I’m Your Song

Bruce Wallace @ Jambotunes Studio Nov. 4/09

Great great visit from Bruce Wallace from Nashville on Wednesday.

Bruce is a brother in arms, as it were, he being another Ole staff writer.  Bruce is based in Nashville, (born in Oklahoma? I’m pretty sure?) – and he was in the midst of a quick trip to Toronto to record some guitar work for an artist who is releasing one of his songs soon.

Anyway…I’d heard lots of great things about Bruce prior to meeting him…and of course, it was all true.  Super nice and easy going guy.   We did the usual ‘kitchen talk’ thing…and out of that chatter came an idea for a new song called ‘I’m Your Song‘ (JC/Bruce Wallace).

It was kinda funny actually, we were sitting on the balcony discussing the concept of the song when Bruce started spitting out a bunch of lyrics…we just kinda looked at each other…then I said “I gotta write this stuff down” – and we both ran into the studio and the ideas just flowed.

I think it’s a beautiful little tune…I’m uploading it to my MySpace right now…if you wanna check it out…(note: absolutely awesome, heart wrenching vocals by Bruce).

ciao for now…

Triple Play Thursdays.

Marilou, Brian & Rupert today...

Early start to the day today…Brian Melo swung by the studio @ 10 a.m. to sing lead vocals and play some acoustic guitar for the demo of ‘The Mess You Made Of Me‘ (JC/Brian Melo).   Sounding killer.

After that Brian hung around for a cup of tea and a chat as we awaited the arrival of Rupert Gayle.  It had been a while since Brian and Rupert had seen each other, so we had a nice reunion when Rupert arrived at noon – and we were also able to play the album version of a couple of Brian Melo songs for Rupert – songs that he had a hand in co-writing with us.  So, that was all positive…

Then…Marilou arrived from Montreal (straight from the plane to the studio – this seems to be happening a lot lately).  Marilou is a young female artist who is signed to Sony Music and managed by Rene Angelil (yes, that Rene – aka Celine Dion’s manager/husband) and she flew in to town for some songwriting sessions.  The focus was to write something new and cool for Marilou’s upcoming English language album – so today we wrote a cool new song called ‘Shot Down By A Smile‘ (JC/Rupert Gayle/Marilou).  A lot of fun writing this one – adventurous lyrical theme and quirky, folky-pop kinda stylistic vibe.  We felt that we had come in right on target…especially when Marilou sat back and exclaimed ‘this IS me’ when we finished writing the song.  

After that I recorded a couple of acoustic guitar tracks and Marilou sang a great lead vocal for the demo.  The Sony Canada A&R rep (Adam Fujiki) stopped by the studio to say hello and we were able to play him the worktape of the song – and he thought it was really cool.  I’ll send him the full demo when I get it completed. 

And, that was Thursday.

Double Play Mondays…

Afternoon - writing with Melo

Full day today…

Spent an afternoon session writing with Brian Melo.  Brian and I finished a song we started a while back called ‘The Mess You Made Of Me‘ (JC/Brian Melo) — and, I think it’s a good thing we took a couple of sessions to finish this one as it probably contains our most intense lyric work up to this point.  A difficult subject…that maybe seemed a bit too close to home for both of us at times during the writing…but, hey…I guess that’s where the cool songs come from sometimes.  We recorded a quick worktape…and the plan is to get Brian back to record a proper demo vocal later thisweek. (Thurs night?)

 

Evening - recording with Luke Willms

After a short break it was time for an evening session with Luke Willms.  Luke  flew in from Vancouver this week to do some work on our song ‘Throw It To The Universe‘ (JC/Luke Willms).  It was great to catch up with Luke again.  We spent some time talking about the structure of the song – and possible arrangement ideas…then we recorded Luke playing some killer acoustic guitar work for the bed tracks.  Luke will return Wednesday morning – and at the very least we’ll get the rest of his guitar work and all of his vocals recorded before he heads back to Van.  Me thinks this just might be a beautiful song…seems like every other discussion I have with folks these days is about the pull of the universe.  Cool.

Luke Major – ‘Mercy The Sexton’

   

Luke Major @ Jambotunes Oct. 25/09

Luke Major visited the studio today to record vocals for a song he and I wrote on Friday called ‘Midnight‘ (JC/Luke Major). 

