INDEX
“Visions”: Crafting a Distinctive Sound Texture
-You mentioned choruses earlier, but there are a number of songs like “I Just Wanna Dance” that are rich in sound due to the multiple layers of your own voice. What about the harmonies?
Norah: I really like the harmony part of this album. This time we recorded the drums and piano first, then the vocals, and then all the harmonies in that order. So I didn’t record the bass for about a year [laughs]. For some of the songs, I felt that the harmony, piano, and drums were already complete. Eventually I added bass, but the harmonies made it all up, and there was no room for other sounds. There is a little guitar and organ, and saxophone and trumpet on a few songs, but no other instruments at all. Because we were already full of harmonies.
-Let’s talk about recording and mixing from here. I think you are an artist who has always been very particular about recording and mixing. When I listen to your other works such as “Begin Again” and “Little Broken Hearts” as well as “Sister” by Puss N Boots, they are full of interesting sounds and textures. Visions” has a sound that you haven’t done before.
Norah: When I record with Leon, I get a certain specific sound. He has a unique recording technique, like using old equipment and miking, and he has a cool sound. So I had an idea of the kind of sound we would achieve if we recorded together, but we didn’t decide beforehand through discussion, nor did we overthink it.
Leon doesn’t try to impose his sound on others. Some producers try to force their own sound color, and sometimes it doesn’t fit with the song, or it doesn’t sound natural. In his case, however, I felt that his sound was laid down very naturally, and it just became a cool sound.
-What do you think makes his sound cool?
Norah: Well, Leon has vintage microphones and old analog delays, but he’s not trying to create an old-fashioned sound. I think he creates a very interesting balance of sounds. Production with vintage equipment often sounds retro, doesn’t it? But in his case, he is not trying to make it sound old. It sounds really good, but at the same time it sounds earthy and rough.
