Holy moly, did we have a lot of guests in the studio this week!  Band tracking started a few days ago, and leave it to Brad Jones to assemble an all-star crew of musicians for this record.  I am absolutely honored to have these guys playing my songs.

First up — the insanely talented multi-instrumentalist/artist/producer Ross Rice.  Ross is somewhat of a legend in my hometown of Memphis.  My husband grew up sneaking into clubs to hear him play.  It was a dream of mine to be able to collaborate with Ross, so having him in the studio this week has been a bit surreal, and a real joy.  On top of being a fabulous musician, I discovered that he also happens to be one of the most positive, easy-going guys you’ll ever meet.  And, it was a great week to have another Grizz fan in the studio (Grit ‘n’ grind!)

Tearing it up on drums was Jason Cheek (Terri Clark, Sara Darling).  What a nice guy and enthusiastic player.  Jason just came off a tour with one of my favorite indie artists Matthew Perryman Jones, so I geeked out pretty hard over that.

I could try to list all the credits on Pat Buchanan‘s guitar-slinging resume, but it’s hard to know where to even begin (you really should check out the whole list HERE — wow).  In his 30+ yrs career, Pat has played with just about everyone, and couldn’t be more humble about it.

Jonathan Trebing is the guitar player in Rascal Flatts, not that he ever mentioned that to me while we were tracking (where did Brad Jones find all these crazy-talented, humble musicians?!).  What struck me about Jonathan’s playing was how lovely and delicate it was.  He really made these songs beautiful.

For our last day of band tracking, we got John Deaderick in the studio.  John is the keyboard player for Patty freakin’ Griffin — take some time to process that……..I KNOW!!!  John’s wurlitzer part on a song called “Just Us” is absolutely killer.  Can’t wait for y’all to hear it on the record.  It was so much fun playing with him, and being entertained by his dry wit (sorry about the clown, John).

…and of course, our producer Brad Jones! laying down a lot of the bass tracks.  My husband originally turned me on to Brad’s bass playing on the Josh Rouse records, then I just found out he played bass on Sheryl Crow’s “Cmon Cmon”.  Good grief dude.

What made this experience especially fun was the fact that we recorded the bulk of the tracks as a band, everyone in the same room.  Most of my previous experience with recording has been where each instrument cuts separately, one at a time, sometimes even in an isolation booth.  Being able to track as a band gives everyone a chance to feed off each other.  It also takes some focus off of each individual, which makes everyone a bit less self-conscious and was a great help to me personally.

Overdubs start next…stay tuned!

Last May when I was tracking the “Drugs” EP, I never envisioned I’d be recording another album just one short year later (a fast turnaround by industry standards).  But when you get the opportunity to work with one of The Greats, you do whatever you need to do to make it happen.  And so, this May, I am making Nashville my temporary home, and recording a new full-length record with the brilliant and legendary pop-maestro producer Brad Jones (Josh Rouse, David Mead, Over The Rhine) at the renown Alex the Great studios.  I still sort of can’t believe I’m here, that’s this is all really happening.  Been taking lots of photos these first two days in the studio with Mr. Jones, amidst pre-production, swapping song notes, and secretly singing this Counting Crows song in my head.   Alex the Great is one of those studios that just oozes with vibe.  It’s filled from top to bottom with cool, vintage touches, from the library/control room (yes, really!), to the cast-iron bat chandalier, to the roses in the courtyard.  For those of you familiar with my sun-worshipping tendencies, it should come as no surprise that the courtyard is my favorite spot so far   The rest of the band gets here tomorrow, so I’m soaking in the last few moments of having the place to myself before we crank into high gear.  Absolutely can’t wait to hear these songs brought to life, and for y’all to hear them later this year!

- part of a month-long event featuring Memphis’ female musicians -

6 – 8 pm CT |  free admission | 422 S. Grove Park, Memphis TN

Ride the wave.

Single, released April 23, 2013. Produced by T. Paul Ebersold

located above The Living Room

show at 11:30

Doors at 8:00, Myla at 9:00

DOWNLOAD “OCEAN” HERE

Happy early summer!  More new music is in the works, so stay tuned!

Yesterday I announced that my new single “OCEAN” will be released next Tuesday, April 23!  I love the energy of this song, and feel like it’s very appropriate to kick off the summer season that is fast approaching (it can’t come soon enough for me — this lady was not built for cold weather!).  I had so much fun recording this song with Paul Ebersold, master engineer/producer (3 Doors Down, Sister Hazel), firery red-headed Texan, and all-around good dude.  We recorded at his studio in Nashville’s Sound Kitchen, where the likes of many-a famous musician has recorded over the years. The halls are lined with white plates that artists and bands who’ve recorded there have signed and personalized.  Gotta admit that I geeked out the hardest over the plate signed by identical twin hair-metal duo Nelson, complete with caricature of themselves (see photo below).  Paul rounded up some of his favorite players, and they knocked the whole song out in less than a day!  Definitely the fastest recording experience I’ve ever had, and one of the most enjoyable.  I can’t wait for y’all to hear this one!