Hello you beauties.
Lots going on at the moment, some good, some bad. Despite this, as the band continues to come together, I continue to film the process. I'm currently working on the next blog update, so keep checking back and I'll keep you posted.
Meanwhile, I've found my VHS tapes of Moke recording Carnival at Rockfield Studios in Wales. I thought I'd lost the tapes, so am delighted to be able to finally share a few moments with you. The album sessions began in Los Angeles, but we didn't like it there, so decamped to sunny Wales. It was also about as far away from our record company as we could get. We stayed two weeks, I only wish it could have been more.
Rockfield is where many, many great albums have been made. For example, the piano in the clip really is the one used on Bohemian Rhapsody. Pretty cool, eh...? Add to that a fabulous collection of mics and outboard gear, great sounding rooms and best of all...total seclusion!
Next to the studio is a house, each one of us had our own rooms, with en suites (complete with whirlpool bath, no less). Every evening you'd write on the blackboard by the kitchen what time you'd like to be woken in the morning, as well as what you'd like for breakfast. And at around 5pm each day, a cordon-bleu chef would arrive and cook you a three-course meal for dinner!
After Rockfield, we went to London and spent several further months recording before finally heading back to Los Angeles for a couple of weeks where the album was mixed.
Below is advice on how to make a record...
a l e x m o k e
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Friday, 7 November 2008
Rehearsal No.4...
Feckin' Nora!
Rehearsal No. 4 took place last night and another song was added to the pot. Harry’s written some corking tunes – we’re all very excited! Everyone’s getting on top of the harmonies, as well as the instrumental parts that change subtly from verse to chorus. These subtle shifts mean learning the songs is a right old mental workout. If you’re not concentrating it’s easy to lose track of where you are. Good thing that we’re all such pros then. Er…
I’ve been filming select bits as we go along. I’d love to show you some of the music, but at this stage I can’t. Anyway you’ll just have to come and see it for yourself. Things are shaping up - gigs to follow soon.
Instead, here’s a short film about everything else that takes place when rehearsing. It packs sizzling facts, wise advice, poetry, epic voyages, hilarious jokes and lions, yes lions, into just two minutes! Spielberg and Tarantino are shitting themselves.
Rehearsals can be dull affairs, but not with this band.
a l e x m o k e
Rehearsal No. 4 took place last night and another song was added to the pot. Harry’s written some corking tunes – we’re all very excited! Everyone’s getting on top of the harmonies, as well as the instrumental parts that change subtly from verse to chorus. These subtle shifts mean learning the songs is a right old mental workout. If you’re not concentrating it’s easy to lose track of where you are. Good thing that we’re all such pros then. Er…
I’ve been filming select bits as we go along. I’d love to show you some of the music, but at this stage I can’t. Anyway you’ll just have to come and see it for yourself. Things are shaping up - gigs to follow soon.
Instead, here’s a short film about everything else that takes place when rehearsing. It packs sizzling facts, wise advice, poetry, epic voyages, hilarious jokes and lions, yes lions, into just two minutes! Spielberg and Tarantino are shitting themselves.
Rehearsals can be dull affairs, but not with this band.
a l e x m o k e
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