Band Journals:

 

December 26, 2006

May 26, 2006

December 19, 2005

November 12. 2005

June 21, 2005

April 14, 2005

March 25, 2005

December 21, 2004

November 2, 2004

October 5, 2004

August  25, 2004

July 22, 2004

June 9, 2004

February 29, 2004

January 7, 2004

July 24, 2003

June 1, 2003

 


December 26, 2006 - No soup for you

 

From soup to nuts? Well, if music is the soup, then we must be the nuts. Which may be timely since we can also be some of the nuts in the festive fruitcake that tends to be this time of year. We all hope that every one of you out there is having the best of Holiday season, no matter which one you may celebrate - just so long as it isn't a holiday that involves pointing the working end of a weapon at anyone. 

 

The new year is almost upon us and with it brings some interesting changes to say the least. We have been on a semi-hiatus for various reasons. Most of it involves not currently having our rehearsal / recording studio available for our use at the moment. Long story. Suffice it to say that Steve, Sean, and I are about our of our minds chomping at the bit wanting just to get together and jam. We're hoping to get something arranged soon, but at this point we've pretty much decided to wait until spring so that we don't have to move around lots of expensive gear in the middle of nasty weather (although - knock on wood - we haven't seen any real snow yet here in Massachusetts this year).

 

So, what does this mean for the new album and our music in general? Not to fear, young Timmy. The crutch of waiting will no longer be needed, eventually. Its just a matter of a delay. We've still been working out ideas at my home studio, and Steve G has actually been doing some writing using midi to set up scratch / guide tracks for when we do the real acoustic recording. We do plan to post some samples of the new material soon. We just need to agree on just how much to let out at the moment. We'd like to also only post samples that have us all represented, and there are some demo tracks that are missing one or more of us at the moment.

Thanks for bearing with us and we hope the new year brings the best for, and the best out of everyone!

 

Cheers!

Scott

 

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May 26, 2006 - The Waves Roll On

First and foremost…with the utmost gratitude and respect to an amazing keyboard player, we have decided to part ways, musically, with Steve O’Donnell. The split is amicable and we have nothing but well wishes for Steve on any road he may travel. As we all grow as people and musicians, factors change in life that, while not negative in any way, do steer us all in different directions. This is the case with OD and TIME and TIDE. 

OD has been an integral part of our band on so many levels, it would be hard to encapsulate them in a few paragraphs. His natural ability, creativity and knowledge of “what works” has helped shape our music since the beginning. Steve and I started out together in 1989, pounding out our humble songs, rooted in our common love for Rush and Yes. Joined by Sean and eventually Scott, the clock turned a few times and here we are more than fifteen years later, still moving; with families, work and life in general.

The most important thing I want to stress is that OD has been our closest friend for all these years. That will not change. He’s an absolute great guy and I have not met a funnier person in my life, and we all live on laughter. So Scott, Sean and I would like to extend big THANKS to our brother, Steve OD, for all the great years. We’ll miss you!

In other news, as the late spring shakes itself off from an absolute deluge in these parts, Scott, Sean and I have been busy honing a ton of material into what will be the next album. I have to say that these songs really punch out of the box for TIME and TIDE. This time we’ve worked in a much different way, crafting many of the songs “in the studio”, so to speak. Speaking for myself, I am very happy with the results thus far. The subjects are fairly broad, but all seem to stem from our latest bouts of soul searching. 

So, as Scott pulls the boat out of storage, Sean pulls his weed whacker and lawn mower from the garage (nice new lawn, by the way), and I pull my head from the ever growing “to-do” list, I would like to bid everyone a happy spring! 

Safe keeping,
Stephen Glowacki
TIME and TIDE

 

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December 19, 2005 - Hello folks,

Tis your humble bass player here. Back again after nearly a year since my last post. And what a year it has been. Right now I am sort of drawing a blank, because everything that I could be saying about the band right now, for the most part, has already been said in previous journal/news posts and emailers. What you may not know though is that I have not played with my band mates in eight months. After our last gig, and with the anticipated birth of my second child, I took some time off. Actually a lot of time off. After recently reviewing just what the other guys have been working on without me this past year, I am beginning to feel the fire to return. We shall see how that goes after the new year.

