I have recorded my latest album during a 5887km cycle adventure across Europe. Capturing the sounds of the places i visit. Starting in Edam, then to Gruyere over the Alps to Gorgonzola, Towards the Pyrenees and then up to finish in Camembert.

Thursday, 10 October 2013

Toulouse a friend, A new 'pair o knees' ( Pyrenees) 10th October 2013


Still cycling, singing, playing, song writing and recording. 

2715 miles in!



In a medieval city...Carcassonne 






Well, if you are going to work on a song it might as well be on the wall of a medieval city




Sunflower microphones, thousands of them!


"Look at all the dead sunflowers, hanging their heads in shame..."









The almost purrrfect shepherds guitar hut




Sunset on the Toulouse canal



Great to play with riffs, shadows and reflections

A windy day, but a fantastic cruise along the canal.


Just want to say, its has been brilliant adventuring & working with co rider Kim, who left from Toulouse, back to England to continue his work. Fantastic team work mate. miss you already!


Kim and I at the Susten pass + glaciers!!! tbc mate!





Mission on, here I go...

The Pyrenees are coming

 

But where are they? 

After cycling up all day, it is probably better you do not know whats is coming.


The acoustics of the church in the centre of Foix



Got the guitar out and set the recorder up at the back of the church.....smoooooth
Its amazing what really old stuff you can find a long way from home.

Foix castle, circa year 1000, Mk3 Ford Capri, circa 1978





Just wow. Pyrenees....there you are.

Andorra!

After 8000 feet of climb I made it to Andorra! 
That was hardcore day, My hi vis jacket and lights worked hard today. 
None of the shops I could access were open!
Managed the climb with only a muesli bar a croissant and a packet of tic tacs.
I almost had a little cry as I crossed the border too.


2715 miles, Oh blimey 

I am in my second mountain range. 




What could possibly come next?



If you would like to pre order my new album "Just for the Record Too" please visit here:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/paulcheese2

Or more info down here:








Posted by at No comments:

Saturday, 5 October 2013

Shouting at the storm. Roman Gladi-audio-ators. October 5th 2013


Recording in a Roman Amphitheatre 






 Well, if you are going to write and record a song it might as well be in a roman amphitheatre.


Found so many great nooks, arches and stone corridors to record the sound of.









We even found time to do a gladi-audio-ator re-inactment. 



Shouting into storm force winds



The storm is brewing! yep, this is the calm Mediterranean sea.
I have never seen it look so angry. 



The wind was so strong that i could only just about stand up on the plinth. ha ha. Rock!


And then the storm came. So lucky that we made it into our accommodation before the heavens opened.


Have a listen, click below:




"A storm like this only comes to Sete once every ten years" we were told by a local lady.




In-between the sand dunes


Sometimes you have to just stop and capture that idea.




Oh yeah, this also happened.....


On the bandstand in Cannes


 Great to play on the sea front bandstand to tourists, locals and sea gulls.



On A high wall on the edge of the beach 


Mountains, songs, sea, sand and shadows






















Writing songs in A scene from A spaghetti western....



How many times can I fall off my bike...


Luckily my elbow was there to break my fall. ha ha



Hanging out with the cacti


2420 miles so far, hmmm, that is why every bit of me hurts.








Oh, there really is a long way still to go :) 




If you would like to pre order my new album "Just for the Record Too" please visit here:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/paulcheese2

Or more info down here:











Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Pylon the pressure, Mediteraining. 29th September 2013


2985 Kilometres of writing and recording the album

Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy.....and now France!

Inside an electricity pylon



There we were cycling through the industrial heart of Italy, when up pops a very tall acoustic chamber...with no door on it. Inside a very tall pylon. ha ha
Have a listen:





I climbed up inside to find the best place for the reverberation.
Holding the microphone in the centre of the pylon gives symmetry of sound.


Torre Storica

Well, if you are going to work on a song it may as well be on top of a hill by an ancient hill fort overlooking the low lands of Italy. ha ha













A ruined Itailian farmhouse



Brain fodder, what is, was and is it going to collapse on me. ha ha.


And finally....Staying in a town called Bra. A wonderful uplifting experience.






The art explosion in the centre of Cuneo


Met and played to some great people in the city centre


Also.... a group of Italian girls help me with some backing vocals


A Dry River Bed


Heading back into the Alps again we found a huge seasonal moody, dry river perfect for inspiration.

A Ski Lift

Give it a couple it a months and this place will be heaven!

















Guitar cam!









huff, puff, cycling and talking whilst holding a camera in my left hand....ha ha, watch that edge!


Up to the top of another mountain!

Downwards on dirt track hairpin bends then?

Who is that racing along side me? oh, its my pannier bag with my laptop in it :(


Here comes the storm! 

Gravel edged harpin tracks, perfect for stopping a heavy bike. ha ha



Soaking wet through. Mediteraining see?


Can you hold your breathe for the length of the tunnel? I couldn't. ha ha
(actual time, 7 minutes)


Such a sense of achievement, we made it to the Mediterranean sea!
Big day! recording/writing and 70 miles + over 14200 feet of hill climb.



2985 Kilometres

Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy.....and now France! 

 Looking at the map I can't believe how far we have come! (and so far still to go)





P.S

Before leaving Gorgonzola I had a chat with the Italian guys in the town square....

"È che i tuoi capelli veri?" ("Is that your real hair?")



What will be next?.....


If you would like to pre order my new album "Just for the Record Too" please visit here:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/paulcheese2

Or more info down here:









Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)