A Band's Session In Wales

Hey Soul Mates,
tonight's recording session went very well. After a dozen runs through the track we are doing, we took a five minute break and returned to lay down 3 blazing takes. The first and third are hot and one of them will be our master take.

The day was spent getting levels and sorting out issues in the studio. We finished our day around 12:30 a.m. Energy is superb and we jumped around the yard to 99 Problems to let off a little steam. The civilians in attendance all agreed that the track is slamming. Tomorrow we'll do a few overdubs, Bryan's leads and the vocals. I will be handling all of the vocals this go round.

Doug and Bryan are doing some great work. Our engineer/producer Jim has been very supportive and has pushed us forward, even if we have a little trouble understanding what he's saying. Ha ha.

We've noticed that many of our Soul Mates on MySpace are leaving comments. Keep them coming!

I'm going to go outside for a moment. Clear the brain and wind down for sleep. The Welsh sky is clear and star-filled, y'all. Sun will be up in a few hours (like 3 a.m.).
From Wales With Love

There Are Places I'll Remember [Tour Recap]

Hey Soul Mates,
where to begin. It's been a tremendous week for us. We've played all over the North of England. Liverpool, Sheffield, York, Huddersfield & Barnsley. Right now, the band are in Monmouth, Wales at Monnow Valley Studios to record. We are thrilled to be here. It's been a hot and sunny day in the valley. We are surrounded by nature on all sides. This island has been very good to us in so many ways.

Nothing Is Real
Liverpool was almost too much. Being in the birthplace of the Beatles was a dream come true. Playing at their old stomping ground the Cavern Club was icing. Platinum icing. We began the bank holiday at Lennon's we played a short set there before moving across Mathew St. to the Cavern. The show at the Cavern was massive. We were introduced by the International Pop Overthrow Fest MC David Bash and launched into Fall Out and Everyone's Ingenue. The sound was pristine on stage. I've never had the privilege of playing a venue with such wonderful sound where I didn't have to scream a single vocal and still got out all the emotion I needed. The Cavern crowd grew during our set. When we finished the set with our Beatles' cover, the Word, the audience was completely with us. Many of them went to the merch stand to pick up copies of the tour EP. Must have been around 80 people in that tiny space. To play on a stage where Macca rocked the house was beyond belief. To rock the stage where Macca played? Priceless. We went over so well that we were called back to Lennon's to perform one more set! The hotness? A dozen people followed us across the street to singalong to the songs they'd just heard. That's right we played 3 shows in one night. And what song did Mr. Bash say from the Cavern stage was the "catchiest song of the festival?" A Talent For Loving. Thank you, Mr. Bash! We are indebted to you. Long live IPO.

Let Me Take You Down
The next day, the band hit the road to travel to York. On the way out of Liverpool, we drove to the suburb of Woolton. There we stopped at Menlove Ave. to pay homage at John Lennon's childhood home. That was overwhelming. To know that John had walked that drive and sidewalk. Touched the fence and the brick posts. I will never forget those few minutes at Menlove Ave. There are few artists who move me as much as John Lennon. I've known and loved his music as long as I can remember. His spirit flows through my music even where you can't hear it. I thought about my favorite Lennon compositions and reflected on his life and how it's impacted mine. It brought to mind several dear friends and family members who share or understand my love of the Beatles. I wish you could have been there to share the moment. I breathed the Woolton air in deeply and held it in my lungs in hope of bringing a bit back with me. Love is all you need.

I even chatted with the young boys who "live next to John Lennon." Everyone I've met has been pleasant and patient with me. From there we got in the car and drove up the hill to Strawberry Field, the orphanage that inspired Lennon's classic song Strawberry Fields. We managed to park at the orphanage and walk around to the main gate and snap some photos in front of the sign.

I hope to have those posted soon. In the meantime, it's back to the studio. I'll try to write about York and our adventures in Barnsley and Hudds soon.
From Wales With Love

A Hard Day's Night (Show Recap)

Hey Soul Mates,
the sun is shining brightly here in Liverpool today. I'm at the Liverpool Central Library with about 10 minutes to churn this blog out.

We arrived safely on Thursday. I took the wheel of our magic Peugeot and drove us North to Sheffield. The people have been very welcoming and the reception our music got was tremendous. Our debut show at the D 'n' R was short but slamming.

Set list:
Fall Out
Everyone's Ingenue
U Had The £
Everything My Heart Desires
Bad Penny Blues (Gold Digger)
A Talent For Loving

We had quite a few fans from MySpace at the show. So a few people knew our hits. Very cool. The organizer, Hayley and her family were gracious hosts. Thanks for having us on the bill.

From Sheffield we drove through the Peak District. Simply breathtaking views. It's all green here. Billions of shades. We stopped for lunch at the Spring Tavern in tiny Woolley Brigde (pop. 30). Doug got fish & chips, Bryan ordered a cold roast beef sandwich & I had a tasty sausage and cheese baguette. Trad English cuisine.

We've been in Liverpool the last few days. The days are long here. Sun sets around 9:15 PM. And everyone is dressed for clubbing all day long. The Cavern Quarter is solid music. Live venues every 20 feet. The people of Liverpool have a great appreciation for music and musicians. Everyone we've met is surprised we're here. Seems our accents are as thick as theirs.
But Americans in the North! Why Liverpool? One gentleman suggested we were touring "the decrepit cities of England." While it was humorous, I'd disagree. These are lively places. Filled with character and characters.

The Cavern Club itself is amazing. A very loud, smoky, awesome room. We are going to be on the big stage that McCartney performed on a few years back. How cool is that?! Later today, I'm going to see the Beatles' museum right next to our hotel on Albert Dock.

Time's about to run out on the public computer. Oh, this library has got a gorgeous round reading room dating from the late 19th century.

We've added a show in York at a place called the Roman Baths. Apparently a venue/bar situated in an old, you guessed it, Roman Bath. Should have great acoustics. Ha Ha.

I'll try to check in before we leave for York.
From Liverpool With Love