Studio Campfire Stories: ‘Tales From The Land Of Milk And Honey’ Edition – The Making Of ‘Truce’

Nikolay-Zo-Studio-Coffee

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We started working on "Truce" during studio day number three. Funny thing is, we were so in a rhythm at the time that this was made that I honestly can't even remember what element came first. I want to say that Nic put the drums together for it to set everything off. Now, I've always felt that if used correctly, the Maestro Rhythm King MRK-2 drum machine sounds can provide a simplistic yet potent backbone to your music. Hell, just ask Sly Stone ("If You Want Me To Stay," "Family Affair," "In Time" etc.) or Larry Graham and Graham Central Station ("The Jam"). As Nic got into "mad scientist" mode preparing and programming those drums, I sat down on the Rhodes and worked through a three-bar chord progression that seemed to complement what he was doing and that piece ended up becoming the intro and the hook. Since we always like to keep it interesting with changes and transitions, I came up with a verse part and then an ending, which I separated -- first recording the Rhodes keys for the chords and then picking up the bass guitar to record that part. I then added the synth line that you hear in the beginning as well as the hooks (once again, the Moog Little Phatty came through in the CLUTCH). The closing progression was important, why? Because we wanted to make the end of this song as BIG as possible. It made sense, the music felt somber but pretty. Taking it out on a higher level of energy than the majority of the song was definitely the move. So we continued to layer and add everything from pads, atmosphere, swell strings and even some arpeggiated noise for the hooks and ending. At one point, there was even a "phaser" sound that came from one of the keyboards (it starts at 3:07) that lasts throughout the duration of the song. In the original instrumental, that ending is a solid minute plus and the phaser rides all the way through. It was a really dope addition and 100% accidental -- at least I THINK it was.

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