Music Lesson

Introduction

The track "Spend Some Time" is from our second album. We just finished touring around America, and things are going pretty good. Endear has joined the band fully and has moved to London. We're recording at Metric Studios, right near the British Museum. Happy days!

Making the Album

We had a lot of fun making that record. It features various types of music since it's a double album, including:

• Reggae
• Funk
• Disco

This particular track reflects all the facets of the heavies and was a really jolly good time to create.

Behind the Track "Fake"

There's a song on the album called "Fake." Let me tell you about how it came together:

• I went into the control room with a bass around my neck and a guitar.
• While I was messing around, the guys in the control room came running in and told me, "Don't stop playing that."
• Andrew took the bass, started playing the boom, and that became the tune "Fake" right there.

We recorded it in a single session, right then and there. It might not be a great big hit, but it's a fun little piece of music. We added some horns later, making it a jam that anyone can create.

Guitar Techniques on "Spend Some Time"

Wah-Wah Effects

So, a little bit about the guitar on the track "Spend Some Time":

• The wah-wah tends to stand out more in the louder bits, so I use that effectively.
• I switch the wah off during the verses to create a quieter groove.

Key and Structure

The main part of the track is in the key of D flat (C sharp), depending on where you come from.

• When you do the high part, there's no guessing involved since it's the last fret, the last stop on the train before you fall off the edge of the earth into the abyss.
• You can hear the notes of the guitar, and in between, there's a free bit of percussion.

By dampening the strings while holding them down correctly, you achieve a lovely sound.

Performance Notes

I haven't actually heard this record for a while, so I often play it live. In a live situation, you get a bit more excited as you perform.

• It starts to open up, showcasing the essence of the song.
• It's quite simple, really, with a little guitar solo thrown in.

Guitar Solos

Occasionally, I get the opportunity for a guitar solo on a record. When I do, I usually:

• Go for a few takes until Andrew is happy.
• He prefers melodic solos, so if I'm playing, he'll suggest, "We need more motifs."

This approach leads to:

• Slight rises with the notes, holding them to let the chorus take over.
• Little improvised moments that create a magical atmosphere.

In summary, it's all about those lumpy moments, everything you want in music!