Nov 5, 2013 13:03

In The Studio with Dearly Beloved

The story of Dearly Beloved’s record ‘Hawk vs. Pigeon’ is as tragic as it is stereotypically rock and roll. The bittersweet tale begins with the premature passing of band leader Rob Higgins’ father, and the hefty preventative surgery that followed to ensure Higgins didn’t endure the same fate. Escaping to the desert as self-referred therapy, Higgins returned with a newfound desire to create a record in the desolate space.

This desire led Higgins and the soon-to-be Dearly Beloved to the famous Rancho de la Luna studio, home of a wealth of records by the likes of Kyuss, Eagles of Death Metal and Queens of the Stone Age, alongside Josh Homme’s turn of the century Desert Records Sessions. Armed with nothing but creativity, the band had little preconceptions about their imminent time in the desert.

After five drug and alcohol fuelled days, Dearly Beloved had recorded an unexpected record, channelling their experience into a suitably dirty sound. Pulling from the desert, ‘Hawk vs. Pigeon’ is insular with attitude. Inspired by fellow Rancho de la Luna veterans, it injects a heavy dose of punk rock into a mesmerising combination of desert and stoner rock. In all senses, ‘Hawk vs. Pigeon’ is the expected outcome from five hedonistic days in a vast open space.

Throughout their time in Joshua Tree, Dearly Beloved took a handful of pictures documenting their experience. What follows is an exclusive tour through the unique recording experience, and the development of the therapeutic ‘Hawk vs. Pigeon’ through the eyes and words of the Canadian desert punks.

