Saturday 27 November 2021

Friday again

 Although I'm sure it won't be when I hit the 'publish' button. A nice bright day and I hope to get some studio time - back to the old 4-sided as I think I've done enough for now on the Soup testing. Only slight issue is the dog still being here but hopefully that will be sorted this weekend. It isn't that I don't like the pooch - I do - but I'm not ready for another, and if I was it wouldn't be a daschund. 

Tim and I jammed a few things yesterday that are sounding rather cool today. Two different mixes and they could almost be entirely different tracks, but listening unstoned there's much to enjoy in both. Makes me think we should get some of the newer things together for a release, even if nobody in the world is terribly interested.

I have the album with Paul Ellis ready to go, just as soon as he's out of Facebook jail. Should also chase Matt / Ron and see about the Groove release, could get that uploaded too then I needn't worry about misplacing the audio. I have more material too but no rush to put anything else out - one track went onto the latest Sequences, which is four hours long so dunno if I'll ever get through it all. 

Which reminds me - I must check my recordings from the trip away and get something into the GR-1. 

Ooh, just checked Groove's site and the CD is available. Good job I looked!

http://www.groove.nl/cd/g/gr-320.html

Surprisingly they offer it as a download - not something I'd expected, although I guess I should have. All I said up front was I'd hold off my bandcamp for a while to allow CD sales a head start. Hey ho, all good. Dog still here, meant to be another 10 days...

Occurred to me today that the four BlackBox pads I filled today could be supplemented by three more lots of four, one for each of my setups. The 4x4 division almost makes it an essential thing. Will be interesting to see if any variations in the BB's perceived tempo from three diff sources. Anyway, if I move to setup 1 tomorrow and the top row of four, that sounds like a plan. 

---tickety tock---

It's Saturday but a week later. Groove CDs are on the way, apparently well-received so far, so that's good. What else to tell  you? Well, we went to Grasmere again, this time trogging up to Easedale Tarn, then continuing (much) higher. Good walk though if slightly longer than anticipated, what with the sun setting so early. Friday was a splendid afternoon Headshocking - just playing the result, 'A nice day in Tonedale', as I type - mellow and fab it is. Was somewhat stoned so made mixing error and got some samples mixed in with our playing but hey, effectus super absolutionem, right? Pablo 'definitely' going back on Tuesday. Admit I'll miss him but will be happy to be dog-free again. Pat will pine though, I can tell. Anyway, some pix from the week and the walk...










Oh that last one was from our late but fruitful outing, Tuesday IIRC. A reminder that late can be good on them thar hills. 

Thursday 18 November 2021

Back after a week in Borrowdale

 Got back but to a quickly frosty reception due to dog-minding escapade but hopefully smoothed now. Hard to get across the point about the importance of using your creatives juices right when they've just been boosted by a period of beauty and calm. Anyway, Saturday today and I did get some testing of new firmware, maybe sent more beta reports than system enjoys but hopefully did useful work. Then I started a very quick thing on the sequencer and recorded it and a basic drum loop into the BB. Would have loved to spend hours more on this kinda shit but hey, hopefully those batteries won't go flat too quick.












Sunday tomorrow, hope I can get to mum's wot with processions. Yeah, got there and spent a while longer on the new piece and beta testing. Amazingly they are going to release the firmware today, just a week after testing began. Seems rushed but what do I know?

Will try and do more this afternoon, depending on dog and vibe. 

Hmm, Thursday again. Went to Helm Crag (Grasmere) yesterday. Today I might get something done but dog still here and Pat battling a cold so who knows. Anyway here are three shots from the phone. 




This one either has Zaphod Beeblebrox in it or Tony moved as I did my panorama sweep:




Monday 8 November 2021

Sober Saturday Satisfaction

 Yes indeed, the last piece I did yesterday and sent to Paul fits in very well - in approximately a week we have a spooky ambient album of around 100 mins running time! Paul is more into long-form stuff, which stretched me and my working methods - but we got there. Now seeing if we can do titles and cover and get it uploaded over the next day or so. Currently listening and writing down title ideas, as usual. 

Tonight it's a curry with my sister, a belated birthday nosh. Might get something done this afternoon - haven't forgotten the second comic thing, which I already have one piece for. 


OK Paul and I have an album, titles and running order pretty much sorted so just a cover to finalise. Slick or what? Currently listening through ANT2 and trying to get my head around the various versions of old tracks I liked. 


Hmm, in the Lakes for a few days now, wandering about, taking pix, getting stunk and droned. These I took yesterday.