bo ely cd interview: with matt kaiser, keyboardist
linda bracamonte — i know the difference between a sad song and the blues
What were your contributions on the new CD (instruments played, vocals)?
On this CD, I played keyboards. I used a Korg MOSS-equipped Triton Studio TS88 and a Hammond XK-1, along with Linda's Kurzweil module for what I call the "strincal" (string/vocal mash) on Coming Home. The only vocals I contributed were singing the praises of Linda, Ema, Lance and John for outstanding performances.
How did you prepare or what was your approach for the new CD?
First, I listened to our previous scratch recordings, read lots of old emails and notes, and recalled conversations with Ema to recapture the essence he was after for these original songs. We had been performing some of these songs since my day one with the band, and some only once or twice before recording them. And dang it, having only two hands to play live, there were a few more parts to many of the songs to arrange, so Ema and I spent a really cool, creative night in early March to figure out the remaining parts for overdubbing. Then it was up to me to remember, score them, and practice, practice, practice.
Could you tell me about your background in music and how your technical talents may have been an advantage in the studio?
I started playing sax in 5th grade, and continued in ensembles throughout college. Not necessarily a technical talent, but I'm sure that because of that experience, I learned how to be "conducted" and "play what I'm supposed to play and when." Hopefully Ema and Linda benefited from that. I tried to interpret their dreams through my playing. Regarding the technical, in a recording studio time literally is money, and fortunately, I use the same DAW software in my home studio as K-9 does. So I was able to record many keyboard overdubs at home using the masters that we recorded on the first "band" weekend. Then I just handed over the recordings to K-9 and Willy [Seltzer] synced them up. I explained the process to Ema, and I think he was able to do something similar with some of his guitar work in the comfort of home. I know for me that was a big advantage, allowing me to complete all my overdubs in one evening.
You showed an abundance of keyboard styles for the CD. From where do you draw these?
My experience in public school music allowed me exposure to so many styles, and I love the creativity, the "art" of music, so I am proud of my natural and learned appreciation of most styles of music. I've had great friends and mentors through the years, allowing me to stray from the confines of single-note woodwind instruments to guitar and keyboard. And having opportunities in school, church, and in the garage with friends, I've played classical, jazz, rock, and sometimes, just noise. If it weren't so enjoyable, I'd be condemned to the adage: average at many,
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photo by linda bracamonte |
How did you go about layering all your different keyboard parts?
Most of Ema's arrangements feature a dominant keyboard part, usually either a piano or organ. So when the band together recorded our rhythm tracks, I played the dominant instrument. And as noted previously, I took those recordings home and recorded some horns and strings which Willy at K-9 imported and time-synchronized. In a subsequent session for just keys, I recorded a few more horn accents, strings, and added organ and piano where they weren't the dominant part. These were all recorded at optimal levels, so it was really Ema's ear and mixing that brought about the final layering.
Is Linda a sweet girl in the studio or does she carry a big stick to get things her way?
Believe what you see and hear, Linda is as sweet as her voice. BUT, she carries a BIG EMA!!!
What would you say upon meeting Paul Schaffer in an elevator — just the two of you — going thirty floors up?
I would say nothing that wasn't a short question, and then listen to everything. I would ask what his favorite moments were during the Saturday Night Live era, particularly with the Blues Brothers, what it was like to work with (and lead) such a talented backline of musicians; what it takes to be successful supporting other artists without the need to be a marquee performer himself; how he adapts his playing to the diverse styles of guests on Late Night; and of course, where he gets his clothes and glasses!
From a keyboardist’s perspective, do you prefer working with major or minor chords?
It's really the combination of and transition between major and minor chords within a composition that make a piece interesting. Anything that evokes interest is preferable to me. Balance. Usually balance requires periodic inequality on both sides of the middle to create a unique and interesting flow, and outcome. That's what's so cool about blues... blues relies heavily on "7" chords (adding a minor 7th to a major chord). You really have chords that are half major (the first two notes) and half minor (the second two notes are the dominant minor). That can't come close to answering your question, can it?
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photo by nancy stegemann |
Do you have any rituals or habits before going into the studio?
I wish I did because that would mean I do it enough to have rituals or habits. I'd like to think I approach a live performance the same way as I prepare for a studio session — because folks investing time (and money) to come to a place where I'm playing deserve the kind of perfect performance the recorder demands.
What were the biggest challenges and the most enjoyable moments of the recording sessions?
We were all sick and medicated. All of us. The weekend of our rhythm tracking, especially Saturday, was a blur for all of us. That was a challenge. The challenge of relying upon the other musicians, and having them rely on me was both the biggest challenge and the most enjoyable aspect of the project.
Knowing Ema and Linda both had this "thing" in their heads that they were trying to wrestle onto a 120 mm diameter piece of plastic, and feeling I was honored to assist them, was a huge responsibility, and resulted in much joy as I've now seen on their faces and heard in their words that we very successfully captured their ideas. I can truly say we are all better friends because of the experience — can't get more enjoyable than that!
BO ELY CD INTERVIEWS
linda bracamonte | ema roberts | lance davis | john swanson | matt kaiser
BO ELY 2006/07 INTERVIEWS
linda bracamonte | ema roberts | lance davis | john swanson | matt kaiser
linda bracamonte band | it’s all about me | where i’m at | where the boys are | talk to me
special features | photo gallery | buy my stuff | download this | say something nice | sammies: vote for me
linda bracamonte official website | www.lindabracamonte.com
ema roberts • lance davis • matt kaiser • john swanson
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