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Finally starting my OWN project

Did a little work on some new stuff in the last couple of rehearsals, so that was nice. Since we really need to get something on tape (or tracked or whatever it’s called now), we’re gonna bring in a Zoom H2 and see what we can hear. We’re to the point where recording rehearsals is getting to be non-optional to polish transitions and whatnot. It’s pretty !#$%&ing good now, but we NEED that last little bit, or I'm just not gonna be happy with it.

Talked about Set Lists, too. I decided that we need some of the 100% stuff ready to go with a transition between, some songs to record, and a hour long set in case of immediate bookings. Mostly, people agreed, but the fiddler is worried that it might not be up to par. He's wrong.

We have a two-song ready-to-record open mic bit together with a clever little vocalist rap. One’s a reworked Dolly Parton song, the other a classical/gypsy mashup instrumental, so pretty interesting There are 4 more waiting in the wings, nailed about 90%. An uptempo country, a jazz standard, a Harry Connick Jr cover, and an latin-ish original. Also (imo) 6 other jazz, 3 blues, 4 country, 2 gypsy, 3 classical, 3 originals (2 vocal) and 2 “pop” to the 70-80% level. And maybe a half-dozen that still need arrangements and transitions and stuff. Between all of that, there’s no doubt that we can get a couple hours together. Gonna record the half dozen tomorrow, listen critically, and decide where we are.

We talked through the website also with mixed results. I have no idea what to do about that, other than start a facebook page and buy a domain. I have hosting, but don’t want to write copy, or design pages, or really do anything at all for it if I can help it, because lazy

Three things that I learned this week:

P&W groups sometimes hire Buddhist bass players to sub. I’m still iffy about the whole thing and waiting for final confirmation besides, so I’m not sure yet, but this Sunday is a real possibility. I don't know what we're playing, but I have a feeling that this particular congregation isn't gonna request P&W quite so much, 'cause Let It Be was on their list a couple weeks ago.

Creaks from the floor are louder than my bass on every crap cell phone recording in our current practice area (18x30 with wood floors). I know it’s a frequency thing, but DAYUM!

The song All About that Bass is, in fact, all about that Bass, with no Treble. Also I like it. Shut up, it’s catchy and easy and the line is fun to play.
 
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Sunday’s unpaid party gig was fine if not extraordinary.
I think the beginning was better than the end, more due to the intoxication level of the bassist and fiddler than anything else.
(read: until we got too drunk to remember when songs end)

P&W groups sometimes hire Buddhist bass players to sub.

UHH, WHAT ?
Excuse me I need to go sit on the toilet.
 
Yes, this is quite a tale. I think it would make a good cable access documentary.

Right? The current case of characters is even pretty good.

The fiddler is a early-20's 5'9", 120 lb rail with long dark blonde hair that could be accurately described as "flaxen". He's VERY expressive while he plays. I watched him run 10 feet to wind up for a run-up. My daughter loves when he stands on one leg, calls it "flamingo mode". Happens all the time. I love it! He's a really strange bird; I'm glad we're buddies.

Pianist is also pretty young, maybe 25, and comes off like the most vanllia second grade teacher ever in professional situations. Until there's not a professional situation anymore. She puts on handmade slave bracelets and facial piercings prior to playing some of the most beautiful classical music I've ever heard. Then, she takes off the gear and goes back to her day gigs - Music Director for a Church, accompanist to a swanky ballet company, and in-home lessons for rich kids. Puts it on again, then heads home to her husband. And wife. And girlfriend. Boggles the mind.

Vocalist is an 40 yo old-school Nashville type who has this 70's Patsy Klien/Patti Griffin going on, with a little Diana Krall thrown in for good measure. She's over the top outgoing and charismatic. I once saw her go into a restroom and come out 5 minutes later, with a weeping woman in tow who was thanking her profusely for something I didn't understand. In FIVE minutes. I married that lady for a reason!

And I'm a mid-30's, half-crazy, disaffected-with-day-job slave drone, frustrated writer, mediocre bass player and notable booze hound just trying to hang on for the ride. Leading this group is SO much fun recently.

The ladies are both Pagan "clergy" (or whatever that's called), the fiddler is an Atheist, I'm a Buddhist "teacher" (fwiw) and we all spent half an hour on Tuesday discussing P&W music for the Christian church (quite a liberal one, obviously).

