Cheney musician/songwriter Brian Stai did his research when deciding where and how to record his second album. It was research that paid dividends not only with the where and the how - but also the who.
Stai had always wanted to record with two individuals. First was his father, Gerry, who used to play in cover bands when Brian was growing up in Iowa.
The second was producer Doug Williams, whose work on the award-winning bluegrass/punk/folk group Avett Brothers' 2008 EP "Second Gleam" Stai admires for its "true acoustic sound," something he feels is difficult to capture.
"I knew that was something I was going for, sonically," Stai said.
In the end, both men agreed, with the result being "Your Dreams," a nine-track CD of original music released last December that features Stai's father on bass, lead guitar and backing vocals and produced at William's Winston-Salem N.C. based studio Electromagnetic Radiation Recorders (EMRR). With the exception of a couple instruments, the entire CD was done in three days at EMRR.
"It was stressful, but Doug helped a lot," Stai said. "Even though I was unknown to him, it wasn't like he was disengaged. He gave his input; it was really cool."
Stai and his wife came to Cheney in August 2015, being assigned to the Newman Center at Eastern Washington University through their work with National Catholic Ministries. They started their four-year assignment with NCM at Northern Colorado University.
Stai, a South Dakota State University graduate, got his first guitar when he was 12 years old from his father. Playing at times with his dad and jam sessions with friends, Stai's first formal performing gig came while in college.
He began writing his own material 3–4 years ago, with influences from early Bob Dylan, John Prine and the Avett Brothers.
"Past that, kind of random assortment (of influences) I guess," Stai said. "It seems to vary each time I'm asked that question."
While starting out playing covers, Stai has since moved into the realm of using those to draw his audiences into the performance in order to begin sprinkling in some of his own work. His first album, "Human" was a live-style collaboration with Spokane-area banjo player/songwriter Tony Birkel, released in July 2017.
With 30-40 original songs in his repertoire, Stai set out this past fall to put together a true solo album. He visited musician online forums to see who recording artists were talking about, and saw a lot about Williams.
Stai called the producer, and the pair discussed everything from studio rates to recording philosophy and techniques. Stai also sent Williams demo tapes, "lots and lots" of demo tapes.
Stai talked to his father, who agreed to help out on "Your Dreams." The duo practiced by sending tapes back and forth, with Gerry Stai eventually taking the bus and Brian a plane to Winston-Salem to record with Williams.
All of the tracks were recorded at EMRR with the exception of backing fiddle, cello and lap steel guitar, which were recorded at Brian Stai's University Place apartment in Cheney.
While Stai and his wife manage the apartments, he is beginning to focus more on his music. "Your Dreams" was released with a Dec. 4 show at The Bartlett in Spokane, and Stai performs regularly at 7–8 venues throughout the Spokane area, including locally at The Mason Jar, where he is scheduled to appear on Jan. 25.
He also recently booked a two-week "mini tour," with scheduled stops in Montana and Colorado.
"I want to play in front of as many people as possible," Stai said. "I love playing live."
"Your Dreams" is available for listening and purchasing at brianstai.bandcamp.com.
John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.
Reader Comments(0)