25% of a Studio

This semester is a bit discouraging.

It seems as though everyone else has got something going on. They've formed bands or tight alliances and have a strong team to support everyone involved - be it gigging or for folio. This year I'm pretty much doing it alone. There are 4 big jobs when creating a song and having it come to life: Songwriter, Producer, Engineer, and Instrumentalists.

Songwriter I have down pat. Pretty comfortable with writing a song, structure, progression, lyrics, melody. The ones I love are few and far between but at the end of the day that's what I am, a singer-songwriter.

Engineering isn't too bad. The job basically (technically) consists of setting up the day; protools session, mics, and running the show. Learning how to mic is really just that, learning. A lot of trial and error; a lot of experimenting and eventually you find something you like. Learning protools is also fairly simple. Once you understand the layout and how it works, all you need to learn are the shortcuts and you're on your way. I've got my head around it pretty well - though sometimes I do muck up still. But who doesn't!

The instrumentalists have a decent amount of pressure on them (at least they would in the real world where money is involved). You give them a chart, a listen to the song, a direction, and they roll with it. Sometimes they'll have a lot of guidelines to keep in mind, other times there's no direction and they just do what they're feeling.

A producer is the hardest thing (in my eyes). To me, they're the King of the studio. They tell everyone who does what, they have to see the big picture in the song without forgetting about the small, background noises that fill it out. It's a very creative job.

Technically, these are all different jobs, but in a growing world, they are merging more and more. It's very likely for you to find one person who does all of these things.

This semester I've had to take on the roll of everyone but the instrumentalists. I will be the FIRST to say I am not cut out for it. Engineering I could get a grasp of with enough time, but in the present environment, I don't feel I've got enough time to be adequate at it. Producing is the big one for me, though. When I write a song I don't think about other guitars, drums or piano; I don't think about the groove or feel or tempo. I just write. It comes out of me and I write it down. "What kind of feel do you want?" "Where is this going?" "What instrumentation do you want in it?" "What do you want the instruments to be doing?" "Where do they come in? When do they come out?" The simple fact is; I don't know. I can tell you if I don't like something, and I can tell you what I don't want, but for me to be confident and finite about where the song is going?... forget about it.

That's why this semester is proving to be challenging. Last night I had a drum session tracking 2 of my songs. Thankfully my friend Jared was there to help with the engineering side of things, and when I made a mistake in protools he fixed it faster than I could have. But as soon as he left and I was in the room by myself the nerves set in.

Yeah, we got through it all right. And the guy I "hired" was a magnificent drummer. He churned out some ideas of his own, humored me with mine, and when I gave him a not-so-easy beat to try he powered through and didn't give up. I quite like him.

However, my direction wasn't very clear. I'm aware of this. With back-and-forth idea bouncing through the wall we managed to finish the songs and they sound fine, but I'm left looking back wondering if it's really where I want the songs to go. That awesomely daunting question.

All I can do at this point is keep with it and see what the end result is. So that's what I'm going to do, but damn it's frustrating.

Ultimately I would love to have one of those little alliances/groups. I know I definitely want to find a guitarist who can sing with me, and ideally I also want to find a producer who sticks with me, gets to know me, and believes in what I do.

Knowing that I probably can't find this here is hard to accept. Well, to be honest, I haven't quite accepted it yet; I still have my eyes and ears open but there aren't any prospects so far. Last year was fun for me - I had Josh King on my side as a producer. He's incredibly talented as well, and we listen and write pretty similar music so I thought it could have been the perfect match. By the end of the semester, though, I realized we lacked one key thing: communication. It's not that we didn't express to each other our thoughts and feelings, it's that we didn't see eye-to-eye on them. The songs came out wonderfully, but not at all what I originally "had in mind."

Needless to say he didn't even hint at wanting to work with me this semester. Oh well!

I don't feel I'll get much out of this semester to be honest, but that doesn't mean I won't try. I hope I don't have to do it solo next year as well but if that's the case, I'll still do the best that I can. In saying all that, I know that if I called anyone in the program up in dire need, they would come to my rescue. I'm not totally alone, and I'm thankful for that.

Proud of Myself

I’m proud of myself. Perhaps it’s not for doing anything magnificent or outstanding; but for me, this journey has been just that.

A friend tonight was telling me how much they hate it here, and how every day they find something new to give them reason to leave. I remember feeling that exact way when I first moved here. The cons I could list would take too long to mention – this place is not home; never has been, and never will be. However, the few pros that do exist are what keep me here: the ability to write and record my own music; collaborating; meeting new people who have the same passion as me. The (very) few good friends I’ve found also make it a bit easier.

