July 2009

It's Mixed!

Ed — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 12:44:42 +0000

It's Mixed!

posted by Ed on July 30, 2009 in Cottage, Flying, Mixing, New Songs, Recording New Album

We now have 18 tracks mixed by Bob Clearmountain! We finished tracking last Friday, and Bob was hot on our heels with the mixes. He was already mixing tracks we'd finished earlier, while we forged ahead to finish the rest. He would have passed us for sure if we hadn't had some shipping delays getting him the raw materials. Bob really brought the songs to life. We knew he would. I am so frickin excited about these new songs... well, it's ridiculous. I can not wait to get them out to the world. In fact I may not. I may just post them all in a euphoric haze. So far, the feedback from the tracks has been incredible. The few close pals I've handed them to are freaking out. It's a very nice feeling. After tracking Friday, Ty hopped in to my plane with me, and we flew up to my cottage where our families were waiting. We had a great weekend of BBQ, and boating (God's Combo). It was Ty's first time in my plane, and he didn't seem freaked out about the fact that we flew right over my crash site for the approach to the lake... Thanks for the confidence Ty! The record release plan is falling in to place now. I can't wait to be playing all of this stuff live. We've been playing a bunch of new songs at the handful of shows we've been doing. It's just where our heads are right now. So much fun. It's going to be be really cool, and challenging readopting a bunch of the old material too. So far, we've just been winging it, but when we manage to slot in a few reheawwrwii... rehwaahhhh... rehearsaaaaaaahhhh. See, BnL is sort of like Fonzie. He can't say sorry, and we can't do that thing where you get together, and actually run through some of your songs!! We will though, and then it's going to be killer. We have lots of cool plans already. I'm going to go jump in the lake while it's not raining for 15 mins!

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Last Day of Recording!!

Tyler — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:45:14 +0000

Last Day of Recording!!

posted by Tyler on July 24, 2009 in Recording New Album

Holy Crap - that's finally it! After 19 days of work shopping and arranging and 37 days of recording, we're finished the heavy lifting on this, the 12th Studio Album from Barenaked Ladies. It's been both challenging and incredibly rewarding over the past three and a half months. We've undertaken our first recording as a 4pc, changed up our management, and we even got out to play a bunch of rock shows for y'all. As of today, the super-genius Mix God who is Bob Clearmountain has completed 12 songs out of the 18 we recorded and we absolutely love the way they're sounding. It's actually kind of Bittersweet right now, as we wrap up things at Jimmy C's and get ready for a few weeks of R&R ('cept Kev, who never stops). I'll miss the collaboration and the joyous unity of these sessions.

I'll also miss cooking for my band and MPW, Keith and Kenny - our awesome assistant engineer. I kinda approached the last few meals of Tychow like they were feasts of accomplishment. Yesterday was slow - smoked BBQ Brisket with sides of Tangy Pit beans, Braised Collard Greens, and Crunchy 'slaw. Wednesday I did Tandoori BBQ's Chicken with Turmeric Rice, Gently Stewed Beets and Spinach with Ginger and Green Chillies. I think we may have started a tradition with this cooking thing. It's great to have everyone around the table, enjoying home-made food after toiling in the Music Mine all day!

What sweet slavery though, cause this has been the best workplace environment ever for this band. Uncle Tyler highly recommends doing a job you love, with dynamic and exciting people who are committed to each other and to creating great things. That's what this process has been like and as my main man George Gershwin once said, It's nice work if you can get it...

Though all that work sure made me tired:

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Shows and Touring

Tyler — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:23:15 +0000

Shows and Touring

posted by Tyler on July 23, 2009 in Don't Worry..., Shows, Tour

Hey Y'all,

Uncle Tyler here with a little re-assurance. We want everyone to know that we are definitely planning a big tour in and around the release of our kick-ass new album. We'll get to as many of you as possible, we promise. The recent Festival Shows and the September and October casino gigs are ones we'd booked back in the spring, before the multitude of amazing and positive developments led us to where we are now: Namely, sitting on an incredibly exciting new batch of songs and heading off in a great new direction with Cam8 Management. You've stuck with us through the past year and all the ups and downs, so we're asking for a little more patience as we plan out the next phase for this little pop-rock orchestra. We thank everyone who has travelled far and wide this summer to see us rock the 4-piece science. We had a ton of fun at the gigs, and we feel so energized with each and every show we play. We really can't wait - but we have to, for a little while. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer and know that autumn will arrive with a brand new soundtrack by your Barenaked Ladies.

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It's Kev Time Now

Jim — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:41:46 +0000

It's Kev Time Now

posted by Jim on July 21, 2009 in Kevin, Recording New Album

Who says Keyboardists can't dance? Kev has found the way. There is no stopping him. Believe or not, he's walking on air.

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Planes, Vans, and Busomobiles!

Ed — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:04:36 +0000

Planes, Vans, and Busomobiles!

posted by Ed on July 17, 2009 in Bus, New Songs, Shows

We're on a tour bus somewhere outside of Minneapolis, en route to Cadott, WI. We've been listening to possible single edits for "You Run Away", and "Graffiti Love". Jim, and I have been doing them in Garageband. It's a fierce competition. Jim destroyed me with his "You Run Away" edit, but I will best him in the "Graffiti Love" duel. It is an unspoken competition, but a competition nonetheless. DAMN YOU Creeggan!!!! You haven't seen the last of me!!!! Looking forward to playing with Sheryl Crow tonight. I've always been a big fan of her stuff. Plus, she's super hot! We just ate at a fantastic place on the side of the highway. If I was into sports, and alcohol, and appetizer samplers... I'd have been in heaven. Tyler WAS in heaven!

