Journal
Ramblings from the road and the studio
ReNaming an Album
19 Apr 2006
Naming anything doesn't come easy to me. Albums are particularly challenging because I want a title that unifies all of the songs but also leaves a certain amount of ambiguity to the work. With Just Hold Still the name came from a song title which is where I usually start looking.
So when it came time to choose names for the sophomore Brother Sean album it's no surprise that I first decided on Don't Look Back (one of the song titles). I guess at the time I must have really liked it cause I published it on the site and everything, but looking back now I'm glad I've moved on. To what you say? First my thought process...
Back when the album was titled Don't Look Back I wanted the front cover image to be a photo shot from the window of an airplane. I thought an image of this sort would do two things well:
- Signify movement; which I think works well with the title Don't Look Back.
- Give a feeling of place from the songwriter's point of view, many of the songs were written during airplane flights.
Of the points above I really liked #2. I've always been very conscience of where I am when a song comes to me so the idea of representing this in the cover appealed to me.
While I really liked the image, the words Don't Look Back were just not sticking with me. I didn't like how similar in tone they were to Just Hold Still, both commanding the listener to do something. Also both are three word phrases. Don't Look Back just wasn't working.
So last week while visiting the real brother Sean in San Diego, CA (all photos are from SD) I stumbled upon the title of "Window Seat". Of all places it came to me in the bathroom. I was thinking about the front cover image and how it would be cool to have lots of photos taken from the window seat of aircraft laid out like a grid (ala Achtung Baby). With that image in mind the title Window Seat had to come to me.
So now for your part, yes there is a YOUR part. I mentioned acquiring lots of photos taken from the window seat of aircraft. I have some but I would REALLY like to get window seat shots from other people. So I've set up a page on the site where visitors can submit photos. Over the next few weeks I'll review the shots, if we like your photo we'll contact you to get the rights to use it. Submit your Window Seat photos here.
Category: Studio Journal
Comments
On 24 Apr 2006 Kevin McPeak wrote:
Steve thanks for the San Diego, photos! I really like the one with the reflection of you reading in the window.
I plan on posting all of the submitted photos to the site so that visitors can check them out. Thanks again Steve!
On 25 Apr 2006 Cintia wrote:
Hi Kevin! Great idea! Loved it! Bad thing is that I don't have any pic to send you and I'm not going home so soon... It would be great if I had some shots from Brazil... You have to come back for more shows!
On 7 May 2006 Dave wrote:
Hey Kev, I e-mailed some pictures to you the other day. Good luck putting everything for the new album together.
On 12 May 2006 Cintia wrote:
Hi Kevin! My friend Cesar from Brazil is a photographer and has an incredible portfolio! He will email you one of his pics.
On 13 May 2006 Kevin McPeak wrote:
Thanks Cintia! I look forward to checking out the pic.
On 21 Apr 2006 Brother Steve wrote:
Kevin, Nice idea! I've got a few shots of the lights at night to send your way. Look for 'em! Great to see you and Sean ROCK San Diego recently. Hope you'll return soon (and not look back).