29July08 Sleepers out. We're back in town, well and truly, getting used to Winter in Melbourne again. Last night we went over to Steve & Ren's place (guys from The Vagrants) for Mexican food, beer & tequila. Slightly shakey today but worth it. Great friendship developing between the Sleepers & Vagrants. We love those those guys. Done quite a few shows with them now with more to come in Europe during October. 20July08 19July08 17July08 16July08 15July08 Santa Monica Pier 15July08 13July08 13July08 12July08 12July08 11July08 09July08 08July08 07July08 06July08 05July08 04Jul08 03Jul08 02Jul08 01Jul08 30Jun08 27Jun08 25Jun08 25Jun08 24Jun08 23Jun08 Day1 in the Studio
28Aug08
Great show last night. We were stoked to have a big turn out for a wid week show. Felt awesome. Last night was our first show since we left to record the album in LA (a few months ago)... And our last local show before we leave in 2 weeks to play a stack of shows across Europe. It was great to see you all there for a big 'hello-goodbye'.
Have a good one.
Chat tomorrow.
Join us at the Brunswick Hotel TONIGHT for a killer last-local show. Indeed, our last Australian show before November (we start touring Europe early next month). And hey, tonight it's free to get in, $2 pots, 2 bands & we're headlining, onstage at 10pm.
Check the 'Shows' page for more details & SEEYA THERE!
Join us at the Brunswick Hotel TOMORROW NIGHT (Wed 27th Aug), 140 Sydney Road, Brunswick for our last Austrailian show til November. (FREE ENTRY)
We're on stage at 10pm. (Support band 'Dirty Polly'). Check the shows page for more details & SEEYA THERE!
Sleepers out.
24Aug08
Euro Tour Film Trailer!
Three weeks and we're on a plane to London to meet Ted, UK film maker who toured with us last year. He just sent us the trailer re the tour film (above). MAGIC. The man is a genius.
We get a day with Ted (catching up & discussing said full length film), then it's off to Kiev to begin a three week tour of Ukraine. Berlin, Romania & Turkey after that.
Naomi lands in Melbourne tonight. First rehearsal tomorrow.
Have a good weekend.
Here she comes: As her trip around Central America draws to a close, Naomi shot us this email (earlier this morning)...
"Leaving in 30 minutes for the first of ELEVEN flights to get home.
Mental.
See you in a few days!! :)"
Ouch. Eleven Flights - a new record in our book.
Planning went awesomely yesterday. Now for the brain-power to make sense of it all and make it all happen. More shortly.
Chat tomorrow,
Early next month we take off for Europe for a blistering 3 week tour of Ukraine, including 2 open-air festival dates. Then to Berlin for 3 days at the Popkomm festival and another show at Club Kato. Off to Romania after that for several dates (including some in Transylvania). More details as they come to hand (Turkey).
Meeting with industry 'heavy weights' today, sorting out the album release to radio, touring Australia later in the year... and all things Sleeperfide.
Great things happening here at HQ. When we lock 'em down, you'll be the first to know.
Chat tomorrow,
Nomesy vs Volcano
Naomi checked in a few moments ago. As her trip to Central America moves into it's last week, here's an excerpt from her email...
"Well it is our last day in Guatemala today, we are in Antigua, leaving for Honduras on the 4am shuttle! God, all these early mornings, so crazy. We climbed a volcano yesterday (6am... again, crazy). It was well wicked. My shoes melted around the sides!! It was so hot at the top we started a fire with a couple of branches we gathered on the way. Never fear, we had a guide so I wasn't just off starting random fires myself... although I cant promise I wont do that. hehe."
Have a good weekend.
We've been flat out preparing for Europe, which kicks off in a month, starting with a three week tour of Ukraine, including 2 festival dates. After that, we're playing Berlin. We're working on dates in Romania and Turkey after that. It'll be our longest tour so far... & the paper-work looks like a small mountain here at Sleeper HQ.
As the album makes it's way across the Pacific (we should have the 'tapes' in hand this week), we're preparing for Australian shows, radio & tours starting when we get back from touring OS (November).
Ahhh we try to cover everything here...
Footy hotting up. Doggies went down - that's not good - but the finals are looking awesome with a stack of Victorian sides (6) in the top 8. Just outside the 8: Carlton, Richmond, Essendon & Brisbane. How things have changed. Needs to be said: If the Doggies actually make the Grand Final while we're touring Europe, it'll kill me (been waiting for this since birth).
Nomes from Mexico.
Naomi checked in yesterday from San Pedro...
