I spent Friday night laying down backing vocals for “Corner of Your Smile” and “Mason Jar” (we ended up going with the high harmonies after all, despite Will’s sultry baritone). Things went smoothly and we were through by midnight.

What’s more significant is that this marked the completion of all tracking for “Universal You.” This is a major, major benchmark, and long overdue.

Wrapping up tracking was as bittersweet as the six-pack of Sweetwaters we split (4/2 in my favor) to celebrate the milestone: it feels great to have finished recording, but I’ll certainly miss the sessions and (among other things) the creative collaborations with Will that made them special.

It’s kinda like when the Braves won the division in ’91… obviously, there was PLENTY to celebrate after years and years of waiting — hence the infield pile-on and clubhouse champagne shower — but there was still work to be done. Thanks for ruining my fall, Jack Morris, you wiley son of a bitch.

So, no more playing, no more singing. Just plenty of tweaking, EQing, balancing, and other essential knob-turning that Will handles on his own (per his request) while I stare at my email inbox, waiting for the mixed files to come in.

It’s in Will’s hands now.

Please stay tuned, we’re almost there.

-Nate

Geez, if this record were a baby it’d be starting kindergarten right about now.