Hanging With Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle

Singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata , frequent musical guest on The Time Machine, chimes in for the new year after her third album just got pressed this weekend with a release date soon to be announced.


Just back from Boston after swell fabulouso recording session with Mike Viola and Ducky Carlisle. Got a movie track done that I’m excited about, for all it’s hymnal non pop glory will have a place in this world after all. Will let you in on further details bout that as I get them. We caught a vibe like a surfer catches waves so we stayed a day later and did two covers just for fun. I’ve decided I was meant to hit my hey day in the 70s so am waiting patiently for time to reverse itself and welcome me in.

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Some words about the magic men. Viola is a bit of a musical genius with energy that can only be supplied by some other planet I’m longing to visit. He can play anything and when I say anything I mean all instruments, sing any melody and he’s damn fine behind a grill as well. We’ve written together many times and you will see some of our co works making their way out on the next record. He has a new mustache and therefore a new nickname (Luigi) and like a select few has become a mentor that supplies me with wisdom and guts as well as music.

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Ducky. The other magic man. He turns the knobs and dials it in and switches the levels and presto I become a real voice. I don’t know how he does what he does, but there are some that just get me and my tone and my need to have some bourbon. He is one of the few that creates the right setting and says just enough, but not too much that allows me to sing the one takes and be in the moment and even love it after 20 listens and much habitual self deprecation. His studio is filled with creativity in every inch (lots of ducks of course), paintings, records, books, gear, trinkets etc and when I go to sleep in my flannel duck sheets I know that the next morning the coffee will be perfect, the dogs zen filled and imagination set loose for another great day.

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I could go on and on about Paul (the string arranger guru that makes it all better), the fab quartet, the kick ass flautist Tim that blew our minds AGAIN and Penny who just makes everything better…

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It’s been sooooo long since I’ve written and there is so much I want to say. Why this morning I have no idea.. I have the flu AGAIN and can’t sleep AGAIN and was thinking back to a time where there were no barriers to my brain and what I let out there for anyone interested to read. It’s always this balance of how much you want to tell and stay positive and not jinx etc., but at the end of the day as artist to friend how will you hear anything if I stay in my own brain forever? (whaaa is she talking bout – I have no idea…)

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So hey – happy new year and merry late holidays. Enjoy the next two years because 2012 is the end. (watched Nostradamous special for 3 hours and those birds!??). Did I look up survival guides 2012 on amazon.com ok so maybe I did so what. The reviews of those books are hilarious.. Someone actually marveled that a book was so negative. I’m not sure how you put a positive spin on the end of the world, but in fact there was one book saying how to make it fun as well.

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‘Career wise’, since this is a catch up blog of sorts – has been a continual ride. Had amazing session with another of the greats - Joe Chiccarelli – over the summer and a cast of insane musicians that truly turned songs I was scratching my head about into fab works. He forced me to become a better singer and did some serious ass kicking that led to me dedicating myself to actually learn how to play the piano and take better care of my voice. These are very good things. He is a sensitive zen master that is just a true joy and boy if this blog isn’t becoming a love letter to the men in this little girl’s life (reference to oldie song – you get it? You get it?).

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Perry I miss you. If ever there was a guide to give me renewed confidence in what makes me love the diamond in the rough songs and remember who I am and how to get there….

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Alrighty, it’s late and I’ve gone on and on. The basics are – I’m still writing, I’m recording. I am doing everything I can to get you new songs through the web of label shifting and 2012 preparations (wink). There are silver linings – enter Kate. I have a show later this month in South Korea ( I could start in on the irony there, but that would take up too much space) and am setting up a residency for wood lovers to regain some chops and flesh out some songs before a proper tour. I am positively positive in my way. I’ve died my hair red, but it didn’t work and am still a cat lady (5 currently – 2 are visitors). I miss the road. I miss all of you.

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I will write again.

Xoxo

r



Posted by Rachael Yamagata



Rachael's music has had a home on our playlists and in our hearts since her debut release. While waiting for her third album release this year, be sure to pick up a copy of her first album, "Happenstance" and her sophomore double album release, "Elephants...Teeth Sinking Into Heart". Rachael currently topped our airplay chart for 2010 with her song with Semisonic's Dan Wilson, "You Take My Troubles Away" and closed out the year with her yuletide song, "Baby Come Find Me At Christmas". You can get a sampling of what she's been up to lately at her website www.rachaelyamagata.com

Although Rachael has done a number of guest slots on The Time Machine, you can also check out two of her extremely detailed interviews on The Time Machine's archived broadcasts below. You can download them as podcasts or listen to them from the embedded players on the webpage itself.


Rachael Yamagata Interview


Rachael Yamagata Interview from 2008