"We went caving - wading and swimming through a catacomb of water caves with only a candle for light, climbing through waterfalls, jumping off rock faces into an apparently endless pitch black and freezing water hole, rope swings (i lost my contacts), floating in tubes down the river, climbing down a tiny rope lady over a waterfall and into the caves halfway down... its been our adventure part of the trip.
Crazy stuff, things people would never generally do. It was wicked. The health and safety regulations are a bit lax here though, I dont think you would get away with it in many countries!"
Yep, half the band are mad Bulldog supporters. (The rest of the band will be non-plussed about today's posting)
Jason Ackermanus (above) was on fire, as you'd expect. The man many love to hate, had us belly laughing as he took over the panel. All part of the Bulldogs Footy Show (weekly on Ch 31).
Have a good one.
No big news today. Have a good weekend.
Just got this in from Simon. Click here for the full article (or on the shot below). There we were, standing around St Kilda at 8am on a very cold June morning, before leaving for LA, with a photographer from the local paper.
Kinda glad he didn't use the shot of us perched on a railing above the traffic on the Lower Esplanade, hovering precariously waiting to lose balance and a band-member or two. Maybe the fear on our faces kept that one out of the paper...
Naomi checks in from Mexico
Email came through this morning. Here's an excerpt as Nomesy travels Central America...
MARTY!!
How are you going??
Out galavanting every night I hear? Sounds like it is going to be a shock to your system as well as mine when I get back! Im looking forward to it though... and you can still keep up your gig antics, just got to work around a few things. Im sure it will all work out!
So what has been happening? I have read the site so I think I am up to date with your gig movements but what else? The inside story? The details? Got any crazy stories to tell me? Have you finished battlestar? Ive got a few more series up my sleeve for you, but unfortunately they are not space dramas (or space westerns... nothing can compete with firefly!).
Well we are in Lanquin at the moment. Just arrived yesterday after a harrowing bus ride from Flores. There were 16 of us crammed into a 12 seater bus, which surprisingly did not stop the driver from picking up hitch-hikers along the way... no seatbelts... no leg room... no aircon. Also, horrifically, the driver started swerving at the stray dogs (they are everywhere and most of them are so gentle and lovely). Well, he hit one, but after our very loud exclamations of disgust, and the fact that one of us nearly punched him, he made sure he did not hit anymore.
There was also a lot unmade roads and steep mountains, so on more than one occasion we thought our time was up. It was a hell of a ride. But, we are here safe and sound, and like they say, it is all about the journey... even if it is a journey you could do without.
Anyway, Lanquin was certainly worth the ride, it is beautiful! The hostel we are staying at is right on the river - we had to sleep in hammocks last night, which was cool. We have a communal dinner (it is vegetarian, you wouldnt like it) and everyone hangs together. Guess it is kinda like a hippie commune... there sure are a lot of dreadlocks around, among other things...
Going on an adventure tour tomorrow! Heading to Semuc Champey where we get to go caving, tubing and jump off 50 foot cliffs... wicked! I am bang up for some craziness... non alcoholic craziness anyway (there has been plenty of that hehe).
Got stuck in another storm the other day. It came on so quickly we couldnt even make it back to the hostel despite being only 2 blocks away! We sheltered against the wall - the rain was coming in sideways so we only got slightly drenched. However, we decided it was time to move when the powerlines started sparking and falling down! Just a tad dangerous me thinks. But no electrical burns so all is well.
Met a guy in the hostel in Flores who stayed in Belize city. We are now VERY glad we did not, because there was a huge shoot out just 200m away from his hostel! Scary. Another couple I met who ventured there ended up staying in a crack house! Not the greatest place to stay by the sounds of things... quite relieved that we do not have to fly out of there, although we do have to go to Guatemala city, which apparently is just as bad. I have a feeling we will be bolting the door as soon as we arrive... ;)
So, two more nights here then off to San Pedro and Antigua, both are meant to be amazing so I am looking forward to that. Guatemala is really beautiful! Then Honduras and then home to sunny (or not) Melbourne!! happy times! Am looking forward to seeing everyone and getting back into it. I feel a bit lost without a musical instrument!
Anyways, better run, we are going floating down the river this afternoon! Nice.
Hope all is well and you are enjoying yourself.
Chat to you soon!
...nomesy x
Sleepers out.
Got down to Revolver for more 'research' last night. Sat down in one of my favourite clubs on the planet, the upstairs back room. Ahhh so many memories from that space (I'll spare everybody the sordid detail).
Anyway, they've got this cranking little Thai 'restaurant' right at the back. We ate & went into the band room to watch the 'Battle of the Bands' to end all battles. 16 bands doing 15 minute sets all night. Some kind of campus band grand final - and the quality was goooood.
