MacGyver vs. Matlock

The Dog And The Wolf

2008-04-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

I'm holding the packaged CD in my hand right now.

Glorious.

The Ideal Listener for MVM

2008-04-09T16:34:00.000-07:00

Our research shows that the ideal listener for MVM is a man, dressed like a woman, is over 40 but wider than a mile, 9 feet tall, all that, is a camaro owner, parakeet aficionado, Michelob drinker, half canadian, half sausage, half cowboy hat.

The Dog and The Wolf is being pressed and packaged as I write this.

( above excerpt taken from Jennifer L. Knox's book Drunk By Noon)
Check her out at jenniferlknox.com

news on ordering preordering purchasing listening and enjoying The Dog And The Wolf coming soon

In a minute there is time...

2008-04-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

for decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.

mastering will be finished up tomorrow
no more tinkering or dinkering
it's time to leave well enough alone

or rather

leave really good alone

The Dog and The Wolf

Coming very very soon

The Loudness War

2008-03-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

I imported a whole bunch of professionally recorded/mastered songs
to listen to while i was doing my mastering

after a discussion with pat
we decided that these songs are not what I should be shooting for

we spent so much time writing dynamic songs...and then I mixed them in such a way to try to make them even more dynamically dramatic....and then here I was trying to figure out how to master like commercial mastering house...which means make the music as loud as you possibly can by taking all the dynamic range out of the music

that's not what we want

so
our songs won't be quite as loud
but they'll rock harder

you'll just have to turn them up a little

so
now the only thing i have to figure out is how to make these songs sound like they sonically belong on the same album

which is challenging

but I'm getting closer

...mastering?

2008-03-27T09:49:00.000-07:00

I've been mastering these past two days

or
trying to master

i really don't know what I'm doing
(never having mastered before or used this software i just purchased)...(I've read the manual twice so far)
so

the going is slow

and i'm trying my derndest to make it sound professional...with zero experience

so i'm sure glad i was ahead of schedule

now i can take a couple weeks instead of only one week to fit in a career's worth of mastering experience

don't worry

i'll make it sound good

Still...ahead of schedule...but...

2008-03-25T09:35:00.001-07:00

I can't put the mastering software in these labs
quite yet

because of an admin password snafu

so

i guess
i'll have to wait to master

hopefully just one day

Ahead Of Schedule

2008-03-24T17:26:00.000-07:00

Mastering Starts Tomorrow!!!!

almost a week before I had planned

Here we come!!!

Click, Click, Boom

2008-03-19T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Martin and I spoke last night about all things album. As you can read from him, he is getting finished with the mixes, and then he will be mastering. In the mean time we are putting together the artwork. I can't say too much, but its gonna be awesome.

We are going to get medieval on your asses.

Who Is to Say I Am Not the Happy Genius of This Household?

2008-03-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

I am back in the labs...back to mixing.

I was planning on returning yesterday but I caught quite a stomach bug and was nearly dead all day.

But here I am...almost better

good enough to mix at least

The songs are so close to being done

so close

I am having friends, family, and professors listen to my mixes for problems and mistakes...I am listening to them on all sorts of speakers to find problems and mistakes

now,There are less and less problems and mistakes
...I can't wait till it's done

it's going to be fantastic

Taking a Break

2008-03-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

I've spent my spring break in an editing lab
not that it hasn't been worth it
the songs
are very close to being done
I'm shooting to be done by the first of april
then mastering begins!!
so
be expecting a Dog and The Wolf sampler soon
maybe in the form of a video?
we'll see

but tomorrow
i'll be going to ohio
to a cabin
to chill out in a hot tub
for a few days

I've heard these songs for about 8 hours a day for the past week
so it's time to not hear them
for a few days

so I'll be coming back to work on them this coming monday
with fresh ears
and boosted morale

Dog and The Wolf
is coming soon

YAY

Another Day, Another Demo

2008-03-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hey you little cuties,

So, Marvtin sent me 3 mix "demos" - only because they aren't COMPLETELY done - for me to do some notes on, and I just wanted to tell you folks, that they are marvelous. All of this talk with no more sneak peaks makes me feel like I am just teasing you, so I will get on McMartin to make another sampler or something.

Anyhow, as I was listening to the tracks (to find the terrible mistakes Martin is inevitably making), I realized how honest all of these tracks are - they are more or less a co-written autobiography (if there can be such a thing) of Martin and I growing up over the last 4 years. It is really great - really. And I cannot wait to share it with you.

I was thinking we should name the record Autobiography, but dammit if that talented and new-nose-having Ashlee Simpson already beat us to that, and we don't wanna tread on Pete Wentz's territory, so the Dog and the Wolf it is.

See you soon! Hear us soon!

p.s. I bought and finally received a melodica.

Labs

2008-03-06T08:39:00.001-08:00

The labs are to be up and running by this afternoon.

I'll be spending all day in them tomorrow

and the next day

and the next

and by all day
i mean all day

from the time i wake up till the time I pass out

8 weeks to mix/master 12 songs, create a website, tshirst, album art, etc.

time to get moving

maybe a rough tshirt design to show you by the end of the day?

