Back in the studio again
Here’s a handy hint for all you musicians out there – if you’re trying to record an album, make sure that your main member/producer isn’t embroiled in a massive, all-consuming side project at the same time.
Never ones to make life easy for ourselves, the Shadow Orchestra are attempting just that. Right now, Chris is busy creating the soundtrack for director Tinge Krishnan’s first feature-length film, Junkhearts – starring Romola Garai and Tom Sturridge.
But in a cunning bit of nepotism, he’s also slipping in Nick’s Lament – working title for a track from the new Shadow Orchestra album. The only problem with this plan is that we haven’t actually recorded any album tracks yet – because Chris has been so busy with the soundtrack. *sigh*
So on Friday night I was off to Treacle Studios in Shoreditch to record my part for the track, along with some other bits and bobs for the soundtrack. To be honest, this was the hardest recording session I’ve done for a very long time. I’ve having quite a few musculoskeletal probs with my right hand/wrist/arm, and my part for Nick’s Lament is a relentless run of lethally fast triplets.
I’m used to being able to record parts in just a couple of takes, so finding myself fluffing take after take, in increasing pain, was not only very frustrating but quite frightening. In the end we got there, and I hope Chris manages to glue together something decent out of all my attempts.
I’m currently seeking profesisonal help for my hand/arm problems, from BAPAM – the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine – who have been brilliant. Their physio recommended I try a rather bizarre elbow clasp device when I play and type, which makes it look a little like I have a bionic arm. I’m yet to figure out if it’s helping or making it worse.
The bionic arm
Recording for the Shadow Orchestra album starts in earnest next week, so I really hope it helps.
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