We heard about it after meeting Isaac at the East Brunswick on the weekend. His band, Dogs in Zen, cranked out a great, rocking set. (shot below - that's him out front).
Check out their MySpace.
Maxie & Baileys.
Chat tomorra,
Great, beautiful and brooding. Less than a week after seeing the magnificent Polyphonic Spree, we took a big left turn last night, catching the magical 'Band Of Horses' at Billboard. A wall of sound but with a different, more melancholy feel. As mentioned, a great show all the same. Had the crowd rivetted.
Nomesy from Mexico.
Naomi's trying to 'chat' with me on Facebook at the moment (from Mexico). Have resisted the whole Facebook thing for the usual 'lack of time'. That said, slowly using it more and more. Naomi wins (submitted to it after she kicked my arse about it repeatedly earlier this year). Anyway, just a quick hello from her at this point. Will post more up when she writes in re antics in greater detail...
Goin' down to Billboard tonight to see the mighty Band Of Horses. 'Research', we're calling it. Tell ya all about it tomorrow. Loving not rehearsing while Naomi's OS & the album 'tapes' are in transit. We've seen a stack of bands over the past two weeks with more to come before she arrives back home.
If you're wondering about Band Of Horse, check out their MySpace. Beautiful, powerful tunes. One of my favourite bands of the past few years.
Naomi is still travelling around Mexico with a group of like-minded friends. She left for there when we left LA for Australia.
Week three of Nome's expedition & we pick up the story from an email she shot through yesterday...
My hair seems to be drawing attention here and not because of the colour, which has faded to what my friends are describing as "light apricot".Aside from the pointing and general expressions of incredulity, on the bus to Tulum an old woman actually ruffled my hair. She coupled it with a broad toothless grin, which somewhat dissipated my feelings of being violated but still left me rather unnerved... Hmmm, what else...
Went snorkling in the grand cenote yesterday, it was incredible! Like another world. All eerie blue-green light shining in underwater caves. Stalegtites stretching down into the darkness. Very deep. Fish everywhere. Really, really cool. Probably the best thing we have done so far... aside from the wrestling! Got some fuck-off funny pictures in the wrestling mask too. We bought one and now randomly put it on for photos. Everyone is looking normal but just one of us is wearing the mask. The sunbaking one was hilarious. Will have to try and get some photos to you.
Hehe I miss Poquito Mas (our favourite Mexican food near the studio in LA)... had subway 3 times in the past 2 days... I am suspicious of all food anyway, its pretty much liquid diet for now (Nomes got gastro last week). Mexican beer is gooooood! Bit of a love-hate relationship with Tequila, but on good terms at the moment. Only time will tell...
Mixing finished in LA
The album is finally mixed, done and dusted, in Los Angeles. Our genius producer, Rick Parker, has made his final tweaks, wrapping it all up. Next is the only part that's still 'old school': we wait for a week or two while the 'tapes' make their way across the Pacific to Melbourne. Once we've got em in hand, it's all systems go.
Have a good weekend.
Big Wednesday
Last night was a cracker. Nuthin to do with official band business... but hear me out. We'll call it 'research'. Polyphonic Spree played the Hi Fi last night. Made my 'top 20 live shows of all-time' list. I counted 15 people on stage including 6 backing vocalists, 4 part brass section, 2 guitarists, bass, string section, flortist, lead guy. Max counted 20. We'll agree to disagree for now. Went to the show with new found friends Mike & Cath.
Anyhow, as you could imagine, we're talking a giant wall of sound. So many great songs. But the kicker came half way through the show - a cover of Nirvana's Lithium (also on their Myspace). The place was packed to the rafters, 800 people all jumping into the air, in sweaty unison... insane. Ears were ringing either from the PA or the crowd roar, which was deafening throughout the show.
And then we got home & I sat up til 3am ripping through the final 3 episodes of season 1 Battlestar Gallactica. It's official. Over the past month I've become a Sci Fi geek. Never into it before. Now I'm hooked - like a helpless puppy suckling at the teat of SPACE DRAMA. What the hell am I talking about...
So my recommendations for today are two. The first, check out Polyphonic Spree's myspace, turn it up & knock yourself out. The second, if you haven't already, get yourself a copy of Battlestar Gallactica (the new one - not the series from the 70s).
We'll let you know all about Naomi's travells tomorrow. She's been reporting in from Mexico. Couldn't fit it in today's post.
Sleepers out.
PS: Rick Parker still mixing our album in LA.
New Release
Just to keep the heat on, we've 'released' a whole stack of tunes on the Bootleg Audio page. Pre album demos, recorded at Bakehouse Studios during April this year. Over a dozen tracks you ain't heard recorded yet, many of which will feature on the forthcoming album.
