BIG TIME DREAM + HANG ON TO ME 02 - Release Day

A video! Some words about "Big Time Dream!" Plus, a Warren Pash single!

Oct 06, 2023

“Big Time Dream” and its b-side, “Hang On To Me” are available now on streamers and the like.

Or if you love that thrill that comes from buying music directly from the artist, there’s Bandcamp.

Today is Bandcamp Friday, where they waive their fee. So that’s cool.

“Big Time Dream” is the only new song on the forthcoming Droge & Summers Blend Sessions aka Volume Three. We finished writing the song in late July. Just as we completed the writing phase, we sparked up the studio to record a demo. My partner, Elaine Summers and I were so excited about the track as it took shape that we decided to upgrade the session from ‘demo’ to ‘record.’

We spent the next week in tracking mode. Some parts—guitars and vocals—came easily. Others—especially bass—took more time to work out. Plus, we tried a bunch of parts that did not work. While the track came out naturally sounding rootsy, Elaine wondered what it would be like if we added a bit of an 80s pop flavor. This would certainly take things in a different direction from my default. Why not try something new? So we experimented.

We busted out my old Roland Juno-60 synthesizer only to find that it needed repairs. So we sparked up my MIDI rig and tried some vintage synth lines to double my country-leaning electric lead guitar licks. Didn’t make it better. We tried Farfisa. Didn’t make it better. We gave Vox Continental and Hammond B-3 a shot. Still not better. Finally, I added something that helped—acoustic piano playing super simple low notes.

Eventually, we gave up on the 80s pop thing and just let the track be rootsy. I played brushes on my vintage Ludwig snare drum. I muted the drum with my Cowbelle Industries tea towel.

My 1969 Gibson ES-335 plugged in direct with a healthy dose of echo ended up being the tool to finish the job. I added a couple of fills in the second and third verse and we called the track done.

We loved how our rough mix felt, so there was not much to do at mix time. Mainly, we focused on riding the level of the vocal in key spots where it was getting lost.

Dave Cooley’s mastering did just what I like mastering to do. Put simply, it sounded like my mix, only better.

Today, “Big Time Dream” and its b-side, “Hang On To Me” are out in the world. I hope you dig ‘em.

WARREN PASH

While looking for music to share here on Substack, I came across a box labeled “late 90s.” In it was a cassette that read “Warren Pash at Got Wheels.” Got Wheels was the name of my studio in those days, and Warren Pash is a gifted songwriter and musician. He co-wrote the Hall and Oates number one smash “Private Eyes!” Carole King recorded “Life Without Love,” which he co-wrote with Gerry and Louise Goffin! But Warren is not just a songwriter. He is an artist in his own right. And a great one at that.

The cassette contained two songs that I produced and played on back in 1998. “Blue River” is out now. (Check it out on Bandcamp.) “Bones and Stones” will be released in November. I’ll post more about Warren and his music later. Until then.

Peace & Love Songs,

Pete