by Sara Busone.
Lucio Barbarino is a busy guy these days. Between recording at Plaid Dog Recording Studios, preparing to play the kickoff to season 5 of Song City, and getting ready for the much-anticipated Ink 26 Songwriting Retreat, he finds himself entering new territory. He was able to take a little time and chat with Sara Busone about all of this and his newfound appreciation for collaborating with others on the songwriting process.
RRX: Now, there’s something unique about where you worked on your latest album that’s coming out … something very interesting about the producer (Mike Davidson) and the studio?
LB: Totally! It was pretty random. I was just perusing Instagram one day and I saw this little ad. It said “Plaid Dog Recording Studios” in Boston. They only take a certain number of people. It’s pretty limited. I mean, it’s just one studio and a couple of producers. So, the campaign … I didn’t reach my goal per se, but I raised enough to record the single right off the bat … which is “Pictures of Birds”. And now I’ve got enough to go back and do three or four more songs. So (I’m) trying to decide which songs I want to do, and arrangements, and stuff like that.
RRX: It sounds like it’s been going really well! You’re happy with the place and the whole process …
LB: Yeah, totally. We (Mike and I) actually have, like, a lot of very specific influences in common just by coincidence. And so, we’re really on the same page about the sort of sound we want … arrangements and textures, I guess, to songs and stuff like that. So yeah, I’m pretty happy with how it’s going and happy to get in there and do a few more songs, too.
RRX: That’s fantastic. And what are your thoughts on the album as you put it together? I know you said you’re working on arrangements, but some of the other songs are these brand-new songs. Have you ever tried them out on stage?
LB: Yeah, so most are brand new, not recorded, but I’ve played on stage before and (I’ve) have gotten great feedback, so I’m excited about them. There’s one called “Back Home,” which is about a guy who’s out on the road all the time and realizes that he wants to get back home to his wife and kid. There’s another one called “After the Rain,” which is kind of like an uplifting one about … the tough times we have. And then, hopefully, after the rain, you can feel better when the sun comes out. But I’ve got, probably, ten new songs I’d like to record. I’ll probably be able to do three or four more in the studio, and then I’m thinking I’ll supplement that by doing some of my own home recordings for my next album. So, it’ll be kind of split, or I’ll just do like a short EP. I’m trying to decide if I want to do just the EP with the stuff I’m recording in the studio, or if I want to combine that with some stuff that I record at home, so I’m not quite sure yet …
RRX: That’s exciting. What is it like for you when you record at home? Do you do it right on your laptop? What are some of the benefits, advantages, disadvantages?
LB: Yeah, I mean, the advantages … the convenience of it, of course. You know, you’re right there. It’s kind of a double-edged sword. It’s an advantage that you have all the control, and you can spend as much time on stuff you want. You can be as picky as you want, but that’s also part of the reason I wanted to try something different this time … because my previous couple of albums have been self-recorded at home, and I can get mired in detail. And I’m somewhat of a perfectionist when it comes to my music, so it’s kind of nice. It’s an advantage in that sense, but also it can be advantageous to let go of some of that control and let someone else in and have a little bit of input … and he’s kind of just guiding me. I’m still not in charge, but creatively it’s still my project, of course. But he has great things to say, and he’s a good producer, so I totally hear him out when he has opinions. Even “Pictures Of Birds” has been a collaboration for sure.
RRX: I can imagine when you have that creative control to be able to let go a little bit and collaborate with somebody … that’s cool that you got to have that experience. Was this your first time working with somebody in the studio? You mentioned that your other albums were self-made, self-produced …
LB: Yeah, this is the first time in a studio with really anybody else’s input or even playing. On “Pictures Of Birds,” we had an upright bassist who came in, a violinist … I played the drums on it and, obviously, sang and played guitar. But this is the first time it’s been like this. Straight up, my last two albums have been one hundred percent me, top to bottom, in every aspect. So, this is the first time, and so far, so good. I’m liking it.
RRX: That’s very exciting. I’m so happy for you. Speaking of happy news, you are also going to be in the Ink 26 Songwriting Retreat!
LB: That’s right, yeah, I am doing Ink 26!
RRX: Congratulations! That’s so exciting.
LB: Yeah, I’m super excited about that. So, I’m actually doing Song City in September. It’s September 10th, so it’s the first City of the season. And then I’m doing Ink (26) in October, which is exciting! Again, another foray into collaboration; I’ve never really written a song with someone, which is crazy to say. I mean, in high school I was in a band, and there was a little bit of collaboration … pretty much the main songwriter with a little input from a bassist and drummer. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to … just to get away for a few days and really soak in the songwriting and collaboration process, I guess you could say.
RRX: I remember talking with Scott (Womer) about it, and you get so much out of that experience! You even get professional pictures taken, and you get to work with all these different people in this beautiful setting. I mean, what a treat, right?
LB: Totally, yeah, it’s going to be like a little mini creative vacation. I’m really excited about it. There’s going to be someone there who can record demos for you. It’s going to be a kind of holistic singer-songwriter collaborative for a couple of days. So, I’m excited about it.
RRX: You mentioned working with other people now is something new for you. Are there any other things you’re looking to get out of this experience in particular?
LB: Just to meet people. So, new friends in the industry. It’s always good to network. I guess when I write a song, I want it to be, say … if this is going to be a Lucio Barbarino song, I want it to be, more or less, one hundred percent from me. I’ll take input and stuff, but at the end of the day, it’s going to be me. So, I’m excited to actually write from the ground up with someone. I think I’ll be a lot more open to suggestions and creative input. So, I guess I’m just excited about doing the creative thing with someone else and their input, from the ground up.
RRX: Other than Song City, do you have any other live shows coming up?
LB: Definitely! Song City, September 10th; I’m doing the (Troy) Farmers’ Market on the 12th. And before that, I have a gig at Gould Estate, an apple orchard, on September 6th. Song City is definitely the big one coming up for me. I’ve been excited to do it since I moved here … and Scott asked me to do it, and it’s the opening … the first one of the season, which is kind of cool! So hopefully it’ll be a good turnout!
