The boys abandoned the Velour track suits for day six. The pressure to upkeep that chill of a vibe was just too damn much for them. So it was only natural that I remained in mine, since being cool is virtually effortless for me. 😘
Anyway, my vocals were the first up today. A tender delivery with conviction and a side of long notes was on the menu for my time in the booth. These moments of up-close-and-personal vocals can be intimidating to deliver, and even more so to listen back to and figure out where the message needs to come through. What parts should be sung emphatic or soft? How to honor that fine line between character and perfection, and which takes precedence for a recording that will maybe be the only “forever” capture of the piece. Sometimes it feels like a lot of pressure. But, we LOVE this song and continuously get requests from fans to be able to listen to it. We really believe in it and think it’s desperately needed right now. So, putting any insecurity or doubts aside, I thoughtfully stepped behind my microphone and respected all the elements called for in the moment and just let my heart come out.
My sweet Jared was next up at the mic.
Background vocals are a special spot in a tune. Done incorrectly, they can derail an entire moment, taking the listener out of the space, or creating a soundscape that may be uncomfortable, or overpowering. Done well, they are like all your favorite toppings, perfectly portioned out and sitting atop your ice cream, ready to be enjoyed with every bite. Not too much, not too little, enhancing the base flavor and holding the entire dessert in the balance on your tastebuds. Oftentimes, I will lay down harmonies and backing vocals on my own stuff, because I know exactly how to sing with myself and I can achieve all the nuance and inflection I need, without too much effort or trouble. But, sometimes, that totally different voice is a better choice to add variety and also to help support the lead vocal as opposed to blending with it seamlessly. The cool thing about Jared and I is that our voices couldn’t be more different. From our technique, to our tone, our delivery to our dynamics, we are almost at complete opposite ends of the vocal spectrum. To us, this makes for both a challenge, as well as a great reward when executed properly. Blending and timing, especially in recording, are parts of the song that can not be rushed or thrown together, and for us, it really is a part of the process that can be a little stressful due to those vast differences in our voices.
Jared and I have been singing together for so long now, our shorthand of communication may sound harsh to others, but for us, it’s a quick way to get to a better result. When it comes to sheer technique, Jared will often request (or not) help from me, or defer to my choices for note choices or breath support placement and general singing advice. All this to say, some of that had to happen today while Jared was recording his background vox. After a few takes, we decided the time would be better spent working out the background vocals at our home studio, where Jared could relax and take his time. Then, we could spend this time and use the higher quality gear to capture Jareds special part at the end of the song. This is when Jared got to shine.
There’s a part at the end of the tune where Jared really gets to let loose. As he delivered his lines, you can hear his authentic, “real” voice damn near screaming to be released. A mix of unpolished fervor and unmasked passion, not asking for help, but demanding action and crying out above the smoothness of the lead vocal, raw and real, like the clenched fist at a protest rally, or the proclamation of love, from the balcony of a crowded city scene. “Dark is the night when you can’t see the day / The sun will come out, chase the shadows away / Best friends and neighbors and family and strangers / With kindness and love and with all of us carrying HOPE!” He absolutely wailed his parts, reminding anyone listening that he believes what he is fighting for, and he is exactly who he is; No backing down. No apology. (And we are all lucky to have him…)
When I sat and listened to my husband actually dig down and conjure his own, special and powerful voice…my eyes swelled with tears of pride and deep gratitude for this man, and I knew we’d gotten the take. This will be a special song, no doubt.
The remainder of the studio time was all Walker’s! He had patiently worked with us through all of our shenanigans to get to his tracks. So, this day would be concluded with Walker laying down scratch tracks so he could get down to business on his music the following day. Also, with Walker being more than proficient at all of the elements he needed to lay the groundwork for his tunes, Jared and I were thrown out with the bathwater and left to occupy the local gutters, slowly finding our way back to the sea… actually, this gave Jared and I a bit of time to get our own stuff done anyway! So, time well-spent and mischief managed. Guys, we’re all coming home with some beautiful new music to share with you!!!