Luke’s been in town for a week – doing some songwriting and also filming a feature about his band ‘Mercy The Sexton‘ (hailing from Saint John’s, Newfoundland).

Anyway, Luke and I had quite a day on Friday – all the usual shenanigans…way too long talks about about stuff we probably shouldn’t have been talking about…lots of Lemoncello…lots of laughs…and..oh ya, we wrote a pretty frickin cool song too.

Sometimes it really doesn’t seem fair…I always seem to end up working with the absolute nicest people in the world.  And that has been a real blessing.  I really do love this job.

‘Perfect’ day with Jimmy Rankin

 

Jimmy Rankin @ Jambotunes Oct 24/09

Killer day writing with Jimmy Rankin here @ Jambotunes.  We wrote a new song called ‘Perfect‘ (JC/Jimmy Rankin) – and I think it’s verily accurate to say we rocked the house.

There’s probably nothing I can say about Jimmy’s stellar career here that you don’t already know…but, I will add that I can attest first hand that he’s an absolute first class individual.  We enjoyed a great day of songwriting, storytelling, even a quick lunch @ Fionn’s (with beverages) – and a whole lot of positive energy.

I’m mixing down a rough worktape of today’s session to send to Jimmy now…and we’re looking forward to a time when we can get together to do it all again.

Rock.

Cuts of the day…

 

Brian Melo - gettin' it done right...

Been slowly getting back into the groove of things in the studio.  Without belaboring the point, my first week back after L.A. + Germany was a bit of a washout d/t jet lag and the fact that song camps are intense creative experiences…just how it goes.

Anyway, I’m back in the groove…setting up some new writing sessions, finishing some long overdue demos…

Received great news from Brian Melo yesterday – Brian tells me that he’s picked the final 6 songs for his record and he’s included 2 more of our co-writes (that brings the total to 7 songs co-written by Brian/JC on the album so far).  The 2 latest additions -’Sound Proof‘ + ‘Story Of Us‘ are songs that Brian and I co-wrote with Shiloh here @ Jambotunes.  We’re also getting together on Monday to finish a song we started called ‘The Mess You Made of Me‘ — which has an outside chance at being the 8th and final co-write cut on that album. I know it may sound biased for me to say this…but, Brian is really putting together a beautiful album…the amount of energy and love that he’s investing into the process is exactly what you’d like to see with every record that ever gets made – by anybody.  Unfortunately, it just doesn’t happen enough…

'UnStable' on CMT - 3 song requests

Also yesterday – had 3 songs: ‘The One Thing‘ (JC/Ben Dunk), ‘Bad Guys‘ (JC/Ben Dunk), ‘Everything Under The Sun‘ (JC/Rebecca Everett/Jaylene Johnson) all requested for use in a television show on the CMT network called ‘UnStable‘.  The music supervisor and my publisher are hopefully working that all out as we speak…I heart tv/film synchs!  All 3 songs feature Cadence Grace on vocals and were produced here @ Jambotunes.  Note: Cadence was just in Banff, Alberta last week filming the finale for Karaoke Star on CMT.  Go Cadence!

Speaking of the song ‘The One Thing’ – I was also informed yesterday that both it and another song – ‘Right Place Right Time‘ (JC/Cadence Grace/John Crown) have also been pitched for a couple of Vancouver 2010 Olympics-related opportunities.

Today, Luke Major from  St. John’s, Newfoundland is coming in to the studio to write.

Tomorrow, Jimmy Rankin is scheduled to visit Jambotunes for a co-write session.

New Promo Pic

 

Ok…so, like most folks, getting my picture taken is about as much fun as making a trip to the dentist…

But, yesterday, I got the call from my L.A. publisher – time to get serious about my head shot…

Up to this point, I’ve just snapped a pic with my phone cam and handed that in…I kinda liked the lo-fi vibe — but, apparently, the higher ups have become wise to my ruse… 

And, you know what…I think I have to agree with them…as much as I don’t like to devote my energy to this kind of stuff…it’s true that any kind of biz – yes, even the music biz – is also a visual business – to some degree…and that’s just the facts, Jack…

So, I turned to my good friend (and pro photographer) Anthony N. Chandler … he told me to come over to his studio right away…and he spent a couple of hours snapping pictures of me under various lighting set-ups etc. 

