Hi ... so a few new things. We've finished writing our third album. Even better, we all really like the songs ... finally.
The new songs are kind of upbeat for the most part. Which is different for us. What else can I say. Almost all the songs were co-written by Shayne and I this time, which I think is how we get our best material. One song is long and kind of proggy, and there's nothing really acoustic on the album. It took us a bit longer to have the content that we wanted. We actually wrote about 35 songs to really get the ten we like.
We have studio time booked for the drums in September, as that's the one thing I can't really record that well in my studio, and we hope to have the album out for Christmas.
This segues nicely into the hand. I hadn't played bass in about a year due to some Carpal Tunnel nastiness. Over the last year thanks to my chiropractor, a horrible hand brace, and some stretching, it is much better. A while ago, Shayne and I were writing, trying to get some songs we liked, and I picked up the bass so we could jam. CLICK! There was the Startlefish sound we missed. Then a half dozen new songs just poured out. Shayne and Jason ordered me to go back to the bass. I said sure. So apparently the process of walking away, writing crappy songs, and hating music has resulted in us feeling like a band again. And being excited about it!
In related news, we've started rehearsing for our show in August at the Bell Border Jam Festival. We haven't played together in a jamming capacity since December and it was awesome. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a break when you're in a band. It fires you up, gets you excited and optimistic. Personally, I'd forgotten how much I liked playing Heaven & Earth!
So things are good in the Startlefish camp right now, knock on wood. See you in August!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Writing Finished
We've (finally) finished writing for our third album. We wrote about 30 songs, didn't like enough of them, took a break, kept writing, and now we're all very happy with twelve songs, and we'll now begin the process of properly recording them. Twelve songs will probably ensure that ten turn out well enough to be released, but who knows, perhaps they'll all turn out well.
Most of the songs were written by Craig and Shayne. One is an old song written by Dwayne Slack and Mike Robillard, two were written by Craig, and two by Shayne.
We like it in any case. Right now we're a happy band.
So that's it. Twelve new songs, one new album hopefully due around Christmas, and a big show at the end of summer (that we'll have to start rehearsing for soon).
Most of the songs were written by Craig and Shayne. One is an old song written by Dwayne Slack and Mike Robillard, two were written by Craig, and two by Shayne.
We like it in any case. Right now we're a happy band.
So that's it. Twelve new songs, one new album hopefully due around Christmas, and a big show at the end of summer (that we'll have to start rehearsing for soon).
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Gear For Sale
Some of you may know that I'm a manic gear collector. Gear clutters my studio like animals on Noah's Ark.
But recently I decided that if I haven't played it in over a year or if I forgot that I owned it then perhaps it was time to sell it to reduce the clutter and find good homes for the gear.
So here's a list of things I'm selling. If you or someone you know needs good gear, then give me a shout.
Just call 542.2760 or email craigwest@shaw.ca
Line 6 Variax 700 Acoustic - 2005
Boasting "an entire acoustic collection in a single instrument", the Line 6 Variax 700 acoustic guitar is an extremely unique instrument. Whether plugged into a an amp or a PA, you just set the dial to the instrument you want and that's the sound that comes out. It can sound like a Martin, a parlor guitar, or even a mandola with just the twist of a dial!
Thanks to 16 built in acoustic instrument settings, a mic placement simulator and a compressor, this guitar sounds amazing in the studio and on stage and NEVER feeds back. In addition to the built in sounds, the Variax also provides alternate tunings with the push of a button.
Paid $1900.00, asking $850.00
Marshall AVT 150 H head - 2006
I love this amp, but I just don't use it anymore and like the rest of the stuff being sold I'd rather see it go to a good home where it will make some lucky person's ears bleed. Perfect condition, gigged with a handful of times.
Technical Specs and gory details: The AVT 150h houses a pair of adjustable DFX sections. Both DFX sections are on/off foot-switchable via the supplied 6-way LED foot controller. Output (RMS): 150 watts, Impedance: minimum 4 ohms, 4 Channels, Acoustic simulator, Digital FX + select switch x 2, Parallel FX loop, FX level switch, FX mix controls x 2, Scoop switch x 2, Bright switch, Emulated line out, Headphone jack, Master volume, Master presence control, Speaker outputs: 2 external, Foot controller (supplied): PEDL-10031
Paid $1000, asking $750
But recently I decided that if I haven't played it in over a year or if I forgot that I owned it then perhaps it was time to sell it to reduce the clutter and find good homes for the gear.
