Yes, it's a new year and all kinds of new things are going down. We found a new rehearsal space for our band, just few blocks from our apartment, which is amazing and cool. It's a really nice little storefront space, high ceiling, hardwood floor, there's a couch and a refrigerator and it's a sonically lively little room with a vintage drum-kit in the corner. If we were going to dream up a space for doing the good work, this would be it!
Also our bass player purchased a new Fender-type, fret-less bass. It's a beautiful instrument, with a custom maple neck. It's so punchy and resonant and smooth. It just opens up a whole new sonic spectrum on the low-end. And being fret-less just provides a slinkier approach. It's bringing all kinds of new sonics to our songs.
I also purchased a new acoustic guitar. My trusty old Hohner is still in the shop, so I ponied up and bought a Seagull acoustic with a solid Cedar top. This was a big step. The Hohner was such a big part of my sound. Yesterday we put the Seagull to the test. It sounded great. It's got a great mid-range, it's very woody and alive. It's a Canadian made instrument. It's on the low end of the price spectrum, but it really holds it's own. I love it!
Suddenly old songs sounded new. The two new guitars in the mix just opened up a much broader, wider, more resonant and organic spectrum of sound. Who knew that such major sonic variation could come from particular instruments? It's just another example of little changes leading to major results.
Our drummer too threw in some new flourishes. He was experimenting up a storm. Maybe the new space just opened new spaces in our heads too? We have a new playground. Let's play!