Brandon Gilliam

Set List at Rivers Crossing

Solution – Hillsong United
Our God is Love – Hillsong United
Your Cross Has Saved Us – Elevation Worship
You are my Passion – Jesus Culture

A quick little video that James B. and I made showing how we use Ableton Live to run our clicks at Rivers Crossing.  Hopefully it provides some decent information that can be useful in your ministry.

We concluded the week of recording on Friday and I was able to make it home on Friday night.  We finished up vocals on every song except one.  We decided to sit on it for a while.  The music portion of the song turned out really well and the lyrics that I had once written for this song just did not really fit anymore.  And I was completely fine with that.  So, more than likely I’ll head back down in a few weeks to record vocals on that song, and also do any overdubs that need to be done.

I’ve been asked if there is a favorite song on this album.  I cant really answer that right now.  I mean all of these songs turned out better than I could’ve ever imagined and the musicians who played on this album brought it everyday, Im still really just in awe of the entire process and how amazing that was.  Im sure that as I begin just thinking through the songs and when I begin listening to the mixes when they come in, I’ll be able to think of a song that resonates with me more than the others.  But as of now, Im crazy excited about every song and cant wait for you guys to hear them.

If you’re looking to do an album, I would say look no further than Bright City Studios and Joel Khouri and Joel Willis.  Amazing.  I cannot say enough good things about those guys and the entire Bright City crew.

Stay tuned folks…..Be sure to join the Facebook Page over there on the right column of the blog.  There you will be updated regularly.  Also, I’d love your help in sharing with your friends on Facebook and any other avenue.

-BG

The week is winding down.  Its kind of a bummer.  I’ve really really enjoyed my time here in Charlotte and at Gat3 Studios.  The people have just been so incredible to work with and hang out with.  Im really just trying to take it all in.  We’ve finished up electric guitars and they sound so good.  Joel Willis really brought it.  I mean he was really just dialed in.  He’s also a really cool guy and its been great working with him.  Joel Khouri is the best producer out there man.  He picked incredible musicians to play on this record and his vision for this album continues to amaze me.

The next two days consists of tidying up a few parts, and a heavy load of vocals.  So be in prayer for us.  Pray that the Lord would give us strength as we end the week.  That we’d have more energy these last two days than we had the first two days of the process a week or so ago.

Check out the video below.

We began a new week today at the studio.  Today we tracked in the B Room at Gat3 Studios.  I really like this room.  We started tracking electric guitars.  Its really cool how these songs are beginning to come more and more alive with every piece we add.  Joel Willis is playing electric on this album.  He’s a really cool guy and really talented musician.  The dude knows his stuff.  He plays at Elevation Church and also works at Bright City Studios with Joel Khouri.  He used a few different guitars.  He had a tele and a Gibson which seemed to be his main guitars.  We used a Vox AC30 and a Matchless amp.  The tone was pretty rad.  The Matchless Amp is sick.

After electrics we did vocals for a couple songs.  Again, add another reason to the many that I love working with Joel.  He really pushed me and brought the best out of me.

Today we worked on two of the cover songs Im doing.  Your Cross Has Saved Us by Elevation Worship and Awakening by Mark Mathis.

Oh yea, I woke up this morning and had an email from Ed Cash (Producer) just encouraging me in this recording process and reminding me to get lost in His presence as we sing and play on this record.  It was pretty cool of him to take the time to write me.  Thanks Jeff and Sara!!!

-BG

On Thursday and Friday of this week we tracked acoustic guitars at a studio called The Bishop Stove Studios.  This place was really cool and some great vibe.  We were able to get some great sounds from the acoustic.  Im still using the Larrivee I bought several years ago and it continues to provide a great sound/tone.  Leo was the guy who ran this studio and he was a super cool guy.  I got a chance to hang out with him at The Common Market on Thursday night and got to know him a little better.  This all took place while Joel (producer) was DJ’ing at the Common Market.  I had a great time on Thursday meeting new people.  There is definitely a community here of musicians and friends.

So we’ve got the drums, bass, and most of the acoustic tracked.  Starting Monday, we’ll be doing Electric Guitars and Vocals.  Cant wait.  My time here is flying by but it really is a dream come true to be able to do something like this.  Im very thankful for the opportunity.

-BG

Im still soaking in the fact that the day has actually come that we are tracking these songs.  This morning Im doing that soaking in Panera Bread with a wonderful cup of coffee.

Day 3 (Wednesday) was a great day as we completed tracking Drums and Bass for all the songs.  Jacob Arnold and Jon Duke really just nailed it and knocked it all out in three days.  The thing that really impressed me with these guys is how attentive to detail they were.  You see, I dont claim by any means to be some mega-worship leader who is known by the entire world, yet these guys brought it every time we hit the record button in Pro Tools.  If something wasn’t right, they didnt settle…they kept going until it was right.  This really meant a lot to me.  I just really enjoyed working with Jacob and Jon and now I understand why musicians/worship leaders want these guys to be playing in their band.

I was really excited about today because my good friend, and the person I consider to be a mentor, David Walker came by the studio.  David really invested a lot into me the last couple years I was in Greenville…before we moved to Cincinnati.  And the things he taught me, as well as how he lead me by example…still stick with me even today.  We are also tracking a song that he wrote on the album called Oh the Blood…which Im super excited for you guys to hear.  If you are ever in need of having a band come lead worship for your youth or church or whatever, David needs to be the first guy you contact.  Trust me.  His music is anointed.

Lastly, I’ll tell you about a Holy Spirit moment I had later in the day.  Joel Khouri, my producer, wanted to track some piano parts using their sick grand piano they had at the studio.  As he played on some of the slower songs, I honestly had to fight back tears (well, more like a mist) at this moment he was creating on the album.  I love rocking it out, I love cranking songs up and just going for it…but I also enjoy those moments where you can just sit, soak, think, worship….and the Lord allowed us to create some of those moments on this album.  I think you’ll really enjoy these moments.  Its a time where you are allowed to sing your own song to the Lord, where we just play on the album, and you get that time to yourself with the Lord.

You’ll see what I mean soon enough.

Love you guys and thanks so much for all the love and support you have shown.
-BG

Get Stoked.  The record is sounding really good and each day that passes I become more and more excited to share this music with you.  Today we really got moving with drums.  Jacob came in and was nails.  I think he did 5 songs total today which is great.  Right now Jon is here in the studio playing bass.  We are working on song called Strong Tower that Joel Khouri wrote.  Really digging this song and I think you guys will to.  

Again Im amazed at how epic this coffeemaker is here at Gat3Studios.  Its almost like an espresso machine but its not (at least I dont think so).  Its weird like that, but so awesome.

A couple of my prayers for this project:  The the Lord would be glorified in every aspect of this recording and that the Church would be encouraged, blessed, and ministered to through this project.  I definitely covet your prayers too.

Keep coming back to the blog and to my facebook page (which I’d love for you be a fan of (or simply hit that beautiful “LIKE” button) for pics and videos.