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Clappin, Singin, Playin some guitar... You know how it goes.

Ed — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:55:57 +0000

Clappin, Singin, Playin some guitar... You know how it goes.

posted by Ed on July 15, 2009 in New Songs, Recording New Album, studio

It's a cloudy afternoon here in Toronto, and we're still plugging away on... as yet untitled. That's not what it's called though. We just did some killer clapping on "Golden Boy". Any day you invoke the Bay City Rollers is a good day. I'm setting up to play some guitar on "The Love We're In". That song is struggling to find itself. I think we're on the right track now. I've tried several approaches to the vocal... I think what we ended up with is good, but it's a lot more fragile than I'm used to hearing my vocal. I was considering flying myself to the couple of gigs we have this weekend... but I'm kind of looking forward to the hang on the bus with the guys, so I think I'll leave the plane here, and go old-school! It's really nice to be back in the cockpit again (or as a Canadian Forces female fighter pilot referred to it "The Box Office"). After my crash, I felt a huge loss of that part of my identity. It was a crazy time... Steve's Drug bust, my plane crash. It seemed like the world was conspiring to take everything I held important away from me. Happy to have that behind me. Feeling REALLY good in this space now. Flying again. Making a killer record. This was supposed to be a quick little studio update, cause Tyler bugged me about not blogging. So, there ya go. More than I intended to say, as there is more on my mind, I guess. Time to play some more guitar.

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City Sonic Film

Tyler — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:46:48 +0000

City Sonic Film

posted by Tyler on July 15, 2009 in Stuff we did, Ultrasound Showbar

When I first joined Barenaked Ladies in 1990, we had a residency at a Toronto Club called Ultrasound Showbar. It's long gone, but we remember it here.

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Multitasking...

Tyler — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:56:34 +0000

Multitasking...

posted by Tyler on July 14, 2009 in Big Green Egg, Chef Tyler, Recording New Album, food, studio

One of the hardest parts of recording for the drummer is the over-dub process. All the drums are done and, aside from the occasional tambourine or shaker, there's not much else to do. Luckily, two factors contributed to me having more to do this time around. First of all, I get to sing a little more these days and I'm loving it! Secondly, JIM BOUGHT A BIG GREEN EGG so I became the session Chef! It was great to cook for my boys while we polished up the tunes. Maybe I should do it on the road?? Special shout out to the Lempka Family in Chicago who totally hooked me up with a box of delicious rubs and spices at the Taste of Chicago. You can bet they'll be put to good use this summer and beyond. Bon Apetit, my Peoples.

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hi from kevin

Kevin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 08:48:16 +0000

hi from kevin

posted by Kevin on July 11, 2009 in Changes, Music, Recording New Album, Thinbuckle

Hi there ladies fans...

How are your summers going? i am in Los Angeles, sitting by the pool at the hotel, listening to some slow surf music,

which David Lynch wrote the lyrics for.. i found this cd at Amoeba records today..man i love going there .

I played here last night with the Thinbuckle trio. We played at a little club called the Mint. thanks to everyone who came out to

the show.. we really appreciate the support out here on the road.. we don't get to come out and play very often , but we sure

started this little run off with a fun show. We will be in DC,Philly, Boston and New York over the next week...But right now I have a night off and i am just

sitting here by the pool, reflecting on the last few months. There have been so many changes

in the BNL world it is dizzying. It has been tough, but at the end of the day I still love music and feel blessed to have played and to still play with so many

talented people. The new BNL record is coming along nicely , and the process has been harmonious and exciting.. we are trying new combinations and ideas

and it is sounding cool. I have also had the great honour of playing in Lou Reed's band , as well as Laurie Anderson's. These experiences have been

absolute sunshine in my life....i also finally went to Africa and sat with mountain gorillas in the jungles of Rwanda.. I will post a photo when i figure out how to!

My new record is out in canada and will come out in the US on july 28th.. I hope if you feel inclined you will check it out...

Alright,, thankyou for all of the support through these changes, it means alot to us... take it easy... kev

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A Chicago Boost

Jim — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:53:59 +0000

A Chicago Boost

posted by Jim on July 2, 2009 in Chicago, Shows, Songs, Taste of Chicago

It's a day later, and I'm still enjoying the after Taste Of Chicago. Your city is amazing, and I want my town of Toronto to follow your lead. The way Chicago has reinvigorated its waterfront is truly inspiring. I even saw palm trees lining a beach outside my hotel window. I'm not sure how Chicago pulled this off, but I'm all ears. The free Classical music concerts in Millennium Park has made chamber music fun again. Pizza, and Paganini in the park, what else could one ask for?

The Chicago show was a huge boost for us. The audience was completely game for us to do our rockin' best. Whether we were trying out our new stuff, or re-creating older songs, there was a willingness to go along for the ride. Since this is pretty much our maiden voyage as a four-piece, I'm never sure how some of the older songs will work, especially the songs that Steve sang with us. Ed took a flying leap, and sang What A Good Boy in the past few shows. I couldn't believe how familiar it felt to play it, and to see people in the audience sing it back at us. It revealed to me just how much that song continues to resonate with me, my band, and the fans. And if it's played with the spirit in which it was created, it allows the song to live, and grow, and reflect on experiences that Steve and Ed might never of imagined when they put it together.