Creators Project NYC Recording Session: Day Three

With our Creators Project recording session well underway, we met up with our three musicians to see how their collaboration was progressing. When we first met Aaron Horn (UK), Rossano Snel (Brazil), and Eugene Derek Hong (US) earlier in the week, they were just getting acquainted with one another, and with producer Mike Beck, at whose studio they’ve been toiling away for the past three days. We were curious to see how the group would tackle the daunting challenge of writing and recording an EP in just five short days together, but when we visited the studio yesterday we found the guys taking a break from finishing up their first two tracks (one of which they’ve just sent off to the UK to record vocals).

They briefly explained the roles they’ve taken within the group: Eugene as synth and bass engineer, Rossano as the dynamic keyboard harmonist (as well as musical theory mastermind) and Aaron Horn as the creative beat prodigy, drum programmer and general task-master. Of the two tracks partly recorded, one is more upbeat and dance-oriented, with electro, old-school wave, disco, and dubstep influences. The second song is more ambient. “It sounds cold, but it’s actually very warm and comfortable. The drums are industrial and glitchy, but the synth is warm and comforting,” Eugene says. “Velvety,” Rossano adds. “The music is positive, promotes good spirit, and good vibes,” says Aaron. They also had the idea to stick a microphone out the window in order to sample the sounds of Brooklyn.

In between experimenting with sounds and Rossano’s brand new Moog Slim Phatty Analog Synthesizer the trio shared a little bit about how the process was going.

On their biggest challenges so far…
Aaron: “Being on the flight over here and wondering how to prepare and not knowing what was going to happen.”
Rossano: “Working as a team for me. I’ve worked with many producers and partners, but you really have to be careful and polite, because music is really personal and subjective.”
Eugene: “Having so many ideas to pick and choose from, and creating something out of that.”

What has surprised you the most…
Eugene: “I didn’t know how we were going to collaborate because of our different talents and styles, but we’re really making something crazy. With the internet, we’re able to accept more styles of music.”
Aaron: “Staying home on my computer for the past six years has really paid off.”
Rossano: “Mike’s studio is an amazing place to record. Once I got here, I immediately felt at home. When you’re making art you really need to be comfortable where you are. It’s not always all about the gear and hardware.”

On learning from each other…
Eugene: “Aaron taught me how plug-ins, as an effect, can completely change the sound of a synthesizer. At first I didn’t think knowledge about musical theory was super important, but Rossano has shown me that knowing the chords, their names and the progression enables you to do a lot more.”
Rossano: “Aaron had the idea to have one song led by each one of us. That way, everyone gets involved and a chance to lead. Eugene makes really cool sounds on the synthesizer.”

Other relevations…
Aaron: “The only thing I’ve used trigonometry for is learning how to synthesize sound.”
Eugene: “At first we thought Nu-ERA was a pretty cool name, but the we realized it kind of sounds like a boy band name, and we need to create something that more appropriately fits our music.”
Rossano: “I’m already missing it. The time goes so fast…I want to be sure to finish the songs and name the project.”

If you missed it, be sure to see our Day One coverage here and check back on Monday to see how the project wrapped up. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for our exclusive video coverage and most importantly…the music.

Images courtesy of Christophe Wu