Arta and Steven added an echo effect to Mark's lead vocals at the beginning of each chorus. Steven reinforced the bass line by doubling it with piano. The new mixdown is definitely projecting massive amounts of strength even at low volume.
Arta: "'The Clapping Song' is some genre-inventing shit. Neon Phosphor can quote me on that."
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
"Is the album being released with a record label?"
----Adhesive labels can damage a CD-R over time. We're just going to write on the CD surface with a Sharpie.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
An exclusive interview with Steven Chow
NP: I AM NEON PHOSPHOR
SC: ha! i saw that one coming.
NP: AS THE STUDIO ENGINEER, YOU HAVE THE BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF THE WHOLE PROJECT.
SC: yeah, it totally sucks the fun out of music, doesn't it? but it's worth it.
NP: WHAT IS THE PRODUCTION PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THIS ALBUM?
SC: wall of sound. yes, we could've easily made the album sound clean and close-up, like the beatles' revolver. but i want to make an album that is instantly recognizable as a los angeles production, following in the footsteps of phil spector and brian wilson. mark was talking about folk art being a response to one's culture, and i would add geography to the mix. this is an album about being raised in los angeles, a city under perpetual construction, a city of possibility, diversity and literally the terminus of the 'american dream.' now i'm not saying los angeles is perfect--it's far from it in actuality--but that's what it has represented throughout its history. i think the ambition of our project reflects the spirit of los angeles. we are going for a big, ambitious sound. not necessarily a muddy sound, but a rich, focused, powerful sound. i want this album to stir the imagination.
NP: BUT IS IT A GENUINE SOUND?
SC: part of a record's success is based on how it affects the listener. any indie artist can sit there with an acoustic guitar and pour his heart out. that would be as 'honest' as you can get, but it is so boring and uninspiring as a pop record. so i say, if our five-guitar attack can make you energized, make you want to dance, make you want to cry, whatever, i say we have done our job well.
NP: DO YOU THINK THIS ALBUM WILL CHANGE THE WORLD?
SC: it'll sure change my world once i'm done with it. finally, i won't have to sit there listening to our music all day, moving the faders up and down. as for the rest of the world, of course.
NP: SO, WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING WITH YOUR RADIOSHACK KEYBOARD? ARE YOU GOING TO UPGRADE, LIKE ARTA AND MARK?
SC: i have the following items on my wish list: moog synthesizer, rhodes piano, and farfisa organ. that, and the phil spector 'back to mono' box set.
NP: I HEARD THAT YOU'RE CHANGING SOME OF THE LYRICS BECAUSE YOU NO LONGER AGREE WITH THEM, SUCH AS "LOVE MAKES PEOPLE STUPID" AND "I AM ONE TOO MUCH." CARE TO VERIFY THIS RUMOR?
SC: no, you can't just revise your songs like that. those were real sentiments as felt during january 2004 and december 2004, respectively. even if i don't feel the same way now, the songs need to stay the way they are. that's why it's so important to finish albums quickly because you don't have to fake your emotion when you sing. then you're being an actor just as much as a singer. for instance, i had to redo my lucy vocals the other day. those lyrics were from 2003. there's a reason why i sang it better in 2003 because i didn't realize that lucy had actually tricked me into something.
SC: ha! i saw that one coming.
NP: AS THE STUDIO ENGINEER, YOU HAVE THE BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF THE WHOLE PROJECT.
SC: yeah, it totally sucks the fun out of music, doesn't it? but it's worth it.
NP: WHAT IS THE PRODUCTION PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THIS ALBUM?
SC: wall of sound. yes, we could've easily made the album sound clean and close-up, like the beatles' revolver. but i want to make an album that is instantly recognizable as a los angeles production, following in the footsteps of phil spector and brian wilson. mark was talking about folk art being a response to one's culture, and i would add geography to the mix. this is an album about being raised in los angeles, a city under perpetual construction, a city of possibility, diversity and literally the terminus of the 'american dream.' now i'm not saying los angeles is perfect--it's far from it in actuality--but that's what it has represented throughout its history. i think the ambition of our project reflects the spirit of los angeles. we are going for a big, ambitious sound. not necessarily a muddy sound, but a rich, focused, powerful sound. i want this album to stir the imagination.
NP: BUT IS IT A GENUINE SOUND?
SC: part of a record's success is based on how it affects the listener. any indie artist can sit there with an acoustic guitar and pour his heart out. that would be as 'honest' as you can get, but it is so boring and uninspiring as a pop record. so i say, if our five-guitar attack can make you energized, make you want to dance, make you want to cry, whatever, i say we have done our job well.