Chat tomorra,
PS: How's Mexico Nomes?
Mixing continues in LA. Drawing fast to a close. Getting down to the very last lot of detail, with most of the album completed.
Work to begin, this week, on all the fun stuff in the build up to release. Mastering, artwork, pressing and so on.
And in 6 weeks, we're off touring Europe again.
23July08
BIT
If you haven't seen the Vagrants, check out their Myspace & website. They put on a great show - cool blooz tunes, a tight band & great people.
49hrs, 10mins
Yep. That's how long we spent in transit, door to door, LA to Melbourne playing 'connecting flights roulette'. That said, we loved the Taipei bit (check yesterday, below). Suffice to say we're a little on the tired side and glad to be home. The last time I spent way too long coming back was eight years ago. New Orleans to Melbourne (via Florida, New York, LA and Sydney) in 42 hours. So tonight - a new record.
And for those who wanna do international stuff from Brisbane Airport, beware. The domestic terminal is 5 minutes by car from the international terminal. And you can be in the international terminal thinking it's domestic. Wait in line for 45 mins, to check in (at the under staffed, don't give a shit desk) only to be asked 'what are you doing here?' when you finally hand over your passport.
Whaddaya think we're doing here??? Anyway, Maxie leaned over, grabbed the itinerary and we did the panic walk to what we thought was the domestic terminal... but still wasn't. They don't like signage there - and when they do, they love a double meaning (eg. 'Passengers in Transit' doesn't apply if you're in 'Transit' from Taipei to Melbourne). Anyway, we got a cab to the real domestic terminal... and missed the flight. But got really lucky with a very kind woman at domestic check in, who booked us on the next flight - no extra cost. Lucky.
Mixing continues in LA as we speak. The stuff just growing and growing. Almost there, we think.
Nomes is still in Central America, somewhere - will post up her email stuff when she next logs on.
Chat tomorrow,
Sleepers out.
Taipei Stop-over
Really cool, unexpected thing happened today on route from LA. When we got to Taipei, they changed our flight to Brisbane til the evening. So we had the day here in Taipei, Taiwan, which was awesome. Free bus to a free hotel & back to the airport again. It's night-time at the airport, an hour before the Brisbane leg - which'll be about 12 hours. Short wait, then onto Melbourne. Looking well forward to feet touching home soil.
The album final mixes still going on in LA.
Chat tomorrow (if we can stay awake).
Sleepers out.
Day In Studio Video.
Just got this footage off Naomi's camera. A day in the studio, about a week ago.
Maxie went to Malibu Beach today & surfed for the first time. There are only 2 more hours until the last of the Sleepers get collected for the airport & leave LA. Tears have been shed already. Here's our last shots from California, USA.
Max surfing with Rich & Ric at Malibu
Max LOVED surfing!!!
Marty & Max's last hours in LA before we're back in Melbourne winter (BLAST!).
Til we're back in Melbourne,
Sleepers out.
LA Recording Draws to Close
& Video from Santa Monica
We're nearly there. Today being the last official day of mixing (altho Max spent the day on the coast with friends). Back on a plane tomorrow night, first stop Taipei, then Sydney, then home. Still plenty more to do before we release the album & we'll be straight into it when we hit home soil.
Our dates in Berlin, after touring Ukraine in September, have been confirmed for October. And there's talk of Romania after that, including Transylvania.
And some video below from yesterday at Santa Monica Pier (about an hour by car to the beach from Down Town LA).
Maxie went out with friends from Florida again today. Shots below.
Max's brilliance with self-portraits. The half-head is Rachael (friend from Florida). See Malibu beach behind us?
Max & Ayala on the Nth Malibu beach in front of the gorgeous home we were visiting (Hi Sue & Don - what a lavish 4 hours of eating!!)
The dinner table at Sue's, complete with view over the Pacific Ocean.
Nomes Wrestling Mexico City
Just got an email from Naomi (down in Mexico). Here's an excerpt...
Hows everything going!?!?!?
Went to the wrestling last night. Tequila, beer, tacos and wrestling. greatnight!
Oaxaca tomorrow, known for its tequila and chocolate. I am predicting craziness.
Hope now that simon is gone you are punch buggying! There are about a million of the damn things here! Ahhhh its beeping at me. Talk soon. Miss you guys HEAPS!!!
(Simon & Nomes punch whoever is around them EVERY TIME they see a VW beetle)
Chat tomorrow (or later tonight).
Sleepers out.
Max had a couple of friends fly in from Florida today who took us to Santa Monica pier.
Meanwhile the mixing of the album continues & is sounding fantastic...
And Max is still fascinated with food (below is the candy section of the supermarket....)
