THE BENWAHS have been really busy this week. After a brilliant, knackering, enlightening, exciting two days in the studio, THE BENWAHS came out with two tracks, "Easy Now You've Gone" and "I Like You". And thanks to a quick photo session after recording, we also got our promo shot! We had what we needed for the Glasto comp! We also had our long awaited audio for THE BENWAHS myspace!
But back to the studio shenanigans!
THE BENWAHS got to Zed One Studios in Camden at 10am on Thursday 24th January. Waiting for the studio to open, THE BENWAHS excitedly chatted about the day ahead. We needed two tracks recorded and hoped to record another two or three live tracks to put on myspace.
"Easy", we said. "We're tight, we know what we're doing and the songs aren't that complicated. We'll be finished in no time".
Walking into Zed One, THE BENWAHS met Pete; engineer and producer.
Unsure of how to begin these things, THE BENWAHS hung around while Pete set up the drum room and the live room.
Mikey then went in to get comfortable on the drums and myself and Kaz set up our guitars with the sounds we wanted. We explained to Pete that we hadn't been in a studio for a fair while so he talked us through the schedule.
Setting up would take about three hours. We'd then play live a few times to record the drums. Bass would be laid down next, followed by guitar, then vocals and lastly any little twiddly bits like tambourine, triangle! etc
THE BENWAHS played live and got the drums down in quick time. Although Mikey was in the drum room, we all had headphones on and could see him playing through the sliding double-glazed glass doors! We were confident! It was gonna sound ace!
Next, karen recorded bass. Pete suggested some different bass ideas which ended up sounding ace, so with some slight alterations, the bass was down too.
Next was my turn! Suzie, recording guitar!
Now, I've always said I'm a lyricist, composer, vocalist, any of the above, and that I only play guitar to write songs. Don't get me wrong, I love playing guitar and I love rocking out on stage, but I'd never classify myself as an actual guitarist!
Well, I gotta say, recording guitar, at a fast pace, with no bassist or drummer to look at, no-one in the room to share smiles and glances, knowing that this guitar take would forever be engraved onto disc, yeah, that kinda threw me!
The main take was fine, but then I had to do a couple of drop ins and drop outs. Being suddenly launched into the middle of a song you're hearing through your headphones with a voice over telling you to come in when you know where you are, even for someone who wrote the songs, surely that's gotta be difficult!!!! Hasn't it?!
Well, Suzie Benwah had trouble. While the rest of THE BENWAHS sat patiently waiting, I took forever to record guitar! Kaz Benwah had to come into the room in the end to count me in!!!
As embarrassing as it was, it did prove to me how important it is to practice, practice, practice and know every little nuance of each song before waltzing into a studio and hoping for the best!
So just before six, end of day one, Kaz Benwah recorded backing vocals for "I Like You" using my live vocal as a guide track. Ever the professional, she was done in ten minutes!
After packing down, saying thanks goodbye to Pete and having a quick tipple in the pub, THE BENWAHS threw some shapes in the alley way, took some snaps and produced our promo shot. Not bad for a days work!!!
Friday 25th January, 10am. Bleary eyed, due to two days of getting up early, Suzie Benwah dragged herself towards Zed One Studios.
Today, I knew, was vocals day!
Stepping into the studio, I said, in a gravelly, thick, morning voice, "Morning Pete, I'm so not used to these early starts!". Which was swiftly followed by, "Nor me Suz. Now, you ready to do your vocals?".
Manically doing singing exercise while Pete went out to get his morning coffee, I didn't have time to get nervous. So after a couple of practice runs to get the vocal chords opened up, I went for it. I did three takes of each song then went back into the control room to hear them back. Listening to them through amazing studio speakers, I was actually quite impressed!! Not bad for a morning voice!
Pete then picked up a gibson guitar from behind him and said, "I've got some really good ideas for harmonies". And as he played, he looked expectantly at me and said, "Well, sing along then".
After some coaxing, I sang along! Some way below my range, some way higher than my range, some I couldn't even hear fitting with the original melody. But I faithfully went into the live room and gave them my best shot. It was really surprising how easily it came to me and how, as soon as I began singing the harmonies, it sounded like they'd always been a part of the song!
And that was me done! The vocal was down.
We spent the next hour doing some tambourine and guitar feedback bits. Then it was time to mix down. Pete told us to skedaddle for a bit, as it would take two hours just to set the initial levels. So off to the pub it was!
Sitting with a glass of red wine, in a pub at 3pm, having just recorded vocals and guitar feedback, I was feeling pretty pleased with myself! What a life! So for the next two hours THE BENWAHS talked about life as rock stars and how we really couldn't wait!!!!
At ten to six on Friday 25th January 2008, a CD was born. THE BENWAHS first ever recording. The first time THE BENWAHS had actually heard what they sounded like. Thank god we liked it!
So, with a massive thank you to Pete, an amazing, friendly guy, with ideas and thoughts and a heart that actually cares, and to Zed One Studios for being comfy, friendly and a great place to record, thank you.
For now,
Big love,
XXX