BEN TIPPLE

By James Brown
This pic was taken upon our arrival at the studio by The Chairman. We like it. We were pretty excited to be there. This trip to Rancho De La Luna for the session that ultimately became Hawk VS Pigeon was only five days long so we had to get right to it. We didn't have as much time to soak up the high desert vibes prior to writing and recording as we would have liked, and as our hosts had suggested we do, but we did our best to both simultaneously. The studio itself is small but has everything one needs and also has an intangible quality to it that suited us well. 
This pic was taken upon our arrival at the studio by The Chairman. We like it. We were pretty excited to be there. This trip to Rancho De La Luna for the session that ultimately became Hawk VS Pigeon was only five days long so we had to get right to it. We didn't have as much time to soak up the high desert vibes prior to writing and recording as we would have liked, and as our hosts had suggested we do, but we did our best to both simultaneously. The studio itself is small but has everything one needs and also has an intangible quality to it that suited us well. 
Every day started with coffee and perhaps a jazz cigarette or two.  After that it all became about picking up a bass guitar and coming up with an idea that we liked. Capturing the moment , that kind of thing. In the case of the song 'Lizard Fight', we had just come in from witnessing two little geckos beating the crap out of each other and as I was jamming on a riff Catching walked by - he said that's cool man, there's your first song right there. So we went with it and called it Lizard Fight. We spent half the day arranging the ideas and getting a good take without a click track. This was definitely a recording that needed to be done off the grid, if you will. It was all about the moment. The chorus goes,
Every day started with coffee and perhaps a jazz cigarette or two.  After that it all became about picking up a bass guitar and coming up with an idea that we liked. Capturing the moment , that kind of thing. In the case of the song 'Lizard Fight', we had just come in from witnessing two little geckos beating the crap out of each other and as I was jamming on a riff Catching walked by - he said that's cool man, there's your first song right there. So we went with it and called it Lizard Fight. We spent half the day arranging the ideas and getting a good take without a click track. This was definitely a recording that needed to be done off the grid, if you will. It was all about the moment. The chorus goes, "Have you ever seen a lizard fight? It's pretty cool." Profound, no? In hindsight, and in our defence, we were experimenting, looking for clues. 
We couldn't resist riding motor bikes and atv's in the dirt. 'It got the blood flowing' is how we could justify spending the 20 bucks each on such a thing but just look at that freedom! Playing in a band that tours, in itself, can be freeing, and it's one of the best things about being in a touring band. So one doesn't pass on a roadside attractions like this. Especially when you're a band used to spending travel days waiting for highlights like moose sightings and free wifi.
We couldn't resist riding motor bikes and atv's in the dirt. 'It got the blood flowing' is how we could justify spending the 20 bucks each on such a thing but just look at that freedom! Playing in a band that tours, in itself, can be freeing, and it's one of the best things about being in a touring band. So one doesn't pass on a roadside attractions like this. Especially when you're a band used to spending travel days waiting for highlights like moose sightings and free wifi.
Right, should probably introduce ourselves. This what we look like. From left to right ... bass guitarist and singer Rob Higgins aka Higgy, tambourinist and singer Niva Chow aka The Chairman, Gavin Maguire aka The Pedal.  It's fair to say that anytime we can do anything without wearing jackets our collective mood improves. So we had that going for us. This wasn't a 'going to the desert to find ourselves' kind of thing. It was more about just going with the flow and it was truly a matter of synchronicity that led us to Joshua Tree and Rancho De La Luna. If it wasn't for kind folks connecting us I never would have met Rancho host Dave Catching and it's likely we wouldn't have decided to record there, let alone make an album out of the material. Actually, we went to Rancho with zero expectations. If we came home with one good song then so be it, that was the attitude. It was more about doing something creative and just seeing where it took us. We came home with 11 new song ideas and one cover of He's Waitin' by The Sonics that Dave Catching (EODM, Masters Of Reality) graciously played guitar on.
Right, should probably introduce ourselves. This what we look like. From left to right ... bass guitarist and singer Rob Higgins aka Higgy, tambourinist and singer Niva Chow aka The Chairman, Gavin Maguire aka The Pedal.  It's fair to say that anytime we can do anything without wearing jackets our collective mood improves. So we had that going for us. This wasn't a 'going to the desert to find ourselves' kind of thing. It was more about just going with the flow and it was truly a matter of synchronicity that led us to Joshua Tree and Rancho De La Luna. If it wasn't for kind folks connecting us I never would have met Rancho host Dave Catching and it's likely we wouldn't have decided to record there, let alone make an album out of the material. Actually, we went to Rancho with zero expectations. If we came home with one good song then so be it, that was the attitude. It was more about doing something creative and just seeing where it took us. We came home with 11 new song ideas and one cover of He's Waitin' by The Sonics that Dave Catching (EODM, Masters Of Reality) graciously played guitar on.
We live right downtown in Toronto near Queen and Spadina, an area that smells like pickle juice most of the year. Damn you, hot dog carts, damn you! So exposing ourselves to the high desert for 5 days was quite the contrast, to say the least. This photo illustrates the scale and epic nature of the environment around the studio that we were free to roam. Since we were making up the jams on the spot each day, our surroundings definitely influenced the mood, tone and pace of the songs. Pictured is Giant Rock. The story of George Van Tassel is an interesting one and it is closely associated with this spot and the enormous boulder.    http://www.georgevantassel.com/IkeandtheUFOFLAPTRUTH.html
