My greatest fear for the album recording process has always been the thought of not being able to finish the album at all - ten days is after all not an eternity, and at least not when you have drowned yourself in thoughts a little too big for your head. We've been struggeling a lot with how to approach each and every song. Some have been done in layers, instrument for instrument and with a lot of arrangements and afterthought. Others have been recorded as plain live sessions, sitting in a circle with candlelight in the middle of us. Whatever approach you choose, it always gives you a real kick to hear the words "this was the take", and you know for sure you've found the right way to do things, and from there it is just a matter of getting things done.
12 times in these last 7 days have those blessed words filled the room with an aftertaste of excitement and proudness, one for each song that has had its take. Now, with 3 days left in Iceland, I can't really do anything but try to breath inbetween all the adjustments, addings, removings, replacements, fixing and mixing. Today, we've been working for 13 hours at a stretch, though mildly interrupted by Sigga Sunna's and Björn's marvellous meals that somehow always seem to appear at the right time. Ofelia and her cello have both left us, Jørgen and his drums have done their job and are heading straight on for a tour with My Little Pony all over Europe, starting tomorrow. Christine and Katrine have done their part, adding cello and violin, and Einar's piano is all over the record. Now it is mostly down to me to try and stitch it all together, tie the songs to each other and make it sound like an album. I'm in the best possible place for making that happen.
Yesterday, we had a day off from studio, so we held a small concert in Reykjavik instead, just to keep ourselves warm. A lot of people showed up, and even tough half of them were Norwegians, it was great to be standing on a stage again. I know that's where I belong, but studio these days doesn't seem to bad, either. Three days left now. Better get some sleep. Good night, and see you around!
Pål
Photos: Mira Wold.