In the Studio

YRT has been hard at work in the studio with Jerod Jacobs working on the debut album. As it stands now, it looks like this will be a collection of 11 high energy rock songs from the YRT repertoire. Jerod has been absolutely great to work with. He exercises much patience and let's the band develop the songs throughout the tracking process and makes suggestions only when he sees fit. One thing that was of great help for the band through the entire process was up front planning. Each song had it's own sheet with chord progression, lyrics, dynamic instructions and a place for notes. These outlines helped reduce the amount of time the band spent on arrangement in the studio. Having the, "What happen's next?" questions answered before hand, helps the band focus more on performance and there is less bickering between members because everyone has the idea of how the song is constructed and how it should sound. Also, being well rehearsed, with everyone knowing the songs the way that they are outlined reduces the performance time. Everyone who has been in the studio, knows how frustrating it can be when one member waits until the studio to nail down his/her part. It is a waste of time, and in the studio, that translates into a waste of money.

With all of the major tracking complete, we are now beginning the most fun part of the process. Mixing. We will add a few overdubs here and there as we see fit. Some background vocals, piano, organ, and percussion can really tie a song together. YRT is looking forward to the finished product and hopes everyone enjoys the outcome of our labor of love. Be looking for a release this summer or early fall.

Venues: Part 1

Now we all know that we need venues and we have all played somewhere that required us to play to the staff because no one came out on the night after Thanksgiving or the Wednesday after Fat Tuesday. But this post is not about that kind situation. This post is about playing the places where you have a good fan base and they come out pay the cover to see you, spend money at the bar and everything is just fine until you are packed up and ready to go and the manager pulls you in the office to settle up. So, you have been looking out at the crowd, getting into the show and have forgotten about the business for a little while, but now you have to switch gears. In saying this, it is imperative that you set up what the terms are before the show. How much of the door are you taking? Is there guarantee? Do you have to pay for the sound person or the door person out of what comes in at the door? Do you have to pay for drinks? There is nothing worse than sitting in that office with the manager, counting the door and watch them take the money that your band brought in to pay someone else and then making you pay your bar tab on top of that. Make sure that there is no question about the terms before hand can keep a couple hundred bucks in your pocket!