... I guess it took one more day than I thought. I've been looking forward to New Years Eve since October. As much as I loved my old studio, and it's much more natural to say that now, I mentally checked out after new plans began falling into place. ... it's tough to keep focus on an old project once you're more excited about a new one... and it takes a lot of discipline to complete the remaining tasks... that being finishing up projects (because I'm going to second guess any mixes outside The Pawnshop for a while) before packing up the studio. A lot of people are looking forward to their new gym memberships Jan 1... I was looking forward to the weight of the old being lifted off my shoulders. Again, loved The Pawnshop but it was time to move on. ... you know the feeling though... watching shores you'll never return to drift away... calling someplace home for a long period of time (an apartment, house, etc) then with the change of a day, it's no longer yours. Someone else has signed for it, they have the keys, and you can no longer simply walk in. It belongs to someone else. You still have the memories made, but it belongs to someone else. ... a messed up concept when something has sentimental value... but I think it's the truth... and January 1, 2016 marked the first day in years that 170A Baldwin wasn't at my finger tips. ... but I woke up yesterday feeling the same. Feeling like I still had some part in taking care of the place... like I still had things left to do there. I got a message from Harrison (producer who's moving in as part of the studio/tenant reshuffling at the building) asking about a metal shelf I'd left with plans of picking up. He asked about it, and said he'd found a use for it. It was part of my "studio purge" for sale list so it was good to stay there. ... and like that, the weight was lifted. I woke up at 7:30am this morning, fed the (loaner) cat, made breakfast, and went downstairs to the office... finally inspired to write... and listen to music... I need to put in some hours listening in here... still haven't even put any acoustic treatments up... It's the feeling I've been waiting for since late October... officially the next phase of things... career wise... and it feels awesome! ... 2015 started great but quickly settled into the same routine (not that it's a bad thing) and after a couple projects cancelled last minute in the summer... freeing up 4-6 weeks of cottage time... I remember floating around the lake with my line in the water, half venting to myself that things had to change... my current priorities weren't lining up with my goals. ... and as one of my mentors so eloquently put when people bitch about things they could change... "if you want to stop paying chequing fees, stop paying chequing fees". ... new projects, tour dates, co-writes, new albums/eps, new mix projects, travel opportunities, house, car (finally)... loaner cat... I basically moved 3 times in the last 3 months (you know how you're doing in life depending on who shows up at your funeral, and who shows up to help you move!)... 2015 ended in a whirlwind... but goals were achieved and new ones are now in place. I feel lighter though... and thank everyone for the emails, texts convo's, and Skype/phone calls the past couple months... so many in this business are in the same position but don't want to talk about it... music is tough... and the line in the sand is just getting deeper between hobbyists/amateurs and professionals... and with that, where you spend your time is even more important. ... so this feels more like the New Years Day I was hoping for... so Happy New Year to everyone! It's cliche to say "this year is going to be great" so maybe do yourself a favour and put yourself in a position where it has to be. When there's only 2 possible outcomes, that's often the deciding factor whether armies win or lose... for those of you who haven't read Art Of War. - Mike :-) P.S. Real winter boots are awesome!! Christmas boots!!!
... I'm keepin' the tags on as long as I can.
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... I'm really surprised how hard today turned out to be... it didn't really sink in until around 7pm on a TTC bus heading home (I skipped out for a few hours to play hockey).
... pack up the studio... no big deal, right? It's been difficult... Not just because I realized how many things I have stashed away in the place, but I started feeling really guilty not taking pics of every nook and cranny of the studio before pulling it apart. ... why? Well... share on Facebook I guess... I don't even know... I guess I just wanted to remember (proof) how great this place was to me... how awesome (beautiful) it was, for me, in its prime. I'd like to believe the last few days here, the studio was running at and looking it's best... and I think that's why I feel bad not taking more pics... and the one I did (of the live room) turned out blurry! I finished the Age Of Days acoustic EP this morning too... we went back and forth a few times on mixes but my internet was cutting in and out and I really needed to start pulling the control room apart... I wish I could've got a chance to play the final mixes here for the guys... it sounds awesome... I think it sounds awesome... but the truck and people are booked for tomorrow... had to get packin'. I feel the very last song on the very last project here was one of, if not, the best sounding tune I've produced, recorded, and mixed... just funny how it's for my own band... considering how I feel about things like that... life is funny sometimes. ... I actually set my speakers up again to listen to the track one more time... the lady stopped by and I wanted her to hear it too... the last song to be played through my mains, on loud... ... I battled the urge all evening to just set everything back up... even though I know that's not really possible at this point. Despite the rollercoaster of emotions today, I know for several reasons this is the right move to make and the right time to make it... until then... I hope this f'n works. - Mike |
Mike Langford - Official BlogBeing on both sides of the glass, I get the chance to wear many hats in the music industry. This is a place to share my thoughts, views, predictions, rants, stories and news! Categories
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