So what exactly can I say about the new stuff the guys have been working on? Well that depends. I am not sure how much info the guys want to keep under wraps for now. So they may edit what I write here.

 

The big thing is a new concept piece. It is a group of songs that clocks in now somewhere around 40 minutes. I cant really divulge the subject matter, but I am sure we have all gone through it somewhat.

 

Then there are a bunch of other songs. Some may make it to album, some may just end up on the website or the cutting room floor. A large chunk of the stuff is really different from the stuff we have done in the past. And that is my biggest reason for beginning to gain the desire to join the fold again. There are a number of other solid ideas that I hope the guys will let me rip apart and either take a different approach to the way they are played or arranged or take some of the best parts from each and create even more new and fresh things.

 

This past year has been a totally different way of writing music than the way we have always done it in the past. So far it has yielded some surprising results. I am hoping that being away from the band for a year will allow me to look at the material from a distance and come in as a trusted outside ear so to speak almost somewhat of a producer and help with final arrangements/song direction/transitions/overall sonic landscape.

 

There is also one last little tidbit. I have found out that Steve G and Scott have been working on their own little side project. I got a chance to listen to some of that stuff last Friday. I have to say that it was very impressive. I wouldn't mind getting involved in that project either at some time. Good job guys.

 

Sean

 

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Nov 12 2005 - Hello to all! 

 

It has been a long time since my last posting. Those who know me well need no explanation. To those who don't, let me just say sometimes life throws you a curve ball. The past 14 months have been a period of enormous personal change for me. To quote the Grateful Dead - what a long, strange trip it's been. First off I want to thank my bandmates/soul brothers Steve G,Scott, and Sean for their constant support and seemingly endless patience for me through everything. Also a BIG thanks to my parents, my brother Sean in Kansas (thank god for free nights & weekends on cellphones), and my sister in law Lisa. All my old friends I've seen at our last couple of gigs, and the new friends I've made in the last year. I'd like to name each and every one of you, but I'm sure I'd leave someone out. Of coarse, the 2004 Red Sox--a better script could not have been written to end the pain and THE CURSE!!!! And last but far from least, my beautiful daughter Katie, who gives me constant inspiration to be the best person and father I can be, every day. 

That being said, any "misadventures" you may have read or heard about me have been greatly exagerrated(spellcheck please!) Of course I went through the manditory "get it out of your system" phase that follows a break-up. But nothing that I'm ashamed of, nothing that hurt anyone, and nothing that would be headline news.Most people are actually surprised at my "good behavior" in the last year. Mabey I'm getting old, but the sofa is alot more comfortable than a barstool (cheaper too!!) 

I've also spent alot of time taking "rides to nowhere". Iced coffee in hand, CD of choice in the player, and a full pack of cigarettes on the dashboard, I've found these journeys sans destination very rewarding.( "The point of the journey is not to arrive" as Neil Peart wrote) Many times during these rides I find myself thinking "thank god for music". From Glenn Miller to Green Day, there is some good stuff out there. Of course, I'll always have my mainstays( Rush,Yes,Marillion) but lately I've dug DEEP into the old collection (Springsteen,Level 42,Steve Morse,Sabbath,Styx,Queen,Porcupine Tree,Kansas,Triumph,and of course The Village People.I even stayed at the YMCA one night . But they were wrong, it wasn't much fun at all).These bands,along with many others,have recorded songs that touch me in many ways.During times of crisis or drastic change in one's life,lyrics can be especially thought provoking. I'd like to share with you some that have tugged at me lately.NOTE---I hope this is not a copyright issue. I respect these artists work very much. Besides,all my money is going to lawyers,legal fees,and one sarcasticly impaired individual. So if you're gonna sue me ,get in line. 

"Summer's going fast,nights growing colder Children growing up,old friends growing older"-----RUSH "TIME STAND STILL" I've known Steve G for 22 years,Sean for 16,and Scott for 10. I can't forget Chris Maggio-23 years!! My daughter will be 9 in January. I don't know where the years went,but I do know they went fast. 

