I think I've done a post like this a number of times already but now as things are getting closer to finally getting under way I guess it makes sense to organize my thoughts a little better.
When I was in high school I started to fantasize about being in a rock band. I always dreamed about what it would be like to write music, perform it, record albums and all that jazz. In 2007 I started to make that happen with Mike. It was a goofy little project that I blew way way out of proportions, but in the long run I think that's what helped make it happen in the first place. When T3 began I had a very clear set of goals in mind that I wanted to accomplish: play a show and record a album. Once we got started it changed from playing one show to playing many shows at specific places, most notably Juanita's. We one by one started to accomplish every goal I had set out to work with and more little ones kept popping up. The goal of making an album came about in fall of 2008 when we recorded and released the full length 'Your Music Is Bad and You Should Feel Bad'. From there the goals were expanded into playing some of the other venues and eventually writing and recording more music. I always wanted to do a follow up album, but it seemed like that was a distant goal that wasn't going to accomplish, so it kept getting put on the back burner. We played nearly every major venue in Arkansas and even recorded in a real studio. Seemingly all goals were met. Then what?
We took time off, I debated on ending it here and there, gave up a few times, and even finally decided to call it a day when other priorities became more important to me. Then things changed again and T3 started up again although slowly and kind like we had a gimpy leg. This time I made sure to prioritize a bit differently and just control what I could instead of attempting to corral every possibility. If we couldn't get booked, we would write music. And write is just what we did. I at first purposely didn't book any shows, then booked sparingly over time. After lots of thought and work and everything out the idea of a second album became my distant dream, then my obtainable goal, and finally its right on the doorstep and there is so much work to do.
Putting out an album in general is a lot of hard work. You have to consider a lot of aspects that you wouldn't think about: how are you going to release it, track list, album artwork, what songs to include and what songs to drop, etc etc. A big factor is the wondering if people will even like it. We are entering into the new phase territory where we'll be judged based on our original album by comparison. People will now either like it or dont like it, prefer one over the other, or possibly point out growth or new direction. Its scary stuff. The writing for this album is the most different way we've every done it too. The first batch of songs were written by a large variety of people over time, but never as a full band. Not a single song on the first album was written by the same people in the same place at the same time. They were all done in phases. The only recorded song that we have that was done that way is Momma's Boy. We are now a 5 piece. Even though that's been the case for the last two years, with the exception of that one song, none of the music was written with our current lineup in completion. Its all a different sound so to speak and a whole new beast I suppose.
Time will tell how it stacks up and if it will be generally well received or rejected by the folks who listen to it. We've played a handful of the new tracks live, but never have really gotten too much feedback on the songs in general, just in minor cases. All I know, is that we as a band enjoy them and have had fun with them and think and feel that other people will too. At least we hope anyway.
We're set up to start recording over labor day weekend and that'll be that. Mixing and mastering over time after that and we'll probably see a release in October sometime. Meanwhile I'm working on a part 2 of the story of T3 documentary as well as a making of the album dvd to package with the album. Not to mention that as soon as we start mixing some of these tracks it'll be time to make some music videos. Lots of work ahead of us, but the good kind of work. The kind that sees results and a finished project. My kind of work.
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