gravehaven

Besides the ghost that kept us awake on Saturday night, Maine was an extremely productive weekend! As anticipated our creative juices were flowing; so much in fact, we decided to write some new material that may just find its way onto our new record, Calico. We experimented with all sorts of things from vocal and guitar effects, to xylophone and accordion. That’s right, accordion…and don’t be surprised if you hear some banjo or mandolin…how about a grand piano or a leslie…maybe a tambourine or a wooden desk being hit with mallets…yup…how about a lighter or a deck of cards…you ever played the deck of cards before? Didn’t think so…perhaps the sounds of an ice pick in the snow or Ben whispering into the crisp Maine air.

Okay so we had a lot of free time. Check out some pics.

Please enjoy part deux of our Q Division basics video. - Topper

More video will be up tomorrow.  For now, love thy guitar.

Hey Everyone! We have had a great week of laying down vocals and guitars and now we’re headed off to middle-of-nowhere Maine to finish up. Its a secluded house in the woods, free of the fast paced city and communication with the outside world. Creativity will be flowing out of our nostrils! Check back in for the next video documentary and more pics from our latest sessions coming up! See you soon!

Evan

Here is the first of many videos documenting the recording of our second record, Calico. This video covers day one and a portion of day two at Q Division Studios, where we tracked drums, bass, and keys. Thanks for watching!

We are back tracking more guitars in the Somerville studio after taking Thursday off. Ben actually got to recording some vocal tracks for “Serpentine” last night and they sound amazing. Going at our own pace this time around is really making a world of difference.

Alex and Evan finished tracking rhythm guitars for “If You Can, When You Can” early this afternoon and we’re in the process of moving on to the song “Lunatic” for the rest of the night. Later, Ben will do some vocal cuts while we force feed plastic fantastic booze down Alex, the birthday boy’s guzzle. Just because Matt and I are done with our tracks for now doesn’t mean we don’t still feel creative. So we made a helmet with a frowny face out of a thirty-pack box that we plan on using for some form of punishment in the near future. Most of these shenanigans are all being documented by video. Lucky for you, we are posting the first of many on Monday. That’s it for now.

Steve

We are tracking up some guitars here at the studio over here in Somerville, and its running along smoothly. Our wall of amps is mountainous and impressive. Alex has preformed some riffing magic, as Kris and I get wacky with our battlefield of pedals. Tomorrow is a much needed mental health day, as we wrap our minds around the project and anticipate whats to come, and then its back to the grind.

STAY TUNED!

Evan

amps are sweet

they really are

amps you play

with a guitar

loud or soft

distorted or clean

my amp sounds sweet

you’ll see what I mean  

Basics are done! It was a grueling weekend full of Narragansett beer and a smoke-filled lounge. Steve’s cries could be heard from outside the building after missing an amazing Tony Hawk trick, and Evan played a Guinness Book of World Record 4,578 consecutive games of Scrabble.

Three days of basics was the perfect amount. We were able to take our time on the songs while conserving energy for the most explosive songs we have ever written. We were able to use four different snare drums, two different floor toms, a variety of cymbals, and two different kick drums throughout the record to give each song its own individual feel. I can’t be more happy with my playing and the sound we have achieved at Q Division. So check out some pics from this past weekend and keep checking the site to see how our songs are developing. There are plenty more pictures to come, video will be posted towards the end of the week, and guitars start tonight! GET PSYCHED!

Matt

Photos from Ben’s mellotron session tonight: