Now that's what I call Balustrade

After what seems like months of graft, The Rockhall Files is finally complete! (I say months, it's actually only been a few weeks and this ranks as being on of the easiest recording sessions we have had so far. It even sounds remarkably impressive, even if we do say so ourselves. )

As 10.00 came and went on this past Monday, we were able to export the finished versions to iTunes, upload them to my swanky new iPod Classic and plug it into the hi-fi. An eager silence filled the room as the first complete listen through of The Rockhall Files was initiated and the good news was... it wasn't awful!

In fact it was pretty darn good. A real genre defying, melting pot of musical influences and funky drumloops. There are pianos, kazoos, recorders, accordians, laser guns and even the odd guitar or two! All in all it is probably the best music we have recorded so far and we can't wait to hear what the fans think!

My current fave song is probably Snow In Mexico with it's Automatic For The People-era REM sound. Although I am also loving Mojave Streamline with it's Maximo Park meets Belle and Sebastian keyboard vibe. And then who can forget Pitchfoork Rebellion with it's strange medieval-ness and historically accurate lyrics or Fear of Falling which is the closest to being a 'proper' Balustrade song. There's also Rain Brigade (which we thought would be the best song on the EP, but has actually been usurped by the other songs) and El Cartino's Blues #7 - which is possibly the bleakest song we have ever recorded and will have Carter's friends and family adding the Samaritans to his speed dial as soon as they hear it!.

Now all we have to do is craft our album artwork and it will be well and truly ready for distribution. So fear not Strade fans, you will be getting your September dose of Balustrade action very soon and then we have to get started rehearsing for our gig in November!!