I believe the one we ended up using (below) — was possibly the last picture we took during the session.

I like texture, shadow, light, and the colour blue…so, I guess this is the one.  It’s contrasted quite a bit (my preference) – but, that might get scaled back a wee bit…we’ll see…

Anyway…I was jet-lagged, unkempt, and not feeling particularly jovial during the photo session…and, yet, somehow Anthony was able to snap a pic that I can live with.  

Thanks Anthony…a friend in need…indeed…

 

Photo by Anthony N. Chandler

Post Berlin – the winding down.

 

The morning after the 3rd and final day of the Ole/BMG Berlin Song Camp saw everybody hustling to get back home and/or wherever they needed to be next. 

Elizabeth Spear, Tebey and I shared a shuttle to the airport – Tebey was off to London to write, Elizabeth was heading back to Canada, and I was on my way to Belgium for a 1 day/night layover.  

A magical day to myself in Lueven, Belgium

My flight to Brussels was a quick one, just over an hour.  Then I took a taxi to my hotel.  The funny thing is I had no idea where I was, or where I was going…I was by myself and I didn’t speak any German — so the trip was a bit surreal — but absolutely beautiful. 

I ended up checking into my hotel, which was quaintly nestled into a corn field in the middle of what felt like rural Belgium.  The hotel manager mentioned to me that the hotel restaurant was closed on Saturdays and that I would have to find nourishment elsewhere.  She suggested the town of Lueven which was nearby. 

Yes...I definitely enjoyed some Belgian chocolate!

I showered, then caught a taxi to Lueven…and, wow…what a beautiful experience/memory — just walking around the city of Lueven all day by myself — again, a stranger in a stranger place…with worn cobble stone streets, old old buildings, Belgian chocolate shops!, Stella Artois beer (the Stella brewery is in Lueven – fun fact!) and crowds of people speaking words that made no sense to me.  It was like I was floating in a dream. 

I returned to my hotel after having a simple dinner in Lueven…then crashed almost immediately.  My cab call was for 7:30 a.m the next morning…I made my way to the airport, then I flew back to Canada from Brussels on Jet Air — and, here I am. 

History...the beauty is in the making of it...

And that – including the previous 3 posts – was my writing trip to the Ole/BMG Song Camp in Berlin, Germany.  A wonderful experience filled with what are sure to be lifelong memories…and definitely some great new songs.  Thanks as always to Ole…and BMG for facilitating such a great event.

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Berlin Writing Trip – Day 3

 

The focus for Day 3 of the Berlin writing trip was ‘Free Your Mind’.  I don’t know what that meant to the other writing groups that day…but, for the group I was in, it meant we could choose to write whatever we wanted…and we chose to write a song for the other movie that was pitched to everybody on Day 1. 

Our Day 3 writing group consisted of myself, Rupert Gayle, Rike Boomgaarden and Sebastian Kirchner.  It was an extremely comfortable group for me because I had already written with everybody in the group at some point during the previous days.  And, for whatever reason, we wrote an absolutely beautiful and special song on Day 3 called ‘I’ll Be Around‘ (JC/Rupert Gayle/Rike Boomgaarden/Sebastian Kirchner).  One of the big messages during the week was that nobody was looking for ballads.  Of course, this was a ballad…ha…but, it did have great forward motion. 

Anyway, we wrote, again paying special attention to the lyrical content of the song — happy that the melody of the song was already golden — then Rike sang some absolutely stunning demo vocals.  Even more impressive was that fact that Rike had been up til 5 am the night before singing ‘That’s How I Like It‘ (JC/Rike/Erik/Vincent) – and was still able to belt out layer upon layer of lush, cutting vocals.  Sebastian built the track up with some great production work.  

Sharing meals & ideas @ Studio Works in Berlin

Being that Day 3 was the final day of the camp…things were kinda loose around the studio that day…people coming in and out…sometimes just a lot of hanging out/cat napping etc.  But, we also knew that Stefan Broedner (Music Supervisor – Teamworx) was coming back to the studio that evening to hear any new songs that might have been written for his film pitches – so, once again, we were excited to find ourselves in the enviable position of being able to play our new song directly to the music supervisor of the movie.

