We trickled in yesterday (Sunday) to Ocean Sound Recording Studios in Giske, Norway, to record our 7th studio album with the Swedish producer Michael Ilbert.
Travis haven't been in a recording environment since 2008 but, over the past 12 months, we've been quietly chipping away in 3 continents, casually writing and preparing. The next 3 weeks will be spent recording the best of the bunch- around 14 songs- which will, I'm sure, be whittled down to 11 in the latter stages.
Today was our first proper day. Michael and the assistant, Nick spent most of it finishing the recording set up. I took a morning dip in the Icy sea. (It's deathly cold) Andy and I ran 9.6km. Dougie and Nick Freemantle walked on the beach. Neil worked on getting one of his 2 kits in shape. Dougie and I drove to Ålesund to buy booze. I drove to the supermarket to get provisions. We ate dinner at 7 and at 8 Neil, Dougie and I began tracking. We started with what will be the 1st track of the album and also the song we will open our new live show with. It has a working title of Mother, which is misleading as it's not about anyone’s mother so it may change.
After numerous false starts and a meeting round the stereo to review the demo, it began to take shape. We recorded in 2 parts. Andy sat it out as he plays piano and Michael wanted the drum track to be clean. Technical point- Piano and drums are in same room so the drum mics would pick up alot of the piano sound, hence Andy's absence, but he lay on the studio floor for the first few takes and then lounged in the control room for the remainder. By 1am we were done.
As I write, the boys are in bed. I couldn't sleep after singing for ages but am now getting drowsy so I'll beat it but not before puting up some pics from today.
By the way... It's nice to be back.
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