My current project is a celebration place, taking inspiration from the river environments around the Gold Coast.
It is also a celebration of space.
Being an artist-in-residence as part of HOTA’s Artkeeper program, I have had to compromise on the usual controlled environments of the typical recording studio and commit to the available spaces around me.
By default, HOTA’s Studio 2 became my makeshift recording studio for 8 months.
This subterranean gallery has been used for an assortment of projects and purposes throughout its 30+ years, including being a space for choirs to rehearse.
I can hear why. The natural reverb is quite lovely once you get the aircon turned off (notice the big aircon duct? Well, now imagine its boisterous hum).
Recording in this space is a sonic commitment, as the microphones pick up all those lovely reverb tails. Each instrument, whether it is my acoustic guitar, flute or vocals has a larger sonic footprint due to the variety of reflections from the concrete floors, brick walls and fibro barriers.
As a result, I have had to become less precious about the engineering side of the project and more dedicated to the performances and creative product.
In other words I have learned to embrace the space. Because no amount of post-production will eliminate it (and in most cases it sounds wonderful).
Here is the solo guitar at the end of a track called ‘Playful Creatures’
You can hear the reverb and the space around the instrument. As a listener you can get a feel for the room with just that sound. Also, you can hear my chair creak as my last notes fade out.
I bought a new Azumi flute just as this project began and I have loved those moments where I have been able to flaunt and let loose in Studio 2. This little bit of flute makes you appreciate why choirs rehearsed down here.
And listen to this electric guitar through my twin tube amp!!
I also did a couple of outdoor recording sessions where I embraced a different type of space. My first adventure was to Little Nerang Creek where I recorded my first song‘Red Gold’.
Being far enough away from civilisation allowed for the sounds of the bush and the waves of cicadas and flowing water to infiltrate the recording. But there was also threatening rain, aeroplanes and curious onlookers from a property down the creek. All in all though, this recording was a sonic success.
Another session at Evandale Point, overlooking Surfers Paradise was in the early morning (it is supposed to be quiet, isn’t it?). But there was a constant battle with the breeze, boats, planes and noisy birds. Even the bin trucks were doing their thing at 6:30am on a Saturday morning. This session was not as successful as I’d hoped.
As I end my residency at HOTA, I have now moved all my things back into my small home studio where I will finish off vocal takes and re-record any parts that need fixing up. There is no lovely reverb at home, but I will have something that is more in line with a traditional studio space, albeit with its own sonic intrusions from barking dogs, lawnmowers and noisy cars (teenagers too).
So, maybe it is late nights for me now as I seek the less noisy evenings to record.
Thank you so much HOTA, Home of the Arts for supporting me on this journey. ArtKeeper 2023 has been a blast.
Keep your eye out for Cold Ghost’s new album ‘Red Gold’ coming soon…..
Having never had the opportunity to learn an instrument (except for the hated recorder in year 5) I am very much a simpleton when it comes to how a song or melody comes together. My knowledge of the technical aspects of music making is pitiful but through this project I have learned a little. Thank you for sharing your processes as part of this project. I look forward to the finished album.