:: mike errico diary ::

:: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 ::

"Sweet Anesthesia" is in the can. Nine down, three to go. Fish in a barrel, man. I'm telling you.

It was so great to get this one done. It's been sitting around since the days of "Pictures of the Big Vacation." Finally, it's getting to see its day. I'm glad. I've been waiting for it. It's coming together great.

Tomorrow... more.
:: mike 10:09 PM [+] ::

"Something New" is in the can. Really fun, rocks hard and sounds great. Very psyched.

Done, done, on to the next one...
:: mike 10:08 PM [+] ::

"Ever Since" - I think the best lead vocal yet. Incredibly emotional, intimate, strong... it's something I'll be proud of for a long time. Only thing is that the harmonica solo sounds a little lost in all of the high-test arranging. We may have to pull it, and put someone else in. Talks continue.

Seven down, five to go. My early morning thought: "How it Ends"
:: mike 5:42 AM [+] ::

"Packing My Bags." Done. Six down, six to go.

As quiet, and "easy" as it is to sing, this was the hardest day in the studio so far - just finding the emotional balance within the song, and projecting it into the track. Did David Lee Roth think about this stuff? I don't know. Maybe.

Back in today.



post a background.
:: mike 8:42 AM [+] ::

Minor change. I warmed up and felt really strong, so instead we hit "OK to Go," the one inspired by the movie "Contact." Kind of inspired by it, anyway. It's all just going down smooth, and with plenty of time for a mellow dinner and hanging out with friends.

Today might be "Packing My Bags."
:: mike 6:18 AM [+] ::

OK



Here it is.



I'm walking into the final week of tracking. One straight week of vocals. I slept 12 hours last night, drank a ton of water, and my voice is on point. By next Sunday, all tracking will be complete. It's just unbelievable.

I'm thinking "Packing My Bags" today, though I'm not 100% on that yet. I have to look over some stuff and see what feels good. It all feels good: It's just a matter of choice and pacing.

God, I'm psyched.
:: mike 8:55 AM [+] ::

The laughing cure.

post a cure.
:: mike 8:48 AM [+] ::

Musical suggestion, if I may:


I'm not a Jon Brion scholar, but go to http://www.myspace.com/jonbrion and listen to "Here We Go." I think it's a great song.

post a rebuttal.
:: mike 8:11 PM [+] ::

Good times, out there with Lesley in PA. Back from it, and holy shit. A whole day off, since we decided not to stay over at the crappy hotel. Shocking, I know, to give up the opportunity to be awakened by the sound of distant vaccuuming.

June 1. The record will be fully tracked.

Psyched.
:: mike 2:50 PM [+] ::

New Hope, PA with Lesley, today. Two shows. Should be fun. I haven't played with her in a while. I've brushed off the solos, and the black shirt. I really like it there. There's a little Thai place called Siam that is possibly the best Thai food I've ever had. I wonder if it's still open. It's been a while.


post
:: mike 7:45 AM [+] ::

Lead vocal and backgrounds are done for "Whatever You Say." Rocking. I'm really happy. These are just going down easy, no sweat, no hangups... just setting em up and knocking em down. I'm digging this, for real.

comment.
:: mike 7:34 PM [+] ::

DragonForce: Video

U.K. "extreme power metal" band DragonForce shred up a conference room in this two-part video performance/interview.

CLICK ON THE PIC


FROM BLENDER.COM
:: mike 7:44 AM [+] ::

Lead vocal for "Run" is done. Backgrounds, too. Three songs are fully completed and ready for mix.

Ha.

That's all I can say.


say something else here.
:: mike 3:45 PM [+] ::

Vocals, doubles and harmonies are done for "Girlfriend Weather," possibly the title track of the record. It's beautiful, and fun, and all that. This is now the easy part, and I'm very much in the zone. Bring that shit on. Can't wait for tomorrow... "Run" is the planned track.


post a Mother's Day card.
:: mike 5:51 PM [+] ::

Vocals are done for the song we are still calling "Better Here". They're beautiful, I'm rested up nice, singing great. Really fun.

My thought for today is "Girlfriend Weather." I like the idea.


post a background.
:: mike 6:16 AM [+] ::

I will be talking on the radio today, discussing Blender magazine's "50 Worst Things Ever to Happen to Music" piece on WNYC

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS, PODCAST, DOWNLOAD

We may be taking calls.
:: mike 8:52 AM [+] ::

I can't believe it. All the music is done. On to the vocals. I can't believe it. I can't believe it's done. It sounds awesome. The "Sweet Anesthesia" tracks and solo... I can't believe it. "Packing My Bags" - the tag at the end... I can't believe it. The guitar on "You Could Be Anywhere" - I can't... I... the drums on "Girlfriend Weather," I mean, he's... KILLING them. I can't believe it. I can't believe how it's coming together. It's for real. And it reminds me of the best of "Pictures" with the best of "Skimming." How can I ask for anything more?

I'm totally loose, and totally free, and I just want to step to the mic and stroke the ball over the left field wall. It's all felt like that so far, and the plan is not going to change.

I just. I just can't believe it.


post a sense of disbelief
:: mike 7:31 PM [+] ::

Today may be the last day of tracking instruments. We are ready for vocals. I can't believe it. It just kinda crept up on me. Which is fine, but not how I pictured it. It never is.

This weekend has been amazing - solos on "Please Stop Leaving" "Run" and a desperately beautiful "Sweet Anesthesia" that just fell out of me. I was stunned by it.

Today we're finishing lap steels and keys on "Sweet Anesthesia" and then... we're ... ready for vocals? I can't believe it. But I think that's the story.

Amazing.

post a comment.

.
:: mike 6:44 AM [+] ::

The 50 Worst Things Ever to Happen to Music

Scott Stapp. Pop-opera. The braided goatee. These are just a few of the things even the most open-minded among us cannot abide.

CLICK ON THE PIC


FROM BLENDER.COM
:: mike 9:08 AM [+] ::

Stuffmagazine.com takes on “Saved by the Bell”


Stuffmagazine.com takes on Saved by the Bell

Ever wonder where the kids from Bayside High would be today if they really existed? Click on the pic to read our guess as to what Zack and the gang would be up to. Here's a hint: Mr. Belding is dead.







FROM STUFFMAGAZINE.COM
:: mike 9:00 AM [+] ::