SEQUENTIAL Pictures

[ntbullock]

I've started recording some songs with my next "album" in mind. I plan on mixing this up more than in the past as far as the involvement of other people. It's mainly been a solo effort for awhile.

I've been jamming with Eric Kohn on bass and Corey Wicker on the drums. They are both good musicians that I enjoy playing with. Corey was the drummer in the last band I was in, Mad As Helen.

Nothing is set in stone at this point. I still plan on doing a lot myself, but I might get Jeromy Spiers possibly to help with some of the engineering - especially drum tracking.

Up until this point I've recorded "After the Math," "Got It Wrong," and I'm getting close to finishing a song entitled, "Death By Luxury". I've written a slew of songs by myself, and there have been a couple that I've come up with that will be matured with Eric & Corey. I plan on recording enough songs for an album over the course of 3 to 5 months. You never know though - I may get on the stick about it...
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Last night Corey laid down a simple drum track to "Death By Luxury" at my place. The song is pretty much done. I went back and made a few small adjustments to "Got It Wrong" as well.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I'm finished with DBL for now. I've started some preliminary work on the next song currently titled, "Out On A Limb". I recorded a rough acoustic version of it for idea purposes.

I'm going to try and post snippets and such as I go. I may remove these at any time, but it might be interesting for those who read the journal.

http://www.ntbullock.com/mp3/Death_By_Luxury_[lo-fi_clip].mp3

http://www.ntbullock.com/mp3/Out_On_A_Limb_[rough].mp3
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've started organizing my thoughts about the album. I've typed up and finalized the lyrics for some songs that I know I want to lay down. I've started thinking about the album title, but I feel it'll come to me further into the project.

Hopefully, we'll jam this weekend and I can see how "Sugarcoat" is going to shape up. It may be the only track off "Acoustically Accosted" that I record for this album.

http://imitationmilkcom.readyhosting.com/mp3/NTB_01_Sugarcoat.mp3

I upgraded from ProTools 6.9 to version 7 today. I also got two plugins that might help a little. I've still got to update my Ti laptop. I plan on using it to record some vocals in a couple different locations. Anthony Washington lives by himself in a wonderful building that has a fabulous sounding stairwell. I'll definitely record something there.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I recorded three guitar tracks for "Out On A Limb" today - 1 acoustic & 2 electric. It's been awhile since I've done much electric guitar. I've got a good start on the song.

I've also been playing around with album titles and imagery.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Well, for now I've decided on a title for the album and even created the cover.

Tonight Eric came over and he laid down some bass for "Out On A Limb". The next step is to try and lay down some drums at Jeromy's, whom I have to talk to about scheduling. I've already sung a couple tracks for the song, but I want to wait until everything else is down before I finalize the vocals.

EK and I also worked on a groovy track I riffed out a few weeks ago entitled, "The Weaker Man". I've got a good feeling about this one. Hopefully, this weekend the three of us will be able to work on "Sugarcoat" and this song. "Sugarcoat" is already established, but I know it's a "booger bear" to learn. Everything is moving along well at this point.

Next Step Backwards desktop :::
http://www.ntbullock.com/NSBdesktop1024.jpg
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I met with Jeromy today and tried to setup some times to record. We'll only be able to record drums on Saturdays and Sundays because of Corey's work schedule.

I recorded a very rough acoustic version of "The Weaker Man" today for reference.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Yesterday I wrote some semi-solid lyrics for "The Weaker Man" that I was pretty pleased with. I worked on the structure of a song entitled, "Love And Be Loved" that I'm considering for the album.

The crew got together last night and we had more of a practice than a jam. We worked on a few songs and made some progress. If everything goes right we may be tracking the drums for "Out On A Limb" next weekend at Jeromy's.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I've pretty much finalized the lyrics for, "The Weaker Man" and I've filled out the lyrics for "Love And Be Loved".

I worked on an orchestral piece using GarageBand's software instruments that will be finished off in ProTools. I'm sure it'll end up a strange little piece compared to the other tracks thus far.

I've also thought out the album artwork a little more, and I'll try and create that in between recording and writing.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Today I restrung a Les Paul I'm borrowing from Eric because it's in better shape than my Gretsch electric.

I worked on the orchestral piece and decided to name it, "Next Step Backwards". Eric's going to lay some bass down to it, and I'm going to do some vocals. I'm looking forward to seeing how this one ends up. This album is going to be a mix of songs produced in a few different ways. I think it'll all gel though.

