PsySo @ Gam Studio

My very first week as studiomamma I experienced together with the band PsySo and producer Jurriaan JJ Sielcken assisted by Bram Capel. Weeks of anticipatory pleasure, countless group-apps and counting down the days was rewarded with a magical week full of music that was created “together”. In the cozy Gam Studio in the Belgian Ardennes was, besides the studio, also a comfortable chalet with living room, kitchen, and bedrooms, where we could stay with each other.

“Creativity flows at night” is definately applicable to these guys. After a late arrival on Sunday night, the whole studio was built up the same night, still, after which “something” needed to be drank or smoked. Obviously, the next morning not everyone was present at breakfast at 11 A.M. sharp. Thus, the day/night rhythm shifted further into the night. The peak was reached on our penultimate night, when we had dinner somewhere around midnight.

I really enjoy the ‘creative flow’ that can arise at a certain moment. When you experience that flow as a musician, you are not concerned with being hungry. So eating on fixed times be a disruption. therefore I agreed with Jurriaan and Bram that they would give me a heads up when an appropriate time for a break from recording arose. During the day I made sure that all the preparations in the kitchen where done. So when I received their notice I could serve the food within 30 minutes.

That week I cooked 100% comfort food. Food that has been prepared with love, that will make you feel at home, and which makes you a little warm inside.

The best compliment that week I got from singer Joost. After a long recording day I cooked an Italian dish with meatloaf, risotto and spaghetti ala Norma. After the meal, Joost sang the lyrics of the song “Shackle of my soul” right on the first take. He said that this was partially because the dish had giving him energy to perform. Of course, such a remark makes me very happy.

Listen to the EP

In the photos below you can look at a small impression of the mood during the recording days of PsySo.

All cables that need to be connected look like happily, colored spaghetti. Tonight, we are eating Italian!

Daily on the letterboard the menu was announced.

The Mexican buffet is popular, after a long day of recording. Luckily there is plenty!

For some extraordinary percussion Thomas and Jurriaan are working together, in search of special sounds.

On a daily basis, unnoticeably, quite some kilos of vegetables are being eaten.

The midnight snack is usually being eaten later than midnight…

During recording as many guitars as possible are being brought to the studio, so there is plenty of choice.

The most vocals are recorded during the night, however, on the last day there is a session where there is actual daylight.

Some mornings are tougher than others…

Jurriaan working at the recording of the vocals of Sjors.

It was a magical week.