NP: DO YOU THINK THIS ALBUM WILL CHANGE THE WORLD?
SC: it'll sure change my world once i'm done with it. finally, i won't have to sit there listening to our music all day, moving the faders up and down. as for the rest of the world, of course.
NP: SO, WHAT ARE YOU STILL DOING WITH YOUR RADIOSHACK KEYBOARD? ARE YOU GOING TO UPGRADE, LIKE ARTA AND MARK?
SC: i have the following items on my wish list: moog synthesizer, rhodes piano, and farfisa organ. that, and the phil spector 'back to mono' box set.
NP: I HEARD THAT YOU'RE CHANGING SOME OF THE LYRICS BECAUSE YOU NO LONGER AGREE WITH THEM, SUCH AS "LOVE MAKES PEOPLE STUPID" AND "I AM ONE TOO MUCH." CARE TO VERIFY THIS RUMOR?
SC: no, you can't just revise your songs like that. those were real sentiments as felt during january 2004 and december 2004, respectively. even if i don't feel the same way now, the songs need to stay the way they are. that's why it's so important to finish albums quickly because you don't have to fake your emotion when you sing. then you're being an actor just as much as a singer. for instance, i had to redo my lucy vocals the other day. those lyrics were from 2003. there's a reason why i sang it better in 2003 because i didn't realize that lucy had actually tricked me into something.
Friday, October 28, 2005
An exclusive interview with Ian Asbjornsen
NP: I AM NEON PHOSPHOR.
IA: Yo
NP: THE TONICS ARE PLAYING THIS WINTER, BUT SINCE YOU'RE NOT 21 AND YOU'RE MOSTLY AT SCHOOL, THERE WILL LIKELY BE A GIGGING REPLACEMENT FOR YOU. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO PROSPECTIVE DRUMMERS?
IA: Hold it down, but remember, this is only a one night stand. And although I'm not 21 and am mostly at school, I've got chops like a 38 year old who never even went to school.
NP: THE TONICS ALBUM IS SET FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 28. WHAT SHOULD THE WORLD EXPECT?
IA: An explosion of pop media.
NP: HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING MUSICAL OR ARTISTIC THIS SEMESTER?
IA: I choreographed a 6 minute "dance" piece with my friend set to our own electronic music/remix chaos for a big show on campus. I still regularly perform with my electronic music performance art group "Cave of the Wolf." I play drums with various people. Still trying to form a hardcore punk band called "Demon Semen." Also practicing for the premier of an intense all-synth band. I've been obsessively editing and working on the soundtrack to my sci-fi masterpiece film, "Priest Robotica." I've been writing lots of piano and electronic music songs. I take Chinese calligraphy and piano lessons.
IA: Yo
NP: THE TONICS ARE PLAYING THIS WINTER, BUT SINCE YOU'RE NOT 21 AND YOU'RE MOSTLY AT SCHOOL, THERE WILL LIKELY BE A GIGGING REPLACEMENT FOR YOU. WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY TO PROSPECTIVE DRUMMERS?
IA: Hold it down, but remember, this is only a one night stand. And although I'm not 21 and am mostly at school, I've got chops like a 38 year old who never even went to school.
NP: THE TONICS ALBUM IS SET FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 28. WHAT SHOULD THE WORLD EXPECT?
IA: An explosion of pop media.
NP: HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING MUSICAL OR ARTISTIC THIS SEMESTER?
IA: I choreographed a 6 minute "dance" piece with my friend set to our own electronic music/remix chaos for a big show on campus. I still regularly perform with my electronic music performance art group "Cave of the Wolf." I play drums with various people. Still trying to form a hardcore punk band called "Demon Semen." Also practicing for the premier of an intense all-synth band. I've been obsessively editing and working on the soundtrack to my sci-fi masterpiece film, "Priest Robotica." I've been writing lots of piano and electronic music songs. I take Chinese calligraphy and piano lessons.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
"You're Only Human"
Arta re-recorded all of his guitar parts for "You're Only Human," the song about the nuclear bombings at the end of World War II.
An exclusive interview with Mark Williams
NP: I AM NEON PHOSPHOR
MW: hey, guy
NP: I HEARD YOU RECENTLY PUT TOGETHER A STUDIO UP IN DAVIS. IT'S ABOUT TIME. TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING RECORDING PROJECTS.
MW: it is about time. well, the first project is cleaning my four track's guts so that things will sound a bit prettier. part of that is producing a new vocal track for the clapping song. then comes alpha and omega. and then, well, the sky's the limit
NP: THE TONICS ARE PLAYING ON DEC. 28, ALSO THE RELEASE DATE OF THE ALBUM. WHAT SHOULD THE WORLD EXPECT?