I worked on the back panel design of the CD artwork tonight some more. I hope the simple idea is conveyed.

It's looking like weekend after next will be when we get into Jeromy's to track some drums. There will be about 4 or 5 songs that'll probably need this treatment. I might be able to get one of the other drum tracks this weekend in my studio. I'll have to prep for it.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I experimented with vocal tracks for "Next Step Backwards". Hopefully, Eric will lay down some bass soon so I can start mixing it proper.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Yesterday I laid down an acoustic guide track for, "Love And Be Loved". Corey may try and lay down some drums to it this weekend. It'll be a slightly tricky song because there's a tempo change in the middle.

Eric laid down his bass line for "Next Step Backwards" and the song is sounding really good to me. I've got to redo some of the vocals and play around with it some more, but I'd like to see it done within a week.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Tonight Corey and I laid down a drum track for "Love And Be Loved" at my studio. We also laid one down for "Out On A Limb," but it'll be replaced with tracks from Jeromy's studio.

I added some electric guitar on "Next Step Backwards" this afternoon, and I've still got a little singing to do. I haven't felt too well lately, so I'm gonna wait to finish those vocals.

We didn't practice tonight and who knows how tomorrow will go. Progress is still being made, though. I'll at least be cleaning and mixing tonight's drum tracks.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Yesterday I cleaned up Corey's drum track from the other day. There wasn't a lot of cleaning to do on the track. The beat was pretty simple. Plus, he's a good drummer. That always helps.

I also re-recorded two acoustic tracks for the song [Love And Be Loved]. Then I laid down three electric guitar tracks - two of them using an E Bow.

Today I'm supposed to have some freelance work to do, but I'm going to try and get to some mixing on LABL.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Freelance fell through so I ended up working on "Love And Be Loved" most of the afternoon. It's been a little tougher to put together than I thought, but I feel it'll come together.

Tonight I was feeling up to filling in those vocal holes on "Next Step Backwards". I finished mixing it [for now at least] and mastered it. I very pleased with this track.

I also recorded a short, personal song entitled, "The Damage Done". I don't expect this one to be anyone's favorite, but it'll probably go on the album. "After The Math" will also be on this album. "NTB G Thang" will not. Corey actually asked me if that was going on the album and that made me chuckle.

http://www.ntbullock.com/mp3/NTB_-_After_the_Math.mp3
http://www.ntbullock.com/mp3/Next_Step_Backwards_[lo-fi_clip].mp3
http://www.ntbullock.com/mp3/The_Damage_Done_[lo-fi_clip].mp3
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Haven't gotten much done in the past couple days, but I did edit some vocals last night on "Out On A Limb," which we should track the drums this weekend. I'm going to re-record some electric guitar today on it.

Eric had the idea of extending "The Damage Done," so I might start working on that, too. It'd be more instrumentation than anything.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Eric and I worked on some music for "The Damage Done" the other night for a bit. We also laid down his bass track for "Love And Be Loved". Today I sang for "LABL," but I'll probably want to redo them another day. I wasn't feeling it too much. Tomorrow we may be tracking some drums at Jeromy's for "Out On A Limb," and I need to re-record the drums for "LABL" at my studio tomorrow.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Jeromy and I got together earlier this afternoon, and I helped him finish getting ready to record drums. He's got a fabulous Gretsch kit. The recording sounds really good. Corey laid down "OOAL," and I went ahead and brought "LABL," too. I knew he'd knock them both out. "LABL" has a tempo change in the middle, so that one was a little trickier, but it's going to be worth it. I'm going to get a friend of mine, Matthew Magee, to come into town and lay down some cello and violin on this track.

Both of these songs deal with and have the word "love" in them. That's actually pretty rare for me as a songwriter. I spend a lot of time not writing about love because who hasn't, right? These tracks will definitely be a little different for me as an artist, but more than likely generic in nature for the average listener. I dig the songs, though, and hope I've offered something to the subject perhaps. Prolly not...

Because of holidays and Corey's work schedule we won't be able to record drums for the next two weekends. I told him to just quit his job, but I think he thought I was joking or something? Uh, really, I'm going to stay busy with other songs and make sure that there's plenty done to speed up the rest of drum recording. I was pleased with today. I should be able to get the tracks tomorrow and start editing/mixing them in.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I went to Jeromy's studio today and got the drum tracks. It's a bit of work to get it all in and organized here at home, but it'll be worth it.

