The Mural and the Mint

All of our music is free, as all music should be.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Recording Diary

Prologue:

I took the week before recording to do some vacationing with my family and a bunch of friends up in Vermont.

It started with this:

car.jpg

But ended with this:

sisi.jpg

And this:

nic.jpg

So much fun. Everyone in the accident was ok, except for the sick fuck who was driving an 18 wheeler in the left lane on the Cross-Bronx Expressway and caused the 5 car pile up, then fled the scene. He’s gonna be an asshole for life.

We got back into town late Saturday night, had some Chinese food and a Pacifico and went to bed.

Day 1:

The day started with a little stop off at Jack’s favorite breaky spot, Black N’ Brew. Said hi to our girl Phe. Jacky jack and I got caught up on our week apart driving up Columbus Blvd. Josh and Wawa met me out front of the Rocket Cat to drop off my guitar and ukulele (and Simon’s sleeping bag) after driving all night. They had to help us get our stuff home since our car met its’ demise. Thank you guys so much.

So good to see Brian and discuss nutrition. Amy was fixing the faders on the board all day…when I was here last summer she was recapping something, whatever that means. Always working.

We laid down acoustic tracks for Sorry My Dear, Virgin Mouth, Builders, Burn Like I Burn, Remember to Breathe, and I Never Knew. Turns out I knew some songs better than others.

Obama talk. Cabinet position for Gore? C’mon, right?

Decided to do some vocals with the time we had left. Started with Remember to Breathe and decided to embrace my choirboy roots. Such a weird song….Onto Sorry My Dear. How I love that sad, sad song. And called it a night. Doing vocals again tomorrow, and some piano parts.

‘night.

Day 2:

I was all by my lonesome today (except for Brian and Amy, of course). We did vocals for all of the remaining songs…pretty tired. We also started with piano stuff today, after we got a visit from this guy:

murray.jpg

His name was Murray. Check the CRAZY tuner he uses on top. Some serious Star Wars lookin’ like shit.

Here’s some other pics from the day:

hammers.jpg

micclose.jpg

That’s a Crowley and Tripp Vocalist for all you geeks out there, but then, you knew that already…

rackwbrian.jpg

The most expensive cotton ball holder ever made.

piano.jpg

Matchless.

That’s all for today,

mk

Day 3:

Today was Eliza day!

“What did you Mother Fucker!?!”

upsetjack.jpg

I said “It’s Eliza Day, Jack. Chill out, your day is tomorrow.”

“Oh, O.K.”

happyjack.jpg

“We cool?” “Yeah, we’re cool. See you tomorrow.”

Seriously folks, today was ELIZA DAY. She’s been doing this:

lizapiano.jpg

And this:

lizasings.jpg

for like, 10 hours now. Killin’ it. I can’t wait for you guys to hears this stuff.

Tomorrow, New Jack City.

Day 4:

This guy.

jackgibson.jpg

Today was his birthday.

jacksquat.jpg

And he is a star…even if he does need to finish his parts tomorrow. There’s blood on the control room floor. that’s all I’m gonna say.

Day 5:

Today I absolutely fell in love. I’ve like things that I’ve made before, but I’ve never actually fallen for them before. We finished all the tracking today (which included more guitar from Jack, and four part background vocals by myself. I felt like I was in the Temptations, and was seriously bummed I left my suit at homed), and as I type, Brian is running through the first mix of Builders. Everything is just working so well, its kind of scary.

I realized that there are no pictures of me on these diary posts and here’s why:

crazy.jpg

Who knew that making a record could make one eye larger than the other. I feel fifty times crazier than I look right now. This is what I look like when falling in love, by the way. Oh, and I was puking all morning (also a classic Kiley side effect).

halojack.jpg

I love that Jack said he was going to use only two guitars on the record.

guitars.jpg

There are two missing from this photo. He also said he would use only one amp.

amps.jpg

Lies! Sweet little lies.

Stay tuned for notes form the mixing board all weekend.

Fuck the Mets.

I’m out.

Day 6:

Well, I’m not gonna sugar coat it. Today was a bit rough. Today everythign took longer than expected. But that’s O. K. It was filled with stories, some funny, some tragic. And we had some visitors.

ione.jpg

That’s Ione Lee Saunders. Breakin’ hearts.

jaime.jpg

And that is my old pal Jaime. Look how blown his mind is. Hopefully tomorrow will mean more stories, more drop ins and more mixes.

-mk

Day 7:

I don’t remember day 7.

Day 8:

Today was crazy.  I can’t believe that only a week ago this record didn’t exist.  Mixing is such a weird time warp, and really lends itself to distraction and conversation.  A quick rundown of all the shit that Brian, Jack and I blew through today goes as follows:  Polygamy, ghosts, songs as weapons, talking in your sleep, douches, Lilys, tipping, the value of Sunday, death, Faith No More, gear sluts, baseball, Obama (landslide), Fleetwood Mac (landslide), Japan, and Enterprise rental car.

Next step, mastering.

For now we are out.jpg

Time to go home and regain.jpg sanity.

We’ll be in touch.

All our love,

tm&tm

byephilly.jpg


posted by michael at 7:03 pm  

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Recordings from The Arts Alliance, 6/27

Here are a few songs from the show on 6/27. Thanks to all who came out to this beautiful evening. We know there are photos out there, ’cause we can hear the camera on the recordings….whoever you are, send them to: michael@themuralandthemint.com

Cartwheels

The Part I Hate Most

Oh, So Sweetly

Virgin Mouth
Previously Unreleased, from the forthcoming album

p1020029.JPG

We have reached a critical moment in our history, the making of our first full-length record, and we need your help. As you know, we are committed to releasing all of our music exclusively as a free digital download. It is in these beginning stages of the project when we need your support the most. To take a look at the special donation packages we have put together for this release, please click on the Donate link to the right.

posted by michael at 8:21 am  

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

New Song!

The song below is part of the film Here made by Subcircle premiering at The University of the Arts, Wed. June 18th

Left click to listen, Right click and Save link as… to download:

Here

Written by Michael Kiley. Copyright 2008 M and M Free Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved.

posted by michael at 11:24 am  

Friday, September 28, 2007

Caterpillar-Cocoon-Butterfly

Download the Debut ep from The Mural and The Mint below the artwork.
It’s free, but please consider donating below to make future recordings possible.

Left click to listen, Right click and Save Link As… to save it to your computer. ccbcover0030000.jpg1. Cartwheels

2. The Part I Hate Most

3. Nothing Left To Holler

4. Oh, So Sweetly

5. Tyree

6. Something To React Against

All songs copyright 2007 M and M Free Music (ASCAP). All Rights reserved.

All songs written and performed by Michael Kiley.

Recorded and Mixed by Brian McTear, Engineered by Amy Morrisey at Miner Street Studios.

Mastered by Paul Hammond and Paul Sinclair.

Cover art sewn by Katie Henry (Made by Hank).

Enjoy.

posted by admin at 8:13 am  

Powered by WordPress