It’s that time again… after spending 2 years touring non-stop, i am finally in the other place that i love so much; The Studio. “Second Album Woe’s” you might think, but really it’s turned out rather different i’d say. I have always said that making music, is the most fun a person can have. While this obviously excludes a lot of other of my favorite things to do, when it all comes together, it is in fact a wonderful feeling. We have been working full time since early 2010 on what is to be the follow up album to Collected Memories.

Yes, it’s different. It’s no longer just one, but now five. Five minds, ten hands, & ten ears. Im about to spill over with excitement for these songs to be out there, on the interweb, in your car’s, and on your iPod’s. It has happened before, where great albums are capable of dying a horrible death. And how will our’s be different? It won’t, we can’t guarantee listenership or a fan base bigger then what we have already…but we can guarantee that we have put absolutely everything into making this album, and i hear that very same sound in my favorite albums.

Where do we go from here? We can’t come out the same, no surely not! We have to do more, better and with a difference. This is what i am going to spend the next few months thinking about.

I’m not sure if you have ever been in an Anechoic Chamber of sorts, but its basically a room that is without (ane) any sort of reverb or even ambient sound (echoic). In other words, it is completely DEAD in there. There is absolutely NO room noise. It’s purpose is for testing microphones and speakers. I can’t really explain it, but it sure is the craziest place you will ever be in. Anyway, it’s a great place to hang out when we’re in studio and feeling like disappearing for a while. I like it there. Here’s the proof, by Greg Carlin:

Anechoic Crucifix

Zebra & Giraffe were asked to open for The Killers on their South African tour… it was an awesome experience and we love how professionally these gigs are put together! It sucks that some people forgot how to have a good time despite the traffic issues in Cape Town…but either way, we had the best time & that was my favourire gig ever!!! This is one of Marcus’s photos…check the rest out here: Marcus Maschwitz

We are super excited to announce today that we will be supporting The Killers on all 3 of their South African Tour Dates. The show is supported by Heineken and 94.7, and will be held in JHB and Cape Town. We are really stoked on this opportunity and can’t wait to share a stage with a band like this… we hope you all come out and enjoy the show!

The kind people that represent Monster Cable in South Africa, have given Zebra & Giraffe a Monster Deal! They make really amazing gold plated jacks, that are super long and keep your tone the way it should be…exactly the same when it leaves your guitar, through your pedals and to your amp….the Rock cable is our choice, but they also make jazz cables with a ‘rolled off’ tone kinda sound. Yes, cables do make a difference… and yes we love using Monster Cables!

WOW! What a beautiful guitar. Like most Fender Custom Shop’s, its made to the best standards. Precise measurements, and meticulous attention to detail. Its a N.O.S finish (New Old Stock), California Beach series and is no. 127 of 150 ever made. Alder body, maple neck, with medium jumbo frets….yes, its a players dream!!!!

I have been loving T-Rex pedals since i bought my first Replica in Texas at the South by South West festival in 2007. The quality of their products is really something special, and they take a lot of time in creating truly amazing HAND MADE pedals and effects. The company is based in Denmark, and although i have only spoken to them via email, they have been the raddest bunch of guys and have been so approachable. The reason i’m bloggin’ this is because they have offered me an endorsement of their pedals and effects, and i’m totally stoked and honored to be associated with a company like this. Check out their products here…T-Rex Engineering.

Zebra & Giraffe played at Back 2 Basix in Westdene on friday with our fellow music makers Fire Through the Window. They are a really cool band, and really cool people and i cant wait to play again with them in Durban next week. Rudi Jeggle shot some rad photos, despite not been able to get close to the stage and this is what it looked like…

Greg, Rob & I have been hanging out in Plett writing&recording some stuff as we go! This is a little pic of our setup…making music is the most fun anyone can ever have!!!

Its about time i added something to the family, so this time i chose the ’72 Deluxe. Its my first Fender without single coils, which means its thick and creamy but still sounds like a Tele. Its pretty dam sweet sounding, and happens to look ok too. I hope u guys enjoy the sounds of this thing as much as i do! Thanks Music Connection.

Ive been living in doors for a while now as i have been working on the Collected Memories Deluxe Edition DVD. Its coming out really nicely, and this video is a sneak preview of the Video Diary. Keep ur eyes out for the release date.