"You don't hear me anymore You don't touch me anymore You don't know me anymore"---FISH "INCOMLETE" If you haven't been there,I can't explain it to you. If you have been there,I don't have to explain it to you. Pain anger,depression,and self doubt all rolled into one big bleeping mess. Like the TV commercial says:"Don't let THIS happen to YOU!!!" 

"At the start of every day A child begins to play And all we need to know Is that the future is a friend of yours and mine" ----YES "HOLY LAMB" So simple yet so applicable to human nature. As children life is so simple,and as adults we do some foolish things to complicate it.But the future holds the promise of hope,and a chance of forgiveness and redemption. And I must add,Tony Kaye's keyboards and Jon Anderson's vocals combine to make one of my favorite melodies of all time.

"So much has happened to me,that I don't understand I remember being six years old running behind you at the beach Chasing your footsteps through the sand--- trying to walk like a man" BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN "WALK LIKE A MAN" These lyrics really rip me apart lately.I remember one summer,I was like 8 or 9,my parents rented a house on Cape Cod for 2 weeks. My Dad had moved back in with us after a seperation from my mom,and we just got a German Shepard puppy.Things were pretty good. I remember doing just what the song says. You know, putting my foot in my Dad's footprints in the wte sand as the tide went out.Wanting to be "all grown up" just like him. Well,here I am,"all grown up", still screwing things up even worse than when I was 8 or 9!!! Some say Bruce takes it too far, but I do like his simple,common man approach in these lyrics "If You ever decide that you have to escape So you travel the world,but you can't find the place Then you wind up believing that paradise

Is nothing more than a feeling that goes on in your mind" MARILLION "AFTER ME" Since my "Domestic Re-alignment",some people,with the best of intentions,have said to me "Well,now that you're single,you just HAVE TO go to__________".(Fill in the blank with your choice,because I've heard ALL of them,from Venice to Vegas to Venus!!!) Reminds me of a sign I saw years ago : WHERE EVER YOU GO,THERE YOU ARE! Translation: Ican't run from myself. Besides,I'm sure a beer tastes just as good in Saugus as in Paris.Someday I will travel,I promise! But for now I need to be close to my daughter,friends,and loved ones.So if Paradise is a state of mind,I'll take mine right here. 

I could go on for hours doing this(which would equal 3 more songs at the speed I type!!).I thank all of you who have been asking about me (I'm alright,don't have to worry about me KENNY LOGGINS). ########### SPECIAL NOTE########## :Get well soon Jerry Brock!!!! U R DA MAN!!! Also thank you to Lorrie (30) you are soooo wonderful!!! Until next time---Work hard,Play hard,Love gently. 

 

STEVE O'D 11-10-05

 

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June 21, 2005 - Summer Arrival

 

I would like to first welcome a new addition to the TIME and TIDE family. Sean and Amy Blair are the new proud parents of Emma Rose Blair, born June 6 (Renee and I have a new niece). She’s beautiful as can be, thought she has a hard time holding the bass. Congratulations to the Blair’s!

 

With Sean currently taking some time off, Steve OD, Scott and myself have been busy writing new material. In related news, OD’s got a new keyboard, Scott has a new vocal processor and guitar and I have a new empty spot where my old shed was (OK, so we’ve been busy with other things too). The ideas are rolling out and we’re excited about the many directions the material is heading. Of course, it’s much too early to know where it will ultimately end up, but right now, think Village People! For those sarcastically impaired, that’s a joke. And for those who like the Village People, Sorry!

 

As you may know from previous emails, we have released Scattered Remains, which is a reissue for the first time on CD, of material we wrote as Season’s End. I urge everyone to check it out as we’ve priced it very inexpensive. We have also put our new version of the Beatle’s classic, Eleanor Rigby, online. This will only be available as a download. Also, the next song in our online cover songs series, the more obscure Tangerine Dream song, Too Hot For My Chinchilla, will be available very soon and we’d love to hear what you think about those.

 

And finally, on this, the first day of summer, I hope everyone has a fun and safe summer and with any luck we’ll run into you hiking in the White Mountains.

