The Sea Will Decide

Recording day two

Lee — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 14:02:47 +0000

Back into the studio to finish off the six song EP. The song order is decided and artwork done – simple wins out – and to the part I love: adding a few textures and layers of sound. I pretty much knew what I was going to add, mainly some percussion, subtle guitar and light backing vocals. I steered clear of double tracking the vocals as I wanted that exposed rawness. Paul even did some backing and played the melodium on one track. It sounds great.

I’m really happy and this is probably the best thing I’ve recorded in a long while. Mainly because it is ‘me’. No hiding behind autotune or overdubs: essentially it’s me, playing the guitar and singing my songs. I love the exposed nature of the recording.

It should be ready next Friday and I’m hoping Rounder and Resident will carry it. The next stage into get it into some of the alt.country publications and reviewed and organise a tour for early next year. Wish me luck and perhaps buy the EP. It’ll be on iTunes too.

Recording day one

Lee — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 06:46:14 +0000

So, day one of recording is done. All in all a successful and fun day, although I’m knackered: singing and concentrating, solidly for 4-5 hours really does take its toll.

As I said previously – I’ve not recorded ‘live’ before, always with copious overdubs, stitching and a little ‘that’ll do’ – so today’s session was very interesting and a new experience. My music is not about note perfection or professional sheen, so why should my recordings be? The idea was to go in and capture the essence of what the songs are communicating; bum notes, scratchy guitar and all.

Paul at Church Road Studios is a great dude to record with. He’s very patient and calm – just what you need!

We managed to get 6 songs done some new and some older, but I’ve chosen those that work best solo (the next recording will be full band) and those that work as a set. Mostly downbeat, as is my want, but a couple of ‘brighter’ numbers too. For those that know any of my songs, they are:
Flags, I Know You’re Not The One To Blame, America, who You Are, Bleed For Me, I Am Lost. Btw before you reach for the pills, most of my songs are about hope…

Tomorrow is all about adding some layers for texture and some backing vocals. Nothing too much… Oh and I’m getting it mastered next week, hopefully with enough time for the in-store the following Saturday. Onwards and upwards.

Rehearsals, recording and in-stores

Lee — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 13:30:11 +0000

Howdy folks. It’s been a while. Feeling compelled to write something since I’m back playing again. Recently started rehearsing with the fellas again at the ace church road studios. It’s been going well but we’re keen to get as good as we can be before start playing live again: we’re thinking of sorting out shows and perhaps a tour, for the new year. If anyone can help or offer advice on the touring front, please get in touch. It’d be much appreciated.

I’ve been writing again, found easier but less pressure and a few months out – I’m also going in to the studio next week to record an EP. Well, more of an extended EP or mini-album (not really sure of the difference?). I’m going to go in hard and try and record it ‘live’ in the most part with some ‘twitchy’ noise/guitar/banjo overdubs. I’ve not recorded like this before, but I’m hoping it’ll capture the spirit of what the music is really about. That which a layer of professional polish ‘wipes clean’. Something like. I’m banging this out and getting it mastered and duplicated, ready to sell in the space of two weeks… And on that note: two weeks today (today being Saturday 19th November), I’m playing an in-store at the wonderful Union Music Store in Lewes. Should be really fun, if not a little daunting being that ‘up close and personal’: I love to play live, but I’m not that comfortable with the inter-song quiet moments. Anyway, Union Music will be selling my latest release for a very reasonable £5. As I hope will Rounder and Resident records.

I’ll update on the recording process over the coming week.

Thanks for reading and peace and happiness.

New The Sea Will Decide shows in June and July

Lee — Wed, 12 May 2010 15:23:14 +0000

Hello again. It’s me. Remember me? Nope? What do you mean ‘nope’?

Well, I have 3 shows to inform you of – before I come back with a more lengthy, informative rant about what I’ve been up to.

The Long Goodbye supported by The Sea Will Decide @ The Latest Music Bar: Thursday June 3rd 2010
Serious Sam Barrett supported by The Sea Will Decide @ The Basement: Tuesday 22nd June 2010
Bobstock: full lineup and venue TBC

Thanks and I hope you’re all happy and contented.

A tough week, but let’s be positive.

Lee — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:37:42 +0000

So it’s been a while since I posted last and I’m not really sure why… Actually, I think just because my life has, all of a sudden gotten really hectic. Anyways… It’s been a tough week, figuring stuff out and being lumbered with sorting out owning a record company, which is essentially like any other business. It’s hard working full time, writing, recording and rehearsing your own music and recording other artists to put out on our label. And still finding time to have a life. However, the old cliche rings true, nothing worth having is ever easy. Everything takes dedication and plain old hard work. But music is a large part of who I am and the alternative – giving it up – is not even an option. Beginning work on Frankylou’s ep was rewarding and having had the first rehearsal in a while this week, was also a treat – being in a band with people you love is the way to go. I’m not really sure what the message here is… Maybe there isn’t really one. But I do know that i’m susceptible to panic an these freak outs can get in the way of the real reason I do all this stuff: simply because I love it.

I know this isn’t well written, but I’ve no time for self-editing. Maybe there’s a metaphor in there somewhere…

Speed: it’s all too fast.