How is this not the best material evar? Maybe this thread turns into a book; if we don't already have 50 good pages in this saga, I'll eat my hat.
 
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Right? The current case of characters is even pretty good.

The fiddler is a early-20's 5'9", 120 lb rail with long dark blonde hair that could be accurately described as "flaxen". He's VERY expressive while he plays. I watched him run 10 feet to wind up for a run-up. My daughter loves when he stands on one leg, calls it "flamingo mode". Happens all the time. I love it! He's a really strange bird; I'm glad we're buddies.

Pianist is also pretty young, maybe 25, and comes off like the most vanllia second grade teacher ever in professional situations. Until there's not a professional situation anymore. She puts on handmade slave bracelets and facial piercings prior to playing some of the most beautiful classical music I've ever heard. Then, she takes off the gear and goes back to her day gigs - Music Director for a Church, accompanist to a swanky ballet company, and in-home lessons for rich kids. Puts it on again, then heads home to her husband. And wife. And girlfriend. Boggles the mind.

Vocalist is an 40 yo old-school Nashville type who has this 70's Patsy Klien/Patti Griffin going on, with a little Diana Krall thrown in for good measure. She's over the top outgoing and charismatic. I once saw her go into a restroom and come out 5 minutes later, with a weeping woman in tow who was thanking her profusely for something I didn't understand. In FIVE minutes. I married that lady for a reason!

And I'm a 35 year old, half-crazy, disaffected-with-day-job slave drone, frustrated writer, mediocre bass player and notable booze hound just trying to hang on for the ride. Leading this group is SO much fun recently.

The ladies are both Pagan "clergy" (or whatever that's called), the fiddler is an Atheist, I'm a Buddhist "teacher" (fwiw) and we all spent half an hour on Tuesday discussing P&W music for the Christian church (quite a liberal one, obviously).

How is this not the best material evar? Maybe this thread turns into a book; if we don't already have 50 good pages in this saga, I'll eat my hat.


I have changed my mind about the title for the PILOT,
I now think it, as well as the semi fictional band should be called

"FLAXEN".
 
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The consensus last night was that we need to quite screwing around and find a drummer. I'm gonna post on CL and see what I can find. Any feedback/advice/etc?

-*-*-*-*-

Are you looking for something outside the rock bang-bang-bang-bang scene? Are you a craftsman of the percussion world? Are you flexible enough to play with talented multi-genre musicians? Can you keep up with a top-flight fiddler?

We need you!

Potluck is a small contemporary left-of-the-dial ensemble currently interested in filling out our sound with a percussionist. We feature a fiddler and vocalist with piano and bass, playing with an eye to variety and musical interest.

Some examples of our tunes, genres, and variety:
Dark Eyes - Gypsy
Csardis - Classical
All of Me - Jazz
Jolene - Country
Mad World - Alt Rock
All about that Bass - Pop
Sway - Latin/Bossa
Finnegan's Wake - Irish
Walkin' in the Rain - Contemporary (Original)

We're looking for a flexible percussionist to join us and complete the ensemble. This person must be available for weekly rehearsals, own their own equipment (a kit is a fine start, auxillary/world is even better) and be willing to contribute creatively.

Performances start this fall! Email now!
 
We also recorded rehearsal. Don't think we got anything much worth publishing, but there are a couple of clips that will provide at least some kind of idea of what we do. I'll see if I can get some posted after I work them up this weekend.

I didn't realize that the "bump the mids to cut through the mix" advice that is passed around like gospel is beyond wrong for me. When I listened after, I was WAY mid-forward. I ended up scooping and dropping off the highs to get any kind of good tone. I need to fill out the bottom and it doesn't matter if people can hear me specifically or not.

Also had to back off the volume (of my 15w 1x8 practice combo, mind), but when isn't a bass player too loud?
 
First post - I think you may be overestimating the attention span of percussionists ;-)
Maybe just list the 'international jazz' genres and go from there.

Second Post - the standard 'bump mids/cut through' advice is for bands with heavyhanded (often downtuned) guitars with kick drum and possibly keys that are all competing for space in the bass spectrum. You don't have those issues, so yeah, your EQ is expected to be different. From your genres, and your description of where your EQ ended up, you're kinda in DB-emulation mode...
 
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