Sleepers Out
Mixing LA
We (meaning Rick) began the final mix process yesterday. We went around last night to hear the first few tracks & give feedback. Again, sounding great - the whole thing's coming alive. Rick's got an amazing room set up for final mixing. This phase is an amazing process (though somewhat technical and boring if you're not into it). But the end result is sounding like something really big and exciting. The sound of the record will surprise a lot of people. Lot of different styles poured into it. Did anyone say Disco?
Mix continues today - we'll be over at Rick's tonight.(Rick's mixing studio above.)
Chocolate milkshake on Melrose
Hot fudge sundae
Simon Leaves For Oz.
Another goodbye. Simon hit the road this morning (about 20 mins ago). Piled into the airport shuttle bus to begin the long ride home. His route includes a stop-over in Japan and another in Sydney. Sounds like some heavy flying time. (And if you're reading this Nomes, he's got your bass)
Chat tomorra,
Sleepers out.
Nomes in Mexico & LA bands at last
Nomesy SMS'd us to say she was in Mexico City & having a Corona. However, by the time we got there, it was closed.
After a disastrous effort trying to see bands previously (involving lack of ID, $100 taxi fares & a lecherous cab driver), Sleepers-Minus-Nomes made it out to a club called 'Tangier'. Very interesting night of local LA music. Here's some pix & links.
http://www.myspace.com/whispertown2000
Ethereal, quirky, beautiful & unique harmonies.
Max & Morgan, singer from WhisperTown2000.
http://www.myspace.com/olinthemoon
'Alt-country' - also very beautiful.
http://www.myspace.com/mackwinstonandthereflections
This band had an axe & a bassplayer with a white suit jacket. They were totally cool.
Standards of self-portraits have clearly slipped since Nomesy left.
Sleepers Out
Nomesy to Mexico
I've been corrected by Nomes several times. It's Central America, not South America. Anyway, she got away without a hitch this morning. Which was great considering the state we ended up in last night. Went out with Rick and Miranda (Rick's partner) on a bar crawl kinda thing. Crawling being the operative word by the end of it. Then, for some reason, we stopped on the way home to buy a mountain of alcohol, had about half a can each and passed out. Hope I didn't say anything too ridiculous to anybody last night. Probably did, but can't remember.
A touch seedy this morning, Max and I did the walk to Big Bobs - Home of 'The Big Boy' (giant double decker burger). Bout 3 ks but felt like 30. Anyway, made for a good hangover cure coupled with Bob's food (which is massive). Then walked home again. Still about 40 degrees out there - should have re-thought the walk home. But too late when you're half way.
We'll miss Nomes. One month - Longest time we won't have seen her for, since she became a Sleeper. That, and we've spent a very intensive three weeks together - and finally the album's done & we're leaving one by one. Simon next to go on Tuesday. Maxie and I outa here Thursday.
LA's a cool place. People are pretty friendly. Maybe it's the weather, or the part of town we're in, dunno.We'll miss the place.
Mixing the record goes into it's final stages starting tomorrow morning at Rick's home studio. Shots from last night and breaky below. 
Big Bob's Diner - Home of the Big Boy.
The Hangover cure?
Shots of houses around the Hotel. Dunno why, just thought we'd show you what they look like.
Chat tomorra (after mixing).
Sleepers out.
Night time
OK, so that was that. Three weeks in the studio. What an awesome time we've had. First of the goodbyes were said today. Don't really like the whole goodbye thing. Build bonds with people you'll never forget, then say 'seeya later' knowing you might never see them again... or maybe, one day, you will. Trying not to think about it.
Still the final mix process to go. That's next week. We're already in love with the record, based on first mixes. We've taken our shit as far as our courage will stretch, and back again. It has so much in it. Everything we've grown up listening to. Everything we're listening to right now. Bits shoot in and out at you as you pass along the audio Sleeper road. Sometimes big, other times small. Making you remember or forget. By now, if you've read this far, you might be aware I'm well underway in the drinks department. Cut from the band for a few moments to fill you in. Celebrations have begun. The notes have all been played.
Better get back to it.
Shots below.
Sleepers out.
PS Jonesy (or Mr G as we refer): How ya goin?
PSS To the great KA - throttle Dexter for me (love ya Dad).
All Good 2
Spending our nights listening to drafts of the album. Which means short updates here. Today's our last day in the studio. Last touch ups or additions to the record. Then it's down to final mixing. So we're all up and alert this morning - and ready for it.
We've got more photos and stuff from the past few days. Put em up later on today. I think tonight we'll get out there and celebrate the end of recording.Naomi also spends her last night in LA tonight. She flies out to Central America in the morning.
Chat later on.
