It’s been fun to reminisce a bit this week about The Kicks.
Like I said Monday, it was ten years ago that we put out our first album.
And I can’t talk about our first album very long without telling you about Mitch Dane.
We always said that if we could only thank one person during a Grammy speech it would be Mitch.
Mitch was the producer on our first album and the following two. But his contributions were far greater.
Mitch goes first. He’s a true believer. Mitch believes in artists without looking around to see if it’s cool or not to believe. He listens and hears both the music and the person. He speaks on purpose.
He is ultimately cool.
He was the first one to take us in. When we were definitely uncool. When no one was calling or emailing us back, he did. He invited us to his house and we sat on his couch and talked about music for hours.
He knew how to handle four wild eyed guys who had never made a record before. He was a true shepherd. He taught us real music making. He guided us and let us think it was all our idea.
He taught us to play together. To tune after each take. To stand up for ideas. To respect good drum sounds.
The morning coffee was good and the afternoon coffee even better. A studio full of toys and possibilities and vintage guitars and GREAT vocal mics.
But Mitch was the one. His presence is the special thing that makes that studio spin.
Mitch initiated our creative and music making maturity…all the while venturing into the richest of conversations about faith, life, family, love and marriage.
That first record especially was such a joy to make.
So thank you, Mitch. Thanks for going first. We needed that.
***Sputnik Sound
***Juliette
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Drop me an email: gabe@gabethebassplayer.com