sleepless in minneapolis

Sunday, September 12 2010 02:25

I'm in Minneapolis right now.  Was just in Cleveland for my mom's birthday, and I thought it'd be cool to swing by here to do some recording in person and finally get to meet the all-powerful wizard (a.k.a. my producer Bryan Hanna) face to face.

-oh, well, you know, I certainly don't mean to imply that there's any smoke in mirrors whatsoever.  Getting to see what he does is incredible… Sometimes I think I understand what's happening… other times I just have to sit back and bask in the mystery and awe.  Working and hanging with Bryan has been a ton of fun.

Everything is coming along fantastically.  Been digging up songs I recorded on my own long ago to be redone now, and I wasn't sure what to expect (I'm less than natural at embracing change), but Bryan is breathing the most invigorating fresh air into them and I've never felt more excited.

I also really enjoyed meeting Eric Fawcett (he did the drums on Almost Beautiful), whose seamless and seemingly effortless groove-making I got to witness as he laid down another drum track that gave my bones goosebumps.

Oh, and tonight I got to meet and hang out with Meg Hutchinson, whose songs are rooted in my life from hearing them on my Pandora radio (I listen all the time).  If you haven't yet had the pleasure, check out her stuff.  Her voice is heartfelt and honest, and her songs have a healing quality that puts me at ease with myself (not a small feat).  In person I had to drink a lot to achieve the same effect (a little starstruck, I was), and as a result I'm dizzily typing blog entries at 4:00 in the morning.

Tomorrow's my last day here.  It's been a blast.  Maybe I'll take some pictures, but I'll probably forget.