Tank, Day 4

Final planned tracking day (5/28).

Today’s tools:
Silvertone lap steel [C6 tuning]
TC Electronics EQ/Sustain
Boss Volume Pedal

Akai Headrush delay
Walrus Audio Slo reverb
Victoria Amplifier Reverberato
Into both a 1964 Fender Princeton Reverb amp and a 1954 Fender Deluxe amp

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One of my favorite aspects of working in the studio is you can play and layer multiple instruments on a given song. So I have already managed to get multiple layers of guitars of varying degrees of weirdness (6 and 12 string electric guitars plus Nashville and regular tuned acoustics). So today is the day for the lap steel. I love this instrument. It was a gift from my college professor and dear friend Bill Morse and I think of him (and his impact on my musical life) every time I play it.

It went down like this: Ben and I established a pattern:
• Do a couple passes of a song (the second take is always better but there might be a flash or two from the first take we could steal)
• While Ben sets up next song, I tweak my effects for it. I was all over the place sound-wise; bridging the gap between music and sound effects some times, other parts trying to sound more “traditional”.
• repeat

Two spontaneous events were the highlight for me:

  1. When tweaking my effects in preparation for the next song, I pushed one preset to a sort of extreme and a mental lightbulb flashed! “This sound won’t work for the song I’m doing next, but it conjures something up for The Getaway.” We track the next song and then I ask him to cue up The Getaway, I had an idea I wanted to try. Thus, a 2 pass attempt at a lap-steel/e-bow/volume-swell/delay+reverb outfreakage. For me, it paints the twilight sky over the titular getaway (YMMV).
  2. After the experience of the above, I felt like I had exhausted my lap-steel palette. Then Arty asked about Take Me In Your Arms needing something. I told him everything that was coming to mind for a lap-steel part is reminiscent of something I just did so…. “Um, is that Strat still here? Yeah? Okay, let me see how it sounds through the lap rig.” [listen to the forthcoming album to find out!]

Tank, Day 3

4/23

Today was mostly dedicated to tracking lead vocals and miscellaneous auxiliary and/or foundational guitars (electric 12-string, Nashville acoustic, etc.).

A particularly enjoyable day.

Engineer/co-producer Ben tracks a singing Arty.
Engineer/co-producer Ben tracks a singing Arty.

ALB in the Tank

Stone Document, me ‘n’ Wilder, Ghost Ghost all resuming some degree of activity leads to the next installment: The Arty LaVigne Band enters the studio. We spent a day in the studio starting on rhythm tracks for the debut ALB release (as yet untitled) with Ben Collette at Tank Studios manning the faders and Rose Durfee assisting. There were a few hurdles getting here (including broken ankles and scheduling snafus – all our own fault, BTW) but it feels really good to be on our way!

We also had a visit from long time friend Rob O’Dea (who worked on the second John Tower Group and the LaVigne/Christensen albums we did at Joe Egan’s place (Feels like a million years ago). A pleasant surprise that helped set the mood.

  • all photos by Andrew Bedard except where noted

The Day On You

Ten years to the day since the release of our last single (Hey Princess), Ghost Ghost is proud to share with you our tribute to the late Tom Verlaine. Our version of his song The Day On You shines a light on the influence he had on us and how we use guitars. Hope you like it.

Tom Verlaine

On the heels of losing Jeff Beck, this one hits hard.

He was the cornerstone of my Post-Punk influences and the foundation of my musical relationship with my Ghost Ghost guitar partner, Karl.

R.I.P. and thank you, Mr. Verlaine.

Wilder and Me

MC and DW, about to head onstage.

Got to hit the stage with regular co-conspiritor, David Wilder to crank out a handful of songs at Middlebury College’s Wilson Hall. It was heaps of fun and really nice to be on my buddy Sam’s turf (he’s the T.D. and primary sound dude there). A nice reminder how much more fun performing is when you have a safe pair of hands at the board.

There was some video shot that I hope to be able to post soon. Stay tuned!

The Art of Sound

I was honored to be asked to make noise with some old friends as part of an electronic music concert that was organized with several classes happening during Winter Term here at Middlebury College. Each of my co-conspirators are people I would drop everything for, grab the Stick and stompboxes and head into the musical unknown.

Sandy Nordahl – computer, keyboard, iPhone
Peter Hamlin – Roli keyboard with computer and visualizations
Matthew Evan Taylor – woodwinds, Boss RC300 Loop Station
Mark Christensen – Chapman Stick and effects, looping
Jack Tipper – computer, synth and custom-designed sounds

Performed live at Middlebury College’s Robison Hall, January 15, 2023.