WebMaster: How much fun are you having recording another album? Does it feel different to when you were doing the first one?
Mark: It’s a lot of fun. It’s a rather nice feeling knowing that there are people waiting to hear what we come up with. The thing is, with “Wired to Earth” it started off as an experiment. We were learning and playing all these prog covers and just thought we should have a go at writing our own stuff. If it didn’t work then it was no big deal. Now people are waiting to see what we do next, it is a big deal that we get it right and make the best album we possibly can.

WebMaster: How do you feel about the progress that’s been made so far? How much has the band recorded?

Mark: We’re pretty much halfway through as far as basic tracks go. We tend to write a track and then record it as soon as we can rather than wait for everything to be written. So although we’ve recorded the basic tracks for everything that’s written, we haven’t quite finished writing everything yet. I hope that sentence makes sense to at least one other person!

WebMaster: Is there a track or part that you’re particularly excited about?
Mark: Garden State has some big 3 part harmonies in the first section verses. I’m looking forward to getting those recorded with Doug and Dan. A choir of beardy angels is what I’m hoping for!

WebMaster: Has there been any particular moment during the writing/recording that you’re not going to forget?
Mark: We went into the studio a few weeks back to record two tracks. We knew time wise it was going to be tight to do two in a day. The first track took longer than expected as we experimented with tempos and arrangements. So we only had about 20 minutes to have a go at the second one. Dougie was understandably a bit cream crackered as the first track had some powerhouse drumming, but he was up for having a go at the other track. Basically he nailed it one take. That’s what’s going on the album. Awesome!

WebMaster: How do you think the new album is going to compare to the last one? Do you think it will be recognisable to fans of the first album, or is it likely to be quite different?

Mark: I think stylistically the songs on this one could have fitted on Wired to Earth to be honest. It’s still us four hitting stuff to the best of our abilities. The only difference I would say is that the writing is more confident and the production is stronger. It will also flow much better as an album I think.

WebMaster: What gear have you been using mostly so far?

Mark: Since the last album I splashed out on an Ampeg SVT Heritage amp. It weighs more than one of those concrete balls they push around on the World’s Strongest Man but sounds incredible, especially in the studio. My basses have stayed the same, Warwick Ltd Editions which I just feel comfortable playing and they sound great.
The other difference is that Dan has talked me into using a few bass pedals on this album. The dude knows what he’s talking about so who am I to argue?

WebMaster: Which part of the entire writing-recording-polishing process do you think you enjoy the most?

Mark: In all honesty the writing and arranging part is a double edged sword for me. It’s generally 30% bliss and 70% hell. I’m not too bad at coming up with melodies but lyrics are another story. I tend to start with nonsense and then re-write the nonsense. Then when I’m happy I read them again and decide they are nonsense too. So then I throw all that away and start again.
I can only compare it to doing a 2000 piece puzzle, finally getting to the last piece only to find that the cat has eaten it. So you have to go out and buy the same puzzle, open the bag and go searching for that missing piece. It hurts your brain. Arranging can be quite frustrating too as that’s the point where we rip everything apart and turn it from an idea into a Tin Spirits song. We’ve got 4 strong chiefs in this band so it can take a while but that’s the thing that hopefully turns it into a great song rather than a song. Eventually though all that comes together and it’s a great feeling when everyone knows what they’re doing and where they’re doing it and the magic between the four of us kicks in. So my favourite part is recording. I tend to take the skills of the rest of the band for granted a bit. I guess because I never get to really see and listen to them properly when we’re playing. It’s only when we record parts that I’m reminded just how talented they really are. Not just musicians but very musical people. It’s also the point where the months of work come together and you get to hear the fruits of your labour.

WebMaster: When do you think you’ll be happy to say the album’s done and release it?
Mark: Well, we are pushing forwards at a fair pace now. The only issue is schedules really plus how quickly inspiration hits us to finish the writing. It’s a tough call getting everyone in the same place at the same time and for that to coincide with when the studio is available. We’re hoping for September but if it takes longer then so be it. Not too much longer though I hope.
We’ll be giving some of the songs an airing at our upcoming gigs though so people will be able to hear them very soon!

The Tin Spirits are playing several live shows starting on Monday March 13th. They’re likely to be playing some of the new material from the upcoming album, so check out the dates here, and we hope to see you there!

WebMaster: How much fun are you having recording another album? Does it feel different to when you were doing the first one?

Doug: Recording the new material has been a real pleasure. I can’t wait for people to hear it because there are some great tracks on this record. It feels completely different to Wired To Earth. We’ve approached this album carefully and not rushed it at all. I think that because we had such kind reviews and interest in what were doing, we thought we need to take more time crafting the songs.
 

WebMaster: How do you feel about the progress that’s been made so far?
Doug: I’d say that progress on the album has been slower than we would have wanted, but sometimes it’s better just to take your time and get it right.

WebMaster: How much has the band recorded?
Doug: I’d say we’re about 75% there at the moment…

WebMaster: Is there a track or part that you’re particularly excited about?
Doug: I’m excited about the track “Summer Now”. I’d say recording it has been one of the most enjoyable moments so far. It was just put down live with us all in the same room – similar to early Tin Spirits material. The experience was joyous and we’ve tried to capture that vibe within our recording. I’m also very excited about the longer songs – they’re shaping up nicely.