MW: popular music by young musicians that's worth listening to. the beginning and end of that are meant to tie together.
NP: HOW IS THE ALBUM COMING ALONG?
MW: swimmingly. it'll slaughter.
NP: WHAT MAKES YOU SO SURE? WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS ALBUM THAN ALL THE OTHER STUFF OUT THERE?
MW: authentic personality. as i wrote in the craigslist ad, this isn't about commercial success so much as it is about music that we, as a couple of guys with instruments, want to make. the alluring thing to me about any art, but especially folk art, is a persona coming to grips with its culture. and that seems to be wholly lacking in the music that's played on the radio today. leadbelly to woody guthrie to bob dylan to the beatles to the jam to the velvet underground seemed to have that personal interaction with their cultures
NP: WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE TONICS THAN OTHER SO-CALLED "INDIE POP" SUCH AS THE SHINS AND THE POSTAL SERVICE?
MW: they seem a little too made-up, a little too afraid of making mistakes or seeming "pastiche," as the fuckers on somesongs glibly say. i remember reading some interview with billy corgan in which he talked about how difficult it was to come up with music that sounded original, and i think that all these indie bands feel so desperately that need to innovate that they've forgotten how to meaningfully innovate, that they've abstracted innovation out of the personal realm and into a strange public context. that's a dangerous thing to do, in my mind, and a little sheepish. very sheepish. i mean, elliott smith openly admitted that he had always listened to the beatles, which is a faux paus in indie music these days. it's ok to like the beatles
NP: SO WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? HAVE YOU MADE ANY NEW DISCOVERIES FROM THE PAST LATELY?
MW: steven just told me to listen to a bobby vee song, which i think is great. i've been listening to the band quite a bit. i've also been listening to the jam's "the gift" a bit, which was poppy when poppy was not so acceptable. and it's good stuff, though i'm getting a little sick of the I vi chord change
NP: LET'S SHIFT GEARS AND TALK GEAR. ARTA'S GOTTEN A NEW AMP AND PEDALS. WILL YOU BE GETTING SOME NEW EQUIPMENT YOURSELF ANYTIME SOON?
MW: i'm trying to get together the money to buy a strat and a new amp. it'll depend on what the pawn shops have.
MW: hey, guy
NP: I HEARD YOU RECENTLY PUT TOGETHER A STUDIO UP IN DAVIS. IT'S ABOUT TIME. TELL US ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING RECORDING PROJECTS.
MW: it is about time. well, the first project is cleaning my four track's guts so that things will sound a bit prettier. part of that is producing a new vocal track for the clapping song. then comes alpha and omega. and then, well, the sky's the limit
NP: THE TONICS ARE PLAYING ON DEC. 28, ALSO THE RELEASE DATE OF THE ALBUM. WHAT SHOULD THE WORLD EXPECT?
MW: popular music by young musicians that's worth listening to. the beginning and end of that are meant to tie together.
NP: HOW IS THE ALBUM COMING ALONG?
MW: swimmingly. it'll slaughter.
NP: WHAT MAKES YOU SO SURE? WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS ALBUM THAN ALL THE OTHER STUFF OUT THERE?
MW: authentic personality. as i wrote in the craigslist ad, this isn't about commercial success so much as it is about music that we, as a couple of guys with instruments, want to make. the alluring thing to me about any art, but especially folk art, is a persona coming to grips with its culture. and that seems to be wholly lacking in the music that's played on the radio today. leadbelly to woody guthrie to bob dylan to the beatles to the jam to the velvet underground seemed to have that personal interaction with their cultures
NP: WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THE TONICS THAN OTHER SO-CALLED "INDIE POP" SUCH AS THE SHINS AND THE POSTAL SERVICE?
MW: they seem a little too made-up, a little too afraid of making mistakes or seeming "pastiche," as the fuckers on somesongs glibly say. i remember reading some interview with billy corgan in which he talked about how difficult it was to come up with music that sounded original, and i think that all these indie bands feel so desperately that need to innovate that they've forgotten how to meaningfully innovate, that they've abstracted innovation out of the personal realm and into a strange public context. that's a dangerous thing to do, in my mind, and a little sheepish. very sheepish. i mean, elliott smith openly admitted that he had always listened to the beatles, which is a faux paus in indie music these days. it's ok to like the beatles
NP: SO WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? HAVE YOU MADE ANY NEW DISCOVERIES FROM THE PAST LATELY?
