As a Songwriter or Singer Songwriter, there is nothing more fulflilling after carefully sculpting your words, having them set to Music and then getting to play live and even record in a studio. For many people, and perhaps even You that would be an amazing, highlight – a literal life peak experience – one of those magic defining musical moments that You could go back to again and again – and share not only with this generation’s audience – but even with future generations that You will never even meet in person – a feeling and sensation that’s actually difficult to put into words. And Yet……
And yet why stop at just the first version – what about going beyond your initial recording, to review and perhaps even evolve Your sound to something different, something perhaps with more high energy, drive, more passion and intensity that would work acoustically either live on stage or even in the studio.
This was the case with Kirsty Lowrie – local Singer Song Writer and performer who felt she was ready to explore a more energetic, dynamic side to her own self -penned lyric compositions.
In the last post – You got to see and hear some live performances of songs with acoustic guitar and beatbox, and You can even Kirsty’s original electronica performance alongside the live performance – here You will get to see we begin the process of getting ready for going into the studio – the big trap is thinking that in order for a song to work it has to have a lot of instrumentation, use up many tracks and all kinds of effects.
Infact in getting ready for going into the studio we have taken the exact opposite approach – as part of pre-production which is to strip the songs back to even just one acoustic guitar, minus beatbox, to make sure that they absolutely do work – before going into the studioto record and in a moment You will get to hear that with a mash up showing side by side sections of 2 of Kirsty’s original songs
In Get To Know Me – the sound has changed to a more latin infused groove with a touch of flamenco fire – and rock/ punk rock attitdue – gelling with Dave’s Beatbox.. which You can now see and hear for yourself …
And In Feel the Light – You can hear the change in sound from a slow ballad from the beatbox, through to a more mellow Jazz vibe…
So as, perhaps weird, unusual and counter-intuitive even as it may sound – sometimes the best thing You can do to make sure that a song is working is “before” going into a studio is make sure it still works on some level, even without fancy studio equipment – even on just one acoustic guitar and one vocal- I used a lot of creative thought, musical application and production, drawing deeply on styles and genres that I personaly have played and been involved with over the years, that perhaps the Singer has not been exposed to, that needs to go into making the songs work even on this level and once You have that in place then You can be more assured that going into the Studio for the Full Production would be the right thing to do.
And You can hear the transformation based on the live and acoustic produced recordings, compared to the original recordings (see below).
Having said that, before Kirsty I and Dave Beatbox Kastelik venture into any studio – we will be playing at Bedworth Party In The Park This Bank Holiday Monday August 26th – just to absolutely make sure about the Production and the arrangements as they stand.
And if you happen to be around, why not drop by and say Hi… be great to see You down there.
Til Next Time
Andre
Related : Kirsty Lowrie LIve and Oriignal Electronica Studio Recordings for Comparison