Sleepers out.
All Good.
Not much time to write stuff this morning. Spent yesterday in the studio doing some minor touch-ups. Back today for the same. We got through almost everything yesterday. Could be starting final mix early - maybe tomorrow. Everything sounds great, so a lot of the songs don't any changes.
Chat later today. Bout to take a ride to the studio now. Rick's picking us up in a few minutes.
Sleepers out.
Rocks.
Just had first listen to the album. Awesome. Can't believe how great it sounds. Rick's totally caught us in the zone. Live, big, grand, soaring with dirt in it's wings.
Chat tomorrow (& talk more about it).
Sleepers out.
Ball Game
We're out of the studio early today. It's just before 5pm. We've finished recording. Rick needs time to do some rough mixes. We'll have a disk by tomorrow night. And probably make a list of all the parts we'd like to redo - but tomorrow we listen to the first draft of the album.
So to pass the time, we're going to the baseball tonight. LA Dodgers v Atlanta (should take our minds off Rick, slaving away back at the studio).
Shots from the baseball, posted here, when we get home after the game.
OK, so home after the game now. And here they are...
Crazy taxi driver (to baseball) who loved the girls - perhaps a little too much. Wanted to see "boobs" on the album cover, "BOOBS, during sunset, over the ocean, when the light is at it's reddest... and you can see everything". We thought, with that kind of creative imagination, we needed a group photo.
Avagoodun,
Sleepers out.
Week Three in Studio
Yep, all started again this morning. Glad we had a good day off yesterday. Was a long one today.Lots of additional percussion going down. More backing vocals. Realising how many backing vocals we have - and extra vocals the recording process might inspire. Sounding brilliant. Really getting to the 'business end' of things now. Some songs have everything there - just waiting for mixing.
Had a thought about describing most of last week in the studio: Lots of waiting, listening, waiting, discussing. Throw everything into it - might take 5 minutes or two hours. Then back to waiting. I reckon it takes more out of us than days when we're continually playing... maybe.
Anyway, back to it in the morning.
Chat tomorrow,
Sleepers out.
PS check out the shots and video from the weekend below...
Day Off in LA
Made the most of today. Slept in til midday. Got up, watched baseball with the guys, then went out for an arvo at Universal Studios. Movie theme park on a giant scale. Just down the road from the hotel. Shots below. Really enjoyed today, which surprised me. Been a little cynical of the whole 'theme park' thing til now (but had a ball today). We're all feeling really good after a day off & out of the studio. All starts again in the morning. Below I've also put up some more studio shots from Saturday.
one of the sets at Universal
Soaked on the Jurassic Park ride
Studio Saturday & 4th of July shots...
One more for the Gipper
Few more of Rick's Rock poses...
Chat tomorra.
Sleepers out.
Another week done
Ohhhh yeahhhhhh. It's Saturday night. Tomorrow off! So, here's where we're at: Everything recorded except for the odd backing vocal. Backing vocals have taken longer than anticipated - should have been obvious - there are a lotta backing vocals in our stuff. Heaps... Der.
That said, we're well ahead of where we thought we'd be. It's a weird thing, recording vocals. You're always ducking in and out of the emotion that caused the song in the first place. And that can be either painful, draining or inspiring. Or all of the above. So, at the end of this week, Maxie and I feel like we've been rolled in a long slow car accident. But it's all good...
Last night was awesome. Rick (Producer) is such a cool guy. He knows what to do to help a band bond together. We went up to this 'secret' spot to watch the fireworks going off all over LA. Ended up being a fair crowd at the lookout (just below the 'Hollywood' sign). Amazing. Few beers etc etc. Riding home in the back of the pick up truck. Totally cool night. Hit the spa around midnight. Shot a little hello vid for ya (check below - yesterday's entry).
LA last night...
Our humble abode...
The closet where Maxie sleeps (right)
Sleepers out (have a good weekend).
Independence Day
Got out of the studio a little earlier today. Prepping for big 4th of July fireworks and whatever else goes on tonight. Rick's swinging by to pick us up & take us to a little-known spot up in the hills. Party going down, fireworks, extraordinary views of LA by a mystery lake (?)...
Fill y'all in later on. Should have some happy snaps to post up.
Sleepers out.
Maxie Spots Cloud
Walking around in North Hollywood after today's session - dumped the bags and took this shot. It's only little but it was there. Tonight we celebrate. (Tween 35 & 40 degrees every here, every day...)
Rick's 'Rock Poses' below. Nomesy tempted our producer-perfectinado with camera and the promise of massive web exposure...
Guitar Surprise
Guitar Pogo
Guitar Love
Sleepers & Rick Parker (left) & Kenny the Engineer (with guitar).
