Singing. Sips. And Strokes.

Hope y'all enjoyed the Tour Diary Video from yesterday!!! I will be posting the next one REALLY soon. So keep your eyes peeled :)

I was back at Ben's studio, Hat Factory Cinco, today for just a bit. Ben is mixing a new song of David's that is absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to hear the final version! And I got to sing pretty, airy backgrounds on it :) awesomesauce.

Last days before a big stint on the road are always a bit chaotic. It's usually when I realize how little I got done no matter how MUCH I got done while I was home.

But the one thing I did accomplish today was completely awesome and not at all work or music related. It was actually related to something that I have absolutely NO talent in whatsoever. Painting.

Jenn Cancino took me to a place called Sips and Strokes which is a "step by step" + BYOB painting class. Jenn and I were pretty hardcore with our waters and sprite :) I am usually one of those girls that sticks to polka dots and stick figures when I am expected to draw something. But I am so proud of myself!!! THIS was REALLY REALLY fun! The class was sold out - birthday parties, Red Hat Society Ladies, ONE token dude, and lots of spilt wine. (Mostly from the lady sitting directly behind us! HA!)

Jenn and me all excited to paint:


And our finished paintings! Mine's on the left... hers the right... You can tell I like big, dramatic hair...


It's amazing how different all the paintings looked as you looked around the room. Some people choose different skin and hair colors. But more than that, everyone's approach was so different! I HIGHLY recommend doing this if you live close to one! They have locations in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. And I'm sure there are similar places throughout the country. I can't wait to go back!

Peace. Love. Fiddle. Sips. And Strokes.
~natalie

The Hat Factory Cinco

Let's get to know Ben Strano aka The Sonic Fedora aka my friend, co-producer, engineer... oh yeah! Roommate... the list goes on.

Thanks to Ben... currently sitting in our living room, we have 3 ukuleles (all different kinds) baritone... lefty, for Katie.... normal... a banjo, a french horn, a mandotar (my new favorite of the collection), a trumpet, a lap steel, and yet he was a trombone principle at Berklee. Hmmm... He's played acoustic guitar at shows for me, run sound, and even sang onstage with me before. The guy is an all around musical mind. This is why he is the Sonic Fedora.

I love working with Ben. It's always fun to work with friends, but it is really important to be able to trust your engineer. I put a lot of faith in how he does things. He always makes me sound the best that I can. And the best part about recording with the Sonic Fedora? His studios are ridiculous. Not kidding.

I am sure it started with The Hum Depot, the first studio he managed when he moved to town. They had all kinds of crazy stuff on the walls. And since then it has become a theme for all of Ben's 6 studios since he has been here in Nashville. Ben's really fun to shop for. If you see something unbelievably ridiculous in a store and you think "Who would ever buy that? Or why would you need that?" Then you could buy it for The Hat Factory. :)

In fact, James and I did just that when we saw a tube of Jamestown Settlers. Because who WOULDN'T want that? I mean... what fun are pioneers? They need to be Jamestown specific to have any sort of credibility.


One of my personal favorites in the control room... Because, seriously, what would you do if you went to a carnival and saw this? How awesome would that be?


When in doubt... always ask the ninja


And if you need to perfect your nunchuck skills


Possibly to defend yourself against these guys...


mmmm yummy


I'm curious how one acquires such a sign? Maybe he got in good with nuns that day at the bumper cars


But if it's "Air Guitar" why is there even a tiny one included?


?


And this is in the room where I have been singing every day. The pedals, foam race car, toy banjo, cable, I get. It's the gun that confuses me.


Anyway.. just thought I'd share a little insight into where we've all been hanging out the last week or so. It NEVER gets boring at the Hat Factory. :) And Cinnamon LOVES the couch. Well, because it is the best couch ever.

Peace. Love. Fiddle. Recording.
~natalie