Jody Whitesides

Tag: recording

Mountain Biking During Touch Recording

Ah yeah, when I’m in the studio and I’m cooped up for too long, I need to get outside. Such was the case while I was in the studio during the recording of Touch. I needed a break and what better break is there than to get outside and do some light grade mountain biking. Here in this video I’m out in the Pacific Palisades area taking a quick ride up the Westridge trail with my good friend Russell Bowman and his dog Tara.

Mountain Biking

Hey it’s Jody, I’m here with my good friend Russell Bowman.

Hey! Tara. Shhhhh…

You’re part of this too, but yeah, wait your turn. You need to stop barking right now so I can speak.

I’m here in the lovely area of (is this West Ridge?) (West Ridge)

We’re in Westridge this is Russell Bowman and he owns Thunderbolt Spiritual books. He has loaned me his mountain bike.

Normally I’d be on my own. But, mine is somewhere else in the world at the moment.

And we’re going mountain biking today. Join us!

A slow uphill climb up Westridge.

Need a little seat adjustment. We don’t have the tools.

So one of the last times I was riding here with Russell I came down into this ditch.

Right there!

And face planted. When my bike stopped dead in the ditch.

Downhill here. Unfortunately, Russell’s seat clamp has broken so we can’t make it up to our goal which is that little silo looking thing up there on the top of the hill.

We’re going to turn around here in just a moment and go up the single track ‘n’ go back down.

We are, on our way up the Westridge single trail. Russell has got his helmet on I’m solo without helmet. Silly me for being unprepared. But. That’s what you get when you borrow. See ya on the flip side on the bottom.

Russell has to walk ’cause his seat don’t work.

Made it up that. I’m breathing a little bit heavier than I thought I would. But that was exciting.

Next set of downhill we go.

Came down that single track in the center.

Coming back up the hill. Over here Los Angeles covered by clouds. Looks like yesterday when golfing.

Now back down to the end.

Russell and Tara up ahead. As they say – never let ’em see ya sweat.

2014-02-04
Touch In The Studio

Come in the studio with me as I work with George Leger III at his Utopia Parkway studio to record the final vocals on my upcoming new single “Touch”. Get a sneak peek of what it’s like in the studio and working with a good friend from Canada who helps create some awesome magic.

Find out who I got one of the guitars used on the song from. Figure out a particular guitar riff I play while waiting for George. Hint, it’s from an amazing guitarist out of Texas.

Enjoy the video:

Transcript:

We’re in Los Angeles. Taking off in a moment in the car. To get over to the studio. Time to start recording some vocals.

Ok, here’s the humor. I’ve just rolled up to the parking lot of the studio where I’m recording with George Leger, over here, the third. He’s got sore feet. So, we’re walking in. About to get started with doing some recording and having some fun. Of course I’ve got to have some tea before I start yodeling out of my mouth. [yodel yodel] But it will be an awesome day of having fun in the studio. Enjoy. See you soon.

Currently we’re working through some issues that George has with playing the mix back, before we get into the concept of me actually opening my mouth and making some more vocals. That are not just demo vocals.

Bonus points to YouTubers who can figure out where that riff comes from.

We got the mics all set up and what we’re gonna do is we’re gonna test out this particular setup to make sure it sounds, fucking brilliant. [fucking brilliant].

Turn back the click on?

Don’t you love that? That’s George’s dyslexia in action, right there.

That’s Canadian speak isn’t it?

Canadian speak, ha ha ha.

Eh?

Just for those out in YouTube land. This is a Parker Fly guitar.

Yes, very nice guitar. Wish I had one actually.

It was given to me by somebody that is very big in the independent music world. Or at least was at one point in time. He’s now kind of retired. His name is Mr. Derek Sivers.

Derek Sivers, thank you very much for your contribution to this song. That we’re using with your Parker Fly, that is, well apparently it’s now my Parker Fly.

We’re doing a little production work at this point. We’ve decided to nix the pre chorus, which you’ve already found out. And we’ve decided to nix some vocals in the chorus there were, uh, filling too many holes. After we do a bit more production work, we’re going to ad some ad libbers. Ad libbies. No? We’re not, we’re not doing any? Oh, cause there’s not enough holes. Not enough room. So much for ad libs.

You know what they say about ad libs? Fuck ad libs.

You say you want to try another octave higher. I’m not sure that’ll be overkill, but I’m certainly willing to try.

Well then, shall I double the other choruses first?

Ah, no. I’m just going to use this part for all of them.

No, no, no.

Yes, yes, yes.

No, no, no.

Yes, yes, yes.

I don’t like cut and paste.

Dude. I don’t care. This is not really that important.

It is.

fuckin prima donnas.

I don’t feel like a prima donna, but thank you.

You’re a fucking leo, what are you talking about.

That doesn’t make me a prima donna.

Yes it does.

No, it just makes me king of the jungle. Or my jungle anyway.

