ITunes and Stuff

The Hair Thieves EP3 is now on ITunes. If you search for "The Hair Thieves", it should be on there. Not having ITunes installed on any PC near me, I can't check out any of it, but it does come up in the search listings.

Recording of EP4 has started. We've started re-recording an old Hair Thieves tune, that had a bit of a run out at the gigs in August. It's probably half recorded, before I got struck down with the (man) flu, so stopped working on it.

The lead track, just needs the vocals re-recording and mixed.

We are both taking a week off work next month to (amongst other things) do some recording for this and the album. We aim to write and record the instrumental for the EP in a day (much like I did with Boeotia on EP1).

So we are just left with our traditional collaboration. I need to sort this out ASAP. (Actually the lead track is a collaboration with someone we have worked with before, but given that this is the third song we have done with him, he is actually more of a silent partner honoury Hair Thief than an external collaborator).

So at the moment, we might squeeze EP4 out before the end of the year.

Gig wise, we have nothing planned for the rest of the year. I have now bought a new pedal (yes I know... don't go there), which will help me do some solo gigs that I want to undertake next year. Not sure we'll use it much for Hair Thieves gigs, but it does mean, I'll be able to play things like "The Beguiled" when E isn't there to back me up.

Album wise, we have sorted a list of songs we think will make the album. Plus I've written a new song since, which may or may not be included on it.

The biggest stumbling block at the moment is lyrics.

I haven't been inspired to write any since March 2007. I really have nothing to say, or at least nothing that I want anyone to hear.

The two years since I've moved to Bridgnorth have been hard but interesting and a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Almost every aspect of my life has changed. I know there are some songs in there, I just need to find some time to get acquainted to them.

So this is something I really need to work on in the coming months. I need to get my muse back or delegate the lyrics to outside people. This is going to start next month, when (just to make myself even more stupidly busy), I'm going to do Nanowrimo and write another novel in a month. (nothing like broadcasting a hard task to the world to motivate you not to look stupid by failing!!)

So things are generally looking good and forward looking.

I'll keep you posted.

Rollasoc

Onwards And Upwards

After our recent tour of Bridgnorth, we have reconvened to discuss what to do next.

We spent a couple of hours the other night, going through some of the 19 or so songs we currently have in progress (or ready for mixing) and drinking tea and watching videos on You Tube.

So this coming weekend we are going to start working on EP4 in earnest.

We will keep to the rough formula of previous EPs. Namely, new song, collaboration, old Song re-recorded, instrumental.

So at the weekend we will re-record the old song.

The new song (is actually a couple of years old now, but won't say what it is yet), was played at the recent gigs. It just needs new vocals. (and possibly re-record Claire's guide backing vocals). By the way it is also a collaboration with a regular Hair Thieves contributor.

I have an idea for the instrumental. I have a week off in November, so will attempt to write and record the song in a day (much like I did with Boeotia on EP1). (hopefully, my week off will coincide with E's so we can spend some time recording each day).

We think we now have enough songs ongoing to finally finish the album. The biggest issue at the moment, is the lack of lyrics, I've drafted in a previous collaborator to write the lyrics for one heavy song on the album, once we have a coherent demo version.

Bar that, I may have inadvertently ordered a new pedal. Which I'm pretty excited by. It should be fun to play with live at least. (and may be the main thing used on the new EP4 instrumental).

So, all things are good in the Hair Thieves camp and I'm quite excited about where things are going.

Later,

Rollasoc

PS, My PC dies the other week, so the website hasn't been updated with images from our recent gigs yet. I'm working on it though.

Yeah Baby Yeah

EP 3 can now be purchased in both physical form and download form from CDBaby

Last night we had our first Hair Thieves gig, supporting Guns for Girls. I think it went ok. We had a few technical issues with the PA system which made it a bit difficult at times, but in a funny way.

Hopefully, some photos and maybe some video of it will be posted soon, once I've rounded it all up.

We have two more gigs this weekend.

On Sunday we are playing with SheBanng at The New Inn at Bridgnorth. The event runs from 2pm to 6pm. We will be on at 5:45, for 30 minutes.

On Monday, we are playing at the Quayside in Bridgnorth (next to the bridge), we are on at 12:40 for 40 minutes.

