Here's the questions: I play in a Celtic/Irish instrumental trio (fiddle, guitar, and mandolin).

 

Six months ago, we began exploring the idea of recording some tunes in a studio. The ones we selected come naturally to us and that people enjoy listening to us play. Ultimately, we recorded ten tunes that provided a balance of tempos, keys, and styles. In the lead-up to the recording, we put new strings on our instruments and ensured we had spares. Finally, I mentally prepared for the recording. I told myself that there might be some challenges and nerves on the day, but I needed to take a deep breath and be in the moment.

 

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What was the most surprising aspect of your first recording session that other artists should be aware of?

 

During my first recording session, I was surprised by how every tiny noise was picked up by the sensitive microphones while wearing headphones. I learned to be mindful of background noise and small sounds, as they could ruin a good take. Additionally, I realised the importance of tuning my instrument before each take to ensure the best recording quality. Tuning also gave me a chance to relax and breath.

 

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How do you maintain focus and energy during long recording sessions?

 

We brought a list of tunes to the studio and I kept the list nearby. After recording a song we ticked it off and I stood up and stretched my legs. I sometimes made a cup of coffee or had a mouthful of water. When Chris (guitarist) was doing a solo recording, I stepped outside and looked at the birds and trees in Steve’s front yard. It freshened me up before recording my solo.

 

I wrote two words on a piece paper and placed it on a music stand – ‘Focus’ and ‘Concentrate’. In addition, I acknowledged the idea that this was another step in my journey as a musician (I know that sounds corny). I reflected that that this was another experience and another opportunity to learn. These words inspired me during the recording and they also give me energy.

 

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Are there any mistakes or challenges you encountered during recording, and how did you overcome them?

 

We decided to play as a group and capture a ‘live’ performance. A couple of times one of us would make a mistake and we had to start again. There was some frustration and maybe a swear word or two. But we offered positive reinforcement and got on with the task. Mistakes are inevitable but it is important to not let them define you.

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On a more practical level Steve was able to clean up the recording. For example, he said to me, “Brendan. I cleaned up some of your bum notes.” (Thank you, Steve!)

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When I first listened to the mixes I was a little bit underwhelmed with some of the tunes. I could hear parts where I didn’t play with great energy or there were parts where I could have done a triplet or a slide. But then I thought about the book I was reading at the time by a former AFL player called Dylan Buckley. He wrote about his AFL career and his move into podcasting and the media. He wrote, “My friends – in life there is no glory without a bit of cringe.”

 

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Preparing for Future Recording Sessions: What aspects of your music or process will you approach differently in your next recording session?

 

Now that I have been in the studio and enjoyed the experience I want to go back and do some solo recording. A friend of mine has said to me that he would like to be my producer! As it will be a solo recording, I will definitely use a click track to record my tracks. However, I have said to my band mates that when we record again we should use a click track and record each track individually. It means that everything is in time and it is much easier to correct mistakes and do overdubs.

 

What resources or support have been most helpful to you in your journey as an artist and recording musician? It is important to talk about the trials and tribulations of being a musician with fellow artists. Everyone seems to have that little voice inside their head that pops up at the most inconvenient time that says things like, “You can’t play this tune.” Or “Why are you bothering doing this?” Whilst talking with other musicians about their experiences I have realised that they are more than willing to offer advice and encouragement and they have had similar experiences.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring artists preparing for their first recording session, what would it be?

 

Go for it! The right time is now.

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