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Update #10: Choose the album artwork!
We have been busy this week prepping the incentives to go out. T-shirts, posters, subscriptions to The Mixtape Project, guest list passes to every show we play. . .really everything but the actual album. Because I know you are wondering, here is where we are in the process:
I am sad to say that Mike Landolt is no longer able to mix the project. I had a long phone conversation with him just the other day letting him know how sad I was that we wouldn’t be working together. He decided that he couldn’t wait any longer and started renovations on his studio space, leaving him with no place to work now that we are ready for him. Since we didn't want to wait until he was finished with this, we have been looking for other options for a mix engineer. Thankfully, Jerry has many contacts. We are pleased to have Ryan Williamson out of Nashville on the project. Jerry has worked with him before so I’m trusting the process. We put a finishing stamp on four of the twelve tracks and sent them off to Ryan just this past Friday! We are going to be doing sets of 4 tunes at a time until we have the whole album back for mastering. After that, it’s on to Brian Lucey.
Jerry was over today with more notes and we took a few hours for more finishing touches. The plan is for Jerry and I to work for the last time together today. After that, it is completely out of my hands. We’ve done all the work we can do and now it’s up to the masters for the sonic polishing.
As some of you may know, or have learned in this process, there is a lot more to making an album than just the audio portion. There are lots of relationships to balance, scheduling of calendars, and maintaining regular work at the same time you are going through the creative process. I am so glad we have a team to accomplish all this. In fact, the band has been hard at work with a few more pieces of the album puzzle. We have been coming up with a new website, scheduling a new band photo shoot, and Matt has drafted some cool album art concepts. Since this album is still completely crowd focused, it’s up to YOU to vote on your favorite concept for Matt to finish. Actually, those of you who pledged at the 3rd backer level are the only votes that we will calculate, but we would love to hear from everyone on this. Let us know what you think as these ideas are in development. The one you choose will be the one we use!
Update #9: Vocal session attempt
After we got the basic tracks down, I went to Jerry's home studio and recorded my acoustic guitar tracks. We came back to the 1305 studio to start cutting lead vocal ideas so as to have a better guide for the planned overdubbing of the other instrumentation. I don't have any video of the acoustic guitar sessions but, as I was doing some of the vocal sessions, I broke out my phone and captured these embarrassing clips. There is more to come so stay connected. With so much touring from both myself and Jerry, it's hard to keep the momentum going on this project, but I am enjoying the pace. It has allowed us to evaluate the project as we go. I think the process is helping us to be truly objective so we can make the very best record for you.
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scott gosselin on November 14, 2011
cool stuff man....I like the behind-the-scenes look at the process - thanks!
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Update #8: Basic tracks 2
Here is more of the footage from the initial weekend of recording. You'll see discussions about She Makes Me and Already Gone as well as initial song form for Belong and Make it Beautiful. It's a pretty tame video, but it's all a part of the process and I want you to see it all.
Update #7: Basic tracks
I've been a little disconnected with everyone because of this whole recording process as well as getting back to touring this fall, so I'll back track a little to get everyone caught up.
We spent a weekend getting basic tracks. Here is some of the footage from the first evening. At this point, we were just getting warmed up. You can see us feeling out the space, the songs, the producer, the engineer and trying to figure out how to work efficiently and creatively in this new environment. The camera is not so great, but this was captured just for our records and our inner circle which includes you. I'm glad we captured anything at all. Thanks to Crumpton, Aaron and Kara for hanging out and holding the camera. Hope it gives you a little insight into what we've been trying to accomplish. I wish everyone could be there. You are all so much a part of this and I am privileged to work for you. Hope you dig it. There is more to come.
Update #6: Recording Progress Report #1
Hey all!
So, just a quick progress report on how things have been going with recording. We are at a good breathing point where we will soon be taking a listen to the tracks we have so far and evaluating what we will need to do to finish. This will help us determine our schedule from this point out. So far, here's what we have done:
We spent a weekend in the studio tracking the 12 songs you chose. At that point, the engineer (Freddy), the producer (Jerry), and the mixing engineer (Mike) listened back through what we recorded and said, "Well, I didn't know it was going to be this good."
