We hit an important and exciting milestone for my upcoming EP, “Timeless”. WE ARE DONE WITH THE IN-STUDIO TRACKING! Woohoo! What does this mean, you ask? That means that we have finished recording all the parts for the songs that are being done in the studio. Four songs still need to be mixed and another recorded and mixed, but this is super exciting, y’all!
Photo taken during a vocal recording session
And we have something else really special planned. We are going to do a live video and bonus live take of one of my new songs right in my apartment…surrounded by Elvis stuff!!! The music I am most influenced by is the music of Sun Studio. When Sun started in the 1950s, they didn’t have the technology to do what we do now, where musicians can come into the studio separately and layer their tracks over what’s already been done. If they made a mistake, they couldn’t just punch in to the spot where they goofed and try from there. They had to get a usable take in one sitting without stopping or do it over and over again until they did. We’re going to try our hand at it! I can’t wait to see how it goes.
I want to share some pictures from the making of the album with you, and I want to take this space to thank the incredible people who have worked with me to make some music magic on this EP.
First of all, I have to mention Matt Juliano. He has worked tirelessly to learn an entire genre of music he has never played before and then write mandolin and guitar parts to all my songs. He didn't even know what rockabilly was a few months ago, and now he is making my songs rock in the best way. I'm so grateful!
Matt's studio concentration face
A picture of Tony and Dane working on a song
Tony Mickle offered to play electric bass for one of my songs, and he was able to add a particular brand of cool that he brings to all his performances! He and Matt are a part of a local Orlando band called Beemo. Please support them by checking out their website and keeping an eye out for their album, which will be coming soon. www.mynameisbeemo.com. They have taken such great care of me and introduced me to the Orlando music scene. I have so much love for these guys!
I'm also lucky enough to know the most badass upright bass player around, Abigail Cline! We went to college together and are very good friends. She survived a trip to Memphis with me Elvis fangirling all over the place. That is true friendship! Haha. You will hear Abigail's bass skills on four of the songs on the EP, and I am just honored to know her. She is a multi-talented artist. In addition to playing bass, she writes her own singer/songwriter music and composes theatre music alone and as part of an up-and-coming composer/lyricist pair called Pekar and Cline. Please support her by checking out her website, buying her music and/or following her work on social media: www.abigailcline.com.
Abigail slapping that bass in the studio
Other studio musicians who have brought my music to life in ways I never could have on my own are Brandon Miller (bass guitar), Gerald Law II (drums) and Andrew Williams (electric guitar). I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such professionalism and joy. These guys really love what they're doing, and they are damn good at it! Please support them by checking out what their music at the below links and by booking them if you ever have a need for a studio musician.
Brandon Miller's website: brandonmillermusic.squarespace.com
Gerald Law's website: www.geraldlawmusic.com
Andrew Williams' YouTube: youtube.com/andrewwilliamsband
I couldn't write this post without mentioning Dane and Christian of Wholehearted Productions. They treat their artists with incredible respect, and they have helped bring all my visions to life. Making my kind of music is a step out of their comfort zone, but they have gone on the journey with me, never backing down no matter how many times they've asked me, "What do you want here?" and I've replied, "I don't know." If you are local to Orlando and are looking to record, please consider their services. You can find them at their website: wholehearted.productions.
WE ARE MAKING IT HAPPEN! I can't wait for you to hear what we've been cooking up.
Peace, love and rockabilly,
Amanda Lyn (and Rosie)