 

Take care,

Steve

 

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April 14, 2005 - A quick FYI by Scott

 

Just a friendly reminder that we here at Time and Tide are a pretty clean and wholesome foursome, and we feel that there's nothing that most other folks would find objectionable about our website (except perhaps our dry sense of humor). As such, we have started to label our pages with ICRA. All of us feel that, although this site is suitable for almost any age, any caring parent should monitor what their children surf to make sure its suitable and doesn't offend any younger sensibilities. 

 

We'd also like to share the fact that Time and Tide is not a signed band, nor are we registered as a business. All of us have normal 40hr+ jobs. We run the band as a club, mostly due to the fact that our group spends more money than we generate on a regular basis since the cost of rehearsals, maintaining our musical gear, production, duplication and playing gigs far outweighs any money we may make on album sales or performing at said gigs. This website is owned, designed, registered to and run personally by me to help share the music we create.

 

And I'd like to just add one more Thank You to everyone who shares an interest in our music...because in the end that's what its all about - the music, not making money.

 

Cheers! 

Scott 

 

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March 25, 2005 - SPRING IS HERE (updated with comments in blue for those who are sarcasm impaired).

 

And with it Sean is dancing around my home studio with a bunch of lillies in his hair (this is sarcasm). Glowacki is just laying back on the futon only sporting a few fig leaves to cover his dignity (or lack thereof) (more sarcasm, thankfully). I'm sitting here typing with a midget cat jumping all over my back demanding that I don't feed him nearly enough fishy snacks (this is fact). All that and some new Porcupine Tree is playing in the background (also fact). OD is off playing the dating game with some rough trick named Jim (this is a Family Guy reference and is definitely sarcasm - BTW, for those of you that don't know, Family Guy is a really funny show that used to be on Fox, and can now be seen on Cartoon Network. You don't even have to have a law degree to watch it).

 

Seriously, we're here working on recording some cover tunes to keep my recording skills fresh and let me play around with my new 16 track. We'll have them posted fairly soon on the Multimedia page. We're also working on tweaking up some of the older material with vocals that only made it to various cassettes - we plan to re-issue them and make them available all together in a collection on one CD (no, K-Tel won't be releasing it) (more facts)

 

We've also got a great show coming up in a few weeks at the Lowell Brewery Exchange - check out the flyer above for details... its a really great venue and offers a whole plethora of fun stuff to do in addition to us playing up at the play loft that evening, so come on out (fact, although the band we were supposed to play with can't say they're playing the gig is a fact anymore).

 

Come back often for more details on the re-release and availability of the internet only tracks and for more details on the continuing misadventures of OD (first half is fact, second half is sarcasm).

 

Take care! 

Scott,Sean and Steve G (and thank you for bearing with those folks out there who are sarcasm impaired)

 

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December 21, 2004 - Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Now What!?

That seems to be the current question weighing on our minds. We are at the crossroads of a new year and decisions about our future path. Sometimes being faced with the term "now what" can be a good thing. It was after all a "now what" that led to the writing and recording of both our latest release THE WATER'S EDGE and our old opus from 1995 CIRCLE THE SUN. We were very pleased with the outcome of both of those albums so with that experience finding ourselves faced with another "now what" is for me at least a great pleasure. A chance to open some new doors or travel another road not yet traveled will almost always fill someone with a whole range of emotions. And what would life be like without the whole range of emotions? They are after all the very thing that drives us in whatever direction one chooses every day. So I hope this will be the inspiration of yet some more music we can be proud of. Time will tell if the Tide works in our favor.

 

Aside from that, There is not much else to say that has not already been said in Steve's October update. I guess I can start by thanking all those who attended our latest gig with Subdivisions on December 16th at JR's in RI. We hope to do more shows next year so keep checking in for the latest. I would also like to extend a big thank you on behalf of myself and fellow band mates to all those people who have purchased THE WATERS EDGE and all the kind comments and constructive criticism that have been directed our way. We are glad and monumentally relieved that you have enjoyed listening to it. Playing to ourselves in our rehearsal garage (the sea room as we call it) and living with the songs from conception to final recording, it can be very hard to separate yourself from the songs and be objective. We should be able to utilize these comments in making the next album even better. Thanks also to Frank, Jeff and Doug just because. Also a big thank you to Dan Tofalo for playing choice cuts from THE WATERS EDGE on his radio show "Tracks of the town" on WNSH Beverly AM 750, Saturdays 6:00 to 8:00PM & WMWM Salem FM 97.1, Sundays 9:00 AM to 12:00PM.