MW: steven just told me to listen to a bobby vee song, which i think is great. i've been listening to the band quite a bit. i've also been listening to the jam's "the gift" a bit, which was poppy when poppy was not so acceptable. and it's good stuff, though i'm getting a little sick of the I vi chord change
NP: LET'S SHIFT GEARS AND TALK GEAR. ARTA'S GOTTEN A NEW AMP AND PEDALS. WILL YOU BE GETTING SOME NEW EQUIPMENT YOURSELF ANYTIME SOON?
MW: i'm trying to get together the money to buy a strat and a new amp. it'll depend on what the pawn shops have.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
"Lucy" updated
We have posted a new version of "Lucy" with a different vocal track, an organ, and a more wall-of-sound mix.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
A productive day
During a marathon session, Steven did a final mixdown of "Pixies," re-recorded lead vocals for a sped-up, remixed version of "You're Only Human" for Alan's film, and recorded breathier lead vocals and an extra organ line for "Lucy."
"I do my best to make all the Pop Go The Tonics EPs out there obsolete."
Fortunately, the several owners of the Pop Go The Tonics EP will receive complimentary copies of the album when it comes out.
"I do my best to make all the Pop Go The Tonics EPs out there obsolete."
Fortunately, the several owners of the Pop Go The Tonics EP will receive complimentary copies of the album when it comes out.
Monday, October 24, 2005
"Pixies" revisited
Steven finished mixing "Pixies," a song with Elisa Morimoto on lead vocals. "Pixies" was originally recorded in summer 2004, but it was soon lost to the archives when we quit Sculpted Static and formed The Tonics.
"Whether it's eventually released or not, it was a nice mixing and mastering exercise," explained the bored, unemployed studio engineer. "A break from album work but something to keep me on my toes."
Meanwhile, Mark has been recording test vocals on his 4-track. "I don't have a mic stand, and I don't want to hold it while singing. It's also a unidirectional mic, so I might have to dangle it from the ceiling and lie on the floor to record my vocals."
"Whether it's eventually released or not, it was a nice mixing and mastering exercise," explained the bored, unemployed studio engineer. "A break from album work but something to keep me on my toes."
Meanwhile, Mark has been recording test vocals on his 4-track. "I don't have a mic stand, and I don't want to hold it while singing. It's also a unidirectional mic, so I might have to dangle it from the ceiling and lie on the floor to record my vocals."
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Building the wall of sound
What started out as a recording session for "Hamlet" turned into a day of negative progress for "The Clapping Song." Mark vetoed his own vocal track, and Steven removed all other vocal tracks to clear up extra channels for instruments. The instrumental tracks will now take up all 16 available slots. We will then perform a reduction mixdown of the instrumental into the two stereo tracks, freeing up 14 tracks for vocals and other stuff. Vintage studio technique for a vintage sound.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
"The Clapping Song"
Steven recorded tambourine and a new intro for "The Clapping Song."
"I want this recording to deliver the same kind of energy we produced at our electrifying Berkeley performance, despite the limitations of the stereo format," explained the wannabe Phil Spector.
"I want this recording to deliver the same kind of energy we produced at our electrifying Berkeley performance, despite the limitations of the stereo format," explained the wannabe Phil Spector.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Nerds unite against "Sunday Night"
"Sunday Night" has started off with an average rating of 5/10 after 5 votes on somesongs. Neon Phosphor doesn't get it either. Meanwhile, production continues on "The Clapping Song" as the album inches closer to completion.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Los Angeles rocks... again
Ever since Brian Wilson had a nervous breakdown, Jim Morrison overdosed, Mama Cass had a heart attack, and Phil Spector locked himself in his mansion, the Los Angeles music scene has staggered through the decades without producing another pop rock icon. Until now.
On December 28, 2005, a new hope for the decadent Los Angeles culture will come in the form of fifteen mind-blowing tracks to pick up where 60s pop left off. The Tonics' new album will synthesize all the great sounds that could only come from "the city of angels."
"The record is about 75% complete and I am totally amazed by what I've heard so far," said Tonics publicist Neon Phosphor. "I'm not sure the world is ready for this kind of music."
Some of the new tracks will feature a wall-of-sound technique unheard for nearly two generations, and vocal harmonies that died with the aborted album Smile by the Beach Boys. Mark Williams' singing style closely resembles that of the legendary Morrissey, who incidentally resides in the Los Angeles area.
On December 28, 2005, a new hope for the decadent Los Angeles culture will come in the form of fifteen mind-blowing tracks to pick up where 60s pop left off. The Tonics' new album will synthesize all the great sounds that could only come from "the city of angels."
