I sometimes think I might as well just be a brain and a big pair of ears on legs, stuck in front of a mixing desk.
But when I took that break from The Sensual World I really got into gardening. I mean, it's literally a very down-to-earth thing, isn't it? Real air.. Away from the artificial light. Totally therapeutic.
Kate Bush, Q Magazine 1989
Oh I so love Kate Bush. Completely know what she means too. Studio life can be peculiar. Isolated.
Sometimes.
Like working down a coalmine – and a glorified one at that.
When the band go home it’s just you and the engineer – so you’d better get on!
Studio is the quiet introspective cocoon bubble wrapped part with too much sitting - a time away from character analysis or assassination by the public or media.
Who do you think you are?
Time away from the praise too. Both to me are unfathomable.
Ah the studio…
A bubble of sorts.
A bubble, keeping me out of trouble.
Not much daylight either…
I think that’s why I got seriously into swimming when I was in Arizona. I feel at peace in the outdoors and don’t seem to get enough time out there.
But, I have been in the studio.
Bigtime.
And it is good, even if I do feel like a pair of ears on legs.
Denmark was amazing.
I loved the studio there.
And I liked Kent the engineer. Fast Kent.
Hope to go back. To do a little more work with Big Dave McGowan and the Danes there.
Have started learning a little of the language too. It’s HARD!!!
Dave and I really enjoyed ourselves.
It was great to see Peter (Dombernowsky).
He’s the drummer with Giant Sand and for the past two years has been my drummer of choice. Numero uno.
A great guy.
Him and McGowan have a rhythm section thing going on…
It was sweet to see Howe and Anders and Marie and their families. It’s great to know musicians with whom I can see eye to eye. Handy too.
We worked hard.
Was fun…a buzz.
Hardly slept the whole week.
I was still jet-lagged so the old body clock was playing tricks on me. Was weird. Still, I got through somehow. Until I got back to Glasgow Airport and stopped paying attention and lost a shopping bag with some cute new dresses that had my wallet, cash and all my cards in it! Was a total drag. Slightly gutting. Though I’m pretty guilty of losing stuff when I’m tired.
One time in Seattle I even forgot to collect my suitcase off the carousel. I just kind of lose it when I get over tired (had been up since 5am that day) and become a bit batty….oh well.
It was sad nobody at Glasgow airport found my bag and handed it in to lost property or the police. I think maybe that bummed me out more than anything. Someone must’ve had a good night out on me. But ok, fair enough…I was dopey and paid the price!
Am missing the flip-floppery of toasty town terribly. Losing stuff made being back sting all the more. Need to get workin on that visa.
The last few days Dave P and I have been transferring songs to tape. Tedious work but worth it to get a nice warm sound.
Also submitted demos to my record label. To find out whether they want to get behind my next record or not. Started worrying myself into a blinding stupor but then I sat up and realized….
Something will turn up.
It always does and always will.
Even if it appears in an unrecognizable form.
Times are hard, so we’ll see.
Who knows?
I’ll shift with whatever changes come my way.
And hopefully won’t be stalled for long.
Everything’s sounding too good to give up.
And with this next record I want to tour the legs off it. And bum, arms and eyes. Want to sicken myself of touring by January 2011. Want to be begging to get off the road. Need a manager that’ll roll with me. Then off I’ll trot all happy and contented, in a very knackered sense, to the retirement home for indie rock singers.
I x