LEOPARDWOOD JOURNAL RAW

Notes taken while recording guitar and vocals in the Shearer’s Quarters on a station in the outback Australia.

6 days:  April 26th – May 1st 2011
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DAY 4:  April 29, 2011

I was awake before sunrise, of course, so I went out this time with my camera and took a little video. Always good to change the routine of things…

7:59am – Starting to edit last night’s vocals.  All sounding good!

10:16am  – Damian came by and I also had a wonderful chat with Kev and Mark too.  Mark is letting me take his car to Broken Hill when I fly to Sydney in a few days.  I’m soooo grateful.  Gives me some peace of mind to not have to organize something else!  Mark is a gem and I am so lucky.

Definitely interesting having contact with the outside world.  Today is the first day where I’ve had outside influence.  Up until now it’s just been me in my own little universe.  I feel even more fueled now.  It’s amazing when you have positive and great people in your life.

10:35am  I have been secretly a little bit frustrated with Gold Field.  And I realize I’m just projecting it, and wanting it to turn out good!  Must let it go.. let it come to life, let it be what it is.

12:37pm - Black Steps, worked on the whistling.. but its not quite right yet.  BG’s done.  Just to add one more vocal bit when I’m feeling it.

YES!!  It’s all coming together.

12:54pm – I’m learning a lot here, this is a totally different process.  With Unconventional Shining, I had no set deadline to complete… so I would write lists of what I needed to do to complete each song.  Now it’s like, there is no time for a list, do it now. I’m also aware of how I’m spending my energy outside of recording and what I’m thinking about.  What things are draining, or a waste of time…  I choose wisely so all my positive energy can go into creating.  Funny enough, this little journal fuels me… keeps me on track with each check-in.

12:56pm - Photographs.

Was just having a quick listen to see what should be next and felt that the vocals were lacking luster… so… put an image in my head of what the song is about and sung from that place.

Much better.

1:57pm  Tummy is growling.  Time for a quick fuel stop.

3:35pm  Crazy sequence of events.

I decided after lunch that I’d run into Wilcannia for some chocolate.  Just after I’ve been talking about what is and isn’t a waste of energy!!!  I got ready to go, and couldn’t find my wallet.  I checked over at the house, and in the ute.  Everywhere.  I finally decided… it’s okay… I lost my wallet, I can get it all back.  I still have my passport, and I had it all figured out.

Then I found my wallet.  Inside my bag, where it should have been.

I decided, okay, i’ll go into town.  And, all the way there and back I was thinking.. am I missing something?  I had a hunch that something was off.

Well.

I hadn’t saved the work I did on ‘Photographs’.  And, it’s gone.  I don’t know what happened… but the rad new vocals I put on are no longer there.  I think my interface was somehow disconnected, I probably bumped it.

Anyways, I’m already mentally prepared from the ‘losing my wallet’ incident.  The vocals are gone.  And I’ll just have to get them back.

I’m backing up all my work again.  Right now.

7:14pm.  I’m still bummed about Photographs… but gotta let it go.  It made me re-appreciate technology.. when it works.  And, when the person operating it is using their brain.  I’m grateful for the power, for the ability to have a portable studio and record way out here.

recording piano parts for 'red shoe laces'

I’m 2/3 of the way through the time I have to capture Leopardwood.  It’s going well.  I need to stay positive.

I’ve decided to cut a song.  It’s called Endlessly and I don’t think it is essential to the whole.  10 is a nice round number.. and I’m feeling every other song has it’s place on the album.

What can I do to re-charge?  I think I’ll take a break.

8:12pm  Its been a few days since I’ve really cooked a big meal. So I made a feast!  RE-CHARGED!!!!

BG vocals on Red Shoe Laces.

9:02pm.  Calling it a day.  Day 4 is over.

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