Jody Whitesides

Author: Jody Whitesides

Backseat Producing And Manolo Blahnik

I’m usually a hermit in the studio, but I’ve opened up a little and had a little episode of backseat producing that led to a discussion that involved Manolo Blahnik shoes. In the past, I rarely let people in the studio while I’d be singing. Hence the reason why I’d produce them myself. I’m changing things around. Especially since I’ve been having George Leger III producing vocals for me.

Another first happened during the vocal recording session of American Mayhem. I allowed my buddy Greg Nicholson and his girlfriend to sit in while I was recording vocals with George at Utopia Parkway studio. Greg and I have written songs in the past. But he’s never sat in on recording with me as the artist. George has one rule – which quickly gets reminded to Greg as he offers up some advice.

While waiting for George we get into a discussion about the Apollo by Universal Audio and shoes by Manolo Blahnik. All of this prior to Greg and his girlfriend are about to go watch the World Cup football (soccer) between USA and Portugal. See, he’s for USA and she’s for Portugal. I’m sure that was an interesting match for the two of them. As we all now know, that was a moving match.

Backseat Producing And Manolo Blahnik

Transcription:

Are you’re P’s coming out okay?
Pah. I don’t know.

‘Cause you had a lot of P’s. So I was just wondering how.

Oh yeah, they’re not popping in the mic.

Ok. Cause sometimes I have to like turn my head just a little bit when I’m singing a P even with a pop filter.

Shhhhh.

Sorry.

Shhhhh.

Ha ha ha.

You’re a guest. Not a producer.

No side, no backseat driving.

Exactly. Please. We have work to do. Okay, here we go again. Ready?

Yes.

Mumbo jumbo. It makes people go really?

Really?

Really?

In other words…

Why do you need this?

It’s like so when you start updating your studio and she’s living with you at some point in the future. I’m projecting here. And Greg’s like “I need to buy this.” and you’ll be like “Really? Really?”

Remember, that’s what George and Jody said.

This stuff does make a difference.

Do I get a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s?

Of what?

Manolo Blahnik’s.

I don’t know what that is.

Really nice shoes.

Oh. Okay.

I don’t even know what the hell that is. But like, Okay.

A pair of nice shoes is that what that is?

Yeah. They cost quite a bit.

Alright. So, you get the toys in the audio gear. She gets the toys in the shoes.

That’s only fair.

Right.

I believe in this. I believe in being fair.

But here’s a question. How much are those shoes?

Between $300 and $500.

Oh yeah.

Whew.

Alright.

That’s totally fair.

Per pair. How much is what you want to get?

The Apollo? How much is that Apollo? About $2500?

That one? $2799 plus tax. No. $2500 plus tax.

I was thinking between somewhere between $2500 and $3000. Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.

I was like, we already shook, we already negotiated this deal.

I did not know how much that cost!

I don’t know how much your shoes are, but I’m thinking my thing is 10x of what we just negotiated.

Dammit!

ha ha ha ha.

Fair trade. Fair trade.

Well, now I have to get the most expensive pair of Manolo Blahnik’s now.

No I think it’s only fair that you would get at least a dress.

Ha ha ha.

To go with the shoes.

Okay.

Yes.

Alright.

That’s only fair.

2014-07-01
Breakdown Of The Radiator On The 405

Ever spill radiator fluid while driving? Generally this will happen if it’s damn hot out and your driving the vehicle hard. Yesterday, I wasn’t really driving my car super hard, nor was overtly hot, however I had got onto the 405 freeway heading south for a meeting at Universal when I saw a little splurge of radiator fluid hit my windshield. Immediately it was followed by a beeping noise that the car was getting pretty warm. I started to see steam come out of the vents, so I immediately rolled down the windows.

As I neared the top of the hill, I coasted the car towards Santa Monica to let it cool off as much as I could. Not many exits going south on the 405 right now in the Sepulveda pass, mostly due to construction. I managed to make it to the 10 and get off at the exit I needed for getting to Universal for my meeting. However, I did have to finally park the car and walk the rest of the way. It wasn’t getting enough air to justify driving it to keep it cool. I popped the hood and saw that the hose had slipped off the heater core.