So here's a list of things I'm selling. If you or someone you know needs good gear, then give me a shout.
Just call 542.2760 or email craigwest@shaw.ca
Line 6 Variax 700 Acoustic - 2005
Boasting "an entire acoustic collection in a single instrument", the Line 6 Variax 700 acoustic guitar is an extremely unique instrument. Whether plugged into a an amp or a PA, you just set the dial to the instrument you want and that's the sound that comes out. It can sound like a Martin, a parlor guitar, or even a mandola with just the twist of a dial!
Thanks to 16 built in acoustic instrument settings, a mic placement simulator and a compressor, this guitar sounds amazing in the studio and on stage and NEVER feeds back. In addition to the built in sounds, the Variax also provides alternate tunings with the push of a button.
Paid $1900.00, asking $850.00
Marshall AVT 150 H head - 2006
I love this amp, but I just don't use it anymore and like the rest of the stuff being sold I'd rather see it go to a good home where it will make some lucky person's ears bleed. Perfect condition, gigged with a handful of times.
Technical Specs and gory details: The AVT 150h houses a pair of adjustable DFX sections. Both DFX sections are on/off foot-switchable via the supplied 6-way LED foot controller. Output (RMS): 150 watts, Impedance: minimum 4 ohms, 4 Channels, Acoustic simulator, Digital FX + select switch x 2, Parallel FX loop, FX level switch, FX mix controls x 2, Scoop switch x 2, Bright switch, Emulated line out, Headphone jack, Master volume, Master presence control, Speaker outputs: 2 external, Foot controller (supplied): PEDL-10031
Paid $1000, asking $750
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Writing
Hey ... Craig here with a brand new blog entry.
I thought I'd write today about writing. So previous blog and Startlefish website news items have talked about how we're working on album #3. And there's still nothing released. So here's what's happened.
We'd written about 30 songs between us all ranging from long and proggy to short and folksy stopping in the middle for some rock and roll. And at the end of the day we really weren't inspired by very many of them. We tried a few rough running orders, and had an album we thought we would record properly. But it was one of those things when you try and convince yourself of something because you don't want to admit to yourself that you don't really like it.
Eventually, we decided the songs weren't there yet.
Then three or four months passed where we didn't really work on anything. Sort of took a break from each other. I recorded Live Again with Miguel, Ed drummed, Jason started practicing keyboard and Shayne moved heavy things.
Then about a month ago, Shayne and I went for a drink to talk about what to do with Startlefish. We decided we should start from scratch and see where it took us. So for the last three weeks we've been doing just that, and the results have been great. Perhaps as a result of the time off to not worry about the band, or perhaps because we had to just work through 30 fair songs before we started writing ones we liked. Who cares. New songs seem to be coming out that we feel excited about.
Right now we're looking forward to playing live in August, and we're enjoying having the summer to just keep writing. I think you'll like the results. We do.
Hope you're having a good summer. See you soon.
I thought I'd write today about writing. So previous blog and Startlefish website news items have talked about how we're working on album #3. And there's still nothing released. So here's what's happened.
We'd written about 30 songs between us all ranging from long and proggy to short and folksy stopping in the middle for some rock and roll. And at the end of the day we really weren't inspired by very many of them. We tried a few rough running orders, and had an album we thought we would record properly. But it was one of those things when you try and convince yourself of something because you don't want to admit to yourself that you don't really like it.
Eventually, we decided the songs weren't there yet.
Then three or four months passed where we didn't really work on anything. Sort of took a break from each other. I recorded Live Again with Miguel, Ed drummed, Jason started practicing keyboard and Shayne moved heavy things.
Then about a month ago, Shayne and I went for a drink to talk about what to do with Startlefish. We decided we should start from scratch and see where it took us. So for the last three weeks we've been doing just that, and the results have been great. Perhaps as a result of the time off to not worry about the band, or perhaps because we had to just work through 30 fair songs before we started writing ones we liked. Who cares. New songs seem to be coming out that we feel excited about.