That was encouraging to hear and it made us all re-evaluate where we would go from there. Freddy realized he hadn't allowed enough time in his schedule for us to finish in one stretch so he immediately started reserving time for us after he got through other projects that he was already committed to. Jerry realized he could have approached the project from a different method from the start so we are considering using this different method for 3 or 4 of the songs that he feels could become the promotional tracks for the project. Mike started getting involved and letting us know what we should do from this point to get him the best material to mix.
Travis' drums are done and JP's bass tracks were so good live that he didn't have to redo anything. The rest of us have been recording overdubs in and out of all of our separate schedules. Jeff worked with Freddy to get even better guitar tones for some songs. I have finished my acoustic guitar tracks with Jerry in his home studio to help us save some recording costs and be responsible with the budget you so generously gave. Donnell and I are starting on keys next week in my home studio where all of The Mixtape Project songs were recorded. After that week, Freddy's studio is no longer locked-out and becomes available again for us to finish vocals and all of the other missing items we might need to get this project complete. Tonight, Matt and I worked through some of the samples we might be layering into the tones we captured in the studio. We have some videos of these sessions we will be editing and posting here soon.
In the meantime, we are putting together the incentives we promised as a thank you for your pledges. The T-shirt and poster look great and Matt is working hard on the album artwork choices some of you will get to vote on. Keep sending us that info so we can get your stuff to you!
Jared
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julie & phil biggs on September 5, 2011
Sounds like it is going well! We are excited to hear it :-) Hope to see you all soon in concert somewehre.
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104
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$12,000
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on July 24, 2011.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
A subscription to The Mixtape Project; a digital copy of the finished album
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
A subscription to The Mixtape Project; a digital copy of the finished album; autographed pre-release CD
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
A subscription to The Mixtape Project; a digital copy of the finished album; autographed pre-release CD; limited autographed poster; vote on album artwork
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Everything in the $100 level PLUS your name in the "Thank You" section of the CD and a limited run t-shirt
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Everything in the $100 level PLUS your name in the "Thank You" section of the CD; and free entry to all of Jared Mahone's shows and exclusive live recordings of several concerts until August 2012
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Everything in the $100 level PLUS your name in the "Thank You" section of the CD; and an interactive, online concert with the band where you and select guests can ask questions and request songs
Pledge $3,000 or more Pledge $3,000 or more
Everything in the $100 level PLUS your name in the "Thank You" section of the CD; and a personal house concert for you and your guests anywhere in the continental US (House concert must be scheduled before August 2012)
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
The Complete Recording Experience! You will receive everything in the $100 level PLUS you and two guests are invited to the recording studio for a day. You will have lunch with the band, and you will be a guest performer on one song. You could contribute on an instrument track, vocal track, or clap track...we will help you if you need it! And your name will appear as a performer on the final CD! ***To be included in the initial tracking days, pledge before June 17th. If you miss this deadline, you can still pledge because we will make sure your tracks are recorded before the album is finalized.
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What!? A white guy from Mid-west Ohio singing soul music for cheering crowds all over the country? It's hard to believe, but that's exactly what Jared Mahone consistently makes audiences do - believe. His authenticity comes through from the first note and grips you until the last. He has been called "a groove-driven, blue-eyed soul machine with gospel/folk/blues/rock undertones, all in the service of solid songwriting. The rhythmic chemistry and intensely focused performance style of Jared and his band results in a spiritual, soulful, thoughtful, and danceable presentation." (written by Brian Baker of citybeat.com)
In the so-often disappointing world of pop-culture radio, the Columbus, Ohio local music scene seems to be staying true to the art and progression of music and song craft. Just one listen at any one of the city-favorite clubs on O.S.U.'s campus will expose this healthy talent pool of bands who are devoted to building their local culture one eclectic brick at a time. Jared Mahone and his band have joined the ranks of these great musicians standing a foundation of contagious songs and infectious rhythm.
“Because of my family’s devotion to a life entwined with faith and song, I have been able to witness firsthand how honest music changes people’s lives. That’s the kind of music I want to continue to be a part of. That’s the kind of music I want to try and create.” -- Jared Mahone
#2 is my choice. #3 just doesn't feel right to me...too silly or something, with the mixed up tape overlaid with the text. #1 is good, but seems to err a little on the unfinished side...I think I get what the objective was for it, but there's just too much white-space for my taste. Anyway, #2 is great in my opinion.
i feel like i'm just hopping on the bandwagon, but i really do think #2 looks the best
Number two with a slight modification. Have the counter set at 413.