Play it we did…but this time, our studio room was packed with everybody from the camp…and it was just one of those special moments ~ actually, it felt like an important moment.  The song ended and the room erupted with applause and smiles all around.  Stefan asked to hear the song again right away.  Afterwards, he explained his vision for the song in the movie (all contingent upon the director’s final say, of course).  Gilles from Ole said that it felt like the kind of moment that changes people’s lives.  So we all felt like we had done a good job.  :-)

Andrew Roachford enhances the chill-out vibe of the open area

Bonus moment…Rike spoke to Stefan in German, and the next thing I knew we were playing the song we had written the night before (That’s How I Like It) as a pitch for the other movie that was presented during the focus meeting on Day 1 — and…bravo…Stefan loved it -and went on to describe how the song could fit perfectly as a sort of recurring sub-theme for one of the characters in the movie. 

Bottom line after 3 days of writing = 3 new songs written that were considered seriously pitch-able for 4 different opportunities in Europe.  I know nothing happens for sure until it has happened…but, still, this was a very positive outcome.

Next stop = Belgium

After the listening session, the remaining creative & administrative folk & friends (including Ivan Berry and Daniel Mekinda from Tanjola — who had flown to Berlin for other business then made their way to the studio to show support for everybody) partied for a while at the studio — before we all herded into taxis and went out to a great restaurant in downtown Berlin for a late night dinner & celebration.  

The next morning would see me going to Belgium for a day/night stop over…a great way to wind down after the camp.  I’ll post about that little trip and some after thoughts in the next entry.

Berlin Writing Trip – Day 2

 

After a mostly restful sleep (I did wake up for a couple of hours between 2-4 a.m.) I felt all refreshed and ready for Day 2 of the Berlin song camp.  I was sitting in the Holiday Inn Express breakfast bar, bright and cheery – as the other writers trickled in for morning coffee/breakfast prior to us all shuttling over to the studio.

During the shuttle ride I voiced my preference to be involved in a high octane energy writing session for Day 2.  I really just wanted to go for it.  Even during the focus meeting I couldn’t stand still – needing to have a guitar in my hands right from the first moment we arrived at the studio.

Vincent Stein aka 'Beatzarre'

Fortunately, the focus briefs for Day 2 pretty much all centered on European rock-pop artists looking for cuts (ding!).  I was especially intrigued by a female fronted German band that is currently signed to Sony BMG and has been ripping up the charts and winning awards throughout Europe.  One of the other writers – Rike Boomgaarden (BMG Rights Management Germany) told me she was also interested in writing something a little more aggressive on Day 2 – and together we recruited Vincent Stein (BMG Rights Management Germany) to be our producer that day.  The writing group was complete once we chatted with Erik Nyholm (BMG Rights Management Norway) and found out that he too was on board with writing a song that would be appropriate for our target band.

Day 2 in Berlin w/ Vincent, Rike, Erik - dream team!

We took our time while writing that day and focused a lot on the lyrical content of the song.  One of the interesting aspects of the camp was that even though most of our writing targets were for German artists or German film/tv productions – the preference was to have songs written in English.  This turned into one of the best collaborative aspects of the trip – because even though all of the German/European writers spoke perfect English, they were the first to admit that when trying to compose/translate English lyrics – the end result was often a bit too ‘formal’ compared to the lyrics you would hear hear in typical North American rock/pop songs which tend to have a heavier ’slang’ vibe to them.

Moi, @ about 4 a.m...

Thus, we ended up writing a very cool (and rocking) song called ‘That’s How I Like It‘ (JC/Rike Boomgaarden/Erik Nyholm/Vincent Stein).  The lyrics were edgy and the song was decidedly less poppy than what the target band has been doing up to this point.  They were looking for something less predictable, “not Kelly Clarkson” as they put it — and I think we came in somewhere between Gwen Stefani and Green Day~ish.  We ended up working on the production for the song until 5 a.m.! Yowza…here we go again

Outcome Day 2 = the next morning we were able to play the demo of ‘That’s How I Like It’ for Thomas Scherer (BMG Rights Management/ Y&M) …and Thomas liked the song to the point where he said he was personally going to take the song into a meeting with the band’s A&R folk @ SonyBMG this week.