Studio Diary #15: COMPLETE!

second cover shoot tonight.   i got exactly what i wanted and all that is left to do with the record is the liner notes.   i think this record is really something special.   i put a lot of my heart and soul into it like i never have before.   there are some fun light moments and then some more introspective perhaps darker moments.   there are a few angry moments and a few fed up moments.   not every story in this book has a happy ending but at least they are real.

i was waiting to make sure but i am ready to announce the second single from the record after 'sidewalks' will be "a bad day."   i worked a lot with the music and the lyrics to this one are pretty fun.    after i finish the liner notes for the record i will be shooting a video for the single and it also should be ready and released on friday.

this will be the last studio diary for this record.   there were moments when i wasn't sure this album would even get to be released.   so many set-backs and studio problems.   even song writing was scaring me for a while.   i didn't have any idea what to write until i just tried to get really real.   both in my humor and the more serious moments i had.

the record covers a lot of ground from homelessness in 'sidewalks' to self injury.  political rants and anger.   love songs and hate songs.   songs about future desires and frustrations with living and effort.   homage to those lost and gratitude to those who walk with us.

my friend allison grey shows up on two of the tracks.   the first single 'sidewalks' of course, and secondly on a cover of coldplay's 'every teardrop is a waterfall' which is one of my favorite songs, ever.   it was an amazing experience to actually work with someone else making music and memories.   i look forward to doing it more in the future.

aside from 'sidewalks' there is no percussion on this record.  lots of piano and guitars and other sounds.   i wanted this to be a record that i could play acoustically.  to perform simple and without any trappings.  in that sense the record is raw.   i think that there are sure moments of raw music meeting raw lyrics.    i held nothing back with this record and did not try to be nice to anyone.  including myself... choosing instead for realness.   in that sense, this record has been a journey indeed.

i did not borrow from my back log.   all of the songs have been written between november 2012 and january 2013.   three of the songs i had bits and pieces of ideas for 'sidewalks' included in that list for a few months before then but the songs were written in full within the timeframe i stated.

i initially did not want to include a cover song on this record but 'ever tear' was just too hard to give up and i think it adds to this record as a part of.  

i don't know what else to say right now, i can't believe it's completed.   i can't believe that it's over. and in fact, just beginning.  
                                                                                      - jay brymer    midtown sacramento, california. 

Studio Diary #14

The album is finished finally!!!!!!!!     Almost 4 months after i began working on this record it has been a serious journey.   it's pushed me and pissed me off.   I think it's pretty real and raw in a way i've not really allowed myself to be.    The release date is Feb 1, 2013, this coming friday.  5 days from now!    The second single from the record will be announced this week.  I'm pretty sure I know what it's going to be but i just need to make sure.   The artwork needs to be completed and the liner notes finished.    The countdown is on...

Studio Diary #13

back in the studio tonight with alli.   doing a cover song of a super cool song.   album release date is in a few days and also i want to re-do the cover art.   this record's release date is friday,. feb 1.   i hope i make it.   besides redoing the versses on one of the songs and the chorus on another and singing my part to the duet i did with ms. grey tonight, it's pretty much done.   there is one other song that i'd like to add to the record so i don't know..... still very up in the air on this one.   i will pull it all together in the next week.

Studio Diary #12

had the album photo shoot today and spent a lot of time in the studio.   the record is nearly done.   3 songs left.   i've spent far more time on this record then i ever have.   i'm proud of what i've created and i've found out i still have a lot to sing and write about.   a lot of this record has been collaborative with allison grey and it feels good not to do it alone.   she is featuring on two tracks on this record but has gave a great amount of input and inspiration and even helped me with the cover shoot.   it's been a long day of recording and photo taking and there was even a bit of a fire with all of the candles....   the record should be released next week.

Studio Diary #11

back in the studio tonight.   7 tracks completed for the record.   the song i believe will be the second single among them.   i'm pretty sure this record will be finished in the next few days.      .....i think?  

Studio Diary #10: NEW RECORD WILL BE CALLED "BAD DAY"

THE RECORD WILL BE CALLED "BAD DAY" AND IS SCHEDULED FOR RELEASE EARLY FEBRUARY!!!!!!

hopefully the studio will be up and running in a few days and i will be able to complete this record.   the release date depends on the computer equipment.

Studio Diary #9

perhaps a disaster?   the cord to the laptop i was using for the studio burst into flames.   does that mean the february 3 release date i was shooting for wasn't what i was supposed to be doing?   holding off on any further recording but i am working on some new songs and a song i think i really need to cover... i have to think about it though....  so for now, it's a break.   respite, indeed.

Studio Diary #8

in the studio today.  coffee cup in hand working on some vocal tracks.   

Studio Diary #7

Returned from holiday break this morning to lay down some musical tracks in the studio for the record.   did some vocals too.     not sure if these are final tracks or just ideas forming.   i have almost 20 demos to pick from for this record and the songs seem to keep coming.  i guess that's what happens when you take time off.  

torn between a computer game sound and a bare bones feel for this record... it really does seem like a far more raw version of 'BOG.'   like, 'BOG' meets silence maybe?   i dunno too early in the soundscape to tell...   it's my dogs birthday today so i'm off to the park.   happy new year =)