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In the studio
First off, I must apologize for the lack of updates. A combination of laziness and some other stuff is to blame. But now that we’ve got that out of the way, I’ll get right to it. Updates from The Raveonettes are coming faster than I can keep up with, apparently, but here’s the latest.
In between the last update and now, both Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo have each had one-hour live video chats with fans. You can find Sharin’s here and Sune’s here. Very informative stuff. One bit: The new album should be ready for an Oct. 6 release.
Yesterday marked the first of three opportunities fans can peer in on the studio sessions for a couple hours. It’s neat because you feel pretty exhaustive listening to the same stuff over and over again, just like the artist must feel. The next one is tomorrow, June 24, but there appears to be a discrepancy in time. Twitter says 3 p.m. EST, while the Vice page says 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. So, who knows at this point. You can see the first one here, where the duo, along with producer Thomas Troelsen, is working on vocals for the tentatively titled “D.R.U.G.S.”
Photo taken by J.J. McCarthy
You can’t really ask for much more these days if you’re a Raveonettes fan. Depending on where you lived, they released an album in either late-2007 or early-2008. Then, the duo released a series of four EPs throughout the final quarter of last year. Early this year, the band announced it was headed to the studio to record a new album that would be released Sept. 1.
Now, if all of that wasn’t enough, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo are sharing demos from their overseas romp in Denmark. (I say overseas because although they are Denmark natives, both have since relocated to the States.) Today they released the third demo in as many days, titled “In and Out of Control.” (You can download it here.) This one hooks you from opening second and doesn’t let go. Great progression — just gets catchier and catchier. This is the most “Raveonettes” of the three tracks released so far, but the bass riff in the middle and the guitar guiding the chorus make it all sound so explosive and fresh.
I’m wondering if by the time they’re done giving us these demos we’ll have nearly the full album. Not the finished product, but the songs. What do you think? If they release more over the weekend, I’ll post them here just like all the others.
In other related Raveonettes news, Wagner has stressed via Twitter and MySpace that these demos are strictly for your enjoyment. Says the frontman:
“It seems like the media is a bit confused about what we’re doing right now in regards to inviting you into the recording process. I’ve read some articles about how we ‘need’ help from our fans which obviously is not true. We’re totally tuned into what we’re doing and we’re making a fucking great album. I always appreciate and believe that people should be able to leave comments but we’re not looking for production or songwriting help. Hope that clarifies it.”
Photo taken by J.J. McCarthy
There’s something to be said about being able to create a pop song with the title, “Boys Who Rape.” The subject matter is dark, but the chorus, which goes, “Boys who (Boys who) / Rape should (Rape should) / All be (All be) / Destroyed,” is infectious. It almost becomes comedic, in a good way — like a no-brainer rallying cry most people would have no problem supporting. The heavy reverb and intro’s fading lo-fi guitar sound and electric drums keep the song in check, if you will, from becoming a simple ditty. Those elements ground the subject matter, reminding us of what we’re dealing with.
Again promising fans via Twitter a new demo would drop later today, the Raveonettes have released the second work-in-progress in as many days. Like I said yesterday, from the lyrics I’ve seen and the two songs posted so far, this new album is shaping up to be the Danish duo’s darkest yet. Musically, though, it may be the poppiest, taking into consideration other snippets I’ve heard. I personally like the idea. The last record had Sune Rose Wagner focused in on lust and its various forms. It was dark, but more of a personal journey. Now, we have tracks dealing with rape and girls overdosing. Without trying to label the whole forthcoming album, both of these songs sympathize with tortured women. So besides sound, we’re dealing with something completely new and fresh from the previous effort, while keeping the spirit of the band closely intact.
More to come…
Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner in the studio
Making good on their promise this morning, The Raveonettes have released their first studio demo, “Last Dance.” Please note that is the working title. The annoucement came via Twitter, complete with special links to their U.S. label’s (Vice Records) website: one to download the new track, and another to sign up to receive further updates on demos and other “special things the band has planned for their new record.”
This is a pretty cool marketing strategy and in some ways furthers artists’ ability to use the Internet control their own destiny. Instead of the record leaking a month before its release and possibly getting a bad reception, fans can now weigh in and pretty much know what to expect before the proper package hits stores, thus killing that dire need to hear the entire thing early. And even if it does leak, who cares? Most of the stuff was released first by the band. I think we are moving out of the area of the big surprise record. The sooner artists embrace this and use the Internet to their benefit instead of simply going through the motions with their MySpace accounts, the more interesting music will be. I’m not saying everyone should release demos in the runup to a record; but the Internet just makes it so easy to be creative, and most people are still following that old-school record label model.
But let’s get to the specifics here, because after all, the reason this song was released in the first place was to get reaction, buzz, whatever. Firstly, “Last Dance,” in its current form, represents a huge difference from the last album, Lust Lust Lust. Where that release was caked with layer upon layer of feedback, noise and fuzz, this three-and-a-half-minute pop song, despite relatively subtle hints of fuzz in the guitar, is clearer and much more accessible. Not to say that’s a bad thing. I think frontman Sune Rose Wagner has always regretted not breaking the mainstream, and songs like this might be his chance to change all of that. Don’t let any of this fool you, though. The reverb, catchy hooks and dark lyricism — possibly bleaker than before — are all intact, and so far, it doesn’t sound like Pretty In Black. Take that however you wish.
Sune Rose Wagner in the studio w/ producer Thomas Troelsen
Would you describe yourself as one of those people who hates the thought of Twitter? Has sworn never to get an account? Not even sure what it does? Well, I feel your pain. I only signed up about a month ago because I knew I’d eventually end up using the viral information-distributor. For what, I wasn’t exactly sure, but that all changes today. The Raveonettes have announced they will be releasing studio demos from their forthcoming album via Twitter. So if you don’t have an account, get one NOW because the first demo is dropping today, and you’ll want to keep up on this. The duo did something similar for Lust Lust Lust on MySpace, which I have a feeling will show itself to be the superior of the two social networking in leaking music. Unless, however, we are allowed to download the tracks. More to come later today…
The almost-daily updates continue flowing from the Raveonettes‘ MySpace blog courtesy of frontman Mr. Sune Rose Wagner. So you can bet I’ll be trying my best to keep up and give you play-by-play analysis.
On Thursday, Wagner reported flying in from New York. Where? Copenhagen, where he and fellow Dane Sharin Foo will be recording with producer Thomas Troelsen. Wagner seemed to deadset on working with this guy, and it’ll be interesting to see how different this album is from their previous record, Lust Lust Lust, which was recorded at singer/songwriter’s flat in NYC. So far, things seem to be going well, Wagner saying “[i]t’s the first time I’ve ever sat down with someone to write and it was quite an amazing experience I must say.” He also posted a little video while in the studio. Although he stressed what you hear in the video is in no way indicative of the final sound (recording officially begins May 18th), the song Troelsen is playing back is unbelievably infectious… Could this be THE record the duo?
Also moments ago, Wagner posted another blog, essentially saying his newfound producer is pushing him to greatness. We shall see… He rattled off a few of the track names they’re working with right now: “Stardust Girl,” “Last Dance,” “Oh, I Buried You Today” and “Baby, I’m Ready to Go.”