Lee — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:13:15 +0000

This is less a blog post, than a short rant. I’m becoming increasingly frustrated by our inability to play our songs at the right tempo. We’re getting better in terms of our general appreciation of each songs dynamics… but the speeds? Ah man, it’s just not happening. The songs I write tend to be sparse, delicate and fairly intricate arrangements that need space to breathe and focus on vocal melodies – that, to be frank, I spend a long time honing.Yet we insist on stomping our clods (is that a real term?) all over them… our bassist Andrew, once described one of our live performances as ‘an alt.country Ramones-style performance’. As funny as that is, it’s not exactly what I’m after… I’m trying not to be dictatorial and insist our drummer wears an earpiece connected to a metronome, but I’m at a bit of a loss as to what else to do?

We’re about to start recording an album, which we’ll be recording to a ‘click’… I see fractious times ahead. I may even have my first proper band strop. I’ll keep you posted.

Recognising the need to change

Lee — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 11:00:23 +0000

I’ve been watching a fair bit of live footage of my favourite artists on YouTube recently; seeing how they perform, how they work the dynamics and change their performance type for difference audiences, venues and shows – and even their instruments….

This has direct relevance for me (and us, as a band) as our guitarist doesn’t live close by, so rehearsals, as a full, 4-member line up are scarce and 50% percent of the time we have to play gigs as a 3 piece.

I’ve found this a constant ‘battle’ and have not been sure how to get around this issue – our guitarist (Duncan), is an excellent addition to the band, who creates awesome ‘sonic-textures’ that really enhance our overall live sound – when Duncan is not around we’ve played in exactly the same way, as when he is around and this has resulted in us sounding like a ’4 piece, missing a member’. This can’t ever be a good thing.

However, I think (and I never said I was clever) I now have a way around this issue… we play our gigs as a 3 piece as an ‘acoustic gig’; we strip everything back and play them in the delicate way they were originally conceived. This will help get to the essence of the original song and help to create two different and distinct performances that we can tailor to venue, gig and number of members present… so to speak…

We just need to get a bit cleverer…

Two more shows in September

Lee — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 08:30:15 +0000

So we’ve been booked to play two more shows in September – firstly we were contacted about playing Brighton Live, which, for those not in the know, is a week of FREE shows at many of the pubs and venues around Brighton. I organised a night two years ago (as a solo performer) and it was a great success. This time I’ll be playing with my band, minus my Wales-based lead guitarist. It promises to be an excellent night of free music. And I will just say again, it’s FREE, how awesome is that?

Brighton Live – Wednesday 30th September, Regency Tavern

Secondly, the excellent Melting Vinyl (a fantastic Brighton promotions company) contacted me about playing an open air music event in Brighton. We’re playing in the afternoon at 4pm, head-lining the ‘Woodland Stage’ – this is great for us, firstly because we’ve never played a show for Melting Vinyl before and secondly because we’ve never played an open air event either. They’re closing some of the streets off to traffic in central Brighton and musical mayhem will surely ensue… there are some great people playing, notably solo slots from the Miserable Rich and Clearlake.

Open Air Music Event – Sunday 20th September, Woodland Stage

Ok, yes, I did post these in reverse date order, but I’m hella excited, so please forgive me.

New songs keep you strong

Lee — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 10:15:37 +0000

Now, I’ve never really liked rehearsing much… I’ve been playing music in bands for about 10 years and have always dreaded the rehearsal: often unstructured, sometimes fraught, tense with bustling egos, they can, to be frank be a complete arse. It can be a struggle to get your ideas across without ‘damaging’ the frail, sensitive musician type. I would often feel a sense of despair and depression (yes really) after each practice.

But now… I love them! I don’t know what’s happened, really? I mean, there is a new bass player (the lovely Andrew), but the drummer is a friend I’ve worked with for years, in various musical guises and now we finally have a talented lead guitarist – which makes a massive difference to our live sound – in my long time friend, Duncan.

It’s all coming together nicely, and a trip to the practice room is no longer a thing to be feared. Sometimes we even laugh.

I’m finding it easier and am more comfortable explaining my ideas – maybe because I now have a much stronger direction – and new songs are forming into the musical gems I hoped they would, a whole heap easier.

And on the subject of new songs, I’m very, very excited about the two newbies we’re currently rehearsing. They’re sounding really strong, with some lovely bass lines and laconic drumming. I’m stoked. If anyone wants to hear them, let me know…

Anyway, that’s it for now. My posts are never that long – if you knew me, you’d know I’m a kinda ‘to the point’ guy.

3 new shows in August and September.

Lee — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:38:55 +0000

We’re very, very pleased to announce 3 new shows we’ve got coming up for August and September in Brighton:

Firstly, we’re supporting the awesome William Fitzsimmons at the Freebutt, Brighton on August 21st, on the Brighton date of his UK tour
Secondly, our good friend and herself a very talented musician Danni Nicholls is putting on a monthly ‘Hoedown’ at the World’s End on 29th August.
Lastly, we’re very pleased to be supporting Mickey Wynne as he plays a show for the release of his new EP, at the Albert on 3rd September

That’s about it for now, but keep popping back y’all for more details as and when we find out about them…