Cape flats. . . . Flats. . . . Not flats. . . How is it I have lived my entire life thinking the Cape Flats were... well, flats – noun(American apartment) a set of rooms on one floor, with kitchen and bathrooms, in a larger building or blocks- I can’t be the only one that thought this. It was my first time in the cape flats the other day and the lack of drive by shootings and, well, flats was rather disappointing. Its just flat-adjective, flat; without rise or fall-
It may be a joburg thing but ill be shocked to find I’m the only one. I can’t be .
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Thursday 31 March 2011
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Im a Ninja fly in "The Life of Brian"
I'm a Fly. I am a fly on the sound proof, acoustically treated walls of which Brian O'Shea resides with in. I am a massive black fly wielding a camera in his chambers like a ninja. I am a ninja in my picture snapping ways. A ninja fly in 'the life of Brian'.
It must be said though, that it is a pleasure to watch this man when he is in work mode. Very sterile, precise and deliberate in his art. He definitely knows what he wants. If not, he know what he doesn't want. It is now Day 2 at the beautiful Digital Forest Recording Studios and it has started, as I had assumed the rest of the weeks mornings would, with me in absolute awe at how, nestled deep in Constantia's old money vineyards, where great old Cape Dutch Style mansions sit elegant, heals crossed, guarding their politely lined up grape trees, could there be such a high-tech, forward thinking recording studio. The thought is of two conflicting images but it is a surprisingly pleasing amalgamation of the two.
After my mandatory 5min 'perving' at the scenery it was into studio and straight to work. Andy Mac wasn't in studio today so the band had to work without him. This made for a very drawn out day with the band members looking around to the other with un-surety at the absence of their faithful leader. " Andy has a larger than life personality and its clearly evident in every ones mindset when he is not here. Its like something is missing " said producer Brian O'Shea. This was it exactly and the momentum of the previous day seemed to have been lost.
Brian seeing that something needed to be done insisted on a lunch break to refresh every ones batteries. This was welcomed by all especially me as this 'ninja fly' was starving. The fresh Cape Town air and vineyard sound tracks of chirping birds and playful squirrels made for a well needed meditations pause for all. It became clear then why a place like this works so well, because after lunch every one had a brand new vigour about them.
But this vigour could only last so long, for as quickly as the hours were burning away, fatigue had begun to set in. No amount of scenery could save this situation so it was time to call it quits. Ive heard Brian say it before that there is no point in drilling at a song when you so tired you are dulled out to the process. " The best idea is te leave it te fresh ears in the mornin" he would say in his Irish Durban-ite accent.
And so we did... after a few beers. OBVIOUSLY!!
It must be said though, that it is a pleasure to watch this man when he is in work mode. Very sterile, precise and deliberate in his art. He definitely knows what he wants. If not, he know what he doesn't want. It is now Day 2 at the beautiful Digital Forest Recording Studios and it has started, as I had assumed the rest of the weeks mornings would, with me in absolute awe at how, nestled deep in Constantia's old money vineyards, where great old Cape Dutch Style mansions sit elegant, heals crossed, guarding their politely lined up grape trees, could there be such a high-tech, forward thinking recording studio. The thought is of two conflicting images but it is a surprisingly pleasing amalgamation of the two.
After my mandatory 5min 'perving' at the scenery it was into studio and straight to work. Andy Mac wasn't in studio today so the band had to work without him. This made for a very drawn out day with the band members looking around to the other with un-surety at the absence of their faithful leader. " Andy has a larger than life personality and its clearly evident in every ones mindset when he is not here. Its like something is missing " said producer Brian O'Shea. This was it exactly and the momentum of the previous day seemed to have been lost.
Brian seeing that something needed to be done insisted on a lunch break to refresh every ones batteries. This was welcomed by all especially me as this 'ninja fly' was starving. The fresh Cape Town air and vineyard sound tracks of chirping birds and playful squirrels made for a well needed meditations pause for all. It became clear then why a place like this works so well, because after lunch every one had a brand new vigour about them.
