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For the last 2-3 years, I stopped counting really, I’ve worked on and off on a project with Carl Burnitz and I think we’re finally seeing the finish line. The first single, “Knocked Down” will be released April 12th with the rest of the album hopefully out by the end of May. “Knocked Down” has had many iterations and I think this final one is the best. Carl cowrote this one with me and did all of the drums/percussion. Chris Compton added some kick ass guitar. It has been really fun to collaborate and procrastinate with Carl on this project. He’s the best in and out of the studio. He’s currently finishing up the mix/master as I type this and I can’t thank him enough. This collection of songs is titled Writing It Away. Maybe I’ll do a deep dive into how some of these were recorded in a future post.
Back in November over a 2 week stretch I recorded 10 songs all on a 1960s Rokkomann Japanese nylon string guitar. I got the guitar a few years back from a guy who’s dad had owned a pawn shop and passed away. His son was selling off the contents of the pawn shop that had been moved to a storage unit. There’s nothing particularly special about the guitar besides the songs I coaxed out of it. I’d only ever recorded it a couple of times before. The intonation isn’t perfect, the sustain is a bit weak but over those 2 weeks this guitar and I got along very well. These 10 songs have few overdubs (except for one, “Hungry for You”) and many were recorded in a single take, vocals/guitar on the same track. All of the main tracks are whole takes, no punching in to perfect stuff. Just recordings of performances with a few embellishments. For the recording I used my Neumann 149 microphone through a Shadow Hills preamp. The only other microphone used was for Jim Graddick’s fiddle over at Archer Avenue. Kenny McWilliams mixed/mastered the tracks for me and got them sounding great. I’m sometimes so close to the mic you can hear my nose whistle. My lovely wife Cully joins on viola for “Honey.” She also gave me the inspiration for a few of these tracks. The first single is called “Many Times” and it will be out April 12th as well.
cover art for the single “Knocked Down”
]]>Also, one of my favorites from Chris Compton is flying around too. A b-side not on the full album. HERE
Catch Lang at Curiousity Coffee on April 13 2024 with an all-star band of characters. I’ll be opening the night with a short set and Chris Compton will be closing it out.
Some of my favorites from 2023 are HERE
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I was fortunate enough to be asked to play the Deep End concert series back in the Spring. A local artist opens up his empty pool to performers, and folks come and hang out for an amazing evening of music and fellowship. Here’s a few videos from my performance in May.
Carl and I are slowly finishing up my solo album in between other projects I’m producing, recording and mixing. As usual, I’m excited to get it out there into the world so I can start the next thing!
Projects that I’ve recently produced that are headed to mastering include 4 new songs from Hard Pass, a full length album from Richard Hurteau and the Twins and a bluegrass EP from Mike Miller. I’ll let y’all know when those come out but in the meantime you can check out some of their other music here:
Hard Pass – Mona Lisa Motel
Richard Hurteau – Street Racing
And finally, a photo from a Sunday night gig at Columbia’s world famous Art Bar, which, according to legend, used to sell more PBR than any other establishment in the U.S. I have no idea if that’s true or not.
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A Christmas or two before Covid I went to his house and bought some firewood for a firepit in the backyard. We were walking around talking back there and he told me he liked to play Christmas carols on his autoharp and we should play together sometime. Today I deeply regret not taking him up on that.
On a happier note, today is my friend/collaborator Carl Burnitz’s birthday. If you don’t know already, Carl is the man. He’s a tech guru and keeps my studio up and running and is a creative force in his own right. He’s currently helping me with an album I hope we’ll finish up by the Summer.
On another positive, I’m rehearsing with a full band for the first time since Covid tonight. I’m pretty excited about it and can’t wait to play a show with folks again. Mike Scarboro, Chris Compton and Chad Phillips will be joining me on stage April 28 across the street from the house at Foxfield here in Columbia.
Stay well out there and go tell a neighbor/friend/relative you love them or just that you’re thinking about them. ]]>