Catastrophe

2008-03-04T17:21:00.000-08:00

There is an electrical problem in the editing labs

and they are out of commission

i can't work on my music

i am having a nervous breakdown

i have lost about 10 hours of work in the past two days

partly because the labs are closed

partly because I tried to do something nice for someone and they shut down my protools session without asking and I lost 3 hours of work

here I am
at mortons pub
with a stout to make it better

they have wifi

also
everything is covered in ice outside
super

Oh, Canada

2008-03-03T14:31:00.000-08:00

I am in a hotel in Montreal right now. And I have just heard the final (almost) vocal melodies for Frantic Man. This record is gonna blow you away. It is really gonna be spectacular.

The beginning of the end...or the end of the beginning....

2008-02-29T13:24:00.000-08:00

I just finished recording the last vox for the last song for our record

it's all recorded
all of it

all recording is done

no more to do!!

i feel so awesome

now i just have to mix and master it
no big deal right?

that starts tomorrow

BAMMMJ!!!!!!!

Wham, Wham, Wazzle - Lay Some Skin On Me Dudes!

2008-02-26T10:31:00.000-08:00

MARTIN

PATRICK

Marty is playing his new joint, "Camden Town." I am playing mine, "Back With Your Shield Or On It." Martin's is acoustic on the album as well. Mine is considerably electronic (you'll see).

These were the last two songs recorded for the album, and they will both be on it (in their different forms).

If you want to download these for your iPod, I also put them on Google Video so go there and check it!

THE ALBUM IS COMING OUT IN MAY - SAVE YOUR LUNCH MONEY!

There goes Pat

2008-02-25T20:21:00.000-08:00

We tracked Pat's new song.

It sounds good.

I'll be doing the bass for it tomorrow.

Pat is driving home in some very icy weather.

We recorded some studio videos for your entertainment.

We rock.

Here comes Pat

2008-02-24T19:45:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow will we will commence recording of the 12th and final song for our album, The Dog and The Wolf.

This week will be the last week of tracking.
What an amazing feeling.

By this coming friday...everything will be recorded for the album...

I can't wait for you to hear this album

Martin

El Fin

2008-02-20T19:46:00.000-08:00

Hey,

If all goes according to plan, I will make a final visit to Letterman Studios next week and track the last bits of what I have (including the all new song "Back With Your Shield Or On It." I just sent Martin the demo I hastily recorded this morning and afternoon. We still have a few wrinkles to iron out, but once we do get your face melting gear ready - and a box of tissues - and your dancin' shoes - and some corn flakes.

Kittens! Pat!

Number 11

2008-02-16T13:34:00.000-08:00

Well

I wrote the last song for the Dog and The Wolf

a short acoustic number

AND
all tracking will be finished in the next two weeks

that's not saying we won't track those 2 new songs of Pat's if there's time

but they probably wont be on the Dog and The Wolf

all mixing will be done in march

all mastering done in april

released in may

boom

THE NET!

2008-02-12T16:58:00.000-08:00

Hey all,

I am procrastinating somewhat, and I just wanted to let you know: With any luck, we will get one more session in the studio where we will hopefully record Far From Home Music . . .

And! I have two brand spanking new songs to lay down (both fresh off the grille <- Fancy). They are called "The Man, The Legend" and "Back With Your Shield Or On It."

Ttyl, gtg,

PMJ

Fiddle me This

2008-02-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

I am teaching myself how to play violin.

and I just wrote an awesome
violin part for one of Pat's songs

so

be excited for that

The Key to The Kingdom

2008-02-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

I could dance

and I am

I now have
in my possession
a key
that opens every door in the tcom building here at ball state

that means nothing to all but a few

but now I can get into the studios and record whenever i want

which is beyond amazing

I tracked vox for a song tonight

BAM!

martin

To Tears

2008-02-04T17:55:00.000-08:00

These updates are just not exciting for anyone...but me.

Maybe I'll put up a video soon or something.

Anyhooo
I mixed some stuff tonight

the end

All Your Bass

2008-02-01T12:09:00.000-08:00

Yeah,

I tracked the bass for two songs these past few days.

and

if i don't get sick
(it's starting to look like i'm going to)
i'll be tracking some vox next week
or maybe tomorrow

and

that's all the excitement I have for now

don't pop

martin

All My Favorite Songs

2008-01-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

Our Song "All My Favorite Songs Were Written By Men In Women's Pants" Is coming along quite nicely!

I finished tracking the rest of the instruments just now...
and it is ready for some singing!

and
that's exciting

and
that's all I have

I am your Master

2008-01-28T14:59:00.000-08:00

Did some more house cleaning editing today for some songs.

Then,
I went back and started fine tuning those already mixed 5 songs even more.

Did I tell you that we are no longer sending out our songs to get professionally mastered? Well, we aren't. I'm gonna do it. It may not sound quite as good as if someone with a whole lot of experience did it...but i'm pretty confident I can fake it enough to make it sound pretty awesome...I mean...I didn't REALLY know how to record and mix music and I must say...it sounds good for a first attempt.

