TA-80: Still Recording....

This is the actual beer (in the actual white-trash beer cozy) that I actually just cracked open, right now, and am actually drinking as I, in all actuality, type this post. Really? Yup!

I figured it was about time for another recording update. Last time I posted, I really just did a build up so that I could leave myself time and stories to fill up the space until the album is finished. I waaaaaaaaaaaayyyy underestimated our work ethic and stamina when it comes to recording. And at that, I have to immediately derail this into talk of work ethic.

I've been told by people that I look up to as working musicians that TA-80's work ethic is something to be admired. I have no other response, every time I hear this, other than to laugh it off. Let me break down this band for you. I, Amy 80, dropped out of college and either quit or get fired (or laid off) from every job I get; Jens 80 dropped out of college and either quits or gets fired (or laid off) from every job he gets; Jamin 80 dropped out of college and actually does really well as a worker bee (if it wasn't for his dead-beat, drifter of a wife, Amy...); Klae 80 dropped out of high school and gets fired or quits, etc. from every job; Russ 80 dropped out of college, was on his way to getting fired and/or quitting every job he got until he got his new, fancy-schmancy job that he has now. He's easily the most responsible of us all, and I'm sorry Russ, but that's not really saying much. Aside from Russ and his insane computer knowledge, the only thing that any of us are good at is being in a band. Not even a band, but this band. We've all been in other bands that did absolutely nothing. But when we get together and write songs and make music, something clicks and we all want to put in 200%. It's not because anyone is pressuring us or anything. This is what we're good at. We figured out what we're good at, and amazingly enough, we all happen to enjoy it just as much so it leads into us doing pretty good work, really fast. I guess that's work ethic. I call it having a good time.

So let me tell you a little bit about this album. Right now, we're planning on it being 13 songs. We don't have a track listing made yet because we haven't finished recording. I know that in this age of digital music, a lot of people wouldn't think of the song order as being relevant but TA-80 does. We don't think you have to listen to the songs in order to enjoy them, and by all means, if you can find free downloads, go to town...But, if you happen to listen to a full copy of our album and get to hear the way we lay it out, I sincerely hope it adds something to the overall experience, because that's definitely something we're going for. We're all fans of albums, not just single tracks. It's good stuff. I hope that doesn't totally get lost.

The track listing, as it appears right now (and in no particular order) is:

1. Trading Diamonds for Dominoes
2. Brandy and Boardgames
3. Bury You
4. Seasons in the Slum
5. I Don't Wanna Think
6. Losing Time
7. Desperation Moonlanding
8. I Don't Wanna Start
9. Gates of Steel
10. The Only Man Conway Twitty Every Loved
11. Suicide Doesn't Go With My Shoes
12. Too Long, Too Slow

Okay, I know there are more, but for the life of me, and can't remember them right now. Some of these are not the real titles, also. "I Don't Wanna Think", "I Don't Wanna Start", and "Too Long, Too Slow" will be changed. Those are the songs that don't have lyrics written yet. Or if they do, I haven't heard them. Jamin writes the majority of the lyrics so we don't really hear them until he records a demo. Then I listen to that demo (and no one else) and do a new demo with my voice. Jamin doesn't like his voice and usually doesn't want people to hear him try to sing. It's not as bad as he thinks but whatever...We all have our quirks.

We have 8 songs that are almost completely done right now, including punch-ups and vocals. We've all decided that our goal is to have all recording done by Halloween and start mixing after that. From there, we want to have everything ready for mastering by December so we can schedule a January release. Get ready Johnny Love!! We have shit coming your way! (Johnny is our AMAZING mastering guy.)

That's about all I have for you all for now. I'm going to work on some super rough mixes and get them up online for some very exclusive sneak previews. I am only going to give the link out to people that directly ask for it. In case you want it and are reading this now, just send me an email at amyta801 at aol.com and I'll send you the link when it's available. It might not be for another week or so, so don't hold yer breath or anything.

xoxo -

Amy 80