The Sick-Leaves have released two albums, Tunnel Vision and Stone the Crow with both albums having been nominated for a SA Music Award in the category of Best Alternative Album: English, in 2007 & 2009 respectively.

Recording for The Sick-Leaves’ 3rd album was in full swing from November until the middle of December at The SABC’s M5 studio in Johannesburg.
It is produced by Darryl Torr who also produced the likes of Dear Reader, Zebra & Giraffe and Cassette.

The album has the working title of ‘Last Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’ which will feature eleven songs.
Recording went according to plan with the guitars being recorded first by myself over the course of November.
A lot of time was spent making sure the right tones and frequencies were selected for each guitar part.
In total four guitars were used for the recordings: Gibson Les Paul Standard, Gibson CS-336, Fender Jaguar and a Fender Telecaster.

Drums then followed with live member Wayne Pictor doing a stellar job on the kit. It was fantastic to hear his drums in the big space that is M5.

I recorded the bass in early December for which a Fender American Precision Bass was used. It was quite a challenge (as is always the case) to make the transition to Bass player mode from guitar, but we were able to get a really great tone and groove that is well suited to the sound of the album.

The vocals were recorded in December in M2 with the vocals having been the final puzzle in the jigsaw before mixing commences as the project nears completion.

It has been a fantastic experience to work with Darryl and see how he goes about things. I have learned a tremendous lot from him in terms of arrangement and the unspoken rule that less is always more.

I am eagerly awaiting the final mixes and look forward to hearing the finished product.
Photographer, Sean Brand is busy putting together the album artwork, which is going to be stunning.

The album is scheduled for release in March 2010.

There are studio photos on The Sick-Leaves facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/thesickleaves

Upcoming performances:

Live@5 on 5FM on 30th January where interested fans can meet The Sick-Leaves and be part of the studio audience.
Please email your name to: live5@5fm.co.za

Ramfest Jo’burg on 6th March at Emmarentia Botanical Gardens