Wednesday 21st October 2009
Up, up and away…
It’s all happening so quickly now. Too quickly? Perhaps. Be careful what you wish for eh? We were graced with a flying visit from our manager and A&R today. They’ve come over to touch base before we head off to record. Yes, it’s really actually happening.
I collected them at Dublin airport and we headed straight for our studio where the boys were ready in waiting. They scrubbed up well and the studio was the cleanest it’s possibly ever been. The plan was that we would play the wish list album live and then exchange thoughts on the songs. Best scenario, we all agree that we’ve chosen the right tracks, worst would be that there are a few we’re all undecided about. It’s a bit late in the day to be looking for new songs of a high standard though so we don’t want that option please.
It’s weird playing the songs in a showcase format, it’s hard to know how one should behave. It’s a small room, these people aren’t strangers yet you still want to perform the songs with all your gusto. I’d normally bop around the room to my hearts delight when rehearsing, and the lads wouldn’t pass a remark, but it may look contrived to two people sitting a metre away from me on a couch if I start giving it loads. The result was a happy medium- I stood up and pulled a few moves where I couldn’t resist. They politely applauded after each song and for some, there was no comment necessary, it was just- “yeah, super, nothing to say, great track, well done” and for others there were little arrangement observations. There’s only one song that we all agreed is arguably not as strong as the others, this is a song that I’ve always felt we could bring into the studio as one we could more openly experiment on. I figured that one work in progress out of twelve was a small risk.
Overall, it couldn’t have gone any better and it’s so important that they return to Germany excited about the album and confident that it’s going to be great, because that’s how we feel.
After the “showcase” we all went to town and headed to Luigi Malone’s for a chat and a meal. Safe in the knowledge that the label would pay for it (all recoupable of course ϑ) -we stuffed our faces. I actually find this part of the job difficult. It’s a definite drawback but small talk is lost on me, if you engage me on the issues of mutual interest, our career or the music industry in general, I’ll talk ad infinitum, but if we get to general topics I usually go quiet. This kind of happened tonight. It was one of those big dinner tables where a group conversation wasn’t possible so there were pockets of different chats and mine was with some tasty chorizo.
Here’s a photo taken in the studio today of the band with Thomas our A&R and Josephine our manager:
Thursday 22nd October 2009
Who are you?
There’s so much more to think about now than just the songs, it’s album covers/photos, the band image, marketing strategies etc and that’s been preoccupying my brain. There’s a big difference to the process this time however. We know more. We’re somewhat enlightened and we’re eager to assert ourselves positively to ensure past mistakes don’t recur and that further success can be achieved.
The reality is, there was a time not so long ago when I really didn’t think we’d have a second album, it was all so up and down and things didn’t seem to be flowing. We all thought it, we didn’t vocalize it, we just thought it. What scared me about this fact was that I was left looking back at a brief career with some really great highlights but having to admit that I didn’t enjoy myself. Occasionally yes, but overall, no. I was always too worried about my voice or about the business plan and the direction of the band to just stop and think, “hey, I’m onstage in front of another 10,000 people tonight and isn’t this just brilliant?”, no, I was thinking “fuck I hope I can hit that high note in ‘Older’ and that it doesn’t rip my voice to shreds for the rest of the set”.
So I’ve made a solemn promise to myself that this time- I have a second chance, and come hell or high water, I’m going to savour every minute of it. We’ve stronger songs that aren’t full of vocal acrobatics, the mood of the tracks is more positive and uplifting and we have a label and management set-up that for the first time ever feels right. So I’m not going to be the first one going home after a gig anymore, I’m not going to miss out on playing soccer with the Kaiser Chiefs or kicking the shit out of Cradle of Filth, no, this time, I’m going to be in the thick of it. “Aftershow party?” I’m there, “Late night inappropriate skinny dipping?” Count me in! More than anything, I just want to relax in it, we all know what we have to do and we’re doing our best to put people in place to take the pressure off us so that we can focus on performing - that’s gotta be good right? Mine’s a Southie and red, ta.
Monday 26th October 2009
Es Tut mir leid…
We spoke to our elusive producer Andreas today. Woop woop! I’ve met him before, the guys haven’t. But he started off, in excellent English btw, apologizing for his poor level of contact this year and the delay to our recording process, briefly explaining the reasons behind same. I have to say, it was a classy move, and whereas before this point we were still a bit pissed off, that all fizzled away and new life was breathed into us. He had already listened to the songs, he knew them by name (I didn’t have to sing a few bars over a phone, which is always a relief) and already had ideas for them. That was very refreshing and encouraging. He talked through the way he intends to record, rehearsing live first and recording it, saving anything we like and changing around the song arrangements where necessary. This is exactly how we want to record, we want there to be a raw, live feel to the album. He impressed us greatly and we were left beaming. ‘Happiness in the Royseven camp, whatever next…??
News in my briefs…
We’ve decided to run a beard growing competition in Hamburg. We’ll take photos of each band member daily and by the end of the process we’ll post our mugs on facebook and allow the public to judge who has the most impressive growth. I’m ready to lose, I don’t care. I’ve to do some TV work on the 15th December so I’ve a notion to keep the facial hair for that and freak some people out.
I’ve been laying into my “German for Dummies” book, I’m determined to learn more and use it when away. The difference this time is, I’m enjoying it and seeing progress so I’m confident that I’ll get along just fine.
I went to Achill Island to surf again last weekend. The swell was 16ft, you couldn’t possibly ride the wave, but it was the most amazing feeling to be hoisted up so high then bitch slapped back into the sea. I had the time of my life. Only problem is, it’s so cold I had pins and needles in my extremities for at least an hour afterwards. Can you surf in Hamburg? Mmmm….
- PAUL WALSH - ROYSEVEN