WebMaster: Has there been any particular moment during the writing/recording that you’re not going to forget?
Doug: There are some things I try to forget, ha ha – like my drumming slips during new arrangements. Because we recorded most of our rehearsals on little digital recorders, I can’t disguise my blunders; they are stored on SD cards and I play them back to myself like a form of punishment. It’s all good fun though.

WebMaster: How do you think the new album is going to compare to the last one? Do you think it will be recognisable to fans of the first album, or is it likely to be quite different?
Doug: I’m really proud of the first record, Wired To Earth. It has some great moments, and I like how it captures a very similar atmosphere and sound to our live shows. At the back of our minds, we’ve always had to keep thing about how our studio sound can be translated on stage; so we’ve kept it to guitars, drums and vocals. It’s very easy to over produce things. I am really excited about the new songs. Our sound is evolving all the time but I believe we still have our own sound collectively as a band.

WebMaster: What gear have you been using mostly so far?
Doug: I’ve been using a Gretsch USA Custom with various snares, some old and new Zildjian cymbals with some effect cymbals sprinkled in too. It hasn’t taken that long to get a drum sound on each visit to the studio. Studio time is precious to us so we make sure we do our homework before we record.

WebMaster: Which part of the entire writing-recording-polishing process do you think you enjoy the most?
Doug: Personally, I enjoy the development of the songs during the writing process. Although all processes are equally important, the mastering process determines the overall sound of a record. I wasn’t at the last mastering session on Wired to Earth, but the transformation was dramatic when I first heard it back.

WebMaster: When do you think you’ll be happy to say the album’s done and release it?
Doug: We have set ourselves a date of around September. But we still have some work to do…

Keep checking back – there’ll be a final pre summer tour update from Mark coming up shortly…

WebMaster: How much fun are you having recording another album? Does it feel different to when you were doing the first one?
Dan: The fun level is off the scale. It’s wonderful to be back experiencing what happens when we all get together and just make some creative noise. The outcome has been really satisfying and I think there’s a decent possibility of a relatively special album, at least personally.
It’s a very different vibe to the first album, for me at least, but I think I can speak for all of us when I say that with ‘Wired to Earth’ we were experimenting and seeing what we could produce between the 4 of us. To be honest, it was nerve wrecking. Here I am working with my guitar hero, which is nerve wrecking enough, but also remembering that Dave Gregory spent most of his career working with someone who’ll be remembered as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. So getting into rehearsals and saying ‘ I wrote a little tune, want to hear it?’ was daunting to say the least, but Dave was gracious to say the least, in fact it was a real eye opener for me. Present Dave with an idea and he brings so much to it. It is different now, we’re much more comfortable presenting ideas than we were before, which in itself leads to more ideas.

WebMaster: How do you feel about the progress that’s been made so far? How much has the band recorded?
Dan: It’s a time consuming process that simply can’t be rushed. We’re all very busy, Spirits gets one night a week religiously, to try out ideas and arrangements, and when we’re happy we get into the studio. So it’s not like we’re in a studio for 2 months writing and experimenting, our time together is limited and precious, so we need to make every moment of rehearsal and recording count. One of the great things about the new approach in the studio is that we’re recording much more of it live. All in together, makes a big difference to the feel.

WebMaster: Is there a track or part that you’re particularly excited about?
Dan: Right now there are 2 that I’m excited about but only because these are the latest tunes I’ve been getting the guitar tracks together for. An Instrumental called ‘Carnivore’ and a song called ‘Garden State’. Mark has really grown as a song writer and Garden State is certainly one of my favourite things that he’s come up with. Having the opportunity to arrange and orchestrate guitar parts together with Gregsy for a song like this is such an honour

WebMaster: Has there been any particular moment during the writing/recording that you’re not going to forget?
Dan: Yeah, recording a track called ‘Summer Now’, our first live session, just all playing it together in the live room, then hearing the joy in our producers voice when he said, ‘come and have a listen!’ and hearing it back. The noise the 4 of us can make together, hearing it like that on the other side, was a real moment.

WebMaster: How do you think the new album is going to compare to the last one? Do you think it will be recognisable to fans of the first album, or is it likely to be quite different?
Dan: It’s definitely progressed, but the buds of the ideas that were there in ‘Wired to Earth’ seem to be bearing some fruit now so to speak. I think this is easily our best stuff, but it’s still just 3 guys from Swindon and one ‘possibly should be sectioned’ Australian just seeing what noise they can make

WebMaster: What gear have you been using mostly so far?
Dan: Well, there’s quite a bit of Flying V action on this album, which is too much fun, with my main recording amp being a LazyJ J20, truly wonderful amp, and also using a couple other things like a little 20watt Plexi and my old Vox’s for some different parts. Dave has his plexi and his Matchless in the sessions, which is an astonishing sounding beast in his employ. Surprise surprise, I’m using lots of pedals, but not just for the sake of it, just trying to draw out some sounds that support the song.

