Recording Wellwishers
Six months ago we embarked on our first official journey to Jake's new recording setup at Boondock studio in Niles, MI. We'd rehearsed and done some preproduction and songwriting there in the past, but with the assistance of good friend Jim Leep, the studio has taken on a life of its own and stepped into the future. You can really hear the tight ambience of the main room when you listen to things like the snare or toms from the drum track.
The band took a week to set up shop, record some old songs, record some new songs in general, just have a good time playing together in a relaxing environment. As Brendan and I were driving up to Niles together from the city, we listened to some possible cuts we could work on. The demo that jumped out at me most was the tune that is our new single, Wellwishers.
Brendan had the basic idea laid out and recorded, with quite a few of the words already done. It was brought to the table and the band immediately dug in and found the groove, which is really the centerpiece of the song. Within hours, we had the basic tracking done, and later that night after the rest of the band had left to go home, I added some counterpoint to the chorus with Jake and we laid it down on top of the existing track. That section is what you hear as the ascending guitar / synth line during the chorus vocals.
A few weeks passed, Ryan redid the bass, Jake overdubbed a few minimalist guitar parts, and Brendan completed the vocals, adding various harmonies to mix it up a little bit. Voila, we have a new track that we've enjoyed working on and now, have already played live three times.
I'm sure the form will expand as the tune grows over time, but until you get to hear it live, enjoy the driving groove and contagious melodies that have already become my new favorite Umphrey's McGee tune, Wellwishers.
-Joel
Wellwishers
Music by Brendan Bayliss, Joel Cummins & Jake Cinninger
Words by Brendan Bayliss
Produced by Umphrey's McGee & Kevin Browning
Recorded at Boon Dock Studios, Niles, MI
Recorded by Kevin Browning
Assisted by Jim Leep
Mixed & Caressed by Kevin Browning & Manny Sanchez at I.V. Lab Studios, Chicago, IL
Assisted by Shane Hendricksen
Mastered by Manny Sanchez at I.V. Lab Studios, Chicago, IL
Download "Wellwishers" for free here