| Lodro’s Favorite Piece of Gear | ||
 Tascam 388 1/4″ Reel to Reel Mixing Console |
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Brooklyn’s Lodro sounds like a band with dangerous, dark intentions. On top of that, bassist and lead singer Lesley Hann (formerly of Friends) has the looks of one of those irresistible Pulp Fiction-style, not to be trusted female characters , while Jeremy Cox’s guitar does whatever it takes to sound as sharp and out of control as a rusty knife in the hands of a psychopath. Since he recorded all the band’s material (so far) in total DIY fashion, we asked him to shed light on the band’s recording habits:
How much of your recording is done at home versus in the studio?
We write, demo, and record everything at our home studio in Bushwick.
What are the pieces of equipment that you find particularly inspiring when recording at home?
We have a Tascam 388 1/4 reel to reel machine and we love it.
So you don’t use a studio not even for drums?
We record everything ourselves because we know how to achieve the sound and vision that we prefer on our own.
What one piece of hardware/software would you most like to add to your recording setup (cost not an issue)? Why?
We recently used a Roland Space Echo while we were recording. I usually avoid echo/delay, but I am kind of intrigued with that thing right now, so I’d probably add one of those.
Do you expect your next record to be self-produced, or would you like to work with a producer? If it’s the latter, who would you most like to produce your band, and why?
Having just finished our first LP, I guess I’d say we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Do you use rack effects or guitar pedals to forge your own sound?
I try to avoid using any effects on my guitar. I use a Boss tremolo pedal and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amplifier. I like the pedal because it’s simple, and I like the amp because it’s mean.
Boss Tr-2 Tremolo Pedal
Do you have a particular recording style that you aim for? What techniques do you employ to recreate it?
No. I try not to use the same technique more than twice in order to keep each sound fresh.
Who determines the direction and style of your recordings?
Problems.
Is there a person outside the band that’s been important in perfecting your recorded or live sound?
Every outside engineer I’ve worked with has provided some level of influence or advice, but we’ve developed our sound on our own.
What other artists would you say have had the biggest influence in your approach to recording? Why?
I learned a lot living in San Francisco watching other bands’ approach to recording.
Would you say that your live show informs your recording process or that your recording process informs your live show? Both? Neither?
We like to keep our recordings sounding live, but we use the recording process as an opportunity to add little touches to the overall experience.
Is there a piece of equipment that you find particularly useful on stage?
Just the aforementioned amp and pedal. And my guitar – Fender Stratocaster.
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe
Fashion is exciting to us, which makes it a relevant and important component to the band. We make all creative and aesthetic decisions on our own.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspects of the recording process? On the flip-side, what aspects are the most rewarding?
The task of repeating and perfecting a take can be very exhausting. Finding new ways to create sound and surprising myself during the recording process is most rewarding.