 

In other news, sales and reviews for the waters edge are trickling in. We have sold out of our first batch at Newbury comics and CDBABY.com but have replenished the stocks so if you haven't picked up a copy yet, please be adventurous and don't be afraid to pick one up. We have also just completed a large international order and are now also available through Tower records.

 

As Steve mentioned in October we are at this time promoting THE WATERS EDGE, planning and rehearsing for gigs and writing new material. As far as writing new material goes we are tossing back and forth a number of new ideas. We even played one of our latest almost completed songs (Nothing) at our last gig. We have also decided to take a slightly different approach to writing this new material and it SEEMS to be paying off for now. We have had some ideas for a new concept piece and there is one idea in particular that I for one am anxious to begin working on. Steve also mentioned in his October update our potential plans of re-releasing some of our older material and also some "internet only" (probably some cover songs) tracks for downloads. These details are still up in the air but hopefully we can agree to a direction and put a lid on these issues in the near future.

 

In somewhat un-related news let me tell you about some recent CD purchases.

One from Neil Morse: Another brilliant masterpiece from the man and a fantastic follow up to his brilliant album Testimony. The term musical genius should not be thrown around liberally and is really only fitting for a small minority but in my opinion this man is truly deserving of that title

Blackfield, a collaboration between Israeli singer songwriter Aviv Geffen and British musician and producer (and might I add again a musical genius) Steven Wilson of the band Porcupine tree: WOW! I just love this CD. Some hauntingly beautiful melodies on this CD. I plan on tossing back a cold one this weekend and listening to this in the quiet of night with a pair of headphones. A must have for PT fans.

Grace from Jeff Buckley: What a fantastic voice. It is as everyone described it. Angelic.

Major Impacts Two from Steve Morse: I probably wouldn't be treading on sacred ground by asking if Mr. Morse is the best guitarist EVER!!! Although I loved Major Impacts one better, this is yet another fantastic release from may I state again probably the best guitarist EVER!

Relics from Pink Floyd: It was a great pleasure finally replacing my old vinyl copy of this with a CD. It has been many years since I gave this a listen.

Live at Budokan from Dream Theater: What can I say, These guys are just monster musicians and masters of their craft.

Favorite release of 2004: Probably Marbles from Marillion. A CD collection without this two disc set is truly lacking

Now playing: Duke Ellington: Black and Tan fantasy

 

Sean.

 

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November 2, 2004 - And rolling with the punches

 

We have added a new page with reviews of our new release, The Water's Edge. We thought we'd provide some additional insight from others into how they felt about our various offerings. Please feel keep in mind that not everyone is going to like us and we're all entitled to our opinions. We're certainly glad and appreciate that there are lots of folks out there that are gaining enjoyment from our latest offering. For those that have bought the album, a huge THANK YOU. And for those that don't care for it... well, there's plenty of music out there. We just hope it doesn't close the door to giving us a listen in the future.

 

There's about a gabillion ways to read into reviews. But it really boils down to this: how good music is to an individual is subjective regardless of how technically accurate or accomplished (or lacking) the musicians are. Its a medium that appeals to the senses and to the soul.

 

In the end we ask just one thing... make your own decision. We have samples that can be accessed though our multimedia page so that you can give it a listen for yourself.

 

One last thing: we've also provided links to all of the reviewer's websites. Most of them have areas where you can even add your own reviews. Good or bad, we encourage you to do so.

 

Cheers!

Scott

 

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October 5, 2004 – Rolling with the waves


Sometimes you’re cruising along; the spray on the bow; the sun in the sky and the wind blowing through (what’s left of) your hair. Suddenly, you’re in the midst of a squall and a rogue wave is bearing down, threatening to swamp the boat.