I called the office I was about to meet to let them know I’d be there a little late as my car broke down and I’d be walking it. They were understanding and said whenever you get here, it’s fine. Whew.

The meeting went well.

Afterwards, I was able to find a friend in Santa Monica who could bring a screwdriver and a gallon of water. I examined the engine again, to find that the hose to the heater core bib had broken clean off. More or less disintegrated, and broke. The good thing was – there was some plastic left I could connect the hose back to. That allowed me to fill the radiator fluid, start the car and get it somewhere else to be fixed.

Talk about an inopportune time for a breakdown. Glad they were understanding.

Breakdown

It’s all right if you love me
It’s all right if you don’t
‘Cause, I’m not afraid of you running away honey
I get the feeling you won’t

There’s no sense in pretending
Your eyes give you away
Something inside you, is feeling like I do
We’ve said all there is the say

Breakdown, honey go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey take me tonight
Breakdown, I’m standin’ here can’t you see?
Breakdown, it’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right

It’s all right if you love me
And it’s all right if you don’t
‘Cause, I’m not afraid of you running away honey
I get the feeling you won’t

It’s okay, if you must go
‘Cause, I’ll understand if you don’t
You say goodbye right now, I’ll still survive somehow
Why should we let this drag on?

Breakdown, honey go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey take me to the night
Breakdown, I’m standin’ here can’t you see
Breakdown, it’s all right, it’s all right, it’s all right, baby

Breakdown, honey go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey take me to the night
Breakdown, I’m standin’ here can’t you see
Breakdown, it’s all right, it’s all right

Breakdown, honey go ahead and give it to me
Breakdown, honey take me to the night
Breakdown, I’m standin’ here can’t you see
Breakdown, it’s all right, it’s all right

Breakdown, ohh baby
Breakdown, ohh baby
Ohh baby, breakdown
Breakdown
Breakdown
Breakdown

Hopefully your car never does this to you.

2014-06-19
LA Moment Naked Homeless

Yesterday I had what could be called an LA moment. I was on the phone to business setting up a lunch meeting while sitting in my car parked on a street about to go into a restaurant for another meeting I was about to have. All music related. As I’m one the phone, I notice a homeless man sitting in the dirt off the sidewalk in the corner of a walled area. He was about 20 yards from me. He sat up, which is what got my attention. Then he looked wearily around like either in a drunk stupor or a sleepy daze. He then proceeded to remove his pants. It was right then that I told the person on the phone “I’ve seen a lot of things in LA, but I’ve never seen this.” They asked me to describe it. Yikes.

The poor soul took his pants off, lifted his legs into the air while on his back and let his junk fly free in the wind. I did not take a picture. I also didn’t think it was a wise idea to confront him about his situation, he did seem like he could fly off the handle at any given moment despite his daze.

I’d liken it to a train wreck. You don’t want to look, but you’re unable to ignore it. Don’t ask if I took pictures. I didn’t. Nor did I take video.

Fortunately he did put his pants back on. Then laid back down to sleep.

The humor I impart today is that there is a song called “Always Something There To Remind Me” – this holds so true for Los Angeles.

LA Moment with Naked Eyes

I walk along the city streets you used to walk along with me,
and every step I take reminds me of just how we used to be.
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me.
always something there to remind me.
As shadows fall, I pass a small cafe where we would dance at night.
And I can’t help recalling how it how it felt to kiss and hold you tight
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me.
always something there to remind me.
I was born to love her, and I’ll never be free.
You’ll always be a part of me.

If you should find you miss the sweet and tender love we used to share.
Just go back to the places where we used to go, and I’ll be there
Well, how can I forget you, girl?
When there is always something there to remind me.
always something there to remind me.
I was born to love her, and I’ll never be free
You’ll always be a part of me.
’cause there is always something there to remind me.
always something there to remind me.
always something there to remind me.

Enjoy your day and may it be memorable!

2014-06-12

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