Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Progress

Took a bit of time off this week for the holiday.  Jay is plugging away on Falling, and I love what I am hearing, very thick and complex.  Still working on Anthem; the skeleton is almost done and its looking to be about 22 minutes with lots of instrumentals.  I have to say that I was really inspired by the writing style of  Jem Godfrey of Frost* on this one.  Love their song Milliontown.

I was asked by Rodrigo San Martin to sing on a track on his upcoming album.  Love the song, very Porcupine Tree.  I should be able to get the vocals down later this week.

Starting to put feelers out to mixing engineers, going to have this next album mixed and mastered properly.

Well, that's about it until next time . . .

Take care,
Craig

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Not Otherwise Specified Welcomes Jason Rowland of God Sized Hate

I would like to officially welcome Jason Rowland of God Size Hate to the fold of Not Otherwise Specified!  Jay is a long-time friend, past Sonic Images band-mate, ripping guitar player, seriously ridiculous theory-head, and all around good guy.  We have already started working on songs together and are going to try to cram in as much writing as possible before he starts playing out with GSH again later next year.  Jay adds a 180 degree perspective on the writing process for me, coming from the music theory side of writing versus my general approach of just winging it.  What we have done so far indicates that working together will add a whole new prog dimension to NOS.  As if he didn't have enough to do, he is currently working on putting the finishing touches on GSH's next album as well.  Look for it later this year.

Check out GSH's previous work and look for more prog from NOS in the near future!

Take care,
Craig Kerley

Monday, November 7, 2011

Studio Progress

"Falling" is moving along nicely.  Sent it off to Jason (Jay) Rowland and he is coming up with some great ideas to improve and enhance all of the guitar parts.  Really like the way it is sounding and can't wait to hear what else he comes up with.  The guy can really play guitar and will definitely add a more polished and heavier edge to the new music.

Spent a good deal of time this weekend working on the transitions on "Anthem".  Currently the song is over 19 minutes long and I think it is beginning to sound like a musical journey of sorts.  This is a whole new experience for me, linking song ideas together to make one epic yet cohesive piece.  I really like the way it is turning out and can't wait to see what happens when I hand it over to Jay.

Two other pieces are also in their infancy, making a total of about 45 minutes of unfinished music so far for the next album.  Probably going to attempt to push the time limits of CD's on this next one!

Take care!
Craig