Dear all,
It has been considerable long time without any up-date from us. Probably because sometimes our progress is so slow that we even barely seem to notice any.
For B album, I remember we started on the 1st of January 2014 on the very first drafts (though we had some ideas of compositions already, or had been working on them for live performances). Anyway, on the 1st of October 2014 we collected the promo samples freshly pressed from the factory. In the meantime we had recorded all the tracks, developed new sounds, new arrangements, done concerts in France, Belgium, and set up our 2 first UK tours, also set up all the legal side, made the artwork for the booklet, edited countless teasers and music videos. That’s 9 months sharp full time into music.
For Project Inês album we must have got the idea around july 2014. Actually while working on the lyrics for Gwerz Inês. The story was so deep that we couldn’t choose a proper angle until we thought we would leave most of it for next album.
Mid 2015 we were already doing some progress on the lyrics/music, and had many ideas about the concept. Broad lines, but most of it was there. At the end of summer 2015 the finances we had asside had gone, and we had to come back to Brittany full time where Yann has been mostly working full time as a teacher. We’ve done the best use we could of holidays for gigs/tours until 2017.
We’ve had many ideas for Inês Project. Many. Many musical directions that didn’t work, mostly because we realised it wouldn’t be doable for the 2 of us to set up the ambitious sounds we had in mind at first.
So we did what we always do: one step at the time, we do what is doable. We do with the limited time/money/means we have. We make the most of it, and try to go around limitations, turn them into challenges. Most of the time.
At least we try. When we look back we realise that maybe, we also lost a lot of time by not being focused enough in what matters : creating music. Sometimes we get bitter, anxious, and only see the limitations. They are challenging limitations. Not travelling much is a major source of sadness for sure. Everytime you leave the music for something else, you need to get back into the mood. As quickly as possible! But there’s no other way than to do with what is, right?
Almost 4 years later… that’s starting to be painful, at a certain time, we need to switch to something else too. So, to give you an clear up-date at where we are at…
- Lyrics are mostly all written, there might be a need for some changes as we go threw the vocals recording.
- We have all of the tracks structures, sounds, ambiances with minor changes that will occur once vocals will be in place.
- Most of instruments played by Yann are finalised (guitars, drums, ud and violin).
- We have a clearer idea about the guests and what they’re doing on which track.
- We have a clear frame for our crowdfunding campaign (we’ll be using Indiegogo), time frame, money goals, rewards, etc…
- I have a structure for most of the artwork for every song.
What’s still to be done:
- Record all the vocals.
- Get our guests’ tracks to add to the mix.
- Create most of the artwork – and there’s a lot to be created. Confession time: I need to have to music before I actually can paint. Probably that’s a limiting belief as well!
- Edit all the graphics for the booklet with all the lyrics + notes.
- Finalise the mix/master.
- Translate all the lyrics in French/English.
- Set up and launch the crowdfunding campaign. That’s a huge part! Includes a lot of promo, editing some videos too, printing some artwork for rewards too. And for that… we need the artwork !
- All the legal side of the project – taxes – authorisations – etc…
Put that way, we can’ say there hasn’t been any progress ! Wish us luck and plenty of energy.
A galon / with heart,
– Simone.
. astrakan project . 