So, I started farting around with the mastering process tonight...and will be teaching myself how to do it in the coming weeks.

Did I tell you that I need something to eat? Well, I do.

So, now I'm heading home.

Checking In

2008-01-28T07:51:00.001-08:00

Hey all,

Let me first say, Martin acts like he described below all the time, so don't let him get your sympathy . . .

Second, last night I took my lovely girlfriend to Chicago where we took in a delightful show. It was Empires, Paper Rival, Person L, and Steel Train.

Empires is some new Chicago band I guess, and they were quite good. Person L was also good, but Paper Rival stole the show. They are really really fantastic, and if you haven't already I would suggest you pick up their EP - they have a full length coming out in May (I am told).

I am working on 2 of the last few songs for the album as we speak, and hopefully I will be able to give you more info soon. The one I have almost entirely finished is yet to be titled, which is really irritating, so I will probably take care of that soon. The other is called BACK WITH YOUR SHIELD OR ON IT. It seems like it will be awesome.

Peaches (I saw this salutation on MySpace),

Patches Jaicomo

No blankets to hold all the stars...No pillows to pin up as clouds

2008-01-25T19:49:00.000-08:00

I bought a new distortion pedal

and used it to track the guitar for a song tonight (girl pants)

it took so long

I rewrote some parts
and had to relearn how to play others

after a while
sitting in a studio
all alone
makes me crazy

not like
haha i'm feeling a little weird

more like
I start talking to myself
and screaming randomly
and wimpering when i mess up playing a guitar part
among other things

scary stuff

being in such a small little room
with almost no conection to the real world
with a million little blinking lights
it feels like i've been sent into space in a my own personal ship
and will spend the rest of eternity floating around in solitude

BUT
the songs sounds GREAT
really great
and i'll probably track the bass for it on monday
and perhaps the vox on tuesday

time to sleep this off

So Much Time Spent, So Little Done

2008-01-23T17:16:00.000-08:00

Editing takes an incredible about of time. I spent 4 hours in the studio tonight and all I accomplished was editing the drums,vox, and guitar for a song...and that's just editing out noise, consolidating tracks, cutting toms, etc. (house cleaning) No compressing or EQing has been started yet. I'm going to count how many hours it takes to do one song start to finish. Off the top of my head I'm guessing 72 solid hours per song. and that's probably on the low side. That's not a gripe...I like doing it... anyway I'm in a poetry class. I needed some extra credit hours...and I thought maybe it would help me write lyrics. Today he called out random words and we had 2 minutes to write a poem about what that word made us think of.

Here is my poem for the word ORANGE:

They all taste like aspirin.
Every dimpled,waxy one of them.

They're good for a headache if you want one, that is.
The off-white jug blows them a kiss
"We'll get in his stomach and consume him instead"

How about that? Yeah, not very good, but it sure is fun to do.
Here's the one for the word CHAIR.

Always for sitting
and never for fun
Isn't there something I could be eating?
yes
during the night my sheep are bleating
and keep me awake
so I count:
one, two, chair, four
I sit up
but my bed's not for sitting
so I roll off the bed and lay on the floor

ewww That's even worse than the first.

Did I mention my poetry teacher has a book called Hitler's Mustache?
It's a book of poems all about Hitler's Mustache. buy it

So
I guess the point of all that was to say that I'm going to try to do writing exercises like that one every day so it doesn't take me 6 months to write the lyrics for 1 song.

and that's all for now

A New Beginning

2008-01-22T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

We are still deciding how exactly to approach our new website idea, so I figured this could be a nice staging point. We will keep updating purevolume, but this blog site should allow us to do a few extra things.

Anyhow, Martin and I just got out of our most productive recording session ever, and I believe we have 10 tracks at least started. Here is a brief rundown of the status of potential "The Dog and the Wolf" tracks:

- What Happened to you, Man? You Used to Be Beautiful., FULLY RECORDED AND MIXED
- Heroes Don't Call Themselves Heroes, FULLY RECORDED AND MIXED
- Do You Have Any Idea What Tomatoes Do To Us?, FULLY RECORDED AND MIXED
- In the Grand Scheme of Things, Such as Geology, Ten Years Is Not So Very Long, FULLY RECORDED AND MIXED
-Tin Cans and String, FULLY RECORDED AND MIXED
- I Am Not Paul Avery (formerly Slippery Slope), FULLY RECORDED
- Frantic Man, DRUMS AND BASS RECORDED
- The Jumping Off Place, VOCALS, DRUMS, and GUITAR RECORDED
- All My Favorite Songs Were Written By Men in Women's Jeans, DRUMS RECORDED
- Gunfire/Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night (working titles), DRUMS AND SOME VOCALS RECORDED

I will keep you up on all the tasty new details as they occur. Post any questions you want answered and any other comments you may have. We hope to be hearing from you.

I will see if I can dig up some new pictures or videos or something.