I had to leave around 3:30 to get Felice to work by 4:00. I showed the guys the two verses I had written and they liked them. We tweaked them a bit to make the words and melody flow. John sang along with me in the sound booth until I felt comfortable with the timing of the melody, and we recorded the scratch vocal. The guys are so positive and encouraging, I do my best not to disappoint them. I still need to write another verse and a bridge. so that's my homework for tonight. If you haven't seen the live stream, I would like to invite you to tune in, and feel free to communicate with us. You can ask us questions, make comments (only nice ones lol). We'd love you to step into the studio with us. We begin around 1:00 and go till whenever. A lot is happening each and everyday, definitely an adventure.
We posted another video on YouTube, check it out I think you will like it.
<3 Lizzi
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Day 5 in the Studio
I have to start my blog with a great big WOW! We are officially onto song three. So many incredible things are happening all at once. First of all we posted a YouTube clip of my first week in the studio. We also officially started live streaming today. Working with the Iklectics is so amazing, I worked on some more words for our second song, which I thought was gonna be a "let your hair down, roll down the windows and sang kind of song" but it turned out to be more of a proclamation type song. One of my favorite lines in the song is "Youth escapes me, but wisdom is on my side". I wanted the song to tell where I am in my life, and I think everyone gets to that age where they realize hey I'm not that young whippersnapper I used to be. Although I don't feel old, and I don't consider myself old, I know I'm not getting any younger. I still have a hard time believing that three of my five children are adults. It goes by quickly, and I find myself valuing the time with my familia even more so.
Anyways we completed song two, now keep in mind these are still incomplete in the sense that Sam and John will still add additional instrumentation, I need to sing lead vocals, and background vocals. Then the song will be mixed by Big Sam (my husband) and viola we're ready to master the song. So the vocal track that was recorded is called a scratch vocal, which will be replaced with a permanent vocal. As I explained in the YouTube clip "it's all a process". Now I know we are zipping right along, and it may seem unconventional to many but, again Sam & I have never been anything but unconventional. And this project is no exception to our music centric family lifestyle.
We began a new song, and if you were watching the live stream, you were able to see how it just starts with an idea for a melody. Then John suggested a direction for the lyrics, which we just kind of mulled over for a bit. I didn't really want it to be a sad song, because that's like a different time and place, and I didn't really wanna go there YET. We may have a sad song, but we'll see, this one isn't it. It has such a fun lighthearted beat, it couldn't be sad! We got as far as the chorus, and tonight or tomorrow I will try and come up with some words for the verse. Not sure how much time I will have this evening since we have dinner plans.
Today was a special day not just in the studio, but we were also celebrating my Brother-in-Laws birthday. We always let the b-day boy or girl pick their meal, homemade or restaurant. Paul chose Mosaics Restaurant in downtown San Jose which I think most of us had never tried. We are all pretty picky eaters, as far as flavors, textures, and seasonings. My son Sam can pick out the spices in foods before he even takes a bite. Yes we are all sniffers, because if it doesn't appeal to your sense of smell than your chances of it appealing to your taste buds is pretty slim. But I think we were all pleased with our choice of entree. Really the appetizers were so good I would have been content to just eat that, and that's exactly what our friends Brian and David Skarbek did. They ordered an extra side of sliders, which are delicious lil' hamburgers yum. I myself had the Poached Atlantic Salmon with Marinated Grapes, Fennel, Tomatoes with a Lemongrass infusion. Sam played a trick on me before dessert arrived. I had left the table to take Rocky for a little walk so he could get his sillies out. When I came back Sam offered me a sample of sorbet which I happily took a nice big scoop of. I should have noticed by the mischievous look in his eye that he was up to something. That delicious spoonful turned out to be a big blob of butter, lucky for him I like butter but still it was a naughty trick. Anyway we topped off our meal with a delicious and refreshing pomegranate gelato sorbet. The meal was wonderful, and company was divine. We have such wonderful friends and family, I enjoyed every minute of it. Perfect way to end an amazing day.
Hope to see you tomorrow in the studio - just go to my website lullabiestolovesongs.com and press on the QuickTime link for the instructions.
<3 Lizzi
Anyways we completed song two, now keep in mind these are still incomplete in the sense that Sam and John will still add additional instrumentation, I need to sing lead vocals, and background vocals. Then the song will be mixed by Big Sam (my husband) and viola we're ready to master the song. So the vocal track that was recorded is called a scratch vocal, which will be replaced with a permanent vocal. As I explained in the YouTube clip "it's all a process". Now I know we are zipping right along, and it may seem unconventional to many but, again Sam & I have never been anything but unconventional. And this project is no exception to our music centric family lifestyle.
We began a new song, and if you were watching the live stream, you were able to see how it just starts with an idea for a melody. Then John suggested a direction for the lyrics, which we just kind of mulled over for a bit. I didn't really want it to be a sad song, because that's like a different time and place, and I didn't really wanna go there YET. We may have a sad song, but we'll see, this one isn't it. It has such a fun lighthearted beat, it couldn't be sad! We got as far as the chorus, and tonight or tomorrow I will try and come up with some words for the verse. Not sure how much time I will have this evening since we have dinner plans.
Today was a special day not just in the studio, but we were also celebrating my Brother-in-Laws birthday. We always let the b-day boy or girl pick their meal, homemade or restaurant. Paul chose Mosaics Restaurant in downtown San Jose which I think most of us had never tried. We are all pretty picky eaters, as far as flavors, textures, and seasonings. My son Sam can pick out the spices in foods before he even takes a bite. Yes we are all sniffers, because if it doesn't appeal to your sense of smell than your chances of it appealing to your taste buds is pretty slim. But I think we were all pleased with our choice of entree. Really the appetizers were so good I would have been content to just eat that, and that's exactly what our friends Brian and David Skarbek did. They ordered an extra side of sliders, which are delicious lil' hamburgers yum. I myself had the Poached Atlantic Salmon with Marinated Grapes, Fennel, Tomatoes with a Lemongrass infusion. Sam played a trick on me before dessert arrived. I had left the table to take Rocky for a little walk so he could get his sillies out. When I came back Sam offered me a sample of sorbet which I happily took a nice big scoop of. I should have noticed by the mischievous look in his eye that he was up to something. That delicious spoonful turned out to be a big blob of butter, lucky for him I like butter but still it was a naughty trick. Anyway we topped off our meal with a delicious and refreshing pomegranate gelato sorbet. The meal was wonderful, and company was divine. We have such wonderful friends and family, I enjoyed every minute of it. Perfect way to end an amazing day.
Hope to see you tomorrow in the studio - just go to my website lullabiestolovesongs.com and press on the QuickTime link for the instructions.
<3 Lizzi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)