Hi gang
Looking forward to the session this Saturday. The electronic drum kit is ready to rock… anybody remember Simmons hexagonal drums? Sadly these are round, but never mind.
I will be going into a charity shop today or tomorrow morning and buying the worst book I can find - probably chick lit or lad lit. And then mutilating it. For lyrics. Should be fun.
See many of y’all tomorrow.
BT x
Hello all,About a year after getting Native Instrument’s ‘Komplete 5′ (their collection of all their synths in one package), I have finally deregistered my previously purchased editions of Reaktor 5 and Absynth 4 and they are surplus to requirements, so on Monday I would like to give them away to anyone in the Lodge who wants them. Absynth is a very abstract synth which offers pretty much infinite sound-creation capability - if you can be bothered! Reaktor literally is infinite - it’s an open-ended synth creation environment, with hundreds of instruments available on the Native Instruments support forum. These are the full retail versions with manuals.I will pull 2 names out of the hat on Monday - one for Absynth and one for Reaktor. Let me know if you want to be in the hat (you might have the software already or it might just not be your thing…) It’s gonna be a classic!LoveBT x
Any of you cats doing a session this month?I’m still incredibly busy (although November and December should be more mellow), so I think I will have to do a session on Saturday 17th and then transport it wherever the listening session is.BT xp.s. Lookyboop’s “why pot should be legal” and “up in smoke” have been deleted from YouTube - I’m depressed…
Hey all,
Who’d be up for doing something special for our August Lodge, as it is our second birthday?
Ideas I’ve had:
1. Re-run of ‘LiveLodge’ down in Hampshire, or suitable alternative venue
2. ‘LodgeStock’ - mini-festival. Like LiveLodge but with camping and a stage
3. ‘Redeye Lodge’ - Like LiveLodge, but songs have to be written between 7pm and 7am
4. UberLodge - hire out a London rehearsal complex and have a Live Lodge for anyone in the UK who fancies a bit of Lodge action
5. TravelLodge - cross between ICS and the Gumball Rally. Drive from Lands End to John O’Groats and write as many songs as possible on the road, with stage stops at mutual friends up the country
Let me know what you think,
Brother Oak
Anyone fancy hosting a listening session on Saturday 20th December? Assuming you are all not ready for another trip to Southampton yet, MM or myself might be able to make it somewhere north, with a bit of forward planning.
Brother Oak
Hello gang
I haven’t even done the session for this month yet but I thought I would get in early with an idea for the December Lodge session - last December, one of the ideas was that people should cover a song from each of the Lodge members. I think that came out really interestingly last year - I’d like to try it again, now we have a lot more material (and a lot more members) to choose from.
As I recall there were various other stipulations which I’m not so bothered about (e.g. writing Christmas song, writing a rap etc.) - not that they didn’t lead to good results, but I’m not chomping at the bit to try them again.
Of course, if anyone has any other weird ideas (e.g. “session has to be outside at -5 degrees celsius with a kazoo up yer nose”) then I’m game for a laugh. Just my $0.03.
LoveBT x
It became apparent during Oktober Lodge that many of us were only prevented from a career on Broadway by unsympathetic parents, a faceless state education or being vertically challenged (Brother Digger).
Now is the time to rectify the situation - November’s Lodge will be dedicated to the creation of the finest musical in history. We will all work to the same plot, and provide a suite of songs that will lend wings to the tale of comedy/tradgedy/history/domestic drudgery.
Please post your plot ideas as comments below - let’s try and agree on the best plot by the end of next week.
Fraternally
Brother Oak Lloyd Webber
“These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air:”
Thank you very much to everyone for coming down - MM, myself and Brother Digger had a great time hosting. Would be interested to know people’s thoughts about what worked and didn’t work - if you are all amenable, I will start planning another Live Lodge in Feb/Mar next year. I’ d like to do it in a more central city, hopefully involving the Limey guys too.
My positives and negatives:
+ In general, great atmosphere, with everyone running around like small children having a great time making music with everyone everywhere
+ Was definitely good to have an “acoustic” studio - I think we all rose to the occasion of a recording environment where one’s artistry and musical skills are more exposed
+ AFAIK, logistics all went smoothly, with meals and breaks all happening when they were supposed to
- Could have had more time if we’d not had to fit things round the MM/Oak family schedule.
I was hoping that I’d gain some tasty analog gear in the rush of equipment leaving the house yesterday. What I did gain was Brother Hood’s damp towels, and a mic stand plus pop shield, which I assume is Brother Buffalo’s, but am not sure - please check!
Would also like to thank MM again for being a splendid hostess and working so hard behind the scenes to make sure we all had food to eat and a place to lay our heads.
Fraternally
Brother Oak
All,
Have been talking with Mother Matches about how we’ll work the live sessions at OktoberLodge. My current plan is to keep things simple, to keep costs down for those who are already shelling out on travel. (I *had* been contemplating stuff like hiring an aircraft hanger, etc)
We’ve got at least two rooms that can be nicely segregated from the family/child living space, so I am *thinking* that what we’ll do is set up at least two studios, then people can jump around a bit. My garden studio is larger, so we’ll probably use that for simultaneous jam sessions. We’ll then set up the lounge for a more structured approach of ‘you do the beats, then I’ll do the bass, then he’ll sing.’
I think there’ll probably be too many of us just to all jam together, and I like the idea that each room might develop different atmospheres and work ethics, with people moving between as and when they feel like it.
There’s a possibility we can set up a third room for recording also. We’ll work out the finer details as we get closer to the date - very exciting though!
Brother Sewing Machines - thank you for your earlier musings on this subject - am hoping we can combine approaches and gear.
Fraternally,
Brother Oak
Dear all,
Excited that so many of you can make Oktober Lodge. Now I need you to let me know which of the following accomodation/catering options you are opting for:
(1) Arrive Sun after 18.30, leave Tue AM (2 nights, Live Lodge, Listening Party)
(2) Arrive Mon AM, leave Tue AM (1 night, Live Lodge, Listening Party)
(3) Arrive Mon PM, leave Tue AM (1 night, Listening Party)
(4) Arrive Mon PM, leave Mon PM (Listening Party)
Fraternally
Brother Oak