We live right downtown in Toronto near Queen and Spadina, an area that smells like pickle juice most of the year. Damn you, hot dog carts, damn you! So exposing ourselves to the high desert for 5 days was quite the contrast, to say the least. This photo illustrates the scale and epic nature of the environment around the studio that we were free to roam. Since we were making up the jams on the spot each day, our surroundings definitely influenced the mood, tone and pace of the songs. Pictured is Giant Rock. The story of George Van Tassel is an interesting one and it is closely associated with this spot and the enormous boulder.    http://www.georgevantassel.com/IkeandtheUFOFLAPTRUTH.html
The Chairman getting her game face on to cut some vocals. And eventually, her finger. Her robe of enlightenment's one and only appearance. Was it a freak show for five days? It might have been, rabbit, it might. The photo album from that trip is both endless and amusing.  See for yourself here: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeloveds/photos_stream 
The Chairman getting her game face on to cut some vocals. And eventually, her finger. Her robe of enlightenment's one and only appearance. Was it a freak show for five days? It might have been, rabbit, it might. The photo album from that trip is both endless and amusing.  See for yourself here: https://www.facebook.com/TheBeloveds/photos_stream 
Both Dave Catching and Niva cooked up a storm to keep us alive and happy during our stay. It was definitely a highlight, and part of a long standing tradition at Rancho to eat well. Unfortunately, Niva cut her finger pretty badly in the process. Cue Dave Catching to the rescue! Even the band aids are badass at Rancho De La Luna. 
Both Dave Catching and Niva cooked up a storm to keep us alive and happy during our stay. It was definitely a highlight, and part of a long standing tradition at Rancho to eat well. Unfortunately, Niva cut her finger pretty badly in the process. Cue Dave Catching to the rescue! Even the band aids are badass at Rancho De La Luna. 
Our host, Dave Catching. Currently with Eagles Of Death Metal, Masters Of Reality, Star and Dagger and Earthlings?. Ex- Queens Of The Stone Age. This is a pic of Dave before he grew the gnarly beard that now calls his face home. Dave is kind and generous and he is one sick guitar player. He shreds on the song 'Living Proof', from Hawk vs Pigeon. Recording with Dave taught us many things. Including not to drive your rental vehicle anywhere near desert washes. See corresponding photo ...  This a Wiki page about Dave for more about him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Catching
Our host, Dave Catching. Currently with Eagles Of Death Metal, Masters Of Reality, Star and Dagger and Earthlings?. Ex- Queens Of The Stone Age. This is a pic of Dave before he grew the gnarly beard that now calls his face home. Dave is kind and generous and he is one sick guitar player. He shreds on the song 'Living Proof', from Hawk vs Pigeon. Recording with Dave taught us many things. Including not to drive your rental vehicle anywhere near desert washes. See corresponding photo ...  This a Wiki page about Dave for more about him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Catching
Patrick Hutchinson, aka Hutch, lives near the studio and was another person that made our stay and process more enjoyable. Hutch has done front of house sound for QOTSA since day one and also works for Jack White. He, too, was incredibly generous in terms of time and spirit. He made us soup, coffee, let us watch movies at his place - outside  - projected on a trailer ... he also took us for a drive in one of his old cars out to Noah Purifoy's place. Noah passed away a while ago but his work is still standing. It's a wonderland created entirely out of discarded bits he collected from the desert. After Hutch took us there we went back to the studio and within a few minutes wrote the basics of a song called Miles Around. It was one of those where the melody and vocal bit sorted itself out right away as well. a bit of magic, that day. A Wiki page with some of Hutch's contributions to rock n roll: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutch_(sound_engineer) Noah Purifoy: http://noahpurifoy.com/
Patrick Hutchinson, aka Hutch, lives near the studio and was another person that made our stay and process more enjoyable. Hutch has done front of house sound for QOTSA since day one and also works for Jack White. He, too, was incredibly generous in terms of time and spirit. He made us soup, coffee, let us watch movies at his place - outside  - projected on a trailer ... he also took us for a drive in one of his old cars out to Noah Purifoy's place. Noah passed away a while ago but his work is still standing. It's a wonderland created entirely out of discarded bits he collected from the desert. After Hutch took us there we went back to the studio and within a few minutes wrote the basics of a song called Miles Around. It was one of those where the melody and vocal bit sorted itself out right away as well. a bit of magic, that day. A Wiki page with some of Hutch's contributions to rock n roll: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutch_(sound_engineer) Noah Purifoy: http://noahpurifoy.com/
One of the bonuses of writing and recording at Rancho, for us, is the proximity it affords one to hand axes, archery gear and pellet guns. Whatever floats your boat, but for us, starting the day throwing axes and shooting bow and arrow is a fine way to ease into a rugged, casual day of making rock n' roll. Living at the place where you write and record ideas, for us, is a trip, and we love it. There's something supremely magical about having a moment you all share inspire a tune that you write and record on the spot, in the course of a single day. And when you start that day with badassery like listening to Black Sabbath's Vol. 4 while you throw axes at wooden blocks, well, what more can one ask for?
One of the bonuses of writing and recording at Rancho, for us, is the proximity it affords one to hand axes, archery gear and pellet guns. Whatever floats your boat, but for us, starting the day throwing axes and shooting bow and arrow is a fine way to ease into a rugged, casual day of making rock n' roll. Living at the place where you write and record ideas, for us, is a trip, and we love it. There's something supremely magical about having a moment you all share inspire a tune that you write and record on the spot, in the course of a single day. And when you start that day with badassery like listening to Black Sabbath's Vol. 4 while you throw axes at wooden blocks, well, what more can one ask for?