Mixing Yamisse/Alico/Logan/Devon

I'm sitting here in SugarHill's studio A, mixing Yamisse's three songs with mix engineer, Steve Christensen, and my co-producer, Ralz Mathias. I've got the headphones on & it's pumping. We did things a bit different for this mix and started with the vocals. I did the eq's and compression/limiting on the vocals BEFORE we started working on the instruments. This (we think) will allow Steve to sock the instruments in around the vocal better, and possibly give us a more cohesive mix. So far, I think that it's working. Sound like a fkn BRICK on the low end. Mostly, It's just cool to be able to hear the vocals in context when you are roughing in the instrumental mix.

While I'm waitin on my turn at the console I can bring everyone up to date on what's up. I'm working on signing on to do a three-five song job for Austin singer song writer, Chelle Murrey!! Woot! Chelle and I have been courting for a long time, and I'm really eager to dig in on her songs. She can sing, write and play very well, so I'll be really happy. I'm also talking to Austinite, Maggie Walters. Her 3 song demo came to me via Mike Perazzetti--whose radio show and internet podcasts are at the very top of the game --The Fevered Brain of Radio Mike. Maggie is a very mature songwriter. Her lyrics are augmented with some really nice melodic ideas.

My dear friend, Mark Ellis, of Mark Needs a Chick (RIP) and late of ALICO came to visit while he was in Houston, (along with his friend, Shannon--'Hi Shannon!'). Alico is up for two US tours, and a tour of Japan at the end of '05. Cripes! Can I go too? Mark is letting me in on some Alico songwriting chores. I'm slated to start next week. Very Cool. Mark is sporting new ink on his right arm.


We had some fun on the SugarHill lawn:


Shannon had a killer Cadillac belt buckle:


(Steve just made a mix move that made my hair stand on end)

Logan is busy. I just thought I'd tell you that. Yeah, she's busy all right. Force 'o nature busy. I mean! She's a-concentrating. Yeah. She's working it. One of a kind. Gotta love that Logan.

We just hired Devon full time. Go Devon!!!!!!!

I talked to Sarah Sharp who is back from her US/European tour for 8 days before she jets out to LA to play at The Mint. Kevin Ryan is going with her and is going to make a (to my knowledge, rare) appearance with her live. Go Kevin! Sarah is still stoked from her international tour.

OK,... just about my turn at the board.

thelove,
dAN