When M was saying how he can’t wait to leave, I responded with, “I’ve been saying that since the day I moved here.” I thought back to the actual day and how distraught I was. The actual thought process of “I could book a flight and be home in a few days; I won’t know what I’m missing if I leave before the semester starts,” went through my mind. The anguish and tears are indescribable. But I stuck it out – with great and many thanks to my Mom. Every moment brings a new challenge, and I still can’t think further ahead than a semester or I get freaked out, but I am so glad I came here. If not for anything else, but at the very least, an experience. Things I never would have done before; people I never would have met; places I never would have seen.

Truth be told, I really can’t wait to graduate and move back closer to home, but that doesn’t mean I’m taking what I have here for granted.

So yes, I am proud of myself. February of 2011, all it would have taken was for somebody to seriously say “Come back” and I would have. But that was over a year and a half ago, and I’ve only got one more to go. It’s been a big obstacle for me but I am overcoming it – and I get to sing, too!

Youtube.com/AbbyGardnerMusic   (<--- new video here)
Soundcloud.com/AbbyGardner

There have been a lot of dramas as of late within my group of friends, but these guys I feel pretty safe around 

(until we all move away, at least). (And yes. That is me on top of them. after a pillow fight.)

In the last month I’ve been to the DrumScene Live clinic in Brisbane to watch Pete Lockett, Dom Famularo, Thomas Lang and Dave Weckl rock out.

I’ve explored Mt. Tamborine and got a small juke-box-winding toy that plays Hey Jude.

Went to the Gold Coast show (a fair)

And seen various live performances, mostly by my peers.

My first gig with Emily went really well – unfortunately there are no pictures or video so you’re going to have to trust me! I even had to remind my partners of the lyrics to a song right on stage, but everyone had a laugh and we just kept playing. Afterward the other performers gathered around and jammed for an hour with plans for another one in a few weeks.

I also met a lovely Irish guy. But my camera was broken while he was here so I have no physical evidence of this.

Anyway, all in all, looking back to how low I felt when I first moved here, I'm proud that I've made it so far. I've grown in many ways and I hope it never stops. Still miss home and I hope everyone is well.


<3 A

A Hectic Month

So the last month has been a bit hectic. 

As far as my social life is concerned, it’s definitely a roller-coaster. Sometimes you think you know someone, and they change; spin on a dime. You think you’re at the start of something great, and they drop a bomb that can’t be taken back. We’ll leave it at this: making real friends… is hard. 

Five weeks ago I came home to a pretty quiet house. After I put my purse down in my room and started to unwind, Di came to my door and said “I’ve got to tell you something.” Immediately my mind started racing: is someone ill? Have I done something wrong? And a dozen other things raced all in a matter of seconds. “Trav has been offered a full-time job in Melbourne, which means we’ll be moving there. We have to be out by the end of April.” 

And the race was on. I had to find a place and move into it in four weeks. I didn’t want to go through that stress again, but alas, some things are out of your control. However, I do have to say, I was happy for them. I’m not bitter about a great opportunity for them. 

Luckily my persistence and stress-head-mind comes in handy sometimes – I found a place within two weeks, and last week I moved in. I’m now living with a mother and her 19-year-old son, as well as her boyfriend (who is supposedly “temporary” ;) They are seriously wonderful people, and the son actually quite reminds me of my own brother! The house is a bit out of the way from Uni and everything else, but I’m working out shortcuts and bus schedules to make it easier. 

As far as Uni is concerned, it’s sped up a lot. As every semester, they’ve put assignments all in the last six weeks. Booking studio time has been an absolute paaiinnn. People like to book rooms and studios and then not show up. All of the reasonable hours are taken up so for the last three nights I’ve been there until at least 1am, if not 3am. Tonight’s my first night “off” and I am going to sleep SO good. (I hope!) 

Searching for a job isn't any easier than it wasn't last year. Applied about a dozen places but the only news I've heard is "no" from an HR assistant position. Still looking though! I'll have a few dollars coming in eventually though! Playing my first gig next month!! I've formed a trio with a new friend from Uni (a first year), and she knows a great guitarist who is going to back us while we do originals for a 40 minute set. We're both fairly nervous about performing, so we're getting over our nerves together. I'm pretty excited.. 

The days are still hot, but the nights are getting chilly. I know, I know, it’s not Canada cold, but it’s not warm either! 

Missing home a lot lately so I’ve been searching for cheap flights home in the summertime – trying to keep a logical head about it. 

I hope you’re all well and the weather’s warming up nicely for you :)

Cheers!

Drum Session

Last week we recorded drums and I thought I'd give you a taste of what that looks like, some shots didn't turn out but here's a peek of Studio A (thanks to Michael for the access!)