Chat tomorra,
Sleepers out.
Guitars and keys all down now. Vocals start tomorrow.
Maxie is now officially sleeping in the closet. It's dark in there. Doona on the floor, Maxie on doona, door closed - normal sleep pattern has finally returned, flu fading.
Max sang 'Melancholy' at the end of the day today, making the most of the last remnants of a cold/flu. The song's sad (hence title) & she felt it would sound more like she was crying, while singing, if her nose was blocked. It did.
Another clear day ends. The band piles into Rick's pick up truck for a ride home. This time Maxie and I laid down on the ute tray. Pretty cool (if somewhat dangerous) way to do it. Layin' down, watching the blue sky pass overhead, cool breeze. Nice.
Chat tomorra,
Sleepers out.
Studio again today. Another clear day in LA. Really hot. Things are going well. We know the songs so well, played them live and rehearsed them so many times that there are very few takes for each part. Lots of the album, so far, has gone down in the first or second take, each instrument. (feels really good)
Now we're back at the hotel, relaxing. Naomi & Max sitting on the couch behind me. We've had a few... so the conversation is 50% laughter. Watching crazy cable TV. Pretty good through. Caught the second half of 2 hours of Family Guy. The Office on after that... Orright.
Pix below from last 3 days...
Kenny shoe day 8
Kenny shoe day 7
Santa Monica Beach
What the?
The Hammond.
Rick, Nomes, Marty
Getting the Hammond from Rick's storage joint yesterday.
Kenny's dog with Si back at Kenny's house.
Roller dance routine near Venice Beach
Beck's Platinum album. Recorded at the studio.
Neighbourhood houses etc
Part of the studio vintage guitar selection
Chat tomorra.
Sleepers out.
PS Good stuff Mick. Nearly there!
Back in the studio today. Coming together great. Keys and guitars going down. We're in 'vintage gear heaven'. Drove across LA first thing to pick up a giant Hammond organ and rotor speaker bin from Rick's storage unit - a rig from the 60s. Great call: Sounds incredible. Maxie shedding tears of joy when she hears herself playing it. Guitars: I've played several classic guitars on half of the album so far. Gibsons, Strats, Firebirds from the 70s, through a selection of classic amps. I'm in heaven: Vox, Fender, Marshall, Orange etc etc. Sounding like a geek, I know...
What's not geeky is the volume I'm playing at. Louder than anything I've put out on stage or at rehearsal. You can't help but rock out in front of that old school speaker stack. Insane. The vibe is totally killer.
Yesterday was our day off. Sunday. Nomes and Si went down to Santa Monica beach, then to Venice beach. Maxie and I made it to Venice. Took hours on the bus. Was not what we'd expected. Seen The Doors movie with Val Kilmer? That's what we thought Venice beach might be. Few people milling about. The odd hippie, some roller skaters and maybe some dudes pushing weights at the beach gym. When we walked onto the beach-front road, we joined about a million people who all had the same idea. Packed on an endless road like lemmings. Dodging families, 'normal' people, freakers, hippies, body builders, punks, bikers etc by the thousand. You can't walk in a straight line for more than 3 metres. The beach is like a non-stop festival. Crazy.
Me thinks we needed a quiet spot under a tree to chill out after the week that was. At least the long bus ride gave us time to reflect. Surprisingly recording was not affected by said weird day off. We ripped through stuff today - totally inspired and on a roll. Life feels fast here. Fast, amidst millions of people, all moving in traffic. The city of cars.
Back in the studio tomorrow to barrel on.
Sleepers out.
PS: Go Doggies (and Bombers)... Thanks Lana.
Big Days for Simon
and Nomesy
Ahhh.... back at the hotel here in Hollywood after another big one at the studio. Simon finished his drum tracks earlier today & Naomi bolted through almost all of her bass takes. She finishes tomorrow (backing vocals aside). The apartment is pretty quiet. It's around midnight here. The band have hit the hay. Naomi & Simon are feeling understandably drained (but happy) after a week of intense concentration. Maxie and I are not quite as tired. It'll be our turn starting tomorrow.
With the foundation down, the album's taking shape - sounding awesome. Nomes and Si have done a legendary job. We start getting down to business with the guitars and keys sometime tomorrow arvo. Orrright!
Given up on the mobile phone thing here. Especially since the good people at 3 have permanently locked one of our phones to their network - so we can't put a local SIM card in them. Forcing us to pay international call rates every time we use the phone. Sharks.
Off to bed now. More studio shots below. Thanks to Jeanette for her lovely email. And thanks to our international publicist, Betty, who's right now spreading the word in Istanbul.
