Kansas City, Kansas
Hi this is William from the Walltalkers. The band is knee deep in the recording of our first release. We are shooting for 10 songs to be included on this first release. There has been a ton of activity with the band other than just working on this album. Here is some insight into the album’s making and what going on with the band…
The Band Continues To Take Shape -
The band started as a trio, which included hand drum, guitar/vocals and keys/vocals. The glue continues to be the unique relationship between myself and Heather Thornton. Ultimately, like The Civil Wars, The Eurythmics or Sugarland, The Walltalkers starts with Heather and me. It is the band in the simplest form. We both are accomplished songwriters, but the magic is how our voices blend into a single timbre that has the power to move people. Heather is an amazing singer in her own right. So for me, as a singer songwriter (emphasis on the songwriter portion), I am blown away when audience members and fans comment on how much they love our voices together.
Rachel and Heather... Walltalkers Supreme.
The harmonies took further shape with the additional of Rachel Bowerman-Deering. Rachel is well known in Kansas City’s Irish music circle and formerly of the band, Dogtree. Rachel originally replaced Chip Mueller as the band’s percussionist. It is her voice and the 3 part harmonies that really make the band achieve that next level vocally. The recording process was revised to include her percussion and vocals. The songs “California”, “Skinny Dip”, “Screwed” and “Man With a Can” were modified to include her contributions.
The songs sounded great, but they just didn’t sound complete with the fullness I was seeking. The Walltalkers’ album marks the ninth album I’ve produced. With all of that experience, I have a feel for what I believe is the sound that will make for a great collection of music. To fill the void we decided to experiment with including drums. When contemplating using a drummer for the recordings, two names came to mind… Bree Plaster and Rob Bowen. Both are in high demand locally and both are phenomenal talents. Bree’s capacity was limited so I reached out to the machine that is… Rob Bowen. Rob and I go back along ways. Being a mutual friend of a childhood friend of mine, Dave Engberg, we were introduced shortly after I moved back to KC after an eight year U.S. Army stint. Rob and I performed together in a short-lived band called, “The Decadent” in the mid 1990s.
MR. Rob Bowen
So Rob agreed to come into the Saunders Street realm and cut drums for the same titles that we previously had recorded cajon on with Rachel. The one thing I’ve always loved about Rob is his uncanny ability to understand exactly where I am going with a song without having to intrinsically having to explain it. Two things happened during those recent recording sessions: 1) Rob fell in love with what we are doing musically and 2) We fell in love with what he brought to the table. Thus we agreed to add Rob to live performances, as well as the recordings.
And thus we added a solid rhythm section and broadened our harmonies.
Production Notes as of April 25, 2013
Overall, this is unlike any of the other projects I’ve ever produced. With my own albums I have tended to rush them and push them on prematurely. With other artists albums I’m trying to realize their vision using the tools I have available. This is different. This cannot be rushed. Although the majority of the songs are mine, the other members have really taken to them and in many ways have put their mark on the songs and taken ownership for them sounding their very, very best. So there is a huge responsibility for me to be true not necessarily to my vision, but rather The Walltalkers’ vision of these songs. The songs dictate that we polish and polish and make them honest yet tight and pristine.
Songs to be included on the debut album -
California – I never cease to be amazed by the response this song gets. All of the instrument tracks are completed. Heather and I agree that our vocals can be stronger and will evaluate upon completion if Rachel’s part will need to be recorded again. The biggest correction is addressing any spots where our phrasing may need to be more succinct.
Remaining portions to be recorded: Vocals (draft vocals in place)
Preview – http://www.reverbnation.com/thewalltalkers/song/16789760-california-pre-release-acoustic
Man With A Can – Thank you Mr. Paul Chandler for getting me to believe in this track again. This track is also nearly completed. All the instruments are recorded.
Remaining portions to be recorded: Vocals (draft vocals in place)
Preview – http://www.reverbnation.com/thewalltalkers/song/16996853-man-with-a-can-demo-version
Screwed – This track is the big surprise of the group of songs. Upon playback after the drums were added, we were left with some dropped jaws due to fact the drums made everything else pop.
Remaining portions to be recorded: Vocals (draft vocals in place), Piano
Skinny Dip - This song needs something else…. and I don’t know what… perhaps banjo, perhaps mandolin. It needs something. This is potentially a radio friendly song that could be memorable for the Summer of 2013. So it requires that we treat it as such. Things need to be perfect.
Remaining portions to be recorded: Vocals (draft vocals in place) and other color instrument
Icarus Dreams – ‘
Wow. This song was originally earmarked for another band project called, “STPL or Sod The Parking Lot” but ironically everyone but Rachel already recorded their parts on this song. One a side note I have a draft of the song also being performed by the amazing Nicole Springer of The Clementines. When we listened to this song in conjunction with the other songs, it made sense that it be included. We perform this track live at many of the shows anyway. This song has a ton of commercial success capacity. The arrangement addresses that accordingly.
Remaining portions to be recorded: Vocals (draft vocals in place)
Yet to start production: Way Back Home, Does It Bother You, The Flood, Promised Land and one yet-to-be-named track.
Look for more information and release information here on this site and via facebook/walltalkers.
Ciao!
- WGS