WebMaster: Which part of the entire writing-recording-polishing process do you think you enjoy the most?
Dan: There’s a moment for me personally when I’m writing something when I know either it needs to be erased from my memory and never spoken of again, or I think it might have legs. That’s the moment that I never forget, that initial inspiration and realisation that there might be something. Then hearing it in the hands of the guys is when it’s taking shape and they start to add themselves to it, you just can’t buy that sort of experience, it’s a wonderful thing to be a part of

WebMaster: When do you think you’ll be happy to say the album’s done and release it?
Dan: We’re tentatively saying September release but it’s when its ready when we’re happy with it and not before. After the surprise and very welcome reaction to ‘Wired to Earth’, I think we all appreciate the potential of the band as well as the new content which we think is worthy of time being spent on it to be done properly. We’re doing all we can to get it done, but it’s ready when it’s ready. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.

WebMaster: How much fun are you having recording another album? Does it feel different to when you were doing the first one?
Dave: I always have fun playing with these guys. I actually prefer rehearsing to recording; no pressure! Studios can be very intimidating places at times, even after doing it for so long. But we’ve cut the last couple of tracks live with Mitch Keen in the studio, which has been quite liberating for all of us. Something certainly happens when we all play together, and the results on playback confirm that.
I recorded most of my solos on ‘Wired To Earth’ at home, after the basic tracks had been cut. For the next record I’ll be going back into the studio with Mitch to do solos and overdubs, which I will write ‘in stone’ beforehand.

WebMaster: How do you feel about the progress that’s been made so far? How much has the band recorded?
Dave: We have only recorded 3 basic tracks so far, though one of those is 17 minutes long! At present we have two more songs ready to record. We’ve been waiting for studio equipment and microphones to be delivered, and for  the studio to become available. It all has to be fitted in around work and family commitments, which take up a lot more time than you might think. But there’s no time pressure; only when we’re satisfied the record is as good as it could be will we put it out.

WebMaster: Is there a track or part that you’re particularly excited about?
Dave: I’m enjoying everything that’s ‘on tape’ so far. Way too early to get specific about ‘moments’! But Daniel has come up with a raunchy instrumental thing reminiscent of Crimson’s ‘Bible Black’-period, which we’ll cut live in the studio. I’m looking forward to that.

WebMaster: Has there been any particular moment during the writing/recording that you’re not going to forget?
Dave: I can’t guarantee that I won’t forget! Those moments rarely make their presence felt until the songs are all mixed, though recording Dan’s song ‘Summer Now’ together was a real joy.

WebMaster: How do you think the new album is going to compare to the last one? Do you think it will be recognisable to fans of the first album, or is it likely to be quite different?
Dave: Oh, it’ll definitely sound like us; just better-produced and more confident, hopefully. We have no plans to add keyboards, horns or strings so it’ll be another mix of varied guitar textures, and I’m hoping to feature the guys’ vocal harmonies a lot more. They’re really fine singers, and because they work regularly as the Hi-Fidels their throats are always ‘blown-in’.

WebMaster: What gear have you been using mostly so far?
Dave: Last summer I finally got hold of an early Marshall 50-watt ‘plexi’ rig, and I’ve been enjoying playing through that at rehearsal; such a wonderful, warm-sounding little amp. But my old faithful Matchless DC30 is the one I always come back to, and is the perfect stage and studio amp. You just place a mic in front of it and the sound is there! I’ve also dug out my ’82 Gibson Flying V, which is a fantastic guitar. Daniel played it and had to have one! So we’ll be recording those, as well as my ’61 Gibson SG Special, the Tom Petty 12-string and a Telecaster. I also have a lovely Gibson Starburst electro-acoustic, on which I’ve written a little piece that might or might not show up on the record. So many guitars, so many overdubs – we have much to do, but I don’t think I’ll be stuck for choice.

WebMaster: Which part of the entire writing-recording-polishing process do you think you enjoy the most?
Dave: I like the early stages at rehearsal, when we’re knocking ideas around and an arrangement suddenly falls into place. But I really love mixing the most; something I’m not able to do with our records as the music is all on Mitch’s computer and I don’t have a similar set-up here at home. We let Mitch do all the hard work, then come in and pull it to pieces! But I would prefer to be ‘hands-on’ at that stage, like in the old days when we all huddled around the console with a couple of faders apiece. Can’t do that with a mouse.

Dan’s thoughts coming up next…

Just a little update on the writing for album 2.

Another new song pretty much in the bag. We’re all really proud of this one, it’s going to sound great I think.

It initially felt like a little transition piece but ended up being 6 minutes once we got into it.

Spent last night working up Dave’s piece in 14 (!) by adding a big chorus and also tinkered with an ambient middle 8 type thing.

Had a listen to my little recorder (music recorder not the flute thingy from school days passed) on the drive home and it sounds exciting. I think we can turn it into something really special.

I have to say at this point we appear to be on a roll of good stuff and although the end seems a way away we’re very exiting about sharing these with you as soon as we can.

I’d just like to add that the new Big Big Train album featuring Dave is now available here http://www.bigbigtrain.com/main/shop

In my humble opinion it is a truly great album.

All the best

Mark