Artwork approved, CD on its way

The factory has just sent me a screenshot of the finished packaging, and it's all looking great. I'm going to use CDbaby.com to distribute the CD, as I like what they have to say, and they genuinely support independent music. I've also created the obligatory MySpace account (more about that later), even though I think it's one of the less useable websites ever created.

I'm currently listening to some old school funky music (Average White Band, Tower of Power, James Brown and the likes), which might influence the next record. I was working on a new track the other day, and found myself throwing off all sorts of groovy samples (and of course tweaking them at will). It is starting to shape up nicely.

However for now I am focusing on getting "Sense" out there. Then it's out of my hands.

Working on the CD artwork

I have been rather busy lately working my way through the world of printing. I completed the artwork for the CD a while ago, but it took me some time to get my head round Adobe inDesign and get everything ready for printing.

You would think that once it looks good on screen, it's just a matter of sending the files to the factory, and that you would get exactly what you wanted. Ah, little did I know... Apparently getting the artwork ready for printing is some sort of black Art where the look of the printed work depends on such factors as the speed of the wind or the mood of the operator that presses the buttons at the factory. Or close enough.

Anyway, after reading lots of things about RGB, CMYK, DPI, duotones, pantone colours, preflighting stuff, packaging things, I think I eventually got it right. We'll see when I receive the CDs!

And the blogging begins

It's a nice Saturday morning, wet, fresh and quiet, and I have just finished working on the cover for the upcoming CD. I will talk more about it later.

For now I am starting this blog to document all that's involved in releasing a record independently. You will hear about the recording process, the mixing, the distribution, the artwork, and all the hard but rewarding work that surrounds such a project.

I will also let you know how things are going with any new projects - there are quite a few. I hope you will enjoy reading this blog - I will certainly enjoy writing it.