(Krossbow)
So yesterday was my first studio session with these guys – Jon (on the left) and Colin (on the right), otherwise known as Krossbow.
They are an electronic duo who met at university and have been writing, gigging and DJing together ever since. Last year they played at Glastonbury and BoomTown.
My musical journey has been an unconventional one, so in some respects this fits perfectly. A few years ago, I silently promised myself I would explore every musical opportunity that came my way; maybe I put something out there in the ether?
I was in the middle of my project with friend and guitarist Francesco Lo Castro and planning out my covers album that I am currently in the process of recording with producer Andy Wright, when I met Colin.
Colin’s day job is to teach musicians like me to use the software Logic, so I booked a few lessons. In the process of learning how to record my own stuff using scary software, the conversations turned to all things musical. And I think it struck both of us that the diversity in our musical knowledge, experience and delivery when blended together could produce something quite cool.
Anyway, after my lessons, we kept in touch, talking about work and possible collaborations. Whilst I was truly excited at the prospect – I couldn’t see the way forward, as I didn’t have a solid idea. Anyway in March, quite out of the blue, the Krossbow guys dropped me an email with an attachment - a dubstep tune with a jazzy feel.
So, the moment of truth, I clicked on the attachment and listened. Did I like it? Could I write anything for it? Could I sing on something like this? Oh yes! I emailed back straightaway to find out what kind of lyrics they wanted me to write and then started working on topline ideas.
So this is what I can tell you. For the first time of being in the studio together we settled into our groove very quickly. And it turned out to be an exhilarating, inspiring day. Of all the projects I am working on at the moment, on first listening this may the furthest away from Parry Ray as you know me, but make no mistake there is a lot of me in there.
Krossbow are currently working on their first full-length album covering multiple genres and styles. And I think, from what they have said, the development of each track has been very organic. They are making music they want to make and working with people they want to work with – pretty ideal I think. Check them out at https://soundcloud.com/krossbow
And if you are in need of a musical Parry Ray fix, check out the Highlights section on Parry Ray in Harmony with my YouTube vids.