Q: Why did you record “Before We Part” in the United States?
A: Just like always, the intention was to make this the best Solo album to date. When I was writing the songs I really felt these songs were the best we’ve made.
After “Songs & Sounds”, on which we chose to have a ‘small sound’ and “Solopeople” with its many synths, I was looking for an organic sound on “Before We Part” (BWP). That’s why we recorded the songs in one take, with a band.
The process of perfecting Solo’s best songs so far and simultaneously keeping them organic played out to be a tricky process. And the whole thing kinda slowed down.
In that time I spoke to Maurits from GEM about his experiences from recording “New”. They went to Riga to record the album in a short period of time. This seemed to be the right thing to do for “BWP” as well.
In the back of our heads was the ‘organic sound’ when we were searching for a studio. We ended up at the Tiny Telephone studios in San Francisco. The studio is small and cozy and San Francisco is an amazing city. We then gave ourselves 17 days to finish the record.
Q: What influence did the location and the people who cooperated in recording the album have?
A: Tiny Telephone has an illustrous list of bands on its track record. Among others, The Mountain Goats, Death Cab For Cutie, & Spoon recorded albums there. The choice for a producer, mixer and engineer was the team that worked with these bands. Scott Solter & Aaron Prellwitz.
At our arrival it immediately became apparent that this adventure was the right choice of action. There’s just this vibe in the studio. Scott believes this is because so much great music has been produced in this room. That’s something you get for free.
On wednesday April 2nd, I wrote in my log: “It feels great to go back to the studio. We really understand each other and it’s really happening now. Scott keeps coming up with solutions in the producing department and those are musically tested right away. Aarons role is is coming together by the minute. He’s already arranged microphones and a headphone before you even realize you’re gonna be singing. Apart from that he re-plugs everything if we change instruments and he takes care of the rough mix. The chemistry is there, nothing fancy, just keep on putting in hard work!”
Q: What are the differences between BWP & its predecessors?
A: Like I said before, this record sounds more ‘organic’. You can hear a bunch of people making music together.
Also, Solo sounds more optimistic than before. The warmth of the songs isn’t just in the sound but also in the theme of the songs. Love always hopes, Save me & One moment. It’s about hope & trust.
But more than before, there’s a sense of tranquility on this record! The faith we have in the songs is something you can really hear. And I’m really proud of that.
Q: With this album, you really go solo. The title kinda tells the story. Why?
A: Yes, “Before We Part” means we’re splitting up. Because after 5 great years with Simon Gitsels I’m continuing alone. I started Solo as a side-project of the band I was in at the time. I asked Simon to join me on “Songs & Sounds”. After that we worked together more and more. Which is ending with this album.
I can be very hard to work with in the process towards releasing a new record. Very uncertain or insecure about things. This time it coincided with my will to write songs outside the existing outlines. And also, we both found the form, two people who are Solo, kind of pressing. And Simon was ready to take his musicality to a new challenge as well.
Q: It seems you’re already working on the next album. Can you tell us more?
A: That’s right. Neer before have I had a guitar in my hands this frequently! The trip to the US gave me a lot of energy and I’m bursting with songs. Songs for a man with one or more guitars. I’m surfing a creative wave.
After the return from the US there was a time where things had to be arranged concerning the release. Making records is fun, designing a CD sleeve, making press photos, playing live shows, it’s all great but the best thing is to write a new song. So that’s what I’m doing, and it’s what I’m doing best. I made a couple of demos in the meantime and I’m happy.
Q: The album cover slightly reminds of Rod Stewart. How’s that?
A: Right again! Rod Stewart, very underrated as a musician. Footloose and fancy free is a fantastic record, with a cover of photos in the morning sun. That cover inspired me for the photos for the cover of “BWP”. The difference, however, is that with Rod it’s unclear if he’s gotten up early or if he pulled an all-nighter. And I got up early, on a beautiful morning at the end of the summer and together with the photographer & a guitar I took a trip into nature.
Q: What’s so special about ‘the morning’?
A: When I start the day before or during sunrise (which is easier in the winter than in the summer), it makes my day. The waking of the world is something magical. It’s hard to put it to words.
There is a kind of tranquility that holds a certain amount of excitement. That tranquility feeds my creativity and makes me happy. While time flies during the day, there is plenty of it when the day starts.
You should try it. :-)
Many thanks to Michiel Flamman (Solo) & Excelsior Recordings for this rights-free interview. Any mistakes in translations are on me, not on the band or label.