"The record is about 75% complete and I am totally amazed by what I've heard so far," said Tonics publicist Neon Phosphor. "I'm not sure the world is ready for this kind of music."
Some of the new tracks will feature a wall-of-sound technique unheard for nearly two generations, and vocal harmonies that died with the aborted album Smile by the Beach Boys. Mark Williams' singing style closely resembles that of the legendary Morrissey, who incidentally resides in the Los Angeles area.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Recording with the new amp
Arta recorded some guitar tracks for "The Clapping Song" and "Sunday Night" with the new Fender amp and distortion pedal. The album is now due on December 28, just in time for the Lava Lounge gig, and for 2006 to be the year of the Tonics.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Somesongs watch
The Tonics are currently occupying the 3rd, 4th and 7th positions on the past month's tops, with "Love Makes People Stupid" showing the way, followed by "Lisa" and "Mean Song."
"Someone told me that the Tonics are playing at the Lava Lounge on December 28."----Unfortunately, at this time we cannot confirm nor deny the rumors that we are playing a championship game of bridge at the 'lounge.'
"Bridge, eh? Do you mean the song 'London Bridge' that's supposed to appear on the new album?"----We'll pass on that one. We're not at the point where we can afford to pay royalties as soon as we start singing, "London Bridge is falling down..." Don't trick us into singing 'Happy Birthday' for you, either.
"Someone told me that the Tonics are playing at the Lava Lounge on December 28."----Unfortunately, at this time we cannot confirm nor deny the rumors that we are playing a championship game of bridge at the 'lounge.'
"Bridge, eh? Do you mean the song 'London Bridge' that's supposed to appear on the new album?"----We'll pass on that one. We're not at the point where we can afford to pay royalties as soon as we start singing, "London Bridge is falling down..." Don't trick us into singing 'Happy Birthday' for you, either.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
The Tonics, live at the ...
We're going through the motions to get ourselves booked for a gig in December and beyond. Hopefully we can confirm a date soon.
"Is this the beginning of a new era in rock?"----No, rock is dead. We've scattered its remains over our particular brand of pop.
"Pop? Does that mean you're about to sign an endorsement deal with a soda company?"----No, we're signing a deal with Satan.
"Hmm, are you suggesting that you're going on tour with Ozzy Osbourne? We do know that Mark was once in a Black Sabbath cover band."----Maybe.
"Is this the beginning of a new era in rock?"----No, rock is dead. We've scattered its remains over our particular brand of pop.
"Pop? Does that mean you're about to sign an endorsement deal with a soda company?"----No, we're signing a deal with Satan.
"Hmm, are you suggesting that you're going on tour with Ozzy Osbourne? We do know that Mark was once in a Black Sabbath cover band."----Maybe.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Another "Sunday Night" session
Steven recorded some more harmonies and Arta recorded some new guitar parts and finger snapping.
Monday, October 10, 2005
The first step to fame
Hello,
I'm a member of The Tonics (www.popgothetonics.com), an independently managed and produced Pasadena-area pop group interested in playing its music live at a suitable venue. We have been honing our material for 5 years now, priding ourselves for a professional sound combining a dry lyrical sensibility with upbeat music in a way evocative of The Smiths, The Chordettes, and Lou Reed. Below, please find links to three songs (if you'd prefer a CD, we'll gladly send you a copy):
the_tonics_-_01_-_distance.mp3
the_tonics_-_04_-_lucy_tricked_me_into_something.mp3
the_tonics_-_mean_song.mp3
Though we have played sparingly at various cafes and houses, our competency as both musicians and songwriters has ensured that every set has been well-received. Any show that we play will not be a disappointment. We are currently interested in shows scheduled during and after mid-December.
Thank you much for your time and interest,
(insert band member name here)
I'm a member of The Tonics (www.popgothetonics.com), an independently managed and produced Pasadena-area pop group interested in playing its music live at a suitable venue. We have been honing our material for 5 years now, priding ourselves for a professional sound combining a dry lyrical sensibility with upbeat music in a way evocative of The Smiths, The Chordettes, and Lou Reed. Below, please find links to three songs (if you'd prefer a CD, we'll gladly send you a copy):
the_tonics_-_01_-_distance.mp3
the_tonics_-_04_-_lucy_tricked_me_into_something.mp3
the_tonics_-_mean_song.mp3
Though we have played sparingly at various cafes and houses, our competency as both musicians and songwriters has ensured that every set has been well-received. Any show that we play will not be a disappointment. We are currently interested in shows scheduled during and after mid-December.
Thank you much for your time and interest,
(insert band member name here)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)