First Day in the Studio

Walking In

The studio has that particular smell—wood, electricity, old microphones, new coffee. Jake's already setting up his kit when I arrive. He's brought his vintage Ludwig, the one he used on the Americana sessions last year. Smart choice.

Sarah and Tommy arrive together. They've played together before, which helps. There's already shorthand in how they move around each other in the room.

The First Run

We start with "Gimme Three Steps." I explain the concept: what if Skynyrd met a New Orleans second line? Jake gets it immediately. He drops into a different pocket—looser, more syncopated. The groove shifts from Southern rock swagger to something more parade-like, more celebratory.

Tommy's listening carefully. He's not trying to replicate the original guitar parts. He's translating them—finding the melody in the new rhythm, honoring the spirit without copying the letter.

What We Learned Today

• The room sounds incredible. High ceilings, natural reverb, but still tight when you need it.
• These players understand translation vs. imitation. That's the whole project.
• We need to slow down. The temptation is to rush, to capture everything. But the space between takes matters.

Tomorrow we tackle the vocals. That's when it gets personal.