It has been just under 2 months since we started recording in Windmill Lane and eventually we have come to the end of the recording process. There are a few wee bits and pieces to tie up but JP flies out to Nashville on Tuesday to be part of the first few days of mixing with our wonderful American friend, Shane Wilson. We arrived home in the early hours of this morning after finishing up the backing vocals. I think we have done a good job with them so I hope you really like what's on there. It is a relief in some ways to have it over as I am absolutely shattered but I will miss hanging out with the band in the studio. We have had alot of fun and we've got to know each other which is such a privilege - what a great band!
We have just got home after our final photo shoot up in the north coast. It seems to have been successful - I guess you will see them soon enough.
We are launching the album in Spires, Belfast on Saturday 15th December so I really want to encourage you to put that in your diary. It will be a very special night for us and we would love to have all our friends there to support us and worship with our new songs.
Thanks so much for reading all the posts in the relation to the recording. We appreciate your interest and all the support, prayers and encouragement you have given. I am now looking forward to getting back to writing my regular posts on worship but I will keep you updated on the band!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, 29 September 2007
Sunday, 23 September 2007
Photo Shoot Part 1
An early start for a Sunday morning! We arrived at JP's shortly after 8:30am to set out on our mission to take some pics in Belfast. It was a tad cloudy so we started with a trip to Bennett's on Belmont before setting out to West Belfast. I have to tell you that on arriving at the Peace Wall I felt really sad. I've seen the pictures but I've never visited it for myself so I was pretty moved.
JP borrowed a van and it acted as our mobile wardrobe for the morning. We piled in all our outfit changes, some props and a great big mirror which I of course made use of a few times more than anyone else. I think we scrubbed up well for the occasion and seem to have got our hands on some great clothes. I particularly loved the fact that we got to buy new clothes or 2nd hand stuff which was looking fantastic. I didn't look at any of the pics yet so I'm not at liberty to say that they were amazing just yet but our photographer (Tim Millen) did a great job this morning and had some great ideas. We had a few tour buses stop and take pictures while we were in mid-pose as well as a lovely wee Swiss man who was keen to take some pictures and find out who we were.
Thanks so much for all the interest you have shown and to anyone who has contributed to the JP band wardrobe. It's back into the studio tomorrow night (Monday) for some more backing vocals - we'll keep you posted on our progress.
Claire
JP borrowed a van and it acted as our mobile wardrobe for the morning. We piled in all our outfit changes, some props and a great big mirror which I of course made use of a few times more than anyone else. I think we scrubbed up well for the occasion and seem to have got our hands on some great clothes. I particularly loved the fact that we got to buy new clothes or 2nd hand stuff which was looking fantastic. I didn't look at any of the pics yet so I'm not at liberty to say that they were amazing just yet but our photographer (Tim Millen) did a great job this morning and had some great ideas. We had a few tour buses stop and take pictures while we were in mid-pose as well as a lovely wee Swiss man who was keen to take some pictures and find out who we were.
Thanks so much for all the interest you have shown and to anyone who has contributed to the JP band wardrobe. It's back into the studio tomorrow night (Monday) for some more backing vocals - we'll keep you posted on our progress.
Claire
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Album Update
After another late night in the studio we have 7 songs done and another 6 BV's to go next week. It has been going really well in 'Shabby Road Studios' and I think we have come up with some nice wee parts. I'm looking forward to letting you hear the album when it is released in November. We hope to have an official launch gig in December but we'll keep you posted.
The album will be mixed at the start of October and JP will be travelling out to Nashville for the first few days of the mixing. We are sure that Shane will do a fantastic job! It is an exciting time for us as a band and also quite a weird period of transition as we adopt new members. As you know, Nik has had major problems with his ears and so we have a great drummer called Matt Weir playing for us at the moment. We are also recruiting a new bass player and we have had a tonne of interest so we are currently exploring the options.
Over the next 2 weekends we are having our pics taken for the album. This promises to be great fun (I think) as we will be going on a few wee journeys with a variety of props to make sure we have interesting shots. I think the guys are fairly laid back about this but being the only girl it's all a bit mad getting the right outfit - feel free to give me your advice!!!!!!
The album will be mixed at the start of October and JP will be travelling out to Nashville for the first few days of the mixing. We are sure that Shane will do a fantastic job! It is an exciting time for us as a band and also quite a weird period of transition as we adopt new members. As you know, Nik has had major problems with his ears and so we have a great drummer called Matt Weir playing for us at the moment. We are also recruiting a new bass player and we have had a tonne of interest so we are currently exploring the options.
Over the next 2 weekends we are having our pics taken for the album. This promises to be great fun (I think) as we will be going on a few wee journeys with a variety of props to make sure we have interesting shots. I think the guys are fairly laid back about this but being the only girl it's all a bit mad getting the right outfit - feel free to give me your advice!!!!!!
Monday, 17 September 2007
CFC - 16th September
Back to CFC last night for the evening service. It feels like we have done soo much since we last played - like record an album! The set last night was: Arise, Brand New Day, Rescuer, Great Church, Glory. The service was jam packed with people which was encouraging and gave us a great opportunity to let a load of people hear some of the new tunes (Brand New Day & Great Church).
It was loud and in your face and people seemed to be connecting and enjoying it. We had a new drummer playing (as Nik is still not back with us) called Matt Weir. Matt did a great job especially given that he had one rehearsal. It is great to work alongside people who are conscientious, passionate and who approach things professionally and so I think Matt deserves a rather large round of applause.
I am sure some of you were there and maybe even some of you stayed to help record some noise after the service. We'd love to hear any thoughts you have on the songs or on your experience at CFC last night so post your comments. It was encouraging for us to see people pick up 'Great Church' and there was a lovely sense of God's spirit freeing us up to sing whatever He had put on our hearts regarding the church. I certainly felt moved and encouraged.