It has been an awesome trip. The vocals are done. It’s time to do the mix. Back to the studio. So long LA, it’s been fun being back. It feels like a slice of home. See ya on the flip side.

2014-01-28
Road Trip To LA For Recording Touch

A couple of months ago I forged ahead with getting a slew of new music recorded. Instead of doing it all at once in an album format, I’ve shifted gears and opted to go single by single. This way I’m able to concentrate on a steady stream of new music, plus do videos for each one.

Join me in this video as I hop in the car and head to Los Angeles through Utah, Arizona, Nevada and finally California.

Getting To LA For Recording Touch

http://youtu.be/lGXF6q1FS2k

Transcript:

“I am in the process of finishing up a first single called Touch. Today, I am on my way to Los Angeles to work with George Leger my co-producer to finish up that song. So it’s road trip time people. See ya in LA.

So I’m winding down one of the major arteries of America, interstate 15, about to pass Nephi Utah. Eighty mile an hour speed limit, gotta love it.

Off goes the trucker. Probably going to the flying J right there. I used to drive my bus there. There’s Nephi one direction. Nephi the other direction.

Taste Beaver. Lovely.

One thing that a traveler must have, as they’re traveling in their car, Juanita chips. These are the best corn chips in the world. Bar none. In addition to that, you also need to have fresh homemade guacamole. Chips and guacamole in the car and some awesome lemonade. You’ve got a good road trip way ahead.

And the most odd thing I think I’ve ever seen in my life, is that the driver in front of me is from California and driving really slow.

I’m about to cross over into Nevada and that point I’m going to make a rest stop. Stay with my father. Play some golf tomorrow and go on to LA the next day. Have a good one!

Zzyzx road right there, exit 239. Right off I-15. Heading in to LA, almost there.

This is your captain Jody Whitesides speaking. We’ve just made it across the high desert and we are now about to descend into the Los Angeles valley. LA, here we come.

Dropping down into the Los Angeles valley on the long descent down. Big windy road. One of my favorite places. Easy to coast. Just got to watch the downhill speed with the brakes.

Just landed right down in the Los Angeles valley and wholly cow look at the traffic heading out of town. It looks like they’re doing a bunch of construction to widen the freeway.

Excited to be back! Ready to record baby! Ready to record.

Two helicopters chasing people down the street next to the party I’m at in Hollywood!”

2014-01-21
Eighth Song finalized Is "Waiting On One Thing"

Getting these songs done is taking a little longer than anticipated. Grrrrr. Outside interests wanting music created in a hurry is the main reason. Another is the onslaught of the holidays. Of course there was recent mic issue. Despite that, I’m happy to announce that the eighth song finalized is “Waiting On One Thing”.

I spent time rethinking the arrangement. Mostly I’m adding additional bars of things between sections to give it some extra ear candy to the flow of the song. It was short before. Now it’s at it’s full length and it’s still less than 3 minutes long. Kind of surprising to me. I don’t usually write songs for myself that come in so short. Especially full fledged pop/rock style stuff.

At this point the flesh is there. I’m waiting on the mic (one thing) to come back so I can lay down the tweaked lyrics. That’s the last part. An important part, but it won’t change the arrangement at this point. No, the song is not about waiting on a piece of gear that is out of order. Geez. I have little more depth than that.

I’ve got 10 songs to go. I have my guesses as to what it will be. You’ll have to wait to find out when I announce it. However, I won’t stop you from emailing me a guess (The Song List Link). Maybe it will change my mind…

For now, be aware that song eight to be finalized is “Waiting On One Thing”. Have a great day and spread some cheer whatever your holiday greeting is!

2012-12-20
Song Decisions

Music is flow. Music is life. When it comes to getting ready to record new music, decisions have to be made. Sometimes they’re easy, sometimes they’re not. I’ve been slotting out new songs and have finally got it down to 18 new ones that seem to resonate best. Not only with me, but with others as well. It’s these song decisions that make up what artists will release.

I’ve been mulling it over and I’ve come to decide the following. I will put full effort into the final 18 songs that are left in the hopper. Meaning I will record all 18 of them to studio greatness. Once I’ve done that 12 of them will go on to make the official release. The other 6 will be bonus gems to be fawned over by die hard fans.

Here’s the song titles, in no particular order other than alphabetic:

American Mayhem
Careful
Femke
Imagine Life
In Disguise
It Burns
Jupiter Bowl
Love Takes a Holiday
New Here
Stand My Ground
Stand Up
Things Left Unsaid
Thump Thump Thump
Till We Meet Again
Touch
Vaporize Your Heart
Waiting On One thing
You Can’t Hear

I’m not going to tease you with a time frame just yet but these songs are going to see a release date. I promise you that. Besides what good would it be for me to make these song decisions and then screw up the date if they weren’t done yet? None, I tell you. None good.

— Jody

2012-11-14

[copyright]