Later

Rollasoc

EP3

After many false starts, delays, and procrastination, EP3 is finally done and dusted (Track listing ) . I spent a happy couple of hours printing the CDs yesterday and Chris has spent even longer burning the CDs and printing the labels. You would not believe how tedious this process is.

As before, we mixed and mastered in a surprisingly short time and the results are pleasing; to my ears anyway. Now if only we could get the writing and recording done in an equally short timescale........

3 acoustic gigs coming up this month which more than exceeds our usual annual allocation.

Other news: I hit a cow with a train.

E

Buses

Finally, EP3 is finished. Only about eighteen months later than we said / hoped it would be.

Over the last two weeks, we have had a couple of sessions to mix it. Our guest backing singer came in and added icing to the cake. We was both really happy with her contribution to the track.

Then on Monday we mastered the whole thing.

The track listing for EP3 is:

1. The Beguiled (featuring Claire Francis from Francis-Bell)
2. A Journey of the Soul (cowritten with E's sister Stella)
3. Bad Consumer (written by E and Guy from Red Star Radio with slightly amended lyrics)
4. Spheno Palatine Gangleoneuralga

A very limited run of physical CDs will be created for this and should be available for the gigs in August.

It will also be made available to download from Soundclick and possibly a few other sites. More details to follow.

We will upload some of it to Myspace over the weekend, for your listening pleasure.

As I said in the last Blog, we have three acoustic gigs booked for August.
August 21st - The Black Boy (Bridgnorth) supporting Guns For Girls
August 24th - The New Inn (Bridgnorth) supporting SheBangg (afternoon gig I think)
August 25th - The Quayside (Bridgnorth), part of the Bridgnorth Music Festival.

So August is going to be busy for us, I think.

We are now looking to what to record next. I've started recording a pretty heavy track for the album. I've also started writing my first new song in two years. E is working on a new song as well.

Later

Rollasoc

EP3

A few things, but not much to report really.

We are going to start mixing EP3 today. We are still waiting for some backing vocals to be recorded and they have been booked for tomorrow.

So the plan is to mix what we can today. Record tomorrow. Have a listen see what else needs doing and then finish mixing it in the coming week or two.

So all is on schedule for an August release.

We have now three acoustic gigs booked for August.
August 21st - The Black Boy (Bridgnorth) supporting Guns For Girls
August 24th - The New Inn (Bridgnorth) supporting SheBangg (afternoon gig I think)
August 25th - The Quayside (Bridgnorth), part of the Bridgnorth Music Festival.

So what with being one of the photographers for the music festival and Open mic nights on the 23rd, 27th and 28th, I think I'll have a pretty busy week.

E and I have started practicing together. A couple of songs need some work, but the majority were not sounding too shabby at all.

I went out last Thursday and did a solo set, supporting, The Love Jones, playing a selection of tunes off the first three Hair Thieves EPs and some older stuff. I really enjoyed the night and had some nice feedback from people.

So more news, when we finish the mix.

Later

Rollasoc

Friday the 13th.

Unlucky for some.... I won't even go there........

Another quick update. EP3 is still waiting for a special guest to come in and sing some backing vocals. Then we can mix it and finish it off.

There may be the possibility of a video being made, possibly even in surround sound for one of the tracks on the EP. A good friend of mine has just written his own video editing suite in his spare time and wants something to practice on. I'm waiting for him to get back to me. Not sure if this will come off or not.

We've been officially booked to play the Acoustic gig at the Quayside for the Bridgnorth Music Festival in August. Though not official, we have also been booked to play another set that weekend. More details to follow. At the moment, it might be me on my own for the Quayside one, depends if E can get off work or not. Strings are being pulled and bribes being dished out as we speak. (ok I made that last bit up).

I've started re-working on the Hair Thieves album.. My plan at the moment, is to finish the two songs that require 7 string guitar ASAP, and then sell the 7-string. So obviously, those two songs will never ever get played live.

I spent last weekend re-reording one of the (untitled) tracks. It's pretty darn heavy as you would expect. Plus I've been re-jigging the drums and arrangement. It needs more work (maybe this weekend, maybe next). Then I can start on the other track.

So that is about it for now.

Later

Rollasoc