Right now we're looking forward to playing live in August, and we're enjoying having the summer to just keep writing. I think you'll like the results. We do.
Hope you're having a good summer. See you soon.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Startlefish Facebook Page
We have a new Facebook Page.
You can find it by clicking here.
It has a video player, music player, and photo galleries as well as all the usually Facebook stuff like the Wall, etc.
So check it out, become a fan, and help us spread our music!
Since we're not playing live at the moment, and are still writing to try and figure out what our next album should be, we thought we would try and make a little more of an investment online. Things like our MySpace, the Facebook Page, this blog and our official site giving away free music are the first steps of this plan.
You can find it by clicking here.
It has a video player, music player, and photo galleries as well as all the usually Facebook stuff like the Wall, etc.
So check it out, become a fan, and help us spread our music!
Since we're not playing live at the moment, and are still writing to try and figure out what our next album should be, we thought we would try and make a little more of an investment online. Things like our MySpace, the Facebook Page, this blog and our official site giving away free music are the first steps of this plan.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Bell Border Jam Festival
So ... we have a pretty cool gig to announce being part of.
We'll be performing at the Bell Border Jam Festival on August 17, 2008 at 3:30 PM.
This is a huge, three day music festival that includes the following acts: Those Rogues, Tom Foolery, Brass Tax, Mid Life Crysis, Badfinger, Badside, The Chris Belsito Band, Wild T and the Spirit, Jeff Healey’s Band, Wild Turkeys, Dirty River Band, Startlefish, Inner City Surfers, MYBAND, Bigsuit, Foghat, Zaks Allstars, Days of the New, War, Sass Jordan, Seven Mary Three, Marshall Tucker Band, Kim Mitchell,and Blue Oyster Cult.
How cool is that?
We'll be performing at the Bell Border Jam Festival on August 17, 2008 at 3:30 PM.
This is a huge, three day music festival that includes the following acts: Those Rogues, Tom Foolery, Brass Tax, Mid Life Crysis, Badfinger, Badside, The Chris Belsito Band, Wild T and the Spirit, Jeff Healey’s Band, Wild Turkeys, Dirty River Band, Startlefish, Inner City Surfers, MYBAND, Bigsuit, Foghat, Zaks Allstars, Days of the New, War, Sass Jordan, Seven Mary Three, Marshall Tucker Band, Kim Mitchell,and Blue Oyster Cult.
How cool is that?
Friday, May 23, 2008
Free Music
We just gave away our back catalogue for free on the Free Music section of our official site.
To stream to songs, click the Download button and to download them to your PC, just right-click and save-as.
People have different thoughts on downloading, file-sharing, etc. Here's what we think. Both CDs have now paid for themselves, and everyone in the geographic area we usually gig in who wants one, has one. While we're preparing album #3 and working out how to get out to other communities, we thought we'd push our website a little harder to try and get more people aware of our music.
The sound quality of MP3 files are of course substantially less than what you find on CDs, and there is no packaging, so we don't feel like this devalues the stuff we've already sold.
So that's it.
Check out the Free Music section. Stream or download some songs. Download them all if you'd like. And tell a friend. If you know someone who you think will enjoy our music, then send them an email. Tell them there's an independent band from Sault Ste. Marie that they might like, and direct them to our Free Music.
To stream to songs, click the Download button and to download them to your PC, just right-click and save-as.
People have different thoughts on downloading, file-sharing, etc. Here's what we think. Both CDs have now paid for themselves, and everyone in the geographic area we usually gig in who wants one, has one. While we're preparing album #3 and working out how to get out to other communities, we thought we'd push our website a little harder to try and get more people aware of our music.
The sound quality of MP3 files are of course substantially less than what you find on CDs, and there is no packaging, so we don't feel like this devalues the stuff we've already sold.
So that's it.
Check out the Free Music section. Stream or download some songs. Download them all if you'd like. And tell a friend. If you know someone who you think will enjoy our music, then send them an email. Tell them there's an independent band from Sault Ste. Marie that they might like, and direct them to our Free Music.
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