But this vigour could only last so long, for as quickly as the hours were burning away, fatigue had begun to set in. No amount of scenery could save this situation so it was time to call it quits. Ive heard Brian say it before that there is no point in drilling at a song when you so tired you are dulled out to the process. " The best idea is te leave it te fresh ears in the mornin" he would say in his Irish Durban-ite accent.
And so we did... after a few beers. OBVIOUSLY!!
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Pictures of Digital Forest Studios (by Tumi Mothei)
Digital Forest Control Room
Pic By Tumi Mothei
Digital Forest Live Room View
Pic By Tumi Mothei
Producer Brian O'Shea
Pic by Tumi Mothei
Shooting the Breeze
Pic By Tumi Mothei
From the Roof Tops to the Forest
SAMA award winning producer Brian O'Shea is back in town and ready to get straight to business. After having had spent the last week in Johannesburg working with the likes of Watershed's Craig Hinds and Big Brother Africa, he was equally excited to be back to work on Andy Mac's project 'Mac Stanley' formally known as Flat Stanley. He was literally "reving " to go as what was intended to be my chauffeuring him from the Airport turned quickly to him weaving speedily through chilled out, speed limit abiding Cape Townian drivers. We Where late, and the week in Johannesburg was clearly evident in his driving to the studio. Or maybe he was just excited to get to work. We can run with that theory for now ;)
I was later to meet, now newly wed lead vocalist, Andy Mac of Mac Stanley (formally known as Flat Stanley). http://www.macstanley.com/index.html What a character Andy is. I was mute in the presence of another great South African Musician as he spoke of his bachelors and wedding day that was only the previous week past. I was bordering star struck as he siffed through the list of South African celebrities that were at his wedding all nonchalant and cavalier of the matter because to him, these were his friends. That little bit of perspective was intriguing to digest as the realisation of who i had standing in front of me struck.
After having had already spent a week with Brian two weeks prior i was convinced I had been to the countries most scenic and beautiful studios. It was planted firm in my mind that The Roof Top Studios in St James was it. This notion was soon contested as we went from the Roof Tops to the forest. Digital Forest Studios is locates right in the middles of Constantia Vineyards just South of Cape Town. This studio is the pinnacle of audio technological wet dreams all comfortably blanketed under a picture perfect back drop of the scenic mountains and wine farms that stretch as far as an eye could see.
How could any one not want to work here.
I was later to meet, now newly wed lead vocalist, Andy Mac of Mac Stanley (formally known as Flat Stanley). http://www.macstanley.com/index.html What a character Andy is. I was mute in the presence of another great South African Musician as he spoke of his bachelors and wedding day that was only the previous week past. I was bordering star struck as he siffed through the list of South African celebrities that were at his wedding all nonchalant and cavalier of the matter because to him, these were his friends. That little bit of perspective was intriguing to digest as the realisation of who i had standing in front of me struck.
After having had already spent a week with Brian two weeks prior i was convinced I had been to the countries most scenic and beautiful studios. It was planted firm in my mind that The Roof Top Studios in St James was it. This notion was soon contested as we went from the Roof Tops to the forest. Digital Forest Studios is locates right in the middles of Constantia Vineyards just South of Cape Town. This studio is the pinnacle of audio technological wet dreams all comfortably blanketed under a picture perfect back drop of the scenic mountains and wine farms that stretch as far as an eye could see.
How could any one not want to work here.
Monday 28 March 2011
Its "The Life of Brian"
The best part is , its completely interactive, so you can live it as if you were there. Ever wanted to ask your favourite producer technical questions about the recording process, or how about your favourite musician why Jagermeister over tequila ? Well now you can as Tumi in 2D. You just got to love the interweb.
Keep in touch. Lets see where this goes. . . First chapter will be ” The Life of Brian “
That’s right SAMA award winning producer Brian O’Shea. You will get to spend week with him at the beautiful Roof Top studios in the scenic town of St James. Then Another at the scenic Digital Forrest studios right in the middle of the most beautiful vineyards in the country.
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