 

Why the dramatics, you may ask? They’re simply a tool, in this case, for an analogous illustration of our current situation. We have, as you may have noticed in various sections of these pages, released THE WATER’S EDGE. We have been sowing the promotional seed, so to speak, for several weeks, with the BIG kick-off, in the form of our CD release show, planned for October 8th. Unfortunately, someone hasn’t been wearing the foul weather gear. All joking aside, Sean Blair, bass player for TIME and TIDE has come down with a serious bought of pneumonia. Consequently, we have been forced to postpone the CD release show to an, as yet, unspecified date. We, of course, deeply apologize to those who were coming. It may go without saying that we are more upset than anyone at having to delay our album’s formal “unveiling”.

 

That being said, we are hard at work on other aspects of the band. We have, in a way, adopted a three prong approach to the band right now. The promotion of THE WATER’S EDGE, in the form of advertisement, submissions to various review outlets and gigging which I mentioned above, would be the first. We have also commenced with writing some more new material. There are stacks of lyrics, musical ideas, and potential concepts to sift through and develop and we are absolutely foaming at the mouth to get the juices flowing. The final prong on Neptune’s fork is our desire to reissue some older material we previously released as SEASON’S END. We have been tossing around ideas for, primarily two releases which would effectively catalogue our past. The current plan is to release these in reverse chronological order. The first would most likely center around the REASONS and GREAY DREAMS EP’s, with some previously unreleased bonus material. The second would be a reissue of the instrumental opus CIRCLE THE SUN and would also have some unreleased material. There would like be available in a very economical format and perhaps a sort of package deal. These details are still being sorted out. As a by product to all of these goings-on, we hope to periodically submit some “internet only” tracks of various things.

 

So, as you can see, it looked like were going to get swamped by a rogue wave, so we built a submarine.

 

Bye for now,

Steve G…

 

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August 25, 2004 - A View from a fly on the wall.......

(Scenes from rehearsal on any given night between 1998 and 2003)

Scott : I've got this riff - it goes like this....
Steve G : I like that. What if we shift it to 7/4 and I play this........?
Sean : Silence
Steve O : laughing for no apparent reason
Steve G : Sean, you don't like it, do you?
Sean : Silence
Steve O : How about if I play this 3 times, then you come in with that. I've got this new sound.
Scott : I could play maracas over that.
Steve G : No, Scott, really. This can work.
Steve O : I need to have a cigarette.
Scott : I thought you were quitting?!?
Sean : Guys, it is all wrong. Lets try that other riff. We need to start over. Back to the drawing board. It isn't working. I quit again!

And so it goes...........

I guess this is why it takes us a long time to write music. But, alas, the end justifies the means. At least to us. All we are, really, is four guys who are great friends who like to play the same type of music. Whether we are band mates because of the friendship, or friends because of the band doesn't really matter. It is what it is, and we are what we are.

Of course, we are extremely proud of the album. Hats off to Scott since he wore many in the creation of this project.

If and when you listen to it (which I boldly assume you will, since you took the time to read this newsletter) we hope you enjoy it. Maybe it will let you forget that your job is hassle - or that your car needs $800 worth of work - or that certain Red Sox manager forgot that he had a bullpen on that fateful October night. That's right - I'm still not over that!

On a personal note, I can't wait to start writing a bunch of new songs for our next album. I know I am very fortunate to have 3 guys who want to drive in this "vehicle of creation" with me. And also fortunate to have family, friends and fans like yourselves to support this most selfish indulgence.

Thank you all so very much!!
Steve O. 

 

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July 22, 2004 – flash traffic from Scott

 

Well, we have some great news to report. Last night marked the conclusion of mastering on The Water's Edge. The album is done. Complete. Finito. Its got a fork stuck in it. Its a great feeling and we all couldn't be any happier with the way it sounds... not to mention with the exception of the mastering, it was all done by the band - concept, recording, and engineering, so we're really proud of how it came out.

 

The next step is duplication. We're sending out the master next week, so hopefully by the second week of August or sooner we will have the complete package ready for sale. Keep an eye on the site for the announcement of the release party and how, where and when you can pick up a copy of the album. We'll also be posting clips of each song on the website in the Discography section.

 

Thanks for your patience waiting for the release, we all hope you enjoy the album as much as we've ended up enjoying making it.

