Plucking the reluctant piano innards...

Katie Ormiston, of the Vancouver folk-rock outfit Pawn Shop Diamond (whose upcoming album was produced by Figment), was inspired by the challenges faced by her brother, who lives with mental illness, to act out. A decided lack of resources and a general de-prioritizing of mental health issues in the city of Vancouver motivated her to strike up a deal with some like-minded local musicians - a fundraiser! A compilation album and performance, bringing together some of Vancity's finest musicians and visual artists to try and help out The Portland Hotel Society, would be cemented together by the black Crow. anyone living along the commute line of these surprising birds can attest to their daily inclusion in the city's bussle.
Black Crow Myspace Page
The performance will be held November 27th at The Vancouver East Cultural Centre.
It was from this invigorating collective of local musicians that we, yr humble Parlour Steps, felt inspired to take to Vogville Studios and record " A Pagan and a Cook" on a cool Saturday in September. It was also an excuse to work with the immense talent of Mark Berube, as he tickled some keys for us in grand style, unveiling wonderous possibilities where none existed before (that's him hand-plucking the piano strings in the second verse).

Hear the song A Pagan and a Cook on our website! Myspace streaming sounds like ass!!
I got to explore a little of the possibilties of my newest gear indulgence, the Millennia STT-1. The thing is a monster of possibilities and options: solid state and tube switchable on every component. Truely dizzying. The transformerless mic pre is so very transparent, it became obvious I'll need to invest in a better mic.
We also had the pleasure of using an immaculately kept Neumann U47 for the vocals. Such rich mids and silky highs - the best vocal mic I've ver had the pleasure of using. The price of this mic reflects that, costing close to what you'd pay for an excellent used car. But we're creating art, right? Such aims elevate us above mere dollars. I think... still gotta eat though...er...
The pictures of our studio explorations can be viewed on the Parlour Steps myspace page. The song was young when we went in, hardly written, and what took shape was glorious for us. We bloomed and it was good. We hope you enjoy it as well.
If the planets adequately align we will have a new album for yr pleasure by Christ's Mass. It will be the collest soundtrack for crucifixion ever!

Love, Parlour Steps

Caleb Stull, producer/ engineer
Figment Productions
www.figmentproductions.ca
info@figmentproductions.ca
tel. 604. 339. 3683