I've been waiting for this day to arrive so long. Our first full lenght album is finally done after huge amount of work and it sounds awesome!
Yesterday Mr. Saksa had quite a bad day, I could say. He was supposed to do the last adjustments for the album, but suddenly his computer broke down. A brand new Apple computer, how is that even possible?! So, with few sweat drops on his forehead he started searching a new computer from his colleagues. Or actually Mr. Saksa is known to be cooler that cool in every situation. A true ICEMAN, unlike some ex-formula driver. :) After three hours of searching he found a new computer, but there were still some problems ahead. For some reason the new machine didn't recognize Mr. Saksa's screen size properly and he couldn't see all he was doing. But, around 8 pm he finally called me and said that everything is now ok and all the adjustments are done. Man, you can imagine just how relieved we felt.
This morning I went to Finnvox studios with Bob. We arrived there around 11 am and met our mastering engineer Mr. Jussila, who has worked with Nightwish, Chidren of Bodom and HIM back in the days. Before this session, Mr. Jussila has mastered only one of Edward's releases, our first demo tape in 2003. We had a blast during the session, because Mr. Jussila told us such crazy stories about music business' big names and how they laugh on their way to bank. The session lasted about four hours and everything went just fine. We left Finnvox studios with big smiles on our faces.
Tomorrow we're all heading to a cottage far far away to celebrate our first album. But right after that on Friday the 2nd of April we're starting our 2 months long release tour from RT Partyhouse in Järvenpää. Then it all starts. Make sure you don't miss that show.
Finally, I have a little time to write something here. I've been extremely busy during last two weeks and it quite frankly shows in my face. Just last week I realized that we're starting our spring tour in three weeks and we need the get the album and many other things done before the first gig.
But first, let's go back to the 6th of March, the day we took our new promotional shots. Our trusted (but shaky) photographer Colin Jameson took our photos at his working place in Espoo. We had a blast during the photoshoot and I'll upload some footage here as soon as I can get the material out of my camcorder.
Since that day I've been working (read: designing) my ass off, trying to get the following things done:
– Album covers – New posters – New t-shirt – New stickers and flyers – New website
Now, after many hours of sweaty sitting everything is almost done. We are mastering the debut album on 25th of March at Finnvox studios by Mika Jussila and then it goes straight to press, so that everyone can buy their own copy on 2nd of April, when our spring tour begins at RT Partyhouse in Järvenpää. In case you are just reading this blog and not visiting our website, here are the tour dates:
Fri 02.04.2010 RT Partyhouse, Järvenpää Sat 03.04.2010 Liberté,Helsinki Fri 09.04.2010 Glory Days, Porvoo (Acoustic gig) Thu 15.04.2010 Torvi, Lahti Fri 16.04.2010 Rocktown, Hämeenlinna Sat 17.04.2010 Monttu, Pori Wed 21.04.2010 YO-Talo, Tampere Thu 22.04.2010 Klubi, Turku Fri 23.04.2010 Kino Nights, Kerava Sat 24.04.2010 Blue Pool, Forssa Tue 27.04.2010 On The Rocks, Helsinki Fri 30.04.2010 Live Rock Cafe, Harjavalta (Acoustic gig) Sat 01.05.2010 Rock 'N' Roll Cafe, Lohja Fri 07.05.2010 Red Neck, Jyväskylä Sat 08.05.2010 Ravintola Rock, Kuopio Sat 15.05.2010 The Rocks, Savonlinna Fri 21.05.2010 Café Tivoli, Rovaniemi Sun 23.05.2010 45 Special, Oulu Fri 28.05.2010 Heven, Järvenpää
Last Thursday I went to the studio with Mikkis to sing more backing vocals. Mikkis finished all his vocals that day. Here are some footage of Mikkis singing quite high notes. :)
Since this week has mostly been about mixing and editing the album, I recorded the final backing vocals at our rehearsal place, so that our engineer, Mr. Saksa, can concentrate on his job.
If you're listening to Radio Rock, you may have noticed that there is this competition called 'Radio Rock Starba'. As soon as we get our album mastered, we'll take part of that competition with a brand new song, which will be revealed next week. The idea of the competition is to get as much votes as possible, so make sure you will vote us and spread the ED-word around. I'm guessing that judges will pick 9 bands to play in final which is to be held at On the Rocks on the end of May.
Our debut album is called 'Songs to Unchain Hidden Hopes'. In case, somebody wants to know the reason for that name, send me an email and I'll try to explain it. :)
At first, we're pressing 1000 copies of the album and these special edition copies are to be sold only on tour. So, if you want to get your own copy, come to see our live performance.
Here's the cover of the special edition of 'Songs to Unchain Hidden Hopes':
Here is the tracklist:
1. Born Again 2. A Life to Be Unreal 3. Hope for the Best 4. Open My Eyes 5. Back Home 6. Try to Make it Last 7. Way You Are 8. Side 9. Long Gone 10. Wake 11. How the World Ends to Me
I'll tell you more about this whole release thingie next week. Take care boys and girls!