 

Stay posted!

Scott

 

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June 9, 2004 – a report from the WATER’S EDGE  

We had hoped to have an update sooner but, as it often does, “real life” get’s in the way. This was Sean’s turn up at bat, but he’s learning how to start a lawn mower. So…on to the news.  

We’ve finally moved into that delicate process of final mixing for the new album, WATER’S EDGE. With hindsight I can say the recording of parts was, in some ways, easier. That process was one of mechanics; set the levels, find a nice sound and capture the best performance. OK, it didn’t seem THAT easy at the time. But now, as we move into the mixing phase we have the daunting task of being subjective. There are so many ways to present the material and ultimately you can’t help but second guess yourself as you make comments and suggestions. Add to that the fact that you have four different opinions and it can really move in circles. Thankfully we have the kind of working relationships that are based on mutual respect and a common love for diplomacy, so we can always hash things out with minimal bloodshed. And also, Scott loves the abuse!  

The next process, once we finish the final mixes, will be to add the post-production effects and then master the recording. With any luck, we’ll be on to duplication by July, or, as Sean would say “July 2005”! Ah yes; always the optimist.  

In other “recording” news, we have been developing the artwork and sleeve design. We wanted to capture the essence of the album focusing primary on the Pilot, which in many ways can be a summation of the themes of the songs. We’ve enlisted the help of my sister, Julia, who has created some “layered” images which we will “composite” to create the cover. In looking at some of the proofs this morning, I think they definitely say WATER’S EDGE. Well actually, it literally says “WATER’S EDGE” in little fancy writing. So much for the abstract!  

Finally, we’re hard at work rehearsing for our first live gig in over a year. We’ve been cracking the rust off and learning some of those “spontaneous” moments that have been recorded. We’ve been ironing out the nuances while Steve OD has been ironing his cape collection. Once again, we have the pleasure of playing Judge Roy Bean’s in Bristol, Rhode Island for the “Doc Fund”, which benefits those victims of The Station fire in Providence. If you are anywhere remotely near Bristol, please attend, as it is a great cause and you’ll be the first to hear the newly finished songs.  

Take care,

Steve G.

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February 29, 2004 - Posted by Steve O.D.


Hello to all of YOU from all of US
Much has been happening in the recording of our more recent material. Which leads me to this question.....If a band writes a song but no one hears it, does it make a sound? I think that is how the four of us were starting to feel about our songs. Yes, we played a couple of shows last year, yet we did not have that disc in hand, that "Golden Envelope", if you will, to hand to YOU, the listener, to enjoy (or suffer through, or laugh at) at YOUR leisure. Well ,all of that will change in the near future. No more "wait till next year" (Red Sox?). The longest cut, "The Pilot", a seven part song, is 99% done, which leaves the six other "shorter songs" in the wings. We are near the end of a two week break from recording to rehearse these six songs for their turns in front of the "SACRED MICROPHONE OF SHAME" where even the most minute error shall be magnified to extreme proportions for the amusement of your musical peers. Of course, those 3 other guys I play with will nail their parts in 1 or 2 takes. They are really GOOOOOD. It usually takes me a tad longer (I just don't want to show them up!!). The drums are actually done for most of the remaining tracks . Scott and Steve G. got all they could while the drums were miked. Also, the bass is done for 'Gemini". It's been about 2 1/2 months since we played any of the "short six" (does that sound dirty, baby?) ,so the experience was as humbling as it was fun. But that is OK with us. "Pride Comes Before The Fall"---- just ask the Carolina Panthers and the 2001 St. Louis Rams (HA HA)  So if all goes according to plan (which it won't), and nothing big goes wrong (which it will), all should be done by late April / early May. Of course there will be all those nagging details to tie up (artwork, credits ,etc.). But we never let details slow us down (yeah right). Well that's that with that. I hope you can forgive any pessimistic undertones in this entry, but try to understand. Other than music, my other deep passion is being a Boston sports nut. Which leads me to 8 words for one Mr. Grady Little-----"Timlin in the 8th, Williamson in the 9th". Oh well, wait till next year!!!

