Posted by: Empirical
We spent 5 long but happy days recording Empirical’s 4th Album!
As in many things, ‘the best laid plans of Mice and Men often go astray’, and so it was with this session! Our chosen studio was the beautiful room at Pinewood studios, run by Phoenix sound, where we recorded ‘Out ‘n’ In‘ in 2008. Unfortunately, the studio has been sold, rendering our pre – Christmas recording plans in disarray!
Step in Dave Moore, engineer at Phoenix sound, who has worked with us on ‘Out ‘n’ In’ and the mixing of ‘Elements of Truth‘. Having scouted out several studios we agreed on Flood and Moulder’s studio, Assault and Battery 2, in Willesden. Nat and Lew checked out the space and with a positive verdict we booked it, with Dave engineering.
One of the exciting parts of Album 4 is we are documenting our work with the Benyounes Quartet. A fantastic string quartet we met through our work as Golubovich Jazz Scholars at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. Great girls who put up with our massive date changing, long rehearsals and Jazz vernacular! Check out our SoundCloud to hear clips from our first performance – in the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the opening night of the London Jazz Festival 2012! Watch Behind the scenes clips
Despite the organisational hiccups, the sessions were mega fun! The girls brought a great, professional vibe and we were well catered for by Drew and Jordan from A&B 2. 14 songs went down! 7 with the string quartet, 7 without, so watch this space for the exact format of the release! And watch out for an EPK coming soon, courtesy of Simon Whitehead and Simon Drake. Check out some Photos on our Twitter feed.
We are pleased to be continuing our relationship with Naim Jazz, and the record is scheduled for release in late Aug/Early Sept 2013 (we’ll keep you posted!). Our music is always conceived with the long term in mind, so a continued partnership with Naim is perfect.
The music is ambitious, risky, epic and full of stories – everything you’ve come to expect from Empirical. We are very excited about this one…now just the small matter of picking the best takes…and mixing…and mastering…oh..and the artwork…
In the meantime – come check out an Empirical performance! (we’ll have to wait till September before the strings are with us again)
24th Jan Lincoln
25th Jan Cambridge
4th Jan PIZZA EXPRESS DEAN STREET!!!
7th Feb Leeds
8th feb Sheffield
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