Before the Recording

So, as you can probably tell, this blog started way after the recording process had begun (Recording Process Started: 18 December 2007, Blog Started: 5 February 2008). And the recording process does not begin with instruments. It begins with meeting people.

18 December 2007, 4 brave sponges (sans Kenneth) visit studios. While it will be prudent not to elaborate on what actually came into our minds regarding the other studios we looked at, let me (try to) explain and justify our choice of our producer, Nick Chan, and studio, the musicforgood studios (also known as "The Void".

The reasons are at times, obvious:
1. Our prior experience with Nick during Noise Singapore 2007 - This allowed us to really understand what he could do with our music and his commitment towards what the band wanted. We had to admit the Noise Singapore experience was not a total one (due to Nick's many jobs and the rush for time), however, the band felt more confident after speaking to Nick repeatedly about the album we envisioned.

2. Great studio set up - Now, while S.P.O.N.G.E isn't exactly a gear crazy band, we can hear good amps and equipment when they are around. However, it was not only the availability of good instruments and equipment made us fall in love with the Void (the line sounds deep), but also the fact that Nick knew what to do with them to make us sound even better.

3. Clean and nice environment - The musicforgood office/studio is clean, green and just basically a good place to hang out. A well stocked fridge with drinks for $1 (picture coming up), nice office table (to set up laptop and exploit the wireless connection while your lousy bandmate is doing his tracks and you're bored to half death), nice beanbags (to sleep or laze on), books and cds (Nick lends them out. I am currently holding on to "Sophie's World). Oh well... yeah. Its small. But its cosy, and we appreciate simple little things like this :)

4. The Producer, Nick Chan ("he's the man") - Astreal, I am David Sparkle, Marchtwelve, Muon (his own band) and Bismuth. We had plugged these CDs into our heads, analysed them and came to a consensus that Nick could reproduce the album the band envisioned (and hopefully more). We won't be counting the chickens before they hatch though... but what has happened so far, has been good.

Well. We have now completed the 6th recording session (and the 2nd blog post, but we haven't even begun documenting the sessions!). We know, we know, the photos aren't in yet... these will take time. We intend to take some.