Until next time,                                           

Steve O'D


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January 7, 2004 - Posted by Scott

 

Ok,ok, I've finally made a few updates to the website. Well, we're finally making some real progress with the recording. Its been a huge learning process, and since I wear many hats in this band, its also been a very busy one. I am pleased to announce that the first 30+ minutes of the disk is "in the can" so to speak. All of the tracks are there, we just need to do mixing and add a bit of post-production element to it. That first 30+ minutes, of course, is The Pilot - we will be posting portions of the piece in the multimedia section, so keep an eye out for that.

 

Now we get to move on to the remaining songs for the album... we've decided to actually take a couple of weeks to just do rehearsing, since we need to just get together and play (and get Pilot out of my head from listening to it over and over and over while doing production and mixing). Its all good fun in the end, and we'll all chompin at the bit to get everything done and hear the finished product.

 

Hopefully, it won't be too long before the recording is done. I'm personally hoping for a spring release along with a few live gigs. 

 

Happy New Year!

Scott.

 

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July 24, 3002 - from the desk (or screen, as it is) of Steve Glowacki

PROGRESS? REPORT

 

I had hoped to write the next report much earlier than now, but I was waiting for some real progress. Here we go…

When we began the actual recording, Scott and I worked extensively getting “the” drum sound, and then we “tweaked” it even further. At one point in the process, after we had four tracks done, Scott noticed a “hum” coming from a tom mic and that another round of “massaging” the drums sound ensued. In true “home project” fashion we circled the kit like vultures waiting for something to die, in this case, the hum, with duct-tape in hand. Back to the drawing board we went. We charged on with spirits unbroken… or were they? The biggest benefit of recording “at home” that I can think of is a lack of time constraints. We have no record label hanging over us and therefore no label pressure to release. What could be better? It is the perfect setup. Eden! Conversely, I think we’re finding the biggest detriment to recording in this way is a lack of time constraints. Our plan for this project was to take a break from any non-recording activities so we could focus on this production. Because of various setbacks, vacations, etc… we find ourselves not playing some of these songs for 6 or eight weeks. The results, for me at least, is a lack of feel for the songs when Scott says “rolling”. As each session goes by I find myself over thinking and sliding into a spiral of self doubt. Pass me an asbestos suit, I’m in hell!!! In light of these realizations, we’ve decided to change our approach slightly and try to maintain some regular rehearsals throughout the recording process. The first of which took place a few short days. To me, it felt great and I feel recharged for the mission.

 

In summary, I think the buzz word for “progress” over the past 6 weeks or so has been “experience”.  Although seemingly baby steps, they are steps forward, none the less.

I hope everyone is having a great summer.

 

Thanks for reading,

Steve.

 

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June 1, 2003 - From the desk of S. Blair :

Hello all -

 

We would like to start by sending out a big thank  you to all who attended and lent your support at our latest gig at Judge Roy  Beans in Bristol RI. It was for a worthy cause and we had a great  time. As some of you know but probably most do not, we  are on a little break right now to do some long awaited recording. We have been  busy picking the songs that we would like to record, mapping them out and  preparing the click tracks. In about a week or so Steve G. will start with the  drums and the rest of us will follow. In mapping out these songs to prepare for pre-production scratch tracks we found out some interesting things about our  material. Some of these are as follows: The Pilot, our latest epic, is comprised of seven separate songs or movements for an approximate total of 98  parts with eight time signatures and 15 different tempos. Media, which we had previously recorded but we're taking another pass at it, has only one tempo shift  but a multitude of time signatures. Wasteland has relatively few time signatures but an abundance of tempo changes. And in contrast to all of them is Time Away which is relatively short is in straight 4/4 with only one tempo shift.

 

So as you can see we have been very busy and the  pre-production has already yielded some interesting results in which we think  will create a diverse recording. I for one have enjoyed this pre-production  process very much and am patiently waiting to lay down some bass  lines. We will try to update this journal as often as we can maybe even every other week so keep checking back for the latest. In the  meantime Scott has added a few new clips to the multimedia section. Although it  is not the material we are recording right now (you will probably have to wait  till it is finished) we have selected a few clips  from some of our past rehearsals to give you an idea of what to expect.

Sean.

 

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