David Shultz and I started playing songs together last summer, a side project which I thought had culminated in a ‘Live at Ipanema‘ show. Little did I expect, that upon return from a tour with ‘Thao with The Get Down Stay Down,’ David would be seriously gung-ho about some new creative endeavors–one of them an extension of what we had begun previously.
After several weeks of working through songs at the cabin, David recruited Grant Hunnicutt (currently of The River City Band, formerly of Mermaid Skeletons) and Willis Thompson (Thao with The Get Down Stay Down) to join us in fleshing out. A slew of demos followed along with a few basement sessions.
The plan was simple: five of David’s songs, five of my songs–backed by each other, as well as Willis on drums and Grant on upright bass–three days spent at a river house in Ophelia to record the majority of the tracks, mostly live. Once in the can– release it on Triple Stamp Records.
The northern neck river house belongs to the grandmother of David’s fiance and long-time sweetheart, Anne. It’s a cute one-story cabana from the 50′s with bay windows looking out on where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake. Leading up to the weekend, Willis had mentioned, offhand, that he used to vacation at a river house in Ophelia with his family, growing up. Lo and behold, it turns out to be the same house.
After a two hour drive and a stop at ‘To-Do Cafe,’ we arrived and got to work.
Grant spent most of the weekend setting up mics and being all-round engineer–yet, somehow he still had time to lay down backing vocals, upright bass, and cook most of the meals. I have a suspicion that he may have some sort of superpower.
Willis put down some serious drums, jangles, thumps, ca-thuds, and got his engineering certification from the school of Hunnicutt.
Three songs in the can the first night, five songs the next day, and the last two on Sunday. Some over-dubs to go, mixing, and mastering. But for the time being, mission totally accomplished.
Looking back years from now, I know it’s a record I’m going to be proud of–good batch of songs, good bunch of musicians. Though, as much as it’s about the music, for me–a larger part is about four guys spending a three-day weekend having a downright blast.
Lasting impressions and some other memories:
Being cursed out by a plastic fist key chain that flipped the bird and wouldn’t shut up, no matter where we hid it–even outside. I’m sure it’s on the record somewhere.
Bat Masterson and his duel with Woodcock: “Draw!”
A hand of Farkle before bed.
Chili, cornbread, quinoa, bacon and eggs, frozen pizza
Coffee, whiskey, high life, and green tea
Mic in a box
“Grab the stalk by the base”
“INCORRECT!”
“Emmylou Willis”
David’s Adam Sandler impersonations.
from left to right: willis, grant, david, me