Remember if you are interested in worship and want to meet some other people who can support and encourage you then get in touch with JP and get signed up for the worship support morning on Saturday 13th October.
It was loud and in your face and people seemed to be connecting and enjoying it. We had a new drummer playing (as Nik is still not back with us) called Matt Weir. Matt did a great job especially given that he had one rehearsal. It is great to work alongside people who are conscientious, passionate and who approach things professionally and so I think Matt deserves a rather large round of applause.
I am sure some of you were there and maybe even some of you stayed to help record some noise after the service. We'd love to hear any thoughts you have on the songs or on your experience at CFC last night so post your comments. It was encouraging for us to see people pick up 'Great Church' and there was a lovely sense of God's spirit freeing us up to sing whatever He had put on our hearts regarding the church. I certainly felt moved and encouraged.
Remember if you are interested in worship and want to meet some other people who can support and encourage you then get in touch with JP and get signed up for the worship support morning on Saturday 13th October.
Wednesday, 12 September 2007
We Need Your Noise
As you know, we've been in the studio over the last while recording the new album. We've been putting in the hours and working pretty hard on the new tunes and now...at last...it's your turn to do a little bit of work to get your voice on the album!
What's the deal? Well...we wanna record some crowd sounds to use on a few tracks on the album...shouts, chants and some general rowdiness. So, if you're rowdy and like the sound of your own voice, then we are cordially inviting you to come and make some noise at Christina Fellowship Church, Belfast this Sunday night just after the evening service (at about 9pm).
We're gonna hook up a few mics and let you know what to do. Then we'll record you and, if you're nice, you'll be on the album! You up for it? It'll be great craic.
Plus...as a wee bonus, if you turn up, we'll take a note of your name and say a big public thanks to you on the website.
If you need more info, please email info@johnnyparks.com. We hope to see you there!
The JP Team.
What's the deal? Well...we wanna record some crowd sounds to use on a few tracks on the album...shouts, chants and some general rowdiness. So, if you're rowdy and like the sound of your own voice, then we are cordially inviting you to come and make some noise at Christina Fellowship Church, Belfast this Sunday night just after the evening service (at about 9pm).
We're gonna hook up a few mics and let you know what to do. Then we'll record you and, if you're nice, you'll be on the album! You up for it? It'll be great craic.
Plus...as a wee bonus, if you turn up, we'll take a note of your name and say a big public thanks to you on the website.
If you need more info, please email info@johnnyparks.com. We hope to see you there!
The JP Team.
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Back in the Studio
Last night we headed back into the studio to start recording the BV's for the album. Once we were set up we managed to get 2 songs done which are sounding great. It is so cool to be back in the studio and working on the songs again. It has been great to have a little distance from the songs before going back to them - this is a bit of a luxury! I am hoping the time I have with them over the next few weeks will mean we get the best ideas for the BV's.
If you have been keeping up to date with the band you will know that we are recruiting a new bass player and drummer. We have a number of gigs coming up before Christmas and so we are hoping to get back into regular rehearsals asap. Please keep us in prayer as we finish the album and find new musicians.
We are playing at CFC this Sunday night - we'd love to see you there - 7pm!
If you have been keeping up to date with the band you will know that we are recruiting a new bass player and drummer. We have a number of gigs coming up before Christmas and so we are hoping to get back into regular rehearsals asap. Please keep us in prayer as we finish the album and find new musicians.
We are playing at CFC this Sunday night - we'd love to see you there - 7pm!
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
Worship Community
Dear all
I hope you are well and have had a great summer.
I am emailing with details of the next Worship Community support day to be held in City Church, Belfast. If you are a worship leader, a musician in a worship band or someone who serves in providing technical support (visuals and sound) then you are more than welcome to attend. We had originally planned to hold the next event on Saturday 22nd September however we have had to change this date to Saturday 13th October from 9.30-1pm.
The purpose of the day is to worship together, seek and hear God and provide practical and spiritual support for each other. The last day proved very successful with many people leaving with a greater sense of purpose and encouragement. We want to build on this success and open this opportunity up to others to come and meet with God and each other.
Throughout the morning, we will have to chance to worship and seek God and we will have some practical input and the opportunity to share learning and experience with each other. Part of the focus of the morning will be on song writing and band rehearsals amongst other topics.
Registration is at 9.30 and the programme will commence at 10am. Refreshments will be provided throughout. The total fee for the morning is £20 (however we may be able to reduce this rate if you have a worship team attending). If you would like to attend, please contact me to book a place and arrange payment.
Many thanks
Johnny Parks
I hope you are well and have had a great summer.
I am emailing with details of the next Worship Community support day to be held in City Church, Belfast. If you are a worship leader, a musician in a worship band or someone who serves in providing technical support (visuals and sound) then you are more than welcome to attend. We had originally planned to hold the next event on Saturday 22nd September however we have had to change this date to Saturday 13th October from 9.30-1pm.
The purpose of the day is to worship together, seek and hear God and provide practical and spiritual support for each other. The last day proved very successful with many people leaving with a greater sense of purpose and encouragement. We want to build on this success and open this opportunity up to others to come and meet with God and each other.
Throughout the morning, we will have to chance to worship and seek God and we will have some practical input and the opportunity to share learning and experience with each other. Part of the focus of the morning will be on song writing and band rehearsals amongst other topics.
Registration is at 9.30 and the programme will commence at 10am. Refreshments will be provided throughout. The total fee for the morning is £20 (however we may be able to reduce this rate if you have a worship team attending). If you would like to attend, please contact me to book a place and arrange payment.
Many thanks
Johnny Parks
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)