I laid down a guide track for "The Weaker Man" this afternoon and have given the song to Eric for drums. I need to take advantage of Jeromy's time at the moment and Corey is working a lot. I think the song will benefit from Eric on this track.

Corey came over tonight and we laid down some drums at my place for the extension of "The Damage Done." I'm curious to see how this track ends up. I also recorded some backing vocals for the extension. Eric should be in soon with some bass, hopefully. I'll keep adding to it until it feels full.

Tomorrow I'll spend more time getting the drum tracks we recorded at Jeromy's into their songs.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Today was very productive. I got the drums into "Love And Be Loved," and it sounds great. I had to edit them a bit. I re-sang the entire song and laid down some backing vocals, too. I've spent most of the day on this song. I'm excited about adding cello and violin to this one. This is a song that I never thought would have come out of me, but it's turning out nicely.

I tracked a scratch vocal on "The Weaker Man". I recorded some shakers and tamborine for "The Damage Done". I brought the drums into "Out On A Limb". I also did some thinking about a small song I've got entitled, "God Is Blind". I'm trying to finalize a list slowly but surely of the tracks I want to lay down. "Sugarcoat" is the only song off the Acoustically Accosted EP that I plan on recording. I had forgotten to post a snippett of "Got It Wrong" here in the journal, so...

http://www.ntbullock.com/mp3/Got_It_Wrong_[lo-fi_clip].mp3
http://imitationmilkcom.readyhosting.com/mp3/NTB_01_Sugarcoat.mp3
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Today I didn't get much done because I had the first of two dentist appointments. I have cavities. Not fun. One was close to a root canal, so it was very uncomfortable to have drilled.

I did a little editing on "Out On A Limb" tonight though. I may dabble in the wee hours, but I won't get much done. Thursday night Eric and I might get together and work. Friday night Corey and I will get together and work. Maybe this weekend we'll all be able to play together. It's been a minute since that's worked out. Everything is sounding good so far.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Eric is over right now practicing on the drums for "The Weaker Man". He laid down a bass line for "The Damage Done" and "The Weaker Man". I didn't expect him to show tonight, but we're getting some work done. I had to scratch my original session for TWM because it was too slow. I recorded the click at 96 bpm and we ended up going with 98 bpm. It makes a difference.

I did some more mixing on "Out On A Limb" and it's almost finished for now. I might post a clip within the next couple days. I also worked on LABL a little today. That song is going to take a little longer to finish up.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

I added some electric guitar to TDD. I re-recorded a guide track for TWM. I made minor mix changes to OOAL. I recorded some glockenspiel for LABL and did some mixing. I've just been bouncing back and forth all day. I've also been planning for "God Is Blind". Staying busy.
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Yesterday Corey and I worked on "Sugarcoat" and "You're Gonna Hate Me" for a little bit. I did a little mixing in the afternoon, but not as much as I'd like to've. Today I finished mixing "Out On A Limb" for now. These songs are NEVER completely finished until the day I burn them to a CD. I always go back and make the smallest of changes that no one will probably ever notice.

http://www.ntbullock.com/mp3/Out_On_A_Limb_[lo-fi_clip].mp3
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]

[ntbullock]

Last night we jammed and also worked on "You're Gonna Hate Me" a little. This is a song I've had for many, many years that I've never recorded. I don't really know why it's always kind of stayed on my radar. It's not like an opus or anything, but it has meaning to me, I guess. I did add a part to it this year though.

I did some cleaning up on "The Damage Done" extension today. It was TOO busy after I laid down all the elements. I've been slowly chipping away at it until it doesn't barrage the listener so much. I'm almost done with it. I want it to be busy and strange, but not annoying.

I've been thinking and I may not record "God Is Blind" for a few different reasons. I should be going up to Jackson Tuesday, I believe, to catch a friend's show. I should be recording him, Matthew, on the cello and violin the next morning using my laptop. After that I should have all the elements for "Love And Be Loved" to work with. I'd like to be "finished" with that song within the next week. Also, this coming week more work will be done on "The Weaker Man".
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[ “I'm late to this idea, but apparently timing IS everything.” - ntb ]