The mighty Rick Parker (producer)
Kenny, the coolest studio engineer in the west.
Kenny's shoes. A different pair of the hippest footwear daily!
The final album list?
Idiot.
Chat tomorra.
Sleepers out.
PS. Mick Brown, if you're reading this, hello! And hope the house is coming along well mate (You'd be finished by now wouldn't ya?).
Night time LA
Home from the studio - day 3.
Man, I'm tired. I think the other guys are as well. Yeah... they're tired. Early to bed (rock & roll). I'm thinking the days are like one big long show - with a bunch of 5 minute breaks here and there. Rick Parker, producer, is a legend. Great guy. And Kenny, the engineer, great bloke too. They've been dropping us home and picking us up from the hotel in the morning too (probably feel sorry for us - we look buggered).
Things are going great in the studio. Great vibe, great sounds... awesome. And as for Rick - he's at home tonight editing our stuff til midnight. Back again first thing in the morning.
Thanks to Betty for the footy scores from the weekend.We're outa the loop here with the important stuff.
Chat tomorra,
Sleepers out.
By the way, could somebody email and tell us how the footy went last weekend? (Or more specifically the Bulldogs and the Bombers) Click here to email.
Recording in LA part 7
Day two in the studio. Long one - and we got through a lotta stuff. Just slightly ahead o' schedule. Starting to return to human, jetlag fading. Apologies to family for not calling. The phone situation hasn't been easy to sort out. This Sunday, we're hoping to get the mobile phones sorted. We're knackered by the end of each day so getting the brain space to organise phone cards and find the pay phone around here seems a little beyond us. We'll get it happening shortly. Needless to say, we're all OK (loving what we're doing).
Photos below from the studio & Simon and Nomes in Vegas (before recording). 
Chat tomorra,
Sleepers out.
Studio toilet is officially clean, Simon finds out he has a "foreign drummer's setup", Max gets sent from the control both with her boiled egg & the band discover a Finding John Malkovic floor to rest in.
Oh yes, it's all excitement over here. Our Producer Rick & engineer Kenny are both lovely, warm, experienced guys. It took most of the day to setup the drum kit (bloody drummers) but we managed to get some recording done. 'Final Word' is sounding fantastic & 'Sorry Now' is 1st cab off the rank for Day 2.
Los Angeleans are horrified that we're walking everywhere (only 'youths' & questionable people walk) but we're so happy it's warm! All suffering from lack of sleep - combo of excitement & body clock adjustment.
More tomorrow, Sleepers Out.
It's 1am. After arriving at our apartment we caught a cab & asked for a restaurant. We got dropped off on an unattractive strip of busy road (Melbournians, think Maroondah Hwy Nunawading without nature strips) & walked into an Italian restaurant. We were seated in a booth right next to the GRAND PIANO where a guy was playing & the waiters, all worthy of being on a Broadway stage, sang show tunes. What really blew me away was a guy from the audience with a killer voice who played gorgeous bluesy/gospel infused songs (I watched his fingers tinkling the ivory with envy!). Afterwards I was so excited talking to him that he got excited too & knocked Marty's spaghetti meatballs right out of the waiter's hand! We've made our first friend in LA....
Walking home we stopped in at a Mobil Service Station where I spent half an hour delightedly exclaiming over the products ("Oh look, Twinkies!"). I can hardly wait to go to the supermarket tomorrow....
Blissfully happy Max - Out.
21June08 Late night LA.
Max and I just got in a few minutes ago. Sped here from the airport by rockin Russian cabby. Need to trek out to find food and smokes.
Nomesy and Simon somewhere in Vegas. We know they've been here. Clothes & stuff scattered around their room and the smell of rock & roll hangs thick in the air.
Sleepers out.
21Jun08
Nice work Nomesy. We're sitting in Taipei airport (Max and I) eating noodle dumplings, marvelling at 'grape flavoured' Fanta & waiting for the plane to LA. - Marty
Marty's watched 4 movies & I'm onto my 3rd book. Still another 11hrs flying time until LA not including the 2 hours stopover in Taipei. It's been a week of flying around - Sydney on Monday & Maroochydore on Wednesday & vote for best cabin crew goes to (sorry if this is predictable) Qantas. I've done a thorough investigation of the Duty Free Shops here in Taipei & declare there's nothing to buy. After all, if they don't sell Ritter Sport Chocolate, what good are they?
Very busy killing time & nothing worthwhile to report. Sleepers Out. - Max
19June08... LA Time
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world tour clip 07
world tour clip 07
Killer photographic art by Ben Thomas. Click on the photo above and check out his amazing work.Shots from Revolver 31Aug07 below courtesy of Steve McGrath at rockportrait.com
