DRUMMER CAFE

Earlier this summer, the recording of my album fell apart. After months of lags, set-backs, and generally getting the brush off from my engineer, I dumped him. I was left with a couple cds. One with 3 of the 5 tracks we recorded mixed to completion. One with an early rough mix of the 4th song. And one song just lost, as I never got a copy. Id been working on this for almost a year with massive gaps between sessions. This was my first solo recording that someone else besides me was recording. The idea was that I take the time, use the good studio, use the extra pair of ears, and do a great recording I can shop to labels. I was convinced that all that went to s**t and I would have to start over. Or at least just put out a half a**ed endeavor and hope for the best. I was down about it, and I shelved the project, mentally as well as physically.

Well I got over it. I remembered that the quality of music comes through any recording quality. I remembered that what I did is pretty good. I remembered that I really want this recording released. This week I went in and took those mixes, did a little editing on that rough mix (it now has a cool ending with the main riff reversed), and did a little mastering. And am planning on recording that missing track myself at home.

The point of this thread isnt my recording. Thats just an anecdote illustrating something Im sure we've all gone through and will go though. Sometimes things outside your control come in and setup obsticles in your path. Maybe its a bandmate who doesnt care enough to practice. Maybe its an engineer or producer who keeps deprioritizing you. Maybe its your own lack of confidence. These are all set-backs. Notice that word "back". You may end up taking a step back, but that just means youve been forward, youve seen it, the path ahead is clear and you know what it is. And thats an advantage over where you were before you got there the first time.

I dont have any advice for getting over/past set-backs. Everybodys different and deals with stuff in thier own way. I just needed distance and a smack up side the head in the form of my own frustration. All Im saying is we all run into resistance, but it is possible to move past it and be the stronger for it.