A: Just like always, the intention was to make this the best Solo album to date. When I was writing the songs I really felt these songs were the best we’ve made.
After “Songs & Sounds”, on which we chose to have a ‘small sound’ and “Solopeople” with its many synths, I was looking for an organic sound on “Before We Part” (BWP). That’s why we recorded the songs in one take, with a band.
The process of perfecting Solo’s best songs so far and simultaneously keeping them organic played out to be a tricky process. And the whole thing kinda slowed down.
In that time I spoke to Maurits from GEM about his experiences from recording “New”. They went to Riga to record the album in a short period of time. This seemed to be the right thing to do for “BWP” as well.
In the back of our heads was the ‘organic sound’ when we were searching for a studio. We ended up at the Tiny Telephone studios in San Francisco. The studio is small and cozy and San Francisco is an amazing city. We then gave ourselves 17 days to finish the record.
Q: What influence did the location and the people who cooperated in recording the album have?
A: Tiny Telephone has an illustrous list of bands on its track record. Among others, The Mountain Goats, Death Cab For Cutie, & Spoon recorded albums there. The choice for a producer, mixer and engineer was the team that worked with these bands. Scott Solter & Aaron Prellwitz.
At our arrival it immediately became apparent that this adventure was the right choice of action. There’s just this vibe in the studio. Scott believes this is because so much great music has been produced in this room. That’s something you get for free.
On wednesday April 2nd, I wrote in my log: “It feels great to go back to the studio. We really understand each other and it’s really happening now. Scott keeps coming up with solutions in the producing department and those are musically tested right away. Aarons role is is coming together by the minute. He’s already arranged microphones and a headphone before you even realize you’re gonna be singing. Apart from that he re-plugs everything if we change instruments and he takes care of the rough mix. The chemistry is there, nothing fancy, just keep on putting in hard work!”
Q: What are the differences between BWP & its predecessors?
A: Like I said before, this record sounds more ‘organic’. You can hear a bunch of people making music together.
Also, Solo sounds more optimistic than before. The warmth of the songs isn’t just in the sound but also in the theme of the songs. Love always hopes, Save me & One moment. It’s about hope & trust.
But more than before, there’s a sense of tranquility on this record! The faith we have in the songs is something you can really hear. And I’m really proud of that.
Q: With this album, you really go solo. The title kinda tells the story. Why?
A: Yes, “Before We Part” means we’re splitting up. Because after 5 great years with Simon Gitsels I’m continuing alone. I started Solo as a side-project of the band I was in at the time. I asked Simon to join me on “Songs & Sounds”. After that we worked together more and more. Which is ending with this album.
I can be very hard to work with in the process towards releasing a new record. Very uncertain or insecure about things. This time it coincided with my will to write songs outside the existing outlines. And also, we both found the form, two people who are Solo, kind of pressing. And Simon was ready to take his musicality to a new challenge as well.
Q: It seems you’re already working on the next album. Can you tell us more?
A: That’s right. Neer before have I had a guitar in my hands this frequently! The trip to the US gave me a lot of energy and I’m bursting with songs. Songs for a man with one or more guitars. I’m surfing a creative wave.
After the return from the US there was a time where things had to be arranged concerning the release. Making records is fun, designing a CD sleeve, making press photos, playing live shows, it’s all great but the best thing is to write a new song. So that’s what I’m doing, and it’s what I’m doing best. I made a couple of demos in the meantime and I’m happy.
Q: The album cover slightly reminds of Rod Stewart. How’s that?
A: Right again! Rod Stewart, very underrated as a musician. Footloose and fancy free is a fantastic record, with a cover of photos in the morning sun. That cover inspired me for the photos for the cover of “BWP”. The difference, however, is that with Rod it’s unclear if he’s gotten up early or if he pulled an all-nighter. And I got up early, on a beautiful morning at the end of the summer and together with the photographer & a guitar I took a trip into nature.
Q: What’s so special about ‘the morning’?
A: When I start the day before or during sunrise (which is easier in the winter than in the summer), it makes my day. The waking of the world is something magical. It’s hard to put it to words.
There is a kind of tranquility that holds a certain amount of excitement. That tranquility feeds my creativity and makes me happy. While time flies during the day, there is plenty of it when the day starts.
You should try it. :-)
Many thanks to Michiel Flamman (Solo) & Excelsior Recordings for this rights-free interview. Any mistakes in translations are on me, not on the band or label.