Mariana's Café: planned, recorded and job done - right?
I'd love to say that we went into the studio and simply laid everything down in a day, gave each other a high-five and went on our merry ways. Alas it didn't quite go like that, but we did get there in the end!
For several reasons getting this EP finished just took longer than expected, but should I be surprised? Apparently things taking a while to get moving is in my stars...
So what's up?
Several years ago, I was at an event that had an astrological chart reader so I thought I'd give it a go! I passed over my date and time of birth to the reader, and her answer:
"Oh, wow - that's interesting!"
Turns out that the planetary alignment for my chart suggests that I'll run around in circles for a long time, but once I get my head straight, there'll be no stopping me! Fortunately for the world, I chose music as my outlet and not some sort of Star Wars style inter galactic empire; who knows how long I'd be running in circles if I'd chosen that path!
The masterplan takes shape!
By the end of 2019, I believe I had really found my path - to record my musical ideas properly, so I embarked upon Mariana's Café at the start of 2020 (little did I know that this would be the first of the Covid years). I had the tunes in my head already so I set about writing out parts for others to play. I already knew a great drummer, the irrepressible force that is Dan Western; and he said to me, "I know a great double bassist who'd love this style of music." Step forward: Tom Moore. I was still in contact with one of my favourite vocalists from the local scene, Anna Stewart! So the bones were quickly in place. Next up, find a studio.
After a bit of searching around and I came across Generation Studios, run by Dean Nelson. I loved the crystal clear and lively sound that he captured at his studio. And that was it, the pieces were in place. I booked the studio for May 2020, so all I had to do now was wait...
But then the years big talking point happened.
Lockdown!
It started in March but I was optimistic that we could get into the studio for May, but as the weeks rolled on, it became obvious that wasn't going to be possible, not least because we couldn't rehearse!
So the dates were pushed back until August / September and this time we could get into the studio! We'd planned for 4 days, which was nearly right, but in the end we did need an extra half a day just to get everything polished off! By mid-September all the recording was finished, which was just as well as Covid started to rear it's head again in Autumn and things started to get locked down again.
After another bout of digital toing and froing...
And finally I had the tracks in place and as I wanted them, so it was over to Oli Heyward of Rogue Button to start the mixing and mastering process. Oli started working his magic in late 2020 and the EP was finally finished in February 2021.
Mariana's Café: planned, recorded and job done!
Although I've mentioned most of their names already, I want to give a special thanks to Julie Herries, Dan Western, Tom Moore, Anna Stewart, Dean Nelson and Oli Heyward for all their hard work and patience! Without their input, Mariana's Café wouldn't have been the same!
It may have taken over a year from inception to finally having the finished article, but it's here now and I really hope you enjoy it!
