I've gotten some mail, so I figured I'd answer some questions.
¿ 1: What the hell is Baku? What happened to Nautili!?
At some point either while I was drafting album art or working on some visual effects for what will eventually be a music video, I realized I was feeling very
limited in what I could do under the Nautili banner. Although the nautilus has been incredibly inspiring to me over the years, I felt it was a concept I was going to burn out on trying to re-invent different ways to do something new with it. That said, all of the nautilus work I've done will remain intact, and I'm leaning toward using 'Nautili' as an album title. I spent some time looking over what I had thematically, directions I wanted to explore in the future, and what making music does for me at it's bare roots. Since making this record is really the fullfillment of a dream, and since the record itself deals with dreams, I decided on Baku, which is from feudal asian myth of a creature from the outer realms that comes and devours nightmares and generally wards off evil. I really owe the credit to Neil Gaiman though, who was my inspiration behind it.
¿ 2: Are you still on track to finish before the end of the year?
Nearly. I'm re-recording live drums until the 21st. At that point, I'll step away from the music production for 10-15 days to shoot test footage of visual effects for the video with my DP Jon Payne. When that wraps, I'll go back with fresh ears and compile a 35-40 track overview to see what little threads need to be cut or tied together, and begin on final mix-down 1. I will probably go through the mixdown process about 10 or 15 times before burning to disc. Then I take the disc and play it on several different players in several different environments, filling out a comprehensive chart system. Then I go back, make my final changes to the mix, and master. Aside from drums, I have some vocals, a slide guitar line, and a harmonica part left to record. My target release date at this moment is end of spring or early summer. I'm hoping things might actually go my way for once though and I'll be able to start posting a couple of tracks as early as the next few weeks.
¿ 3: How has your devotion to your art affected your family and home life?
The affects have been great and far reaching, some negative, but mostly positive.
My son is already developing a strong knack for sound and music, and I've recorded his contributions to the record, (which I wasn't going to do, but was convinced of it's effectiveness by John Allen of the Flip Wilsons.) I have spent several hours working in the studio, holding Amp while I work on designs or do vocal takes. He seems to really enjoy it, and is starting to get upset if he isn't feeling involved in whatever it is I'm doing creatively at the moment. Before all this though, my devotion to the project aided the disintigration of several relationships, which although unfortunate, I do not regret.
¿ 4: Are you working with any other bands or artist?
Currently I'm serving as kind of a sounding board/production assistant for the Flip Wilsons before they head into the studio. I've done a remix of thier track 'Does it Feel' and as soon as the Flips post up the straight version on their myspace page, I'll post the remix to mine. I'm also getting the contributions from other artist, and Onieronaut will be assembling and designing the packaging and promotional materials for the record. I'm keeping my focus mainly on finishing up my record, and any other projects I may have are conceptual or talk at this point.
¿ 5: After the years you've spent finessing your album in the studio setting, how do you plan to bring it to us live?
Very, very slowly and carefully. I don't have a live band proper, although I have a dozen or so musicians who are willing to play. The band will probably be a 5 or 6 peice, and every musician will be playing multiple instruments (no not at the same time). The other folks will be filling out the positions on the board, lighting, projections, and props. Because of the intensity of some of the music, and the way I pull it from the pool of creativity, it's going to be difficult getting everyone on the same page and comfortable playing such a visually oriented type show. As soon as the rough mix is done, the musicians will start learning parts. I would expect at least 3 to 4 months of rehearsals before we step out on stage, which will probably put us into venues come next Fall, and really, the process of making a record isn't finished until you step onto the stage, and the live presentation has been just as much a part of the production as the record has, and getting to play the songs live is what gets me through the hours of menial things to get there.
Thanks to all who keep coming and thanks to those who send questions.
Feel free to post questions in the respond section or e-mail them to me, and I'll answer some more.
See you soon,
BAKU
