‘New Album’ is where a band or artist answers some questions about their latest release. Up next is Luke Buda who is part of a new music project called Teeth (along with David Long, Anthony Donaldson and Tom Callwood) who are releasing their self-titled debut album to coincide with Record Store Day 2017 (Apr 22nd).
When/where was the new album recorded?
At the (now non existent!) Car Club in Berhampore. We did the band takes in 3 days, which is about .0003% of the time that Phoenix Foundation usually take so that was refreshing. I think we recorded those in late 2015. Then we added a few (just a few, mind) layers, mostly at Dave’s studio The Swearing Room, and I took a while to get lyrics and vocals together which I mostly did in my bedroom, while the kids were at school or asleep. In fact I recorded the very last line of vocals for the album on the morning that we were heading into the Surgery for mixing, while my kids were brushing their teeth (OMG) before school… OH did I mention that my partner was in Malaysia for an artist residency and I was solo adding while making this record? Then we mixed it in 3 days!
Who produced/engineered the album? How did the tracks come together in the studio, or at home?
Our good friends and great song and dance man Thomas Brodie Watson came and helped us set up the Mics and adjust the pre amps just so. Then we just did it all ourselves after that. The tracks were all tiny tiny little ideas that I brought to Ant in 2014 when we first started jamming. Then as the rest of the members arrived the tracks slowly but surely solidified. We did a bunch of gigs with me mumbling as I did not have lyrics… everything came together slowly but naturally. Then when it came time to record it only took 3 days.
How did the songwriting happen? Are there any overall themes within the songs/album?
The songwriting happened cause there was an album of recorded band takes of music and they needed singing. I find lyrics pretty hard work generally, and this was no different. The overall themes would probably be: feeling like you are crazy and wanting to hide from the world.
Were you going for a different sound/approach on this album?
Yes. The whole idea behind Teeth was that it would be a way looser jammier thing than Phoenix Foundation.
Was there any specific gear you used to capture that?
Not really, it was more of a mind set.
Is there a particular single/track that you feel captures the essence of the album?
Hmmm not really, I can’t pick one out above the others, though Teeth the song is a good example of our brand of wild and free “moron groove”.
Is there a physical copy available? If not which digital platforms is it available on?
It will be out on CD on the 22nd of April. Still working on the vinyl idea… not sure which digital platforms yet. Probably all of them. Every single one.
Are you working on a video/videos for any of the songs?
We have one video, should be released soon.