 Me, just being artsy, here's what the patching really looks like: (and considering, a fairly simple setup)

The analogue desk in A :) Can't wait for this baby:

My producer hard at work. 

Drummer, also, very hard at work. 

From drumboy's perspective: "Room 1"

After a long night, we feast! Cooked by yours truly. 

I've also decided to start posting videos on Youtube of simple recordings, so be on the lookout for that :)

Cheers!

To Cricket, or Not to Crick It

Well it's almost been a month since I arrived back under the sun. (Feels like forever!) Speaking of which, damn is it hot. The last few days haven't been as bad because we've had some wind and rain, but the humidity is killer! Anyway.

Michael recently had a gig at the Gabba in Brisbane - where they play cricket - so I decided to tag along. I have one word of advice for you: Don't. Cricket is soooo boring. It's an easy enough day with an air conditioned room and fabric seats, but if you were to buy a ticket and go sit in the sun all day in hard plastic seats? It's just not worth it. So the stadium is crap, but the game is just a lazy man's baseball. But it lasts for 8 hours.

Regardless, I took some pictures.

Afraid of a little rain! 

 More rain. Still afraid.

 But man can they throw...

 The crowd was way more entertained by this ball than any play in the game. But really, who could 

blame 'em!!?

Anywho, the semester has started and I know there's going to be lots of work involved for these classes. Also currently looking for a job - I've applied at a few places already, just hoping to hear back from my favorites sooner than the not-as-favorites.

cheers!

Round 2!

And I'm back.

I guess I've been back for a couple weeks, but it's been pretty uneventful.

I'm now living in a house with 3 other people so far: a couple that owns the place rents out three rooms to me, a guy Adrian, and one empty right now. They're really nice people, but I'm not used to living this way! For years I've been living in 3 or less rooms. In Toronto I had my bedroom, bathroom and kitchen to wander about in. Last year, just one big room and a bathroom. Now I've got a dining room, living room, kitchen, tv area, my room and the bathroom. Whoa.

You might not think it, but this different living situation means I have to learn new social skills. I've had roommates before, good and bad, strangers and friends, but given the living situation, usually we kept to ourselves, but the bedroom door open meant you're welcome to keep me company! Not so much the case here. So, I'm learning slowly. Funny how such a little thing can be a hidden learning experience.

I won't show the house, but here's my very own new room!

It's a pretty good location - 10 minutes to shops and bus stop, I could walk to uni buuuuut, the sun may prove to be a bit too hot for a 30 minute walk.

Speaking of which, classes start next week. I've only got 2 days again this semester, both start at 9am, one finishes at 3, the other at 6. Not too shabby! I'm not really excited for classes, but I am excited to get doing stuff again. I've got big plans for this year (as I believe I mentioned in the previous post), and it'll all be starting soon.

Also. I went to Dreamworld for the first time yesterday. So fun. My stomach is still getting used to being thrown around but eventually i will do every ride. Annd they've got a Tiger world part, which really inspired me (as I have been a million times) to volunteer in Africa. But that's not for awhile, so lets stick to down unda!

Okay, as I said, nothing exciting has happened yet. But in case you missed my face, I messed around with my webcam this afternoon. :)

Haha, cheers.

Yikes.

So I became a little political; making promises I didn't keep. My bad, and my sincere apologies.

It's been a good couple of months back home, but I'm not quite ready to go back yet. I can't wait to do stuff again, as this was my first real (longg) break since the summer after I graduated high school, but I'll always hate leaving here.

I left the coast thinking that I would have a place to live with friends I knew, buut that has sort of fizzled out. I was left stranded to figure out a place to live while I'm not even in the country - this, is very, very hard. I know what area I want to be in but corresponding and trying to rent a room from strangers has proven to be quite difficult.

Thankfully Michael has told me I can stay with him until I find a place, but I'm a stresser. I want to have a place to put my boxes as soon as I go back!

I've already got my Uni schedule and it's pretty much like first semester - 3 days a week and kind of intense, but it'll be fun I think (I hope). I've decided to work extra hard this year. I did fine last year but I came out the end still feeling behind everyone else, so I hope I can learn to just throw myself in the deep end.

Part of this goal is going to be have a nice EP out for next break. I want to be able to come back with CD's and shove them in radio faces. And also iTunes. A lot of students don't do EP's until third year, which makes complete sense, but my situation is a bit different from theirs - I'm leaving the country after! Once I've finished the program my plan is to move back to Toronto and see what I can make of myself there. I can't rely on classmates or the local resources there, so I've really gotta take independence by the horns.

Please don't hold your breath for this ep. It is a goal of mine, but one way or another I'll still be keeping the soundcloud account alive :P

So I've rambled and talked about nothing long enough. 11 days 'til I'm up in the air again.

Cheers!