After recording their debut album (Under the Cold Light of the Moon) at Abbey Road Studios last year, Sydney-based Dream Rock band Crystal Cities decided to try out an entirely different approach for their latest single, "Don't Speak Too Soon". This time there was no fancy studio or producer, but just the combined effort of the three individual band members.
At the beginning of 2020, lead singer/guitarist and primary songwriter, Geoff Rana decided to take it upon himself to learn all the ins and outs of recording. With the help of free educational resources such as YouTube Rana began putting the information he learned to good use, applying it as he tracked the band's latest single "Don't Speak Too Soon" at his house in Sydney. It was a 'learn on the job' type of process for Rana.
"'Don't Speak Too Soon' is my first attempt at being an engineer and producer. It was a lot more involved than just showing up to the studio to record my parts! I think more hours were spent reading and watching tutorials than actually recording."
The added responsibility and learning curve almost overwhelmed Rana.
"One of the biggest mental and technical hurdles I had to overcome was losing all my vocal takes and having to re-record them all over again."
With the helping hand of world-renowned LA-based mix engineer Paul Lani (David Bowie, Prince), Rana and co have dealt fans a sharper and more hard-hitting Crystal Cities sound while still maintaining the signature Dream Rock elements that they established in their 2019 debut, Under the Cold Light of the Moon.
Crystal Cities are Geoff Rana (vocals/guitar/keys), Jared King (bass/backing vocals), and Daniel Conte (drums/percussion).
lyrics
Uncover my eyes from the blindness
Untie my hands and feet
Holding the line, keep on moving
Keep on moving on down the line
When did these lights go out?
Watching the slow hand move
Now, did I say too much?
Now, did I speak too soon?
I got one foot ahead of the other
I got one foot stuck in the ground
Can't remember if this is amnesia
Got my head in the teeth of your mouth
When did these lights go out?
Watching the slow hand move
Now, did I say too much?
Did I speak now too soon?
And it burns my eyes
Down through the bone
Why did I listen to love?
Did I speak now too soon?
Did I speak now too soon?
Did I speak too soon?
Did I speak too soon?
Did I speak too soon?
When did these lights go out?
Watching the slow hand move
Now, did I say too much?
Now, did I speak now too soon?
And it burns my eyes
Down through the bone
Why did I listen to love?
Did I speak now too soon?
Don’t speak too soon
Don’t speak too soon
Don’t speak too soon
credits
from Hold Me Close Hold Me Tight (album),
track released August 21, 2020
Engineered by Geoff Rana at his house in Sydney
Mixed and mastered by Paul Lani in LA
Produced by Crystal Cities
Vocals, guitar, keys, and synth by Geoff Rana
Bass and backing vocals by Jared King (JK)
Drums by Daniel Conte
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