180 degrees of music

IN STUDIO: A Day in the Recording Life of Maya Azucena

A few months ago, I had the idea of doing a series of articles on different aspects of the day-to-day life of musicians. For example, I wanted to spend the day in a recording studio with a musician, spend time with a band during rehearsal, observe performers on the road - well, I think you get the idea. Anyway, the first article in this series allowed me to observe, not only a truly talented up-and-coming performer, singer, songwriter, as she laid down vocal tracks for two songs from her forthcoming debut cd (tentatively titled "Maya Who?"), but also gave me the opportunity to spend the day with a warm, funny and intelligent person whom I have come to have the utmost respect for and am proud to call my friend - Maya Azucena www.mayaazucena.com. Maya is extremely talented and produces Music of Choice monthly parties, during which her band performs and she books other musicians to play as well. These monthly parties have different themes- Latino music, female performers, music for youth-related charities, and more info is available on Maya's web site.

IN STUDIO: A Day in the Recording Life of Maya Azucena

Prior to going into the studio, Maya and I spoke for about twenty minutes so that I could ask about her preparations for her recording session, as well as her expectations and anticipation about the upcoming studio session. I also let Maya know that the only ground rule was that I would observe and not participate in any aspect of the recording session.

Having already completed the basic tracks for five tunes, and edited the two best tracks, Maya's goal this day was to nail down the vocals for the two tracks. "Still Searchin'" was a song completely created by Maya, which she describes as her "I Shot The Sheriff" blues sound, while "Set You Free" was co-written with lyrics and melody by Maya and music by Christian Ver Halen. "Bassy" Bob Brockman and Yaron Fuchs, owners of NUmedia www.numediany.com, produced both tracks. Bo Boddie was engineering the tracks.

During my pre-studio interview with Maya, we discussed how she prepares for her recording sessions. Maya said that she likes to listen to Jimi Hendrix for her mental preparation. However, Maya expressed the importance of being genuine in her music, as opposed to emulating another artist. Maya said, "it is important for me to prepare by listening to artists that inspired me."

Aside from her mental preparation, Maya also stressed her need for vocal preparation. Some of Maya's vocal influences are Mahalia Jackson, Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and Prince. "I did some warming up after resting yesterday". Maya also stressed the spiritual and religious part of her preparation. "I pray everyday. Music is my calling and it is important that my music touch people and that I always keep God first."

As we headed to the studio, Maya told me she was very excited about the way the cd was coming together. Maya felt that she would attract listeners who liked Macy Gray and Lauryn Hill, as well as a young audience and listeners who enjoy the hip-hop sound.

At about 1:15 p.m., Maya went into the recording booth and, along with her engineer, set out to find the right levels for the vocals and music. After about seven minutes, Maya was ready for her first take. Maya decided to work on "Still Searchin'" and recorded for about thirty minutes before listening to what she had taped. Maya intensely listened to the playback and decided that, while she liked different parts of different takes, she wanted to try the entire track again. Maya spent the next fifteen minutes recording and comparing various takes. After a few more takes, Bo felt that Maya nailed the end part. Maya liked what she had accomplished and was ready to move on to "Set You Free".

The next three hours were spent recording "Set You Free", which was a difficult song to record, since Maya was recording the lead as well as the harmonies to provide the rich and complex sound this song required. After completing the vocals for "Set You Free", Maya and I spoke about how she felt her recording session had gone.

Maya thought that the session had gone smoother than she expected, and that she had enjoyed working with Bo (an engineer with whom Maya had not previously worked). Overall, Maya was pleased with the day and, as she put it, "I love my art and am fulfilled when performing and working on my music".